Best noise reduction unit for TEAC decks?

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samth3mancgp

samth3mancgp

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I read a little about the different types of noise reduction made by Dolby and DBX in a book called "Home Recording for Musicians" by Craig Anderton a few weeks ago. I dont remember the specifics but some of them use EQ, some are sort of like Multiband compressors, and etc. then the processing on the signal is somehow altered/reversed before outputting then the hiss is diminished.

I want to get noise reduction for my 80-8 and 3340S. The 80-8 is supposed to use DBX and apparently there is circuitry in the DX4 and DX8 DBX units that lock them so they can only be used with compatible Tascam recorders. I have been waiting for a DX8 unit for a long time on eBay and I cannot find one. I think that 2 DX4 units would work just as well (Except I think there's some Mod that has to be done so it can work with any recorder?) The plus would be that I would also be able to use 1 of the DX4 units with the 3340 If I wanted.

Perhaps the DBX isnt even the best one to be using? Getting noise reduction is one of my top priorities for my analog setup right now.
 
I think 2 DX-4Ds would be a good choice for your deck(s). They were designed specifically for use with Tascam machines and they can easily be modified to work with any deck. Ethan (evm1024) posted a lot of great info on how to do the modification, as well as calibration, to those units. Take a look at this thread here...

https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?p=3189653#post3189653

and on his webpage here...

http://arafel.org/audio/dx4d/

Also... It seems like the DX-4Ds come and go on eBay pretty often...

-Tom.
 
If you use noise reduction, but are doing any syncing, you're going to have to disengage the noise reduction on both record and playback for that track.

-MD
 
dbx and Dolby were effective noise reduction systems used not only on tapes but also landlines, radio etc.

But Dolby is the only one you can use and still drive the tape into deliberate distortion for that "analog warmth" some people swear by.

For most applications the whole point of dbx or Dolby was so that you now didnt have to drive the tape into distortion as there wasnt nearly the tape noise to have to compete with.

It's good to be clear what are your reasons for using analog tape. If it's to drive the tape into distortion, dbx is out. Then again if you are driving the tape that far into distortion maybe the tape hiss wont be so much an issue because of the high recording levels.

OTOH if you want to just record as faithfully as possible, with the least amount of added noise and distortion, the vast majority these days go digital. It is really quiet even without noise reduction.

Be careful you dont end up like the proverbial cat chasing its tail! Just trying to save you some grief down the track.
 
Thanks for all the help everybody! I'm watching two DX-4 units on eBay right now. Those links pretty much give me all of the info I need to do the mods.

I hadn't really thought about the syncing thing with dbx. Good thing to keep in mind. Sync is something that I am really interested in doing, but it's not my top priority right now.

I'm using analog for the sound that it gives. I don't feel the need to distort it with Dolby stuff or by overdriving it alot. I like the sound of the distortion, But I like how warm and full the sound of acoutstic instruments sound on it. Piano, Guitar etc. And the way DI stuff like Bass sound.

Dang I just saw that I missed out on one of the DX-4 units. only sold for $40! Oh well.. others will show.
 
keep waiting for a dx8 for the 8 track...........they go for like 75 buck all the time on the bay.........when they come up. I was lucky and mine came with one. I also have some lt sound unit noise reduction units that are their own deal can't wait to try them out and see if there's a difference.
 
If you use noise reduction, but are doing any syncing, you're going to have to disengage the noise reduction on both record and playback for that track.

-MD

Can you explain this? What do you mean by 'syncing'? Recording while monitoring the sync head?
 
MD is talking about chase-locking something to the 80-8 or 3340..SMPTE type sync'ing.
 
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