tascam 80-8 & tascam m35

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waxyflexibility

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What's up guys. Just got a tascam 80-8 and a m35 mixer. I have been searching for a good way to hook it all up. I also have a rack with 5 patchbays and some outboard gear (compressors, reverb, eq,amp etc....) Do i run everything thru the patch bay. Should anything be connected directly to mixer or recorder.

I have been looking for a manual for the M35. I have one on the way for the 80-8 but have had no luck for the M35.

I'm also having a problem with the 80-8 with the tape rubbing on the takeup reel. I would think a simple adjustment would fix it but not sure what to adjust..

Thanks, Mark
 
Hi,

I would attatch the outputs of the 80-8 to the Inputs of the M35
then attach the four subgroup outputs of the M35 to the top back row of the patch field . Inputs 1 to 4. Then connect the eight record Inputs of the 80-8 to the bottom back row of inputs on your patch field. Inputs 1-8.

So with this setup you can record on channels 1 to 4 without further patching. When you want to record on channel 5 you just need insert a short 1/4" patch cable into the fron top row of your patch field (top row 1) and patch that to the 5th Input on the front bottm row.
Now the Subgroup Channel 1 from the M35 will be routed to Channel 5 of the 80-8 .. and so on..

Depending on the model of Patch Field you are using this should work.
 
waxyflexibility said:
I'm also having a problem with the 80-8 with the tape rubbing on the takeup reel. I would think a simple adjustment would fix it but not sure what to adjust..
Thanks, Mark
Click to expand...

My old 80-8 had this problem too.
What you need to do is remove the side wood panels and use an
allen wrench to loosen the 2 screws on the Reel drum.
Then adjust it, re-tighten, and check the adjustment.
I had to redo this process a few times but I got it.
Good luck.
 
digidoon said:
Hi,

I would attatch the outputs of the 80-8 to the Inputs of the M35
then attach the four subgroup outputs of the M35 to the top back row of the patch field . Inputs 1 to 4. Then connect the eight record Inputs of the 80-8 to the bottom back row of inputs on your patch field. Inputs 1-8.

So with this setup you can record on channels 1 to 4 without further patching. When you want to record on channel 5 you just need insert a short 1/4" patch cable into the fron top row of your patch field (top row 1) and patch that to the 5th Input on the front bottm row.
Now the Subgroup Channel 1 from the M35 will be routed to Channel 5 of the 80-8 .. and so on..

Depending on the model of Patch Field you are using this should work.
Click to expand...


Just FWI Digidoon...
The TEAC/Tascam Model 5's and the M-35's have 4 parallel Aux Outputs with the 4 main Submaster Line Outputs to accommodate an 8-Track recorder. Tracks 1-5, 2-6, 3-7, 4-8 are fed at the same time, so if you want discreet 8 Channel simultaneous
Recording, you will need to patch from the Direct Outputs to the 80-8. You should put these on the Patchbay, not the 4 Line Outs
and patching between 1-4 and 5-8. This would just cause more work for the same function already built in the mixer.
If you have enough space, I would just put everything on the Patchbays to make things easier and utilize it's versatility.

That's a great setup. I had the 80-8 and a Model 5 which was the 1970's TEAC version of the M-35(Same thing)
except the Model 5 only has 4 Tape Returns and the M-35 has 8. Do you have the Talkback Module?
Any pics of your setup?
 
You should be able to still get the M-35 manual from Tascam. Just call their parts dept in CA.
 
Hey thanks for the reply guys.

RandyRhoads1981 I have 160 patch points (5 x Tascam PB-32H). So should I just hook every connection from the back of the M35 and 80-8 to the patch bay and do the same for the outboard gear, and then just use the jumpers to connect everything as needed. Would that kill the signal & sound quality?? Should anything bypass PB??

For the deck height adjustment if i adjust the right side (take up side) to the same height as the left side it should work with no rubbing right? Never would have looked behind the wood for that adjustment. I took the base plates off the reels and was looking for adjustments. Figured i would wait for the manual to see where the adjustment was.

Do you still have your 80-8? How’s the sound of the recordings on it. I have been using a Tascam 424mkIII portastudio before now so I’m sure it will be big difference in recording quality and definitely a plus with the additional tracks .

