TASCAM open-reel tape decks - 8-tracks

miroslav

miroslav

Cosmic Cowboy
I'm not up on all the various iterations of 1/2" tape decks that TASCAM has ever put out...so maybe some of you guys can give me the scoop.

I'm looking at possibly buying a 1/2" 8-track in the near future to supplement my 16-track (and maybe as a future replacement), and so far I'm mostly waiting for an Otari 5050 to pop up...but I know TASCAM also had a few models of 1/2" 8-track.

What I would like to know is...which if any of the TASCAM models had direct-drive motors on their reels and capstan???
I often see people referring to needing belts for some of the TASCAM tape decks...and I don't want anything that uses any belts to move things...just would rather avoid it since decks are getting harder to maintain as parts dwindle, and rubber belts seem to go faster then other parts...and they are not as steady as direct-drive systems.

Thanks!
 
The 48 and 58 are direct drive, and I believe the ATR60-8 is as well, though the ATR60 isn't in as compact a package (separate meter/amp card unit). All three use the same heads but the electronics are all different.

58 will be the hardest to come across, the ATR60-8 even though its the "youngest" of the bunch is equally rare leaving the 48. The 48 is a great machine AFAIC...very nicely engineered physical design, ceramic coated capstan shaft, the tape path is really nice to setup and its gentle and responsive in how it handles tape.

All great machines but the 48 will be the most compact and easiest to find.

Note that all of these use the ELCO-38 connector for sync.
 
Thanks!

When you say they use the ELCO....what kind of sync boxes do they need to connect to, to work in sync?
Generic or proprietary?
 
I would look at a TSR8, it was the last 1/2" 8 track made by Tascam so they are newer, they had inbuilt dbx so no extra connections needed, and they had connections for sync devices. Oh and I had one years ago and they sounded great.

Alan.
 
witzendoz said:
I would look at a TSR8, it was the last 1/2" 8 track made by Tascam so they are newer, they had inbuilt dbx so no extra connections needed, and they had connections for sync devices. Oh and I had one years ago and they sounded great.
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They are belt-drive capstan, though.
 
Yeah, that's what I was trying to discern...which use belts and which are pure direct-drive systems.

Besides the parts thing, with belts needing replacement...I'm also curious if belt drive systems are any less accurate for sync operations than direct-drive...?
 
miroslav said:
Yeah, that's what I was trying to discern...which use belts and which are pure direct-drive systems.

Besides the parts thing, with belts needing replacement...I'm also curious if belt drive systems are any less accurate for sync operations than direct-drive...?
Click to expand...

I would contend the answer is no. My BR-20T Tascam halftrack is a belt drive unit and it is VERY responsive and accurate when chasing to lock and during playback/recording...maintains constant lock with less than +/- 1 subframe error over an entire 2500' reel and the majority of the time it is locked solid, 00:00:00 error.

I used to think belt drive was less acurate or reliable but now I see it as two viable approaches and its not that one is less acurate or reliable. DC servo motors have naturally occurring flutter components and tape paths with direct-drive DC servo capstan motors have to be designed (and often are) to counteract this phenomenon. A well-designed belt drive system with a DC servo capstan motor essentially decouples the flutter elements of the motor with the capstan itself. So in terms of performance I really see it as a six of one, a half-dozen of the other. Either system designed right will provide accurate low-flutter performance. Bottom line: I don't see a belt drive capstan as any sort of deal-breaker.

With that in mind I think the TSR-8 is a great option. Mind the fact that it is a two-head machine.

Another advantage to the TSR-8 is it uses the same sync protocol as your 16-track (right? You have an MSR-16?) which is an easier protocol with which to work AFAIC (considering availability of sync boxes and cable needs), and certainly would make things MUCH easier if ever you wanted to integrate the two.
 
No...I have the Fostex G16.

I can live with a 2-head...that's what the G16 is. A bit of PITA when calibrating the Rec/Rep for 16 channels...but not a deal-breaker.

Well...I guess my next question is...how often have any of you had to deal with belt replacement and or issues over time?
I'm just thinking that if I go the 8-track route...I may only use it sporadically and would like to still have it fully functional several years down the road. Does TASCAM still keep parts for any of their tape deck models? I haven't called them in quite a few years...once I acquired enough spare parts for my M-3500.
 
There will be a company somewhere that would have the belts, Tascam would not have made their own they would have been bought in. I bought a belt for a turntable once and the place I went to have a 100 different sizes, just took in the old one and matched it up.

Cheers

alan.
 
There actually seem to be companies making compatible belts these days. Look on ebay for 'tascam belt' and you'll see a few.
 
Miroslav: Ive had a couple of tascams and I much prefer my G16 to any of them Im curious a as to why you are looking for a tascam. I love my G16. 19 years and all it ever needed was a battery for the location memeory. I just have to reset my location points every time I turn it on because Im to lazy to research where to find the battery. Great machine with phenominal features. I had numerous Tascam and Fostex mixers but fell in love when I discovered Allen&Heath. Good luck Im sure you can find a tascam that will serve you well.
 
I'm not looking to replace my G16, rather just to have a 1/2" 8-track...and in case the G16 ever goes down, I will have a replacement deck.
Also...I'm not looking specifically for a *TASCAM*...it's just another alternative. I would probably prefer an Otari 5050 1/2" 8-track...but I wanted to know which of the TASCAM decks were the most reliable choice for 1/2" 8-tracks.

I love my G-16. I purchased a couple of replacement batteries from Interstate Batteries about a year ago. They were not easy to find.
Here you go: NIC0010
It's not identical to the originals...but it is the right type/power. There is enough lead wire to make them fit.
 
Thanks for the battery tip. Great to find another G16 user. I love mine. Is yours the dolby C model or dolby S model? I sync mine to computer running midi and some digital audio.The G16 is A very reliable accurate transport. I wish I had puchased the 8330 sync card but I just use a song position pointer sync box.
 
I believe you can get belts for most of the Teac/Tascam open-reel machines from their Montebello California location. I've sourced belts for me 388 as well as my BR-20T from there no problem, and a far sight cheaper than the eBay offerings.

If you're used to the 2-head thing I don't see where you could go wrong getting a TSR-8. Last "table-top" 1/2" 8-track made by Tascam, and as mentioned the Type I dbx is built in. They are more common and have a great user community and use the same sync protocol as your G16.
 
Thrust said:
Thanks for the battery tip. Great to find another G16 user. I love mine. Is yours the dolby C model or dolby S model? I sync mine to computer running midi and some digital audio.The G16 is A very reliable accurate transport. I wish I had puchased the 8330 sync card but I just use a song position pointer sync box.
Click to expand...

I have one of the earlier Dolby C units, and I ordered mine with the 8330 sync card.
 
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