tascam 22-2

[paul26]

Hi,
I'm looking to buy a tascam 22-2 2-track recorder. does anyone know if it has noise reduction on it? or at least some way of hooking up a stand alone unit to it? i have a 388 which records in dbx so would i need a dbx unit? as you can tell, i'm new to all this.
Any help would be mighty fine,
Thanx,
Paul

[A Reel Person]

The 22-2 has patch points for an external/dedicated dbx unit,... the Tascam DX-2D.

If you're recording on a 388, that's a heck of a good start. You don't "need" a dbx unit for your 2-track mixdown deck, [the 22-2], but it wouldn't hurt, either.

The 388's dbx does encode-decode within the machine, and presents an output signal that's suitable to record on another [mixdown] device, as-is.

[The Ghost of FM]

No noise reduction built in.

Probably none needed either as it offers a 70db s:n ratio @ 15ips.

If that's not good enough for you, (and it should be!), the optional DX-2D is the TASCAM dbx type I, professional noise reduction unit for it, sold separately.

Cheers!

[A Reel Person]

Nyah, nyah!!

[The Ghost of FM]

I'll get you next time, Red Baron, next time!

[Beck]

Hey guys, the 22-2 doesn't have the dbx control signal detector jack for the 2X-2D like the 32 does. Strange, because the 22-4 has them as well. So you should look for a dbx brand 150 or 150X. Better yet slap an outboard Dolby C unit on that puppy. Outboard C units weren't very common. Look for the Sony NR-500. I see them every once in a while on eBay.

Or have your machine setup for Quantegy GP9 tape. It's pin-drop quite - no NR needed.

[The Ghost of FM]

Thanks for the tip, Tim!

I wasn't aware of the lack of dbx control signal port on the 22-2!

The GP9 tape sounds like the all around best solution by far though!

Cheers!

[A Reel Person]

Anyway, [OT], but I have a modified DX-2D that's jumpered to bypass the "control" signal and cable, and therefore would be useable on a 22-2, or any other machine that wouldn't normally acommodate a DX-2D.

My mistake, Mr. Beck!

[Beck]

Originally Posted by A Reel Person

Anyway, [OT], but I have a modified DX-2D that's jumpered to bypass the "control" signal and cable, and therefore would be useable on a 22-2, or any other machine that wouldn't normally acommodate a DX-2D.

My mistake, Mr. Beck!

Shucks Reel, you can call me Tim.

I always wondered if a mod could be done -- good to know.

[Beck]

Hey Ghost! What is that god-awful avatar? Is that Jeb?

[The Ghost of FM]

Originally Posted by Beck

Hey Ghost! What is that god-awful avatar? Is that Jeb?

Why sure it is!

Don't you misundercomunistand?

Cheers!

[Beck]

Originally Posted by The Ghost of FM

Why sure it is!

Don't you misundercomunistand?

Cheers!

It just startled me is all. I rolled back half way across the room in horror because I was still expecting to see good ole Ronny Raygun.

[themaddog]

Originally Posted by Beck

Hey guys, the 22-2 doesn't have the dbx control signal detector jack for the 2X-2D like the 32 does. Strange, because the 22-4 has them as well. So you should look for a dbx brand 150 or 150X. Better yet slap an outboard Dolby C unit on that puppy. Outboard C units weren't very common. Look for the Sony NR-500. I see them every once in a while on eBay.

Or have your machine setup for Quantegy GP9 tape. It's pin-drop quite - no NR needed.

Could the Tascam 22-2 handle GP9 tape?

-MD

[Beck]

It's kind of a yes/no answer. The 22-2 is designed for 1-mil tape like Quantegy 407 and Maxell UD 35-90/XL 35-90B. Technically even 456 is too rigid and heavy to use on a regular basis. GP9 is even thicker and stiffer.

So the answer is yes the electronics can handle GP9 bias and flux wise, but because of transport and tape tension issues it's not recommended to use it all the time. You would have to adjust bias and levels to get any real benefit. If it was bias compatible it wouldn't hurt to use it on occasion, but it's not. If you don't use a machine a lot you can get away with bending the tape rules, so I guess it depends.

BASF/EMTEC SM 468 is the only 1.5-mil tape that runs well on the 22-2. It is very supple for a 1.5-mil tape and has a better signal-to-noise ratio than 456/457/407 or Maxell 35-90. It is bias compatible and you can it hit hard. It was a very popular tape in Nashville for mastering and a favorite of Steve Perry (Journey) and Frank Zappa for tracking. I use it on my TSR-8 and 22-2… I really like it.

I did have one of my 22-2s set up for GP9 and it sounded super, but I was afraid of wearing things out too fast so I set it back.

[themaddog]

I knew there would have to be electronic adjustments, but I had no idea how well the transport would hold up to it.

-MD