Re: Analogue vs. Digital
This is a tricky one, IMO. I've used them both on my time. I think that at least the cheaper Tascam cassette 4-trackers, which I presume you're meaning, lose too much of your sound, especially the higher frequencies. But the outcome does resemble your original sound.
The PodXT is different. It may take some time to get your sound from tweaking it endlessly etc. but it does a good computer recording with very good tones, IMO. For a Pod! For it's price! Even if I've always prefered my real amp tones to it, no matter how cheap my real amps have been. But the Pod should be of other use to you too, IMO, as it's a real treat to play quietly with headphones with it, if you don't mind them. It really has many different sounds too, and if you like to play with stuff, it's really great.
One more advantage with the Tascam/57 -setup is, however, that you can always use your 57 to record your tones. So you'll never feel "outdated" with the mic and the plug! And you can use the 57 for other stuff too.
The bottom line IMO: If you're only after good and versatile guitar sounds, and think that you'd like to use the Pod for normal playing too, get it. If you're planning on updating your setup soon and would like to record some other stuff too, in rehearsals too for example, get the Tascam.
