anybody use a 388?

[billy3000]

I was just curious if there were folks besides bedbug and myself who had a Tascam 388 reel to reel deck.

Thanks for any feedback!

 

[dcwave]

I used to ... I wish I had not sold it

 

[A Reel Person]

Me.

 

[billy3000]

hey there reel person

obviously you like it, or you wouldn't still be using it. is there much problem with bleedover from track to track using 1/4 inch tape for 8 tracks?

 

[Herm]

I also use one. And no there is not a problem with bleed on the 388, Its a great machine.

 

[mikey@thecave]

i have one thats close to mint but now im just using it for 2 track masters

 

[LTG2]

We have a 388 that we just dug out of the garage but we are clueless how to go from analog onto cds. Just found this website yesterday (first post) so I've been reading like crazy trying to figure it out but I'm still confused. Not sure whether we should go straight to a home cd recorder or spring for a masterlink or go the computer route - if we go the computer route not sure if my sound card is adequate or where to plug stuff in with what cables or even what software to use. (If anyone would take pity and give me a simple, not too expensive step by step I'd be so happy)

We probably won't have much advice as to using the 388 - it's been in the garage for 15 years - I think we're a little rusty. We're just a couple ol' farts wanting to get together with some friends of ours who also write music and have some fun and record our music, even if it's only for our kids to get a laugh out of someday.

 

[billy3000]

cool edit?

<<We probably won't have much advice as to using the 388 - it's been in the garage for 15 years - I think we're a little rusty. We're just a couple ol' farts wanting to get together with some friends of ours who also write music and have some fun and record our music, even if it's only for our kids to get a laugh out of someday. >>

I have the old version of cool edit. if you have any software like that...it should be pretty easy to mix to 2 track right from the stereo out of the 388.

you might not need cool edit. maybe something much simpler. a decent computer CDRW burner is 50 bucks tops. a half decent soundcard would help.

but, if you're not going for master record selling quality, what the heck?

I think a santa cruz by turtle beach is maybe 70 bucks.

you could also mix down to a half decent stereo vcr.

 

[eh91311]

LTG2, 388's are great machines. Very unique sound.

Nowadays, you should record your 2-track mixdowns into the computer. Digital audio soundcards give good results, but you can get decent results with a PC's stereo soundcard, free recording software and burning CD's with your computer's CD burner and CD burning software (ex: Nero). Get a cable with a 1/8 stereo jack on one end, 2 rca's on the other to interface from the PC's stereo line-in jack to the 388's stereo main out jacks.

For 2-track or multitrack PC software, you can try freeware like audacity, kristal audio engine, low-cost software like N-track, or an early, limited but free 16-bit 2-track recorder version of Cool Edit, found here: http://www.dancetech.com/FILE-Library/EDITOR/cool150.zip This version of Cool Edit will run on the most archaic computer imaginable - I used it on a 200mhz Pentium MMX computer for years.

Doesn't matter if your efforts don't sound "pro"... just have fun.

 

[A Reel Person]

I'll just...

record my 388's mixdowns onto my PC, in standard CD WAV format, using the RCA-to-1/8"-Stereo Y-adapter cable. I use either Magix Music Studio 5 or HP Pavilion Media Rack software to record, and an older version of Adaptec Easy CD creator to lay out and burn cds. It works pretty well, for me.

Same thing for my other "masters" from other analog based units,... cassette Portastudios and 38 1/2" reel tape format,... mixed onto the PC,... (w/standard sound card).

 

[LTG2]

Hey - sorry - I've been so swamped at work I haven't had time to respond. Thanks to all of you for your advice. Just found out that one of our son's roommates might be able to help us. He has been a radio DJ and is all set up for recording on his home PC and is way into all kinds of recording/sound stuff so we're thinking if we get him involved we'll be up and running in no time. I'll let him take a look at what you all have suggested and he'll probably have some ideas of his own.

Thanks again! LTG

 

[wilc0048]

crosstalk can be easily adjusted out of

obviously you like it, or you wouldn't still be using it. is there much problem with bleedover from track to track using 1/4 inch tape for 8 tracks?

i suggest buying a manual because that sort of thing can be easily adjusted out of using electronic testing tools (multimeters and such). if you open up the top panel you'll see the tops of a bunch of pc boards with little tiny adjustable resistors that change the record/playback levels per channel, crosstalk between channels, the way the dolby works for each channel end much much more. the maintinence section of the manual is amazing.
ps, has anyone seen a problem like the one i'm having with my 388? i posted it in a forum nearby.

 

[tascam388]

I just picked one of these babys up a couple days ago. I've been strictly digital the last few years (Delta1010/Fostex VF-160 & MR-8), if only I knew what I was missing. It sounds absolutely incredible, and there's just something about labeling reels and putting them in boxes that makes it feel more like you are actually recording. Digital has it's place, but there are just some things that need that warm tape sound. I am having a bit of an issue with some crackles and fizzes, but they are minor and I hope to have that resolved over the weekend (check out this thread if you have any ideas ).