type of tape for 244

[tony moore]

hey folks,

i just picked up a used tascam 244 4 track. part out of nostalgia and also as cheap way to throw down ideas at our rehearsal space.

anyway, i haven't used one in, ok, 15 years? so what type (brand, model, etc) of tape are folks using now for these units? pros and cons?

thanks!

tony

[F_cksia]

Hey
I've bought an old 244 too this week and I didn't really care about the tapes. The only thing is that you better do not use tapes longer tan 60 min, but I guess you knew that already. I'm using Maxell standard tapes, or something (haven't got 'em here), which I chose without any hesitating or selecting, and they work perfect in this machine.
I hope this helped a bit.
cu
Maarten Rischen, Holland

[pchorman]

please tell me why you suggest tapes no longer than 60 minutes.

thanks

[A Reel Person]

Basically, any high bias cassette tape will work in the 244.

60 minute tapes are recommended because they're of a slightly thicker and sturdier tape stock, which theoretically, will hold up better with the repeated use and punishment that multitrack production will give to a tape.

Otherwise, I'm a long time user of the 244, since 1982, and most of my tapes have been 90 minutes, which I prefer, but currently the tapes I'm using are 110. I've never ever had a problem with tapes longer that 60 minutes. Not a single problem. No stretching, no fading, no print thru, nothing.

The tapes I'm currently using are TDK CD Power 110. Previously, I'd mostly use Maxell XLII90, or TDK SA90. TDK SAX, Maxell XLII, etc. High bias cassette tape. There are other brands I have not mentioned.

Have fun recording with the 244, and it's not hard to use, but it takes a lot of technique and experience to create a really outstanding recording. Experimentation is important, and so are listening skills.

[F_cksia]

if it's true that longer tapes don't harm your sound, then i'm going to use them too. thanx.
'cause the biggest problem for me was that in a recorder the 60-min-tape just is enough tape for 15 minutes recording (it's runs 2 times faster = 30 min and you can use just one side = 15...)

[A Reel Person]

I think you'll be fine.

A 90 min tape runs 22 1/2 minutes.

a 110 min tape runs 27 1/2 minutes

I've had no problems, and even though I have dozens of Portastudio tapes, I have seldom used C60's.

[frederic]

I've had no problems, and even though I have dozens of Portastudio tapes, I have seldom used C60's. [/B]

I still have my Tascam 244 that I bought in 1985

I've been using Maxell XLII's since they came out, in whatever size (60 or 90) that I see on sale at the moment. With all the digital equipment I have now, its really just a 20lb "notepad", but its very convienent for not-at-home ideas and/or practices.

The unit prefers high-bias tapes, so anything that not too cheesy and snaps in the unit is fine. I've never had a Maxell cassette snap so I've kinda continued buying them as necessary.

[F_cksia]

What does that low/high bias mean?

I'm Dutch, so I don't know what this is about.

[A Reel Person]

but it's kind of hard to explain.

It relates to how the electronics should be adjusted just *so*, to saturate the tape at a very precise level, in order to get the best performance from the tape (highest S/N ratio). Also, relates to an oscillating signal that's used to "juice" the primary signal that's layed onto the tape, which has something to do with achieving a proper frequency response.

It's higly technical, and maybe another member might be able to explain it better.

Basically, at the consumer level, keep in mind that the tape that Tascam Portastudios run on is Type II, CrO2 tapes, also known as "Chrome" oxide tapes. The Type I tape is a "Ferric" oxide tape.

The Type II tape is a lower noise/higer output tape than a Type I tape, and since their 'bias' frequency is different (70us/120us), if either Type I or II tape is recorded at the wrong bias, frequency response would be adversly affected.

For Tascam 244's and virtually all other Tascam Portastudios, stick with Type II/CrO2/chrome tapes. Check the labels of the tapes you buy, as every high quality cassette is labeled with the type and bias specs.

I think choosing the right 'type' of tape (Type II) is more important than whether it's a C60 or C90, as far as Portastudios are concerned.

As I've said, I've traditionally used C90's, and I've had no problems from it. No print thru, no stretching, no fading. As a matter of fact, none of my Tascam Portastudios have ever eaten a cassette, and that speaks for many, many years of faithful use.

I baby my Tascams, but they get good use! (Home recording is 'my life'- ha- no, home recording is 'da bomb').

BTW, I love my 244! It's such a high quality device. Mine has not seen a lot of use lately, because I have several other Tascams, but I have a large body of work recorded on my 244, and mine still looks and sounds great. I've had to do some minor maintenance on it, (the belts), but otherwise, it's solid and built like a tank!

The 244's only the 2nd Portastudio ever, and it's definitely a nice, classic design. Functionality and features on the 244 are very good, and this unit was way ahead of it's time.

I like the 244 so much, that I've recently picked up another one, (mint/cherry), as well as other Tascams, like the 234 (which I like quite a bit) or even R-R's, from time to time.

Another great Portastudio is the 246. It's a full 4 buss/4 track cassette, with 6 VU meters, and this unit was also way ahead of it's time. To find one in mint condition would be a real score!

BTW, if you're interested in this kind of vintage equipment, now is the time to buy! There's still some nice, low usage, vintage/analog type equipment out there, that's still in good condition, and deals to be had. For instance, the 244 I just scored had very little usage on it, and virtually no signs of wear. This 244 I recently scored looks and works as perfectly as when it was brand new. Same for my 234! Some other equipment out there may be more worn or high usage, so be careful, but lots of this equipment could very likely be fixed.