An all-in-one Analog Machine (need advice)

[cjacek]

Hello,

Over the past several months I've had 2 cassette based portastudios, from TASCAM, crap out on me. (Yes, they were brand new). In both cases there were wild flactuations in recorded signal levels after a few months use, despite regular cleaning. (Many others have reported similar things). Anyway, did TASCAM ever built anything, in the portastudio area, that didn't have reliability problems ? The ONLY reason I got rid of the 2 portas was because of the recording probs I noted above. Other than that, these seemed perfect for my needs. I don't ever wanna go digital 'cause I went there and didn't like it. But currently the only analog machines being manufactured are the rather cheap ones from TASCAM. The 414 mkII and 424 mkIII which crapped out on me. I guess I'm forced to buy used and that's where I need some help. Can anyone please give me some advice re used analog (an "all-in-one" unit) type recorders which were built to last and have better quality and reliability than what I had experience with ? Was there ever a "portastudio" that was respected for their quality and reliability ?

Thanks very much,

Daniel

 

[scottboyher]

I have owned a Tascam 424 and never had a problem. The market for these kind of recorders is getting smaller every day. You should still consider going to digital. It will open up all kinds of new windows for you.

 

[plexi]

Hello,

Was there ever a "portastudio" that was respected for their quality and reliability ?

Thanks very much,

Daniel

No......

 

[jeffree]

I've had a Tascam 414 for 2 years--heavy use, never a problem.
About a 6 months ago, though, I added a digital daw to my studio, so the 414 has become something I use mainly on the road. Yeah, I'd go with a simple digital, which will cost you nearly the same as a new Porta and be almost the same to use. If not, I'd try another Tascam and hope your luck holds better next time.

J.

 

[cjacek]

Thanks a lot guys. It's not really a question of which is "better" but I just simply prefer the sound of analog, whether it be reel to reel or cassette. I don't like the sound of digital. Period. It's a preference and I have mine.

Daniel

 

[The Green Hornet]

Yo CJ:

Once I bought a touted Tascam dual tape deck. That box made more noise than having a harem. Every time I pushed a on/off, etc., button, that box popped. I gave it to one of my brothers.

I also had a Tascam MKI and MKII 8 tracker. No real problems with those boxes except waiting for the tape to rewind each time while doing over-dubs.

Those boxes are still available but I'm not sure if you can get them new.

I moved to digital with the Yam 2816 and it makes great sounds. I like the built-in CDR-W recorder and that part of the box is pretty easy to learn.

Someday you will go to digital and love it. I also have an MD8 in my studio. I left it there because it adds ambience, like the Elvis mic I have propped up in a corner of the studio.

Once you record some tracks on a digital box and hit the return button and "you're there...." in a second -- well, I don't think you'll enjoy waiting for the tape to rewind. But, if you dig it, do it.

Cheers,



Green Hornet

 

[scottboyher]

CJ if you have a computer why dont you download Cool Edit Pro demo version and try that out till you find your "all-in-one". The trial version is fully functional for 30 days and I think you will dig it.

 

[eeldip]

have you checked out this?

http://www.audioreview.com/Tape,Decks/Tascam,388,studio,8/PRD_121188_1595crx.aspx

tascam 388. not exactly portable though (but then again, it sort of is). pretty much a 4 track from "the land of the giants".

i did one album on it. it sounded like shit, but that is what the band wanted. they are very very cool looking. and have "a sound" to them that is hard to get around, but really isnt that bad. the band East River Pipe records on one. their records sound pretty great to me.

 

[cjacek]

have you checked out this?

http://www.audioreview.com/Tape,Decks/Tascam,388,studio,8/PRD_121188_1595crx.aspx

tascam 388. not exactly portable though (but then again, it sort of is). pretty much a 4 track from "the land of the giants".

i did one album on it. it sounded like shit, but that is what the band wanted. they are very very cool looking. and have "a sound" to them that is hard to get around, but really isnt that bad. the band East River Pipe records on one. their records sound pretty great to me.

Thanks for the link

Daniel

 

[eeldip]

i was helping a friend dump some tascam 4 track stuff to DAW, and boy it sounded good. it had that 4 track sound... real "juicy" as i would describe it... it was basically drum machine and echoplex and feedback and some guitars... if he did it on computer i think it would have been more boring,

but the 4 track added something undescribable and interesting to it.

anyway, my point is. there is a home for a 4 track for some types of music.

so i say good luck. and go for that 388. i think they pop up on ebay from time to time, but may be too heavy to ship

 

[A Reel Person]

Daniel, sure analog's better. No argument here.

I'm sorry to hear that your 424mkIII's were not reliable. Since I've not heard about any widespread dissatisfaction with this unit, maybe you just hit a streak of bad luck on the 424mkIII. Maybe the "3's" a charm for you on that.

There's not been one Portastudio that's been touted as more robust or reliable than the others, and I think they're all about equivalent. I could rattle off a list of alternate Tascam Portastudios, but you've already heard the rap & probably seen the list. Some of my fav's would be the 244, 246 and 424mkII, although if you can dig the LCD display, then the 464 would also be highly recommended. All of these units mentioned are only available as used, although you might occasionally find a new/oldstock 424mkII.

CJ, I would not lie, steer you wrong, or recommend you do something I would not do myself. That, and your self described needs, leads me to only one conclusion: You need a 388.

The 388 is not absolutely trouble free, as it's subject to the same wear & tear as other older units, and it's also subject to calibration and minor maintenance issues, but as compared to the typical new Portastudio, the 388 is built like a TANK & is super-heavy duty. Also, sound quality of the 388 is quite a bit better than any cassette-based Porta, but it's still a self-contained all-in-one unit. I think you need a 388, given what you've just said, and I think it's the right solution for you, being still in favor of the Portastudio-format machine. Too bad about your experience with the 424mkIII, but the 388 is a much nicer unit, with much better production value,... & on most days is priced very nearly the same as a new 424mkIII. F/I, the lowest I've scored a 388 was $305, which is quite competitive indeed. I think average price on the 388 is about $450-$500, plus shipping in most cases, which is expensive because the 388 is very heavy. However, bottom line, is that the 388 is still a fairly portable, self contained, all-in-one Portastudio-format recorder. Being 87lbs, Tascam wouldn't dare call it a "Porta-".

The trickiest part is to find a 388 in as good condition as possible, with low hours and very little head wear, and to then get your best deal on it. For a 388 in near-mint condition, with v-low hours, $500-$600 is reasonable, but less is better,... say,.... $450. Ebay's funny, because it depends on the day, and every bid is different. I've seen the 388 sell for as little as $250, and as much as $1100, [for a 'bought-but-never-out-of-the-box-0-hours-unit']. $500 is average and reasonable, and again, less would be even better, given that you don't give up too much on "condition" just to get low price. In tape decks, condition is almost more important than price,... within reason.

 

[eeldip]

amen.

if you dont get the 388 i'll kill you!



i think we forgot to mention that it has street creds up its ass. and it looks pretty cool.

 

[cjacek]

Thanks VERY much guys! I really appreciated your replies

Daniel

 

[A Reel Person]

Woof

 

[A Reel Person]

Woof