So I'm picking up a Tascam 22-2

[fred s.]

In just a few hours. I have been looking for a good mixdown deck and I finally found one in my area!

I am wondering if I can check/adjust the calibration myself with the MRL test tape i already purchased when I got my Fostex Model 80 (21J303-A).

I would really hate to buy another $100+ tape unless I absolutely have no other choice

[fred s.]

Wow, no replies?

Ok, well then if I can't use the MRL 21J303-A test tape what should I buy for the 22-2?

[The Ghost of FM]

If your test tape was designed for a deck that runs 320nwb @15ips then you can use it for calibrating Quantegy 456 on your TASCAM 22-2 mastering deck. Otherwise, the levels will be wrong and you'll need a proper calibration tape.

Cheers!

[fred s.]

So do you mean I can only use it to calibrate the "high" speed on the 22-2?

And I'm planning on using BASF sm-468. Those are compatible with Quantegy 456, correct?

[Beck]

Fred,

Before I launch a long-winded explanation I need to know if you have the 22-2 manual, which outlines basic calibration. It could be less long-winded in that case.

[fred s.]

Tim, haha ok, the recorder I purchased didn't have the manual, but i did order a copy on ebay.

So I will have it in a few days

Originally Posted by Beck

Fred,

Before I launch a long-winded explanation I need to know if you have the 22-2 manual, which outlines basic calibration. It could be less long-winded in that case.

[The Ghost of FM]

Originally Posted by fred s.

So do you mean I can only use it to calibrate the "high" speed on the 22-2?

And I'm planning on using BASF sm-468. Those are compatible with Quantegy 456, correct?

Fred,

About your first question;

Yes. Different tape speeds require different standards from your calibration tape. TEAC/TASCAM at one time offered different calibration tapes for the various speeds and flux levels. Once you get the manual, it will explain all of that in better detail then I could document here.

About your second question;

Yes, SM468 is bias compatible with Quantegy 456 for +6db levels. See the following link for other tapes as well.

http://tascamforums.com/index.php?showtopic=310

Though your 22-2 can record at 7.5ips, I cant really see anyone serious about analog mastering using this speed as it's going to drag down every last spec except for noise and wow & flutter which will increase. The lower speed is really there more as a convenience feature more then a performance one.

Cheers!

[fred s.]

Yeah, i wasn't really planning on using the slower speed, just was curious if it would need separate calibration. Which I probably won't need to bother with

[Herm]

The 22-2 is not a machine to be using 456 type tape on. (1.5 mil)
You should be using 1 mil tape. Like 407

[fred s.]

I'm not sure if mastering on 407 is the best choice for me. I do sometimes track with it on my 8-track.

[The Ghost of FM]

Originally Posted by Herm

The 22-2 is not a machine to be using 456 type tape on. (1.5 mil)
You should be using 1 mil tape. Like 407

Is the transport on the 22-2 not robust enough to deal with the thicker tape?

I know on the 388, it recommends in the manual to use 1 mil tape and especially so in order to have the LOAD feature work but I've never seen the manual on the 22-2.

What's a worse case scenario if one did use it?

Cheers!

[Herm]

Tascam manual page 2 Ampex 357 or 407 also maxell ud, ud-xk, Scotch 227 207, Sony Duad and Tdk adua L series.
Manual says they do not recommend 1.5 mil tape. But they dont say why.

[Beck]

The issues are tape tension, tape-to-head contact and wear and tear. The 22-2 was really made to use over the counter 1-mil tape like Maxell 35-90, Ampex 407 and even non-backcoated stuff you could buy at K-Mart or Radio Shack. That's why the flux level is only set to 200 nWb/m.

It can easily be tweaked to perform on par sonically with the 32, but 1-mil tape is still recommended.

Sometime tonight I’ll be posting one of my epic works on setting up that machine with the tape Fred has, so everyone should probably sit down, put on your seatbelts and oxygen masks, kiss your children goodbye, hold on to someone you love, and take a xanax, a shot of bourbon... whatever.

[The Ghost of FM]

Will a couple of rum and cokes suffice?

Cheers!

[Beck]

Sure, just don't do anything stupid...

