The Fostex vf 80 Digital recorder is down to $399 with a 20 GB Hard drive. It alows to slow down without pitch change to learn fast licks. It allows for removal of vocals from CD's. It is 8 tracks.

You just turn it on and start recording. You don't even have to wait for it to boot up everytime a thought crosses your mind that you'd like to record right away before you leave the house for any reason.

I'm looking hard at this recorder my self.