414 - 414 mk2....differences?

[jiggz]

Anyone know the differences between the 1st generation and mk2 versions of the 414 portastudios?

I have read on the Tascam website that the 414mk2 recorder section only has a frequency response of 10k.

What about the regular 414 frequency response? Reason I'm asking is coz i'm eyeing one for sale right now but I would like a slightly better frequency response than 10k! I think the 424mk3 goes up to 16k, which is more like it but I need the smaller size of the 414.

Jiggz

 

[A Reel Person]

Hi,...

The differences in the 414(std) and the 414mkII are:
1) the color, and...
2) the 414mkII has a dedicated guitar input with it's own trim control.

The manual states that the 414's top frequency response is 10kHz, but honestly, I've never noticed the 414mkII freq.-resp. to be deficient, and it's very comparable to the 424mkIII,... (and I mean that in a good way). I'd probably be inclined to believe that either it's a typo in the 414 manual, (that it should read 16kHz),... or that they're just being conservative with the numbers. (The 414mkII runs the same (2x) tape speed, the same noise reduction, and uses the same tapes with basically the same head as the 424mkIII, so what gives? The 414mkII's frequency response should be roughly equivalent to the 424mkIII's, and in listening tests, I've not detected a stark difference between the two machines).

With that being said, the 424mkIII is worth the extra uplift in price, and the size difference between the 414mkII and the 424mkIII is minimal.

 

[jiggz]

On target!

That response hit the spot better than a Russian torpedo!

Big big thanks!

 

[A Reel Person]

My friend,...

I've done a little checking, and what I've found supports the notion that "40Hz~10kHz" (in the 414mkII manual/online) is a type error.

NOTE: The manuals for the MF-P01 and Porta02mkII spec each of these devices at "50 Hz~12.5kHz",... which seems reasonable, but...

there's no way on God's green Earth that the 414mkII could spec-out worse than the MF-P01!!! That's just so totally outrageous that it's laughable. HAhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha..................HAH!

Based on this research, my above post with further reasoning, and my own personal use of both the 424mkIII and 414mkII,... I'm sticking with the idea that "10kHz" in the 414mkII manual is a typo, and it's more likely to spec-out at "40Hz~16kHz", which is on par with the 424mkIII. Not to mention the 414mkII and 424mkIII use the same NR, the same head & same tape speed,... as I said above. From what I've seen first hand, the 414mkII is just a scaled down and slightly less feature-loaded unit than the 424mkIII, but the sound quality is nearly the same.

It seems reasonable to expect a MUCH better frequency response from a 414mkII than a Porta02mkII or MF-P01. It's more reasonable to expect the 414mkII to perform much like the 424mkIII.

I rest my case!!

414 users,... fear not!! You are worthy!!

 

[Nico2112]

Hey Reel, just gave me good enough reason for not selling my old 414. I've done so many things with it, that letting it go would be painful
One thing though, mine's channel 3 doesn't record anymore. About 7 years ago, I had the same prob, and they said the recording head was defective, so they changed it for a new one. I took my 414 to the same shop again, and it seems they are no longer a Tascam authorized dealer. So I'm alone here. Do you think I can get that spare part in the net? I've already tried Tascam themselves, with no answer.
Cheers!

 

[A Reel Person]

Well,...

it would be hard for me to troubleshoot from afar, but maybe look at the head-wires. I've heard that the head-wires may break off, or their solder joints become cold. I'd look for that, & any other loose connection in the signal chain,... before I thought of the head being bad. (But that's just me)

Also, even though the 414 is a "worthy" unit in the realm of Portastudios, it's also one of the best "sleeper" deals you can get these days on Ebay. I originally did not gravitate much toward the 414(std/mkII), UNTIL the (USED) price point hit $65/avg on Ebay, & now I have 5 of 'em!!! All MkII's!!! I also got one New-In-Box 414mkII for $102, which is a terrific deal!

Further, although I'm fully loaded with 414mkII's, I've considered picking up a 414(std), for the nice flat-grey color that matches the 424mkII's I have. I know,... that's crazy,... but what can I tell'ya!

As for your specific case,... I can't offer any real good advice, but just to hang in there!!

The 414 is a great midline Portastudio that's fun to use & sounds good!

 

[Nico2112]

Thanks for your repply Reel. I'll inspect it thoughroughly one of these days, and I'll see what I can do.
Unluckily for me, I can't bid on ebay from my country, but it would be great to get another one.
It never hurts having tons of toys
Cheers!

 

[andyhix]

it would be hard for me to troubleshoot from afar, but maybe look at the head-wires. I've heard that the head-wires may break off, or their solder joints become cold. I'd look for that, & any other loose connection in the signal chain,... before I thought of the head being bad. (But that's just me)

Also, even though the 414 is a "worthy" unit in the realm of Portastudios, it's also one of the best "sleeper" deals you can get these days on Ebay. I originally did not gravitate much toward the 414(std/mkII), UNTIL the (USED) price point hit $65/avg on Ebay, & now I have 5 of 'em!!! All MkII's!!! I also got one New-In-Box 414mkII for $102, which is a terrific deal!

Further, although I'm fully loaded with 414mkII's, I've considered picking up a 414(std), for the nice flat-grey color that matches the 424mkII's I have. I know,... that's crazy,... but what can I tell'ya!

As for your specific case,... I can't offer any real good advice, but just to hang in there!!

The 414 is a great midline Portastudio that's fun to use & sounds good!

I gotta ask, Reel, what the hell do you do with all those 4-tracks? Do you actually use all of them somehow(maybe you own 20 houses, and have one in each?), or you just a crazed collector?

 

[A Reel Person]

Yes, yes and yes!!!

.........................

 

[A Reel Person]

Late Update:...

I just pulled up another TEAC/TASCAM tech document on the last series of Portastudios, which quotes the frequency response of the 414mkII as "40hz~16kHz". It's documented by TEAC, and that's beyond saying it's "just my opinion".

http://www.tascam.co.uk/pdfs/brochures/portaseries.pdf

I hope that gives you the answer and peace of mind you're looking for!!