388 cover for basement use.

  • Thread starter Thread starter j.harv
  • Start date Start date
j.harv

j.harv

@#$%
So.....I MIGHT be getting a 388.The only thing is I wont be able to fit it in my little music room.I just have too much gear in there.I have my drums set up in the basement.When I want to record drum tracks I'll just take my All in one Digital recorder or portastudio down there,track and then bring them back upstairs because they're small and portable.If I get the 388,Im gonna have to leave it in the basement.The only thing is this is an older house im in,and its a little musty and damp in the basement.Not crazy damp but its always cool.No moisture on the walls or dripping anywhere.Just wondering is there a cover that I could make with certain materials to keep any moisture and dampness off the machine when not in use.I know its a long shot,but I would like to get this deck.And the basement is the only place for it.
Thanks.
 
A garbage bag with dessicant packs?

Seriously, I would not be comfortable keeping gear in a damp basement long-term.

Would it be in a segregated area in the basement or is the basement just all open?

How long have your drums been down there?
 
The drums have been down there for only a few weeks.The section of the basement this is in is partially finished,If you can say that.The walls have wood panelling,the ceiling is a suspended one,I guess thats what you call it.And a section of the floor,where the drums are,has a wood base with carpeting.Like I said theres no leaks or condensation,dripping ect..but theres just a little something in the air when yo go down there.I was thinking of Dessicant packs myself,built into a cover that can be sealed up.But we'll have to see first,because it not a %100 that im getting this thing.But hoping.
Thanks.
Jason
 
I have a packing place near-by which sells large heavy duty mattress plastic bags, in all sizes, king, queen, twin... I got some for my 388 when I was packing it. It slips right in with room to spare. I'd make sure to pull out as much air as possible and then, as Cory mentioned, throw in some desiccant packs.
 
I just do not like the thought of moisture or humidity as a long term venue for any electronics ( and your drums, for that matter). I hope that "something in the air" is not hidden mold or mildew hiding under carpet or sheetrock. It could be as unhealthy for the musician as for the equipment!!

#1: Check for mold/ mildew. Look under the carpet, etc.
#2: Ventilation!!!. Get some air circulation down there. Basements often have stagnant air, which build up humidity and toxins (remember the radon scare??)
#3: Buy a dehumidifier!! Run it full time when you are not tracking down there. You will be surprised how much water you pull out of the air
#4: If at all possible, maybe consider sealing the concrete walls and floors with an approved water barrier sealer (drylok??)
#4: Do NOT use plastic or any unbreathable cover for the 388.

Oh yeah, make sure your sump pump is in top shape. Nothing like a few feet of water in your basement to ruin the day.
 
If you have a damp basement any attempts to protect equipment individually will fail... overwhelmed by the climate. Controlling environment temperature and humidity is as important as acoustics. If they aren’t climate controlled, garages and basements are one of the biggest killers of tape decks and tape.

Best thing to do is to invest in a dehumidifier for the basement and buy a dust cover from LeCover. Scroll down to Tascam on this link and you’ll see one for the 388.

http://www.lecover.com/Studio/main4a.html

I’ve bought several from them for various things from synths to mixing consoles.

:)
 
+1 to LeCover and the dehumidifier...+1 to everything, really.

Though, techno, can you go into why not to use anything unbreathable for electronics?

I asked about the drums because if they'd been down there awhile looking at the chrome plating is a strong indicator...it starts with little spots whixh eventually turn into little rust speckles. Sure sign that its an unhealthy environment for any electronics. If they've only been there for a few weeks they won't tell you anything unless you REALLY have a problem down there.

Depending on you geographic location you will have a neverending infiltration of moisture in a basement and the only way to properly address it is either by sealing the concrete all around or getting an appropriately sized dehumidifier with a built-in humidistat and leave it on all the time.

Neither are cheap solutions but if you want to protect the gear there really isn't a way around it.
 
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