Cassette Multitrack Portastudios

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lagoona

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Hello all,

I've got a load of old 4 track cassettes recorded originally on old multitrack portastudios (Fostex and Tascam) back in the 80's and I'd like to listen again to them and maybe use/convert/remix some of it. So I've been looking at what is around today - what's caught my eye is the Tascam Porta 414 MK11. I think this is a fairly recent machine. Does anyone know if they are still making it? If not I've been looking on ebay and there are a couple there.
Also does anyone know what kind of price these should go for now roughly second hand. All my cassettes were recorded at 2 x speed so it would be easier to get a machine like that - such as the Tascam 414.
I could get one of the cheaper new machines that run at normal speed and then speed them up but I would prefer a faster tape speed machine if possible.
I also do like the sync facility on the TAscam 414 but does anyone have any other ideas about what might be out there?

Many thanks for any help

Lagoona
 
I don't believe they're making the 414MKII anymore, but it would be perfect for your needs. In fact, the regular 414 (non-MKII) would be perfect as well. It has high speed and sync too. I have one of these, and it works great.

I think you should be able to score one in great condition for $50 or less on ebay if you're a little patient.
 
Be careful with compatibility issues, when attempting to playback your 80's tapes, 'cause even if you could match tape speeds between the FOSTEX / TASCAM units, the noise reduction circuits are different and maybe even the head design. Other than that, the 414, 414mkII is a fine unit and about 50 - 100 seems about right, upper range for the later model, with box, manual etc... ;)
 
Thanks for this Famous Beagle and Cjacek. I will attempt to find one of these. Good point about the compatibility issue which I had forgotten - I remember now having problems with this with the original Fostex and Tascam machines back then but I'll just have to take a chance with this. Thinking about it 80% of my tapes were recorded on a Fostex so I might look at this alternative too - do you know of an equivalent Fostex machine about now?

Thanks
 
I don't think there were any FOSTEX cassette 4 tracks which used dbx (maybe I'm wrong tho). I think they were all DOLBY... and I'm not sure if noise reduction was defeatable or not. What exact model, for both the FOSTEX and TASCAM, did you use back then? It would help with the recommendations.
 
Hi,

Yes I'm pretty sure that Fostex used Dolby and Tascam used DBX back then - I don't think you could turn off the Dolby on those. The Tascam machine I had back then was the 144 which I've just seen on ebay in the UK which is interesting. I can't remember the name of the Fostex and couldn't find it with a Google search.

Many thanks
 
Hi,

Yes I'm pretty sure that Fostex used Dolby and Tascam used DBX back then - I don't think you could turn off the Dolby on those. The Tascam machine I had back then was the 144 which I've just seen on ebay in the UK which is interesting. I can't remember the name of the Fostex and couldn't find it with a Google search.

Many thanks

Actually, you may be in luck 'cause the original 144 used Dolby B and your FOSTEX used either B, C or both. Go here: http://www.fostexusa.com/index.php?file=support/documents and find your model (try to match it with what you can remember) or 2 or 3 likely ones you've had and we'll go from there. That way we can resolve any compatibility issues.
 
Thanks for the great link. I've just looked through my cassettes and written on 1 of them is 'Recorded on Fostex 250' (whcih I couldn't believe because I was sure we didn't record that info) and checking in your link - yes it's definitely a Fostex 250. This uses Dolby C according to the spec and the 144 used Dolby B as you say. I've also seen the 244 today and I definitely used that too - but on very few tracks. In fact after seeing that writing on the cassettes I looked further and on a few are F and T - so I think I can tell pretty much which were recorded on Tascam and which on Fostex.
I've tried a few bids today on various things including the Tascam 134 Syncaset which is dual speed and dolby B but no luck.
The prices are quite low so I might try and get 1 of each - 1 for dolby and 1 for DBX I mean - so any advice still much appreciated. Also still looking at the 424 as a possibility. I might hang out for an old 250 - who knows?
 
analougue 160

I still use my ancient fostex 160 4 track and that has dolby c. Bought it back in 1988 I think..... seemed to give good results..to my untrained ears anyways.
Never serviced and still just about running.
 
yes those old machines must have been made well. I've just got hold of a Fostex X-55 in the end which seems to be playing my old cassettes perfectly so I'm happy - I might get a Tascam machine too though if a good deal comes up.
Thanks all for the help
 
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