Do I need the TEAC DX-8 dbx noise reduction? It's hooked up to the 80-8 by a sync wire but it needs to be hooked up with rca wires to and from the recorder. Should I wire it up or is it not needed??

I have everything all over the place at the moment so please mind the photos. I'm playing equipment tetris with all the instruments/recording/amps/computer and what not.

There's no talk-back module on the M35. Don't need one at the moment but would get it if i found one.


SteveM- I'm going to try calling Tascam. Hopefully they have something. The M30 download i found only helps so much but not item specific.
 

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waxyflexibility said:
Hey thanks for the reply guys.

RandyRhoads1981 I have 160 patch points (5 x Tascam PB-32H). So should I just hook every connection from the back of the M35 and 80-8 to the patch bay and do the same for the outboard gear, and then just use the jumpers to connect everything as needed. Would that kill the signal & sound quality?? Should anything bypass PB??

For the deck height adjustment if i adjust the right side (take up side) to the same height as the left side it should work with no rubbing right? Never would have looked behind the wood for that adjustment. I took the base plates off the reels and was looking for adjustments. Figured i would wait for the manual to see where the adjustment was.

Do you still have your 80-8? How’s the sound of the recordings on it. I have been using a Tascam 424mkIII portastudio before now so I’m sure it will be big difference in recording quality and definitely a plus with the additional tracks .

Do I need the TEAC DX-8 dbx noise reduction? It's hooked up to the 80-8 by a sync wire but it needs to be hooked up with rca wires to and from the recorder. Should I wire it up or is it not needed??

I have everything all over the place at the moment so please mind the photos. I'm playing equipment tetris with all the instruments/recording/amps/computer and what not.

There's no talk-back module on the M35. Don't need one at the moment but would get it if i found one.


SteveM- I'm going to try calling Tascam. Hopefully they have something. The M30 download i found only helps so much but not item specific.
Click to expand...


Hey man, looks great.
No, unfortunately I sold my 80-8 and Model 5 to upgrade to a 16 Track setup.
I definitely have gear nostalgia for them though.
Anyways, I would put everything on the Patchbay.
The only thing that might not need to be there is
the Tape Deck to Mixer connections and that's
only if you are ok with recording 4 tracks maximum at once.

Using a Patchbay with RCA connectors, will make your
signal quality much better. Less susceptible to Radio Freq's, Humming, etc

The DX-8 Noise Reduction is completely by preference.
You may want to use it on a Guitar but not a Bass, or vise versa.
Most people turn it off.
I used it a lot. I would use DBX on 7 Trcks and then
Bounce onto Track 8 with MORE DBX and I wondered
why my recordings were modulated, too compressed, and pumping.
Other than those mistakes, it was a great little setup.
I learned the hard way on that baby. They take a beating.

Try the same height for each Reel table.
If it doesn't work re-adjust it.

By the way, you are gonna need 3 jumper plugs on Channels 6-8 on your M-35.
The Channels WILL NOT WORK if they do not have them at the Access Send/Rcv jacks.
Try looking around Ebay for the jumpers. they pop up from time to time.
Maybe someone here has extras?
 
waxyflexibility said:
SteveM- I'm going to try calling Tascam. Hopefully they have something. The M30 download i found only helps so much but not item specific.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the M35 is unique in many regards. Best to get a manual. I have one, they are good sounding boards.

I'm a big fan of the TEAC recorders and the stuff I've heard from the 80-8 sounded pretty good to me.

As far as the take up reel, just loosen it by way explained above, probably a long allen wrench, and then eyeball it with tape on it, from that side so the tape lines up nicely with the heads and the other tape guides and then tighten the screw.
 
"Using a Patchbay with RCA connectors, will make your
signal quality much better. Less susceptible to Radio Freq's, Humming, etc"

The use of a patchbay makes everything much more convenient than constantly re-patching the back of your gear but does nothing to enhance signal quality.

RCA patch cords (the shorter the better) will substitute for the send/rcv jumpers.
 
RRuskin said:
"Using a Patchbay with RCA connectors, will make your
signal quality much better. Less susceptible to Radio Freq's, Humming, etc"

The use of a patchbay makes everything much more convenient than constantly re-patching the back of your gear but does nothing to enhance signal quality.

