I have a Tascam ATR-60/16 1" 16 track and never recorded with NR. 15 ips, no NR sounds best to me. DBX always sounded bad and I had little experience with Dolby A on the multitracks.

I also was on staff at a studio with two JH-24s and there was a difference in sound between the Tascam and the MCI, but if things are properly setup it's not a "blow you away" difference. Especially once you get the noise floor up with a couple cranked guitar amps.

I think you're probably on the right path getting the 16tk, with a 24 console. When I bought my first 16trk (a Teac 85-16B...ugh) I got a 16 channel board to go with it and was always using submixers and such to fudge more inputs. 8 more channels would have been very very handy.

Another reason I like that I learned on 16 is that I was forced to make decisions. It really started when I worked in an 8tk studio, but the bulk of my early days were on that 16. Ahh memories.

Well, I bought the MX70, and I have to say that I am very satisfied with my decision. It has been well taken care of and it sounds incredible. I haven't had much time to play with it yet, but I don't even really notice the tape noise, so I don't guess I really need the NR. Thank you guys for your input.

I think you made a ok decision. Ive worked alot with the sony's and they just drove me mad calibrating. The 1" thing ive tended to stay away from , but thats because i'm a spoiled brat and get to work mostly on studers. And they are my choice

blue_thunder wrote:The difference in price, plus the amount I would be saving not having to buy an MRL and tape to record on, would probably be almost $2000 that I could apply elsewhere in the studio (i.e. maintaining the tape machine).

it seems you made the economical choice.

also, with regards to a 16 track recorder and 24 channel console -- don't forget that you can record more than one channel per track =)