The lifelessness and lack of good mistakes or happy accidents imposed by
excessive editing and the temptation to get sucked into that is a big
part of the reason I want to use computers as little as possible. I
guess that's not necessarily the best substitute for achieving true
self-discipline.

Exactly. You can use as much or as little of the editinig capabilities of a
DAW as you would like. Just because you have a Ferrari doesn't mean you have
you drive 150MPH. It'll go just as slow as a 1979 Chevy Monza.

You mention that 2-3K will opush the limit of what you're willing to spend for
an analog console. If you want to even begin to exploit the possibility of a
large format analog board you'll need to spend almost that much on harnessing,
assuming it comes with a comprehensive patchbay. Without a patchbay, double
that amount.

I wont post on this thread again. You're obviously free to do what yuou want.
But with your relatively tiny budget, I would advise strongly against trying to
buy a large format console and a full track width tape deck. Thee ones you'll
be able to afford (after paying for the shipping and harnessing) are bound to
be old, tired pieces in need of serious maintenance. Nothing impedes music
making lkike equipment failure. If you think KLEZ can slow you down, wait til
you meet MOLEX.


Joe Egan
EMP
Colchester, VT
www.eganmedia.com