Confused: 388 or TSR-8?

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jjones1700

jjones1700

Learning, always learning
I posted up a few weeks ago about a TSR-8 that I was looking to obtain. It had some minor issues (that I know of) and probably wouldn't be a bad machine to get. It's still available, and (miraculously) there are a couple of other TSR-8 decks for sale here in Houston. Never thought I would see that day that would happen. Anyway, there is also a 388 available, but it's a couple hours drive from here. I've got a M-2516 mixer, so I've got that covered if I went the TSR-8 route. However, the 388 uses 1/4" tape and runs at 7.5/ips, which is ideally what I'm looking for. The ad says the 388 might need new heads. Just how costly is that? I'm sure the purchase of the heads and having someone install and calibrate them can't be cheap. My hesitation on the TSR-8 at the moment is paying $75/reel for roughly 20 minutes of recording time. If I was looking to cut albums, I would jump on it in a heartbeat, but that's a steep price to pay for tape. Hell, for the price, I might jump on the TSR-8 just for future use. Just looking for some insight on the 388, as you guys flooded me with excellent info on the TSR-8 on my other thread. Thanks so much guys.;)
 
You will get 33 minutes 20 seconds from a reel. I usually only use 30 minutes though, dont want to get to close to the ends of the tape. If you could get both machines you would be all set. I have 4 TSR-8s and love them. My friend wants to buy one but I cant seem to part with any.
VP
 
There really shouldn't be any question. The TSR-8, paired with a decent mixer, is head and shoulders above the 388. I'm not sure why you prefer a narrower track width and slower record/playback speed - both of these things impede audio quality.

Plus, about the cost of tape: I thought this was going to be a real killer when I upgraded to a 1/2" 8-track, but it's really not that big of a deal. A reel of 1/2" SM911 costs $70, which is a little pricey, but you can get a LOT of use out of that one tape. I do a session at least once a week and I've done pretty well with three 1/2" tapes. If you're OK with recording over your multi-track masters, you can get several uses out of a single tape.
 
Since you already have the 2516 I'd recommend the TSR-8. I think the 388 is really, really cool, and I think you can great sounds out of it (based on what I have listened to)...keep in mind I also think cassette 4 track sounds awesome...yes 1/4" tape is much cheaper but if the TSR-8 is in good condition I wouldn't let tape cost hold you back since you've got a great mixer to mate with the TSR-8. Also...388 heads "new" are unobtanium...I mean they've been out of production for a long time. I hear Teac has NOS heads for the 388 at about $350 a pop. A TSR-8 record/repro head is less than half that, and the deck manages 4x the "tape real-estate". Something to think about.
 
I guess that's true. If I want to do something that is time consuming, I can always fire up the RT-909 and mix it down on the fly to stereo. If I do band interviews and such, 30 minutes should be plenty of time to get some questions answered and have some impromptu tunes captured. For the price, I really can't pass up the TSR-8.

Now to the next question. Will the ATS5000 syncronizer work with anything other than the TSR-8 (such as a 424mkII) or is it just for syncing two TSR-8 decks together?
 
The ATS-500 will sync any deck with a serial interface to another of the same...The 424 does not have this...The 238, 644, 688, TSR-8, MSR-16, BR-20, etc. do. Other decks too but then you may get into wackity business with the interface cable. The above decks, for example, use the same serial port type as the ATS-500...I don't know if the ATS-500 will operate with a code-only master...if so the 424 for example could be the master connected only via audio to the synchronizer...do you have an ATS-500?
 
I'm 90% sure I've done a code-only lock with the ATS500. It is happier with a full two-way lock, though.
 
sweetbeats said:
The ATS-500 will sync any deck with a serial interface to another of the same...The 424 does not have this...The 238, 644, 688, TSR-8, MSR-16, BR-20, etc. do. Other decks too but then you may get into wackity business with the interface cable. The above decks, for example, use the same serial port type as the ATS-500...I don't know if the ATS-500 will operate with a code-only master...if so the 424 for example could be the master connected only via audio to the synchronizer...do you have an ATS-500?
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The guy has two TSR-8 decks and an ATS-500. He is willing to sell the decks separately, but will throw in the ATS-500 if the decks are bought as a pair. I don't really have the funds to buy both, trying to put most of my money towards getting into a new house next month.;)
 
What does he want for the entire system? Wow. If you don't really want to or care about messing with the synchronizer you could have a deck, and backup system and sell the ATS-500, though they don't command a very high price on the used market AFAIK since they were more limited...
 
sweetbeats said:
What does he want for the entire system? Wow. If you don't really want to or care about messing with the synchronizer you could have a deck, and backup system and sell the ATS-500, though they don't command a very high price on the used market AFAIK since they were more limited...
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$600 for two TSR-8 decks and the ATS-500.:eek:
 
That...is...a...deal. Wow.

Since you are in the market for an 8-track, if it was me, I'd be jumpin' on that.
 
I understand that. I really do.

BUT...they do make caskets big enough for you and the TSR-8's to be buried together so...what are you waiting for?

Seriously, more than you need. If I was doing it I'd be looking at it as a take the two, make the bestest shiniest one out of the two and sell the other as well as he ATS-500 and have one really good deck for cheap. But that takes time, there is the initial expense, and nobody understands what I do anyway, which is helping me realize that what I do may have...um...flaws.
 
sweetbeats said:
I understand that. I really do.

BUT...they do make caskets big enough for you and the TSR-8's to be buried together so...what are you waiting for?

Seriously, more than you need. If I was doing it I'd be looking at it as a take the two, make the bestest shiniest one out of the two and sell the other as well as he ATS-500 and have one really good deck for cheap. But that takes time, there is the initial expense, and nobody understands what I do anyway, which is helping me realize that what I do may have...um...flaws.
Click to expand...

Sadly, I have been thinking of doing just that.:D The down side to it is that I tried that with the Pioneer RT-909 deck. Now I have 3.:eek: I can't seem to part with my analog stuff. Not to mention the Akai GX-230D and the Sony TC-230.:o
 
Two Words: Do It! If you need to, you can purge a bunch of other stuff to make room :)
 
lo.fi.love said:
Two Words: Do It! If you need to, you can purge a bunch of other stuff to make room :)
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It's not the room that I'm worried about. It's the money for furniture, appliances, deposits, etc. that I'm worried about.:D
 
Your fiance needs to be more "understanding" before she's actually married...
 
Wish me luck...

Tomorrow afternoon I'm going to go pick up at least one of the TSR-8 decks. I'm very tempted to swipe both of them and fly them "under the radar" of the fiancee. If I don't respond after this, you will know that she found out and I'm a corpse.:eek::p
 
It's worth the risk JJ :)

I wish I wish I wish I'd never got rid of my TSR-8 (or my 72 Tele custom, or my Soundtracs 16-8-16, or my Guild D40 or my Starcaster, or my 68 Jazzie B.. or my...... (insert prior stupidity of choice here)).
 
jedblue said:
It's worth the risk JJ :)

I wish I wish I wish I'd never got rid of my TSR-8 (or my 72 Tele custom, or my Soundtracs 16-8-16, or my Guild D40 or my Starcaster, or my 68 Jazzie B.. or my...... (insert prior stupidity of choice here)).
Click to expand...

I guess she really can't say anything seeing as how I'm selling my motorcycle to pay for appliances, furniture, etc.:D

I sure am going to miss that motorcycle though.:(
 
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