This might be far too stressful to consider, but would there be any merit in trying at least a 7 track tape? Maybe try a test run for a future Collab. Exact same as the original, but person four will be someone that can mix and bounce to track 1, and send off to person 5 etc.. track 1 is 1-4, track 2 is 5, 3 is 6, and 4 is 7.
Obviously this could go on and on, but with generational degradation in mind yadda yadda. Idk. That extra level of insanity is enticing.

Sounds interesting but might work better during 50/90, instead of FAWM (since there are 90 days). Truth is that we barely have enough time for four tracks during February, when you count all the postal travel time.

@zecoop Fundamental flaw! Good catch. That's why I ask, didn't consider the obvious.

Ooh, fun idea! Would definitely be up for giving this a go in the summer. I don't want to be the person who does the bounce though, that bit is stressful 😅

@vomvorton that's where the logistics come in as well. Maybe 6 tracks is easier to start, so you aren't live recording over a bounce... That's terrifying. So 1-3 track 1, 4 to 2, 5 to 3, 6 to 4.

I guess with modern tech there's also the option to take a digital backup of the tracks before committing JUST IN CASE everything goes horribly wrong.

Exactly, and recommended haha

Ok, if this happens in 50/90 I’m down take part.

Is that not allowed under current ‘rules’! Last year I recorded two things and bounced them down to one track and then sent the tape on. Was that ok to do?

@thedutchwidows unfortunately not, you're now banned from tapes forever and can only record on digital from now on 😞

just kidding, I don't think there are any rules! whatever suits the song, innit?

I don't have authority, but as far as I'm concerned, you were on one track.. that's totally fine. You aren't confined to one instrument.

@thedutchwidows - I hereby officially decree that you are absolved if any wrongdoing and are sanctioned to record in that fashion forthwith in perpetuity, if you so desire.

@thedutchwidows I'll admit I cheated a bit last year too. I was #4 on a tape that needed both drums and vocals. I'm no drummer, and there was absolutely no way I could sing and play drums at the same time. I did the drum part first, then as I mixed it down I sang the vocals "live" during the mix. I felt like it was in the "spirit" of how we used to 4-Track, adding a part as you bounce down the other tracks,

@chinacat - @zecoop has absolved us all of wrongdoing, so I think the word ‘cheating’ can go!

I love that live tracking when bouncing technique. I was trying to work out earlier what the maximum number of recorded tracks or instruments you could fit on a 4-track (ignoring degradation and hiss etc). For example, bounce three tracks to the fourth while recording another, so have four instruments on one track plus three free tracks. Then record two more tracks and bounce while recording a third instrument, so you’d have two tracks with 7 instruments and 2 tracks free etc. But I got lost thinking about extra live tracking you could do first before the first big bounce, e.g. record to track 1, bounce to 2 and overdub something else, so the first big bounce of three tracks to one could be 6 instruments, possibly more. I gave up after a while and had a cup of tea instead. .