RCA patch cords (the shorter the better) will substitute for the send/rcv jumpers.
Click to expand...

You're right. It doesn't really "enhance" the sound, but shorter RCA's
do keep the signal from being tainted with noises, Freq's, etc... Right?
That's what I've always heard.
Tascam talks about it quite a bit in their manuals.
 
You're right. It doesn't really "enhance" the sound, but shorter RCA's
do keep the signal from being tainted with noises, Freq's, etc... Right?
That's what I've always heard.
Tascam talks about it quite a bit in their manuals.
 
RandyRhoads1981 said:
You're right. It doesn't really "enhance" the sound, but shorter RCA's
do keep the signal from being tainted with noises, Freq's, etc... Right?
That's what I've always heard.
Tascam talks about it quite a bit in their manuals.
Click to expand...

In many cases, the addition of a patchbay lengthens the wire runs. The additional patch points can also be a source of noise, ground loops, & intermittent connections. As with anything else audio, one needs to pay attention to keep these problems at bay.

The original Tascam manuals and specifically "The Multi-track Primer," recommended runs as short as possible with quality low-capacitance cable. Back then, they made the best pre-made low-cap rca-rca wire available.
 
OK so I have the m35 all hooked up to PB.. The PB is half normeled so here's how I have it routed..

All Sends 1 - 8 normaled with all receives 1-8
Line in 1-8 on straight thru PB points
Direct outs 1-8 normaled with tape in 1-8 on recorder
Tape out 1-8 from recorder normaled with tape in 1-8 @ m35
Sub-master to straight thru (can route to tape ins as needed)
All other inputs and outputs like cue and effects to straight thru PB points

Anything ya guys think I should change up.

I will probably have all the outboard gear on straight thru PB points as well so I can hook into them as needed.
 
waxyflexibility said:
OK so I have the m35 all hooked up to PB.. The PB is half normeled so here's how I have it routed..

All Sends 1 - 8 normaled with all receives 1-8
Line in 1-8 on straight thru PB points
Direct outs 1-8 normaled with tape in 1-8 on recorder
Tape out 1-8 from recorder normaled with tape in 1-8 @ m35
Sub-master to straight thru (can route to tape ins as needed)
All other inputs and outputs like cue and effects to straight thru PB points

Anything ya guys think I should change up.

I will probably have all the outboard gear on straight thru PB points as well so I can hook into them as needed.
Click to expand...

I opted for having no normals between direct outs or the sub-master outs and the machine. I also didn't bother with bringing the send/rec's to the bay at all because I never use them. What you have should work fine, though.
 
I'm not all to sure exactly what all the send / receive / input / outputs / cue / effect and what not do so i figured i would bring them all out to PB so i can mess around with them and have options. I'm sure I'll change it around as i go and figure out how i use it all mostly.

Haven't had any luck finding a manual for the M35 yet. So I will try some trial and error once i get everything finally hooked up. Still waiting on some cables to wire up recorder.
 
Hey man! Do you have a manual for your 80-8 yet? I may have a PDF of the owners manual and service manual laying around on a drive somewhere. I was lucky that my 80-8 came with all of the manuals when I picked it up. Do you have the DX-8 noise reduction module for it? I don't have the control cable for mine and have been trying to get it working on and off for a few months now with a DIY control cable. :(

If you are having trouble finding documentation for the 80-8 let me know :)
 
Hey thanks for the offer samth3mancgp but i wound up buying the manuals from ebay for the 80-8. I do have the DX-8 module and its linked up to tape machine with an organ style pin connector that's hardwired into the 80-8. I haven't hooked it up yet. I'm going to record some stuff without it then with it to compare.

I finally found the manual for the M-35. It can be found at http://www.tascamvintage.com/Tascam M35.pdf . Found it searching m35 instead of M-35.

I noticed that all my PB don't seem to be the same as far as being normaled and straight thru. Does anyone know for sure what the Tascam PB-32H is supposed to be. Now i have to take everything back apart and test all the connections to see whats what. But at least i know now that the 80-8 records and plays back...

The 80-8 is a little noisy though. Not the recorded material but the machine itself. Are there areas that should be oiled. Going to have to dip into that manual some more to see if anything is recommended..
 
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