564 Portastudio Freeze & skip problem

[beatle5]

Anybody else have problems with this happening on the 564 Portastudio freezing and skipping? Tascam offers NO help or replies to any inquiries? Service there sucks! don't bother.
Any help would be appreciated!! Thanks

 

[DHN]

I bought a Tascam 564 2 years ago. In the first hour I used it, it froze. I called the technical support and they offered very little help. I took the machine back to the store and exchanged it for another one. 2 days later, I experienced the same problem. I took the second machine back and exchanged it for the Sony.

By the way, I had trouble with the Sony as well. It froze and skipped. I ended up taking it back too. I almost gave up on the MD format. Finally, I spent a little more money and bought the Yamaha MD8.

The MD8 has been a great machine. I've owned it for 2 years now. I've logged hours of recording time. The only problem I've had is a blowm preamp caused by disconnecting the mic cord from channels 1 or 2 while the phantom power is on. It turns out this is a common problem with the MD8 but can obviously be avoided by simply turning off the phantom power before disconnecting the mic cord. Too bad the owners manual does not warn you in advance.

Good luck with your 564. By the way, you might try posting your message on the minidisc forum. You might get more feedback on this issue.

DHN

 

[bvaleria]

Yikes.....

...The only problem I've had is a blowm preamp caused by disconnecting the mic cord from channels 1 or 2 while the phantom power is on. It turns out this is a common problem with the MD8 but can obviously be avoided by simply turning off the phantom power before disconnecting the mic cord. Too bad the owners manual does not warn you in advance.

...there's 48 volts of dc power flowing thru your mic cord with phantom on and you need to be TOLD that it's probably a good idea to turn off phantom power before connecting/disconnecting????



Bruce Valeriani
Blue Bear Sound

 

[bvaleria]

Sorry... maybe I was a bit too sarcastic there - didn't mean anything by it.... but it is a good lesson for others to pick up on too!

Bruce

 

[DHN]

Thanks. Only a little offense taken.

I guess it should be obvious but hopefully I won't think earn a Darwin award for my error.

By the way, Mr. Beatle 5--I noticed you did post your query on the minidisc forum. Sorry to make that suggestion before noticing you did that. Hope you will find an answer to your question.

DHN

 

[Bob Dallago]

Tascam 564

Beatle 5,

I bought a 564 when it first came out. It skipped I brought it back and exchanged it. The new one skipped. I sent it to Tascam. When it came back it started to freeze up. They did not want to hear from me anymore and stated so. No further help could I get from them so I used the machine very rarely. A very bad buy….I won’t buy Tascam again.

DHN,

Sorry to hear about your phantom power problem but I just bought a Fostex VF-16 and I will remember after reading your story. Glad I read it.

Bvaleria,

You sound like you know your stuff and I would love to have your advice about the Fostex VF-16 if you got any. But very few of us walk on water or turn water to wine so don’t bite me on the ass if I make a mistake.

 

[bvaleria]

Re: Tascam 564

...Bvaleria,

You sound like you know your stuff and I would love to have your advice about the Fostex VF-16 if you got any. But very few of us walk on water or turn water to wine so don’t bite me on the ass if I make a mistake...

I happen to be able to walk on water (been doing that since I was 7...), but hey I know not everyone can!

I have no direct experience to offer on the VF-16, but I came across this review which sounds sensible - check out http://www.proaudioreview.com/par/november00/Fostex-Web.shtml

In addition to the comments on the review, with these small units, one of the ways for the manufacturer to cut costs is to cheap out on mic pres, so if you buy this unit (or others like it), you may want to invest in a couple of good pres. Nevertheless, in terms of sound quality, these digital portastudios are scads above the analog portastudio. So you should be able to get some reasonable results.

Have fun!

Bruce