DAT's not all folks

I own 2, purchased from Jim (Oade). There is widespread (heh) use of these machines among the "tapers" that frequent live music occurrences. Besides tHe Oade's shop, there is Sonic Sense's Marc Nutter in Colorado, who is the western US guru for people that can't get enough live music. Although is is possible to record straight to hard drive, most tapers are still using the Sony D8 or perhaps its older sibling the D7, if they have quite alot of money maybe the Tascap DAP-1, or if they are a true trustafarian (trust funded free spirit) they might own the HHB portadat. IF DATs are no longer sold, the Oade Bros will still repair them, as will SOnic Sense. REcording straight to hard drive is infinitely better, since DATs have so many moving parts and need frequent upkeep. A hard disk has relatively few, however I have no idea how much these things cost, since I have been out of the game for quite a while.

IF you want a DAT, I say buy it. If SOny stops making them, Tascam won't, and My guess is, neither will HHB. THE format is in use across America, and will continue to be until recording to HD becomes readily accessible to hippies with money. Salut

Ramstl,

I have not spoken with Jim, Doug, Marc, or anyone about this.

However, I severely doubt that these products will be unavailable in 3 years.

There is simply too large a group of users (admittedly, not a readily available medium...ever needed a DAT tape in the middle of a small town... good luck...) for the format to disappear.

I understand that they are a bitch to keep going, because I use them, as do many field recorders, recording studios, radio stations, and television studios. I am not debating anything you've said, I just don't think that they will stop making them alltogether.

I was thinking about selling my D8, maybe I'll wait a couple of years, of course, I took a bath on that truckload of turntables I bought in 1980....I thought they were going to be hard to find.....

Cheers, and see live music!!!!!!
G13