With neither new digital machine shipping as yet, I have a "gut" feeling that the Tascam system will be the winner in this little war. Owners of the Mackie digital console will have reason to stay in the MKIE realm, but I think everyone else will choose the Tascam. Price is always a consideration, I have heard reports from people I trust that say it just "sounds" amazing. Obviously both platforms benefit from the increased 24 bit resolution, but A/D D/A converters are not all created equal. I also think I'd prefer to do my waveform editing on my computer, not on MKIE's software. Once DVD Ram discs come down in price (or some other viable storage medium becomes cheap enough) I will be moving to the Tascam 24. I currently run Logic Audio in sync with a DA-88 which works flawlessly, but getting rid of tape would be cool. No more rewind time, and easy waveform editing of ALL my tracks... thats the way to go.
As far as MKIE as an investment, I'd be happy if I bought at 4, but I am not interested at current levels. I will keep my eye on it though. It is trading down 1/2 from the open, if it falls back near 4, I'll consider it. It may see a spike when the new systems start to ship....
I think it is interesting that they settled with Behringer, but didn t disclose the terms. As you may know, Sam Ash "allegedly" persuaded Behringer to steal the design of the Mackie 8 buss console and sell it cheaper. If you compare the 2 consoles closely, you will see only slight cosmetic differences. There is no question that it is "alleged" blatant thievery, I just wonder how they settled.....
Behringer has done this before with other gear "allegedly".....
Tascam is not public, and I wouldn t touch Alesis with a pole now, even if it were public. Their whole company rests on ADAT, no one really uses their consoles, and the rest of the product line is pretty much crap. As a matter of fact their entire line is crap, it is just cheaper.... The only reason there are so many ADATS in use is that they beat Tascam to market with the original 8 track cheapo system by almost a year. NO one prefers their stuff, it is just the only option for some low end studios where price is the main consideration. The DA-88 is the rig of choice in most semi pro studios, and ALL post houses. It will likely remain viable as a mixdown deck for surround 5.1 mixes (5 channels of surround, 1 sub-woofer track, and a simultaneous stereo mix). Unless Alesis comes out with a disc based 24 bit machine SOON, they are dead. They have been beaten to market by Tascam and Mackie, and it may be too late.
MG |
