I recently bought a Tascam 414. For the most part, I like it a lot. I found it very convenient to use and flexible for sketching simple musical ideas and learning to arrange parts. And, I'm sure this device could be used for a lot more than I'm currently using it for (i.e. making demo tapes, recording a live band).
The over all sound quality is good and I am very happy with it, however there is a subtle problem in reproducing sound. This problem is not noticeable until you lay a clean guitar track down (I only play the guitar). When I lay a clean track down I hear a warbling sound upon play back which I find to be rather annoying. Like I said, its very subtle and therefore you may not notice it or you'll have to make a point to listen for it. In fact, I think most people would never hear this. I don't hear it at all when I'm playing my guitar fast (clean) or when I've added effects to my guitar. I only notice this problem when I'm playing out clean, crisp chords slowly.
I'm currently investigating other options. I believe what I'm hearing is related to a measurable parameter known as wow and flutter. Perhaps something as simple as using a better cassette tape is in order (I am using TDK C-60, High Bias), but I am also looking into buying the Tascam 424 mkIII, since its wow and flutter is half that of the Tascam 414.
Has anyone experienced a similar complaint? I tend to wonder if this is just a problem with cassettes in general making the problem hard to correct even with the best tape transport mechanisms around.
Any information would be much appreciated.
David
The over all sound quality is good and I am very happy with it, however there is a subtle problem in reproducing sound. This problem is not noticeable until you lay a clean guitar track down (I only play the guitar). When I lay a clean track down I hear a warbling sound upon play back which I find to be rather annoying. Like I said, its very subtle and therefore you may not notice it or you'll have to make a point to listen for it. In fact, I think most people would never hear this. I don't hear it at all when I'm playing my guitar fast (clean) or when I've added effects to my guitar. I only notice this problem when I'm playing out clean, crisp chords slowly.
I'm currently investigating other options. I believe what I'm hearing is related to a measurable parameter known as wow and flutter. Perhaps something as simple as using a better cassette tape is in order (I am using TDK C-60, High Bias), but I am also looking into buying the Tascam 424 mkIII, since its wow and flutter is half that of the Tascam 414.
Has anyone experienced a similar complaint? I tend to wonder if this is just a problem with cassettes in general making the problem hard to correct even with the best tape transport mechanisms around.
Any information would be much appreciated.
David