[fred s.]

Haha! Thanks for the warning.

Originally Posted by Beck

Sometime tonight I’ll be posting one of my epic works on setting up that machine with the tape Fred has, so everyone should probably sit down, put on your seatbelts and oxygen masks, kiss your children goodbye, hold on to someone you love, and take a xanax, a shot of bourbon... whatever.

[Herm]

What happen Tim? Shit I waited up all night for your lecture.

[fred s.]

Just an update: I now have the manual!

[fred s.]

Well I ran/recorded some test tones into the 22-2 today from my computer, at -10db


1kHZ showed 0 on the VU meters, I recorded a bit, and the playback was extremely close to 0, just right under it (a hair or two off).

20Hz showed a bit over -3 on the meters (-2?), and the playback was a bit under -10.

and 2000 both showed and played back 0 on the meter.

and so i compared these to the only other machine I have (Fostex model 80, 8-track) and the results were pretty much the same.

I had the Line in levels on the 22-2 set just over 7, maybe 7 1/4 but definitely less than 7 1/2.

So anyway I'm not sure what all this means-maybe i don't have to worry too much about the calibration being off?? I'm ceratinly no expert and I've only gotten familiar with open reel machines in the past few months.

I did playback the test tape I have and it was all peaking into red on all the playback tones, so I'm assuming the tape just won't work with the 22-2.

Oh, and I used BASF 468.

[Beck]

It sounds pretty close. I got called out yesterday and was out most of today as well, but I still plan to finish editing my epic post.

You can use that tape, but since it's a different flux level and different EQ curve (IEC instead of NAB) you have to make calculations to compensate. Yes… MATH… (psycho shower scene stabbing music here)

The rub of using an IEC tape on a NAB machine is that you really have to start from scratch… we're talking complete and total calibration.

It may be close enough that its more trouble than it’s worth right now.

Be sure to check that you have -10 (.316 mV) coming out of the RCA outs when you’re running the 1kHz tone from your PC. The line input/output knobs should be right on 7 and the VU meters should read zero. Once all that is right then you start repro calibration with the tape.

Anyway, I think I’ll post the setup on a new thread because it’s important to anyone that finds themselves using incompatible tapes and speeds (seemingly incompatible without the secrets). And the 22-2 manual is lacking for those that don’t do this on a regular basis.

Hey Herm... sorry about the all-nighter. I figured everyone would have passed out before morning.

[fred s.]

Tim, sounds good to me!

I also did a few other tones, 40hz, 400hz, and 10K all pretty much showed and played back at their same levels (mostly at or close to 0, from what I remember).

I also did a quick mixdown (about 1 minute of a song that has drums, guitars, bass, keys) from my Model 80, and compared the playback of both machines through my mixer and they sound pretty close if not the same through the monitors, to my ears at least.

So I'm thinking maybe not to bother with calibration right now? It seems "right", or pretty darn close to it. Maybe it wasn't used much. The machine looks almost like new. Or maybe it was serviced and the seller didn't say anything.

Ps, The 22-2 does add a tiny bit of hiss I noticed (model 80 has built in Dolby, which I use)...are most people using some sort of DBX with the 22-2? Is that how it "should" be used?

[Beck]

The need for noise reduction depends on various things. The first thing is to optimize bias and flux level going to tape. Once the machine is tweaked you still may feel you need NR for music that doesn’t mask the hiss.

I have a Sony outboard Dolby C unit that sounds as good as anything.

It's an NR-500

Also look for the Nakamichi NR-200, Which has both Dolby B and C.

The best deal out there right now is the DBX 150X Type I. They’re nearly always on eBay and cheap

[fred s.]

I guess I'll mix a few songs in the coming weeks, and decide if I need it or not. I don't mind a small bit of hiss, as long as it's not too much.

[Beck]

Yeah, get to know it for a while first.

There is also a very nice single ended model to look out for made by Behringer…

The old Behringer when everything was made in Germany. It’s the Model SNR-200 Denoiser; first known as the MK III in an even older black and red design. Either one of those would rock.

The Chinese made Denoiser 2000 ain’t it, so be careful when shopping.