Blue Jinn
Rider of the ARPocalypse
I'll check my serial #, as I didn't have this problem, but this is worth an FYI
Looking for Punch in Mod for Tascam 38 - Tapeheads.Net
Looking for Punch in Mod for Tascam 38 - Tapeheads.Net
Tascam 38 punch in issue (X-posting)
- Thread starter Blue Jinn
- Start date
A Reel Person
It's Too Funky in Here!!!
!!!
I don't have any recollection of having any such punch-in problem on the 38. Although it's been many years by now, I remember punching in hundreds of times of the course of 20 years usage. Maybe this is a logic or a relay malfunction? I'm not directly set up to run any tests on the 38 atm, but I could be in short order. I just don't remember there being any "issue". When in SYNC mode, REC FUNCT selected for a track, you should be able to monitor what's coming off of tape just prior to punching in. Sounds simple? It is!
I don't have any recollection of having any such punch-in problem on the 38. Although it's been many years by now, I remember punching in hundreds of times of the course of 20 years usage. Maybe this is a logic or a relay malfunction? I'm not directly set up to run any tests on the 38 atm, but I could be in short order. I just don't remember there being any "issue". When in SYNC mode, REC FUNCT selected for a track, you should be able to monitor what's coming off of tape just prior to punching in. Sounds simple? It is!
TASCAM MAN
New member
I don't have any recollection of having any such punch-in problem on the 38. Although it's been many years by now, I remember punching in hundreds of times of the course of 20 years usage. Maybe this is a logic or a relay malfunction? I'm not directly set up to run any tests on the 38 atm, but I could be in short order. I just don't remember there being any "issue". When in SYNC mode, REC FUNCT selected for a track, you should be able to monitor what's coming off of tape just prior to punching in. Sounds simple? It is!
Im fixing to get my 38 back from the friend I had originally bought it from. When I get it I will ask him about this cause I forgot myself as long as I used it if this was the case:
" On the 38, when Sync is selected and the track function select is activated for doing a punch in, the input is routed to the output instead of the recorded track prior to the punch in."
A Reel Person
It's Too Funky in Here!!!
S/N-based flaw?
My original 38 purchased in 1982 or early 1983 is S/N 230140. A 38 I purchased used over 10 years ago is S/N 190819. I've not used either in well over 10 years. I think my original 38 had the last productions on it in Y2K, then the right reel table height slipped down again about 1/32", just enough to make the front edge of the tape rub slightly on the takeup reel,... but I never got around to fixing it (yet!). The second 38 has seen no production work by me, but I remember I was calibrating the unit when I just gave up and lost interest. If it's a 400001 S/N and above that has this problem, then I would not have it.
My Tascam 34 is S/N 3050, an early one (!), and therefore is also not affected. (310001 and above)
My 34B is S/N 670062. If this affects the 34B at the same serial number as the 34, then I could have a problem there, but I've not tested it. I might do that sometime, TBD.
My original 38 purchased in 1982 or early 1983 is S/N 230140. A 38 I purchased used over 10 years ago is S/N 190819. I've not used either in well over 10 years. I think my original 38 had the last productions on it in Y2K, then the right reel table height slipped down again about 1/32", just enough to make the front edge of the tape rub slightly on the takeup reel,... but I never got around to fixing it (yet!). The second 38 has seen no production work by me, but I remember I was calibrating the unit when I just gave up and lost interest. If it's a 400001 S/N and above that has this problem, then I would not have it.
My Tascam 34 is S/N 3050, an early one (!), and therefore is also not affected. (310001 and above)
My 34B is S/N 670062. If this affects the 34B at the same serial number as the 34, then I could have a problem there, but I've not tested it. I might do that sometime, TBD.
My original 38 that I bought in '83 or '84 allowed to hear the tape track before punch as it should.
I sold that in the '90's but since picked up a used 38 a couple years ago. It's serial number is over 400001 and it exhibits the issue as described: ie: you cannot hear what is on the tape prior to punch in, only from the input.
I sold that in the '90's but since picked up a used 38 a couple years ago. It's serial number is over 400001 and it exhibits the issue as described: ie: you cannot hear what is on the tape prior to punch in, only from the input.
A Reel Person
It's Too Funky in Here!!!
That Seriously Sucks!
That Seriously Sucks! WTH!
That Seriously Sucks! WTH!
TASCAM MAN
New member
well sh&#@^$%$%#@^ttt ya'll got me curious now to which one I got or "getting back" LOL !!!!
A Reel Person
It's Too Funky in Here!!!
...
That's a pretty serious "bug" that's introduced late in the production run. WTH Tascam?!
That's a pretty serious "bug" that's introduced late in the production run. WTH Tascam?!
TASCAM MAN
New member
That's a pretty serious "bug" that's introduced late in the production run. WTH Tascam?!
I think I got mine 2nd hand but he didn't have it long and that was around....1985??
I initially mentioned this here https://homerecording.com/bbs/general-discussions/analog-only/tascam-38-sync-mode-314185/
but thought it was just the way things were supposed to be (as opposed to how I thought it used to work).
Now I'm just glad that Blue Jinn found this mod. When I have time, I'll try the mod and see how it goes.
but thought it was just the way things were supposed to be (as opposed to how I thought it used to work).
Now I'm just glad that Blue Jinn found this mod. When I have time, I'll try the mod and see how it goes.
A Reel Person
It's Too Funky in Here!!!
Well,...
When that mod becomes available to the masses, I'd like to see it.
When that mod becomes available to the masses, I'd like to see it.
TASCAM MAN
New member
My original 38 purchased in 1982 or early 1983 is S/N 230140. A 38 I purchased used over 10 years ago is S/N 190819. I've not used either in well over 10 years. I think my original 38 had the last productions on it in Y2K, then the right reel table height slipped down again about 1/32", just enough to make the front edge of the tape rub slightly on the takeup reel,... but I never got around to fixing it (yet!). The second 38 has seen no production work by me, but I remember I was calibrating the unit when I just gave up and lost interest. If it's a 400001 S/N and above that has this problem, then I would not have it.
My Tascam 34 is S/N 3050, an early one (!), and therefore is also not affected. (310001 and above)
My 34B is S/N 670062. If this affects the 34B at the same serial number as the 34, then I could have a problem there, but I've not tested it. I might do that sometime, TBD.
Ok just got mine back from my friend and the S/N is: 120169 so.....it has a froze up capstan motor at the moment but I have an extra I will be changing out as soon as I find it LoL. Meanwhile Im so curious to know if mine didn't monitor the the playback until a punch in so.....do you know by this S/N I gave you here and thanks A Reel person
A Reel Person
It's Too Funky in Here!!!
The GearSlutz forum post
indicated it's 400001 and above that have the problem for Tascam 38s.
indicated it's 400001 and above that have the problem for Tascam 38s.
TASCAM MAN
New member
indicated it's 400001 and above that have the problem for Tascam 38s.
Gotcha, I don't ever think I had that problem with monitoring the punch ins now that I think about it
I just did the mod. Followed it exactly; the master oscillator popped, smoked, and died. It was very hot to the touch when I removed it. It's a pretty simple mod but just did not work for me. Double checked the mod instructions too. Perhaps I did something wrong but I just don't know what.
Fortunately, I have a spare 38 and replaced the oscillator circuit and got it working again (without the mod).
Perhaps if I order another oscillator, I'll try again sometime in the future.
Fortunately, I have a spare 38 and replaced the oscillator circuit and got it working again (without the mod).
Perhaps if I order another oscillator, I'll try again sometime in the future.