8 track reel & Mixer help!

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studiodrum

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Hey everybody,
I am looking to upgrade my modest (basement studio) to a reel to reel recorder-- Currently, I have a Tascam 424mkII, 4 track cassette recording that I have been using, mostly for tracking drums, and rhythm sections, and occasionally demos. . . However, I would like to purchase a used rell to reel, 8 track recorder, either Fostex, or Teac/Tascam-- and also, a used mixer board. My budget is modest. But, not non-existent-- I have some money to spend, But, want to keep it to a minimum.

Since I dont know much about the differences in equipment, I was hoping that you guys can give me your input on which way to go .. . Obviously, I would like to keep it simple to operate, i.e., the mixer board, and recorder connections.

Any input would certainly be helpful. .. Thanks in advance!
 
If you want to avoid all the hassle of hooking up a reel to reel and mixer you might want to look into getting a Tascam 388. I believe they go for around $400 over there.
 
!!!!!!

Get the Tascam 388 for appx $400 and you're in like Flynn!

It has that ready-to-go, all-in-one design, with an awesome 8x8x2 mixer, & records 8-simul to affordable 7" reels of 1/4" tape. It's really the king of all Portastudios, but,... shhhh,... it's a secret that the 388's a Portastudio, otherwise known as the "Studio 8".
 
Tascam 388

;) :eek: Uhuh, uhuh!
 

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Tascam 388, deck

In case you're interested.

Notice, this one has a missing button cap, but they can be found in VG-EXC condition, also. Price, availability and condition varies daily. It's not too hard to find a really nice 388 for sale, cheap. The 388, IMO, is one of those "sleeper" analog units. I've created my own 388 revival,... I have 4.;)
 

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Eh?

Hi Mark. Where's the old chatting Mark I used to know? How's the 388 recording project's coming? I've actually recorded one more 388 cut, since last we talked, this time sounding a bit better than last time, but probably not ready for prime time. David Bowie's "Hang On To Yourself"!

C'ya!

/DA :cool:
 
Dang it Reel leave me some of the 388,s . I only have two of them now!

Picked one up for 175.00 bucks with a rc71 remote. It didnt work when it got here but all that was wrong was the power supply card had come loose in shipping.

I love that kind of deal!
 
At what point do you or I get that whole SMPTE-sync-thing together, and sync these beasts together. The 388 is fully SMPTE-sync compatible, and yet, I've never heard of anyone syncing the 388. HINT: My original plan was to sync all 4 of my 388's together, for a 28-track 388 mega-plex. It's one of those techy projects I've not come up to speed on. Let me know if you have any hints on SMPTE-sync, (for dummies)! Heh.
 
I guess Im going to have to read the Manual and pay more attention to my gear cause this sync thing is totaly new to me and I didnt even know you could do that with these machines.
 
Yep,... but it's not detailed very well in the manual. I've read it.

What fully SYMPTE/EBU sync compatible means, though, is technically, you (we) should be able to get one of the 388's to run as master, and other 388s to run as slaves. There's a big connector port on the back of the 388, which is otherwise known as the "Elco-type" connector, but it's a type I'm trying to describe, and "Elco" is a brand name. JFYI.

It can be done, however, you're into DIY cabling and finding the proper Tascam synchronizer. The Fostex series of synchronizer/controller [4030/4035] will sync the Tascam, but only with a special adapter, [Fostex 8785]. See? That's what I know about it, up to date.
 
i've recently been trying to find a 388 on eBay among other places. i emailed over 100 recording studios in my area (only a few replied, but none of them had any anyway) and every one of them on eBay says it has to be picked up. people say these machines are so easy to find but after trying i dont really believe that, does anyone have any possible links or info that could help me find one...any help would be greatly appreciated
 
Yeah, the 388 is easy to find... For everyone else

Mine was just sitting in the local Academy Of Sound Superstore :cool:
 
i'm not really sure what that is supposed to mean, but i am in the market for one if anyone is willing to sell
 
By chance, are you in the Los Angeles area?

Otherwise, try to be patient, as another worthy 388 will happen by, eventually.

I'll agree, that the 388 is large and heavy, and it's a b!tch to ship it, & package it properly, etc. It weighs 87lbs, stripped, and nearly 100lbs, boxed, I'm sure. A pickup deal on the 388 is always in the buyer's favor, since you'll skip the harrowing experience of UPS delivery, of which many viable analog decks have suffered their final fate.

If you're in the LA area, I'd at least let you demo one of my 388's, so you could assess it in person. I'm not inclined to sell mine, but I may be able to help you secure a decent one off Ebay. That is, if by chance you're in the LA area. Otherwise, be patient, and hang in there!!
 
Okay, the truth be known,...

I'm hoarding all the Tascam 388's to myself, & buying each and every one I can get my hands on!!

Heh. :eek:
 
Tascam 388 for sale

Hey all,
I stumbled on to this bbs by accident. I believe I know where one of these units are located if anyone is interested. I did some minor maintanence repair on it for a friend of mine before he was going to put it up for sale. I believe was asking 450.00 for the unit....but dont hold me to that. I sent a private message to one of the guys who posted here but I did not get a response so I am guessing that must be a no no...hahahaha...sorry man. So if anyone is interested I will check to see if he still has the unit for sale...and let you all know. I am sure he has or can take pictures of it....that I can e-mail to anyone interested. My e-mail address is mike@4vermillion.com for anyone who wants to contact me about this. Have a great day all.....cya

Michael Vermillion
www.4vermillion.com
 
That's fine,...

but I didn't get any PM.

Thanx for the info!! ;)
 
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