388 Users?

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rocky

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Anybody still wringing use out of their old 388? It's a sweet sounding old thing, so much so that I still use it for the ocassional analog track even though it's not my primary recording machine anymore (gone digital, I'm afraid...).
 
Hey rock, sorry to leave you hangin'
I didn't feel that I was a "388 user" any more as I too have gone digital (TM-D1000 & DA-38)
Now that I think of it, I do still use my 388... to set things on! I love the old goat so much that I can't bear to part with it. It sure rocked back in the day, though. Fond memories of that thing! I got it when I was 16. I had a job and had the choice of financing a car or financing the 388. I made the right choice.
I suppose I may still use it sometime in the future.
 
Well, when you reply to yourself it's a sure sign that you've moved beyond "classic" gear into just plain "old".

**sigh**
 
I still use mine mostly just for the mixer though as I have also gone digital.
 
Hey, Rocky! I just posted something about the 388 in the analog forum...

I have actually been using my 388 a lot lately. It's fun messing with the ol' reels! The heads still need relapped on mine, but I've been recording little ideas and things with it anyway...

I still like digital a lot better, but I do like using this machine. You have to love that there are 2 inputs for EACH track, as well as a full mixer with awesome EQ!

I can't wait until I can get the heads relapped on mine so I can do some more serious work on it. I'd like to layer on a rich chorus of backward vocals to a song for my album.

I've been able to figure out a good chunk of the functions of it wihout the manual. Just last night I figured out how to bounce down tracks by accident.

I just wish this machine didn't literally weigh more that I do. I guess I could remedy that by gaining weight myself, but that wasn't my point....! ;)

Actually, some wheels and a handle would be nice on it.
 
Brad:
Had to chuckle at your response...I guess putting things on it is the main thing I do with my 388 also. Or how about this one: new clients come in...I fire up the 388 with those 10 VU meters glowing in the low light (whether I'm going to actually *use* it or not).

Imparts a certain classic air to the place...and puts those analog bigots at ease.

Larry: good to hear from you. As I recall, you were checking to see if TASCAM had an old manual for you, before we struggled with trying to figure out how to efficiently duplicate mine for you. Did you have any luck? Anyone know how to contact TASCAM for an old 388 manual?
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by rocky:
Anybody still wringing use out of their old 388? It's a sweet sounding old thing, so much so that I still use it for the ocassional analog track even though it's not my primary recording machine anymore (gone digital, I'm afraid...).<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
 
I am considering buying a 388 from someone who doesn't know much more than myself about them. My questions: 1/2" or 1/4" tape? 10" or 7" reel? 15ips or 7 1/2?

If anyone knows the answers, I'd sure appreciate it. Tnanks- Fast Ed
 
eddy:
8 tracks on 1/4" tape running at 7 1/2 (I think it was?) w/ pretty nice dbxII noise reduction built in. 7 inch reels only. Dbx defeatable on track 8 for striping synch if desired.

The dbx business keeps you from getting the fullblown, really fat effect of analog tape saturation that you hear with the really big format decks, but the sound quality is there to give you a nice analog feel and at least a good portion of that tape compression when you jam the meters.

Can't put my hands on the noise specs right off hand. But, can give you some subjective comments. If the heads are in good shape, you can get some very nice quality recordings out of this machine. It's a huge old thing and weighs a ton, so keep that in mind if you're paying for shipping, etc.

Best feature, IMHO, is the EQ section on each channel. 3 band, all swept, and very "musical", if you will. Can't be beat if you're just learning your way around the vagaries of EQ'ing a mix--beats the nasty digital EQ I use on the Roland VS 1680 by a mile, for sure.

Don't know what used 388's are going for, but I'd have to think they'd be a great, inexpensive way to get 8 decent analog tracks at a bargain price. I think the biggest negative has to be lack of phantom power.

Hope this helps?
 
Hi, what do you mean there are 2 inputs for each track? I see only 1 line input and 1 source at a time?

KC
 
nitrochromium said:
Hi, what do you mean there are 2 inputs for each track? I see only 1 line input and 1 source at a time?

KC
Click to expand...

I think he means there is a line input and a mic input on each channel.Unless he is talking about the snd/rcv inputs.
 
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