Thanks everyone! I'm feeling better, though still a little weak. I've been looking at all of your suggestions; and you've given me a lot to think about.
Several of your suggestions were for interfaces that would make use of my laptop for recording. The units you've suggested are intriguing and enticing; but for these field recordings that I've been doing, carrying my laptop with me seems an extra layer of complexity.
Thus, I've focused primarily on the Zoom R16. Presently, I don't need to simultaneously record more than two tracks, which is why I was looking at the Tascam DP-008EX. The Zoom R8 also only simultaneously records two tracks, but has the other advantages of the Zoom R16.
I suppose it is possible that I may find myself in a group situation again at some point, and would be able to make use of simultaneously recording more than two tracks. So it becomes a question of whether that possibility is worth the extra costs incurred now.
So that's where I am at the moment in my thinking.
This week's physical issue is going to hit my already limited budget quite heavily (emergency room, CT scan, etc); but that R16 is appealing.
Thanks again!
