8 Track advice

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zocochico

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Hi All,
I was looking through the search but didn't find much help... I'm looking to pick up an 8 track machine to mess around with. The thing is I have no idea how much they cost. I live in San Diego and have been checking the local craigslist and reader but nothing has popped up. I saw an Otari 5050 at a local shop for $800 but that seemed kinda steep (maybe it's a steal, I don't know).

Now, I know not all machines are created equal but I'm look for generalizations here. (Tascams:400 - 800, Otaris:600-1000).

So the advice I need... Whats a good price range to prepare for? Where can I find one? are there any models to absolutely stay away from?

Thanks, You guys are great.
 
8 track analog

Well if you are just going to record yourself for fun and make demos, all you really need is a recorder that works well. You are not going to achieve success/fail based on the name brand of your machine. Even if you have the best recorder in the world some a hole will be there to tell you how it sucks and how it isnt pro enough. So just concentrate on finding one that works well and be ready to maintain it and have it serviced even if the seller tells you that it "works perfectly" or is "mint". There are components that are meant to wear out over time so be ready for that. I bought a Tascam 38 off ebay a few years ago and it was a "buy it now" for 550 bucks and the seller claimed everything works and all that crap. But when i got it it needed all new belts and the pinch roller was shot. People say everything works if the VUs light. Thats enough for them. But i fixed it and it works great now.

Some people will say that tascam sucks compared to otari and vice versa. I think the otaris may have a few more features built into them and may be higher quality but the differences wont make or break you if you are just into messing around and recording stuff. Id rather have a working tascam than a broken otari.

You should maybe check out a tascam 388. Sometimes i look at those and think i should have got one instead of a 38 because of how easy it is to use and how high of quality the mixer section is. Ive heard people say that slower tape and thinner tape sucks, but if you ever hear what some people have recorded on them you will not know the difference or miss anything sound quality wise.

I hope that can help, but keep in mind i am only one person with one opinion. Others here are long time analog recordists and have more valid opinions and advice. Good luck.
 
I had a 388 and I sold it when I got my TSR-8, although I sometimes regret it! Its a great machine and very straightforward to use. It is capable of pro sounds if you know what you're doing. The trouble is finding one in good condition and then getting it to you in one piece, it weights like 100 lbs!
 
I'm all for getting the Tascam 388, 38, 48, 58, TSR-8, or ATR-60/8.

Y'know, whatever floats your boat. A lot depends on your proposed budget, and what's available at the time. Any of those Tascams suit me fine, and I personally have the 388 and 38 w/M30 mixer.

I have other 4-track reels, 4-track Portastudios, and even 8-track Portastudios, including the 238 Syncaset and non-Tascam-porta-clones, but from what I gather, this discussion is about 8-track reel/reel recorders. Otherwise, FWIW, the Tascam 688 & 238 are outstanding, with the 488mkII as 3rd place. Maybe that's off-topic.

The Tascam 388 is a self contained unit that runs on 7" reels of 1/4" tape, and the 38/48/58/TSR8/ATR60-8 run on 10.5" reels of 1/2" tape & require an external mixer.

As with analog recording or anything else, it kinda depends on what sound and user functions you're looking for. Of all the 8-track OTARIs I've ever seen, they've just never done anything for me. Give me my Tascams any day. No doubt, there are members who might come out of the woodwork to tell me I suck and I'm full of crap, but that's standard for a bbs like this. :eek:

Feel free to check out my Soundclick page. There are numerous recordings posted from the 38 and one from the 388 currently, with maybe more on the way.

Cheers!;)
 
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Aaaggghhh!!!

I almost forgot to mention that FOSTEX has a whole line of 1/4" reel/reel 8-tracks, starting with the A8, through the Model 80, R8 and E8, all of which are fine machines in my book, although with a slightly different sound and fidelity than the Tascams mentioned previously. All Fostex 1/4" 8-tracks run at 15 ips with Dolby C Noise Reduction.

Fostex 1/4" 8-track reel/reel recorders have never been my ultimate favorite, but they are quite nice, and Fostex pretty much has the 1/4"-8-track-15-ips market sewn up by themselves.

I'd certainly buy any of these Fostex R/R 8-tracks over any of the OTARIs I've ever seen, but as per the above, YMMV.

Now it's someone else's turn to come & tell me e'thing I recommend sucks.

C'ya.
 
I agree with Reel there on everything he said. You cant beat a good tascam deck and the fostex machines are a real good value.
 
For just "messing around", its hard to beat a Tascam 388. The all in one mixer/8track reel/dbx1 package is a great way to get a lot of functionality and bypass a lot of cables/patchbays/etc. The sonic quality is surprising considering the 1/4" format, Its a great machine to start out with and decide if you really have the chops to do some serious recording.
 
This is all great advice guys. I have an old Yamaha M916 Mixer, which i should have mentioned before, so I was thinking of going the straight 1/2" 8 track route (no integrated mixer). I've been in the digital world for so long but really want to go back to my days in college when I worked with tape (i'm gonna have to dig out my old splicing block). There is something about working with tape that I can't put my finger on, fidelity reasons aside.

One thing I'm also interested in doing is tracking drums and bass on tape and and then finishing everything else digitally. An engineer friend does this with a big 2" machine and his drums and bass come out so nice.

So, to recap a bit... any advice on where to find one or the budget I should be prepare myself for? also what is the normal maitenence cost for a 1/2" 8?

Thanks again!
 
slightly off topic

but while we are on the subject of analog reels, i didnt know REEL had so many recordings that show the different sonic qualities of the different tascam machines. I just went and listened to them. Its too bad they dont say what mics were used too. I wish they would have made a double m30. You know, 16 channels but it would look the same and have the same controls.

To the guy asking about repair maintenance costs, my belt was like 20 bucks and the pinch roller was 50 bucks (for the 38). You know what mostly goes unsaid about reel to reels, is that tascam machines look more interesting than otaris. The last thing i want to look at when in trying to be in a creative mood is some black box. Of course it probably goes unsaid because cosmetics are second to functionality and sound. But for me, Tascam equipment from the 80s looks cooler than anything else including the big name stuff. I understand REEL's addiction to owning as many m30s as possible.
 
Heh, heh,... yeah.

I believe all the recordings on my Sounclick page feature the Shure SM57, with the exception of "Something" and the primary tracks of "Glass Onion", which were recorded with a Radio Shack X/Y-stereo mic. Don't laugh, as that little Radio Shack stereo mic made some great recordings, given that whatever was in front of the mic was up to snuff, (which depended on the day!);) :eek:

[EDIT] Also, "Mean Mr. Mustard, etc." and the primary tracks of "A Day in the Life" were recorded with the Radio Shack X/Y stereo mic. I used to use that stereo mic for almost all my "live" recordings.[/EDIT]


Ah, I just remembered that "You Can't Do That" was recorded in stereo with two TEAC ME-10 electret condenser mics.

I believe that "covers" it. [Heh,... pun].;)

Thanx!!
 
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Hey,...

Nothing screams "hifi audio" more than wood side panels! :eek: ;)
 
The Teac 7xr is a good general deck. That was my first real deck. I now have a Tascam 38 and love it. You should be able to get the 7 for a few hundred.
 
>>> 8 Track advice <<<

dodgeaspen said:
The Teac 7xr is a good general deck.
Click to expand...
7xr ??????
X-7R ? - two track machine

or maybe XR-7000 ? :D - that one gives 21 Channels up to 20V and up to 40kHz and up to 5+ hours! :p
:confused:
 
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