Well I broke down and bought a new Tascam recorder last week. I got it on sale with some discount for $380.00. I think very good price. It says to be a 24 track recorder that is true if using the 12 stereo tracks as stereo. If just mono then it is an 18 track recorder, still more that I need. Recording history, I started in 1991 buying a tascam midi studio, it was cassette and far better that me. I paid over 2000.00 for that, was looking at reel to reels at the time, Fostex Tascam, but went with the cassette version, I stunk at recording and finally sold it for what I paid in 92. Didnt buy another until I found a used Fostex 4 trac cassette recorder at a pawn shop for $100.00 in '94. Really learned to record, bounce etc on that machine. Then the digital thing with ADAT came out and I bought an 8 track ADAT and Mackie mixer. a couple of thousand also. later sold that and bought Roland vs880 ex. had that as my recorder for about 20 years till now. I have used computer recording some, but, I prefer the old style for tracking and then sending to the computer for mastering, burning down etc. I have to say this Tascam is just a great machine. 8 inputs, xlr and 1/4 inch guitar jack, phantom power, effects, and so simple to use. Anyone still wanting to record the old way should check these out. I am worried that these things may become a thing of the past, like me, and I got mine before that happened. Cliff