How to get going on a Tascam 388?

[telecasterrok]

So I got my recent ebay score, a Tascam 388. Wow, it's huge!
My goal is to put into service, professionally, to record many of the indie bands that I work with. I've never worked with a tape machine, and I'd like to know what I need to do to get it in tip top shape. I ordered some RPGI LP35, which should arrive this evening... I know that I'll need to clean and demagnatize the heads, but what else do I need to do?

Also, is possible to sync two Tascam 388s together for a kind of massive 14 track recorder?

[sweetbeats]

Yes, the 388's are syncable using the ACCESSORY connector on the back.

You have to have a synchronizer unit to do it though.

Did it come with a manual? If so, I HIGHLY recommend you take the time to read it. The 388 is a wonderful and unique piece of gear, and it deserves to be handled by a learned being.

Clean the entire tape path...you can use highly quality 100% cotton makeup remover pads...they work really good and are cheap. What are you using for cleaner?

What are you using for a demag unit?

[telecasterrok]

Hi Sweetbeats -

I have some isopropyl alcohol cleaner from an old (cassette) tape cleaner kit that I was going to use on the tape heads.... what else in the "tape path" needs to be cleaned?

Also, in syncing two 388s together, would I need to use the 8th track on each for smpte time code?

Thanks!

[RRuskin]

Originally Posted by telecasterrok

Hi Sweetbeats -

I have some isopropyl alcohol cleaner from an old (cassette) tape cleaner kit that I was going to use on the tape heads.... what else in the "tape path" needs to be cleaned?

Also, in syncing two 388s together, would I need to use the 8th track on each for smpte time code?

Thanks!

Clean everything the tape touches but don't use head cleaner on the pinch roller or any other rubber part. Got to Caig labs and order some rubber cleaner/conditioner for that.

[jpmorris]

Originally Posted by telecasterrok

Hi Sweetbeats -
I have some isopropyl alcohol cleaner from an old (cassette) tape cleaner kit that I was going to use on the tape heads....

Cassette cleaner is okay, but I found that 99% isopropyl works considerably better, so it might be an idea to look out for some later on.

Also, in syncing two 388s together, would I need to use the 8th track on each for smpte time code?

Yes. I've done this on the TSR-8. It is a bit of a fiddle to set up, but it does work well when you need it.

[sweetbeats]

If you use isopropyl alcohol, make sure it is at least 91% pure (and I second what jpmorris states about 99%), and above all make sure it is "anhydrous" (has no water in it). It'll say "anhydrous" on the bottle, and to double check you can look at the ingredients.

Regarding SMPTE striping, yes usually one of the edge tracks is used to stripe the timecode, and typically track 8 is used on an 8-track machine as opposed to track 1.

So, again, did it come with a manual? Tascam manuals for that era were very good, and do a very good job of detailing the care and feeding of the deck, plus they have lots of good general info.

[telecasterrok]

Thanks, guys. My Tascam actually *did* come with a manual.

Question: what are the uses for all of the busses (the ones with the rca jacks on the back). Can those be used to group tracks and add effects, like compression, etc?

[sweetbeats]

I think you'll need to be more specific on what "busses" you mean. They serve different purposes.

And READ THE MANUAL. Sorry for pushing that, especially if you have already read it, but it is, IMO, part and parcel to owning a machine like the 388; to read...no, study the manual and to learn how it works. Don't try to use the forum as a shortcut to taking ownership of your machine. Just my $0.02.

We can and will help as you study.

[telecasterrok]

I'd like to know what factors determine the level of tape hiss coming off of a machine. I've been recording without the dbx, and even though I have my levels hot I'm still hearing a lot of hiss. Does tape head wear contribute to hiss? I notice that I there is significantly more tape his on channel 8 of the recorder... any thoughts on this?

Note, I tried recording bass with the dbx engaged, making sure to keep my levels below 0 db, and on playback I could hear very noticeable hiss surround each note--almost like a little fuzz. any thoughts on this?

[RRuskin]

Originally Posted by telecasterrok

I'd like to know what factors determine the level of tape hiss coming off of a machine. I've been recording without the dbx, and even though I have my levels hot I'm still hearing a lot of hiss. Does tape head wear contribute to hiss? I notice that I there is significantly more tape his on channel 8 of the recorder... any thoughts on this?

Note, I tried recording bass with the dbx engaged, making sure to keep my levels below 0 db, and on playback I could hear very noticeable hiss surround each note--almost like a little fuzz. any thoughts on this?

What kind of tape are you using and has the unit been calibrated for it?
And yes, head wear is a factor.

The hiss you hear on bass with dbx can mean a variety of things. You could still be coming in too hot. Try -5 as your peak level to see if there is any change. DBX wants to see the same signal on the way out as on the way in so if recorder isn't set-up right or if the decode section of the dbx itself isn't lined up with the encode section, you will hear unwanted artifacts.

[telecasterrok]

Hi Rick -
I'm using new rmgi lp35. I just got the 388 off of ebay, and I don't really know it's service history. I made an appointment to have it checked out, but the guy that does that sort of thing in Austin, TX has a one month backlog.

[RRuskin]

Originally Posted by telecasterrok

Hi Rick -
I'm using new rmgi lp35. I just got the 388 off of ebay, and I don't really know it's service history. I made an appointment to have it checked out, but the guy that does that sort of thing in Austin, TX has a one month backlog.

Take it in and wait for it to get tweaked properly. Either that, or find a service manual or at least a copy of the calibration procedure and learn how to calibrate it yourself. Have you contacted TASCAM's service dept to see if they can provide any help/info? That would be my 1st call.

[telecasterrok]

Thanks Rick. I'll call Tascam and see if they can help. I have the user manual that came with it. I'm going to look into it to see if I can calibrate it myself. is there a specific calibration tape needed for the 388?

I read somewhere that "the dbx should be calibrated" is this a separate procedure from calibrating the tape?

Other than calibrating the tape, what other operations can be done to ensure the best sonics and lowest hiss from the tape machine?

Thanks!!

[RRuskin]

Originally Posted by telecasterrok

Thanks Rick. I'll call Tascam and see if they can help. I have the user manual that came with it. I'm going to look into it to see if I can calibrate it myself. is there a specific calibration tape needed for the 388?

I read somewhere that "the dbx should be calibrated" is this a separate procedure from calibrating the tape?

Other than calibrating the tape, what other operations can be done to ensure the best sonics and lowest hiss from the tape machine?

Thanks!!

You will need at least:
a test tape of the proper width, speed and gauss level for that unit. Tascam should have that info.
An O'scope is a must for setting head alignment.
An outboard meter that is not frequency weighted
A test tone generator.

The machine should be aligned with dbx out. After that, a quick check for the dbx is to play a 1khz tone through it and switch it in and out. Level should vary no more than 1db or so. The same spec should apply during record mode. That's all the tweaking I've ever done on a working dbx unit.