Tascam M 308 and Tascam 38

[cristiderby]

Hello,

I have a found a tascam 38 1/2 " with a m308 mixer. Does anyone have any experience with these machines? I am just looking for some basic advice as to how they sound and perform. thank you!

[hungovermorning]

I've got an M312 (12 channel version of your mixer). I can't say enough wonderful things about it. It's one of the few pieces of gear that I've ever bought and then not needed to upgrade (unlike mics, tape machines, pre amps...) the pre amps built in are very nice even for vocals and everything comes out sounding good and warm. It has a bunch of outs to for multiple reference mixes and headphone mixes and you can mix in quad! No experience on the Tascam 38 (I'm on a Fostex R8 1/4" 8 track), the only thing I can say is that finding 1/2" tape is not a cheap endeavor, and when you do, avoid one pass things or anything that says "Ampex" instead of "Quantegy" on it. Quantegy bought out Ampex a while back and Ampex = old tape. Hope this helps and welcome to the Tascam M club!
scott

[cristiderby]

Scott,

thanks for the info. i pick up the gear tomorrow and hopefully everything runs ok. i am a little worried about the pinch roller. thanks again.

[cjacek]

Originally Posted by cristiderby

Hello,

I have a found a tascam 38 1/2 " with a m308 mixer. Does anyone have any experience with these machines? I am just looking for some basic advice as to how they sound and perform. thank you!

When in good operating condition, well maintained and up to factory spec, the 38 and 308 mixer are hard to beat for a home recordist.

[C.M.S.]

I own this exact same pair, and really like them.
The tape machine sounds great, but there are obviously going to be some problems with an older machine, and mine currently needs some love. I may get another 38 that I recently found for sale, for the sake of swapping out parts.
A friend of mine just ordered some parts to fix his 38, and he said it was a breeze dealing with TEAC, which is a bonus for sure.

(ed: Wow, I guess this is an oldie.)

[dodgeaspen]

I LOVE my 38. Good luck with it. You will be very happy with the sound quality of it.