Deciding which tape machine to get...

  • Thread starter Thread starter TheHen0
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TheHen0

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Hey guys, i'm looking for a tape machine to mix down to.
I'd like it to be both 2 and 4 track capable, so i can do some 4 track demos on it if i need to, and also play at 3 3/4 so that i can play some pre recorded 4 track tapes. I was thinking of the Teac A 3340S, but i just realized it doesn't play at 3 3/4.
Any suggestions?
thanks!
 
TheHen0 said:
maybe the 2340?
Click to expand...

Not sure about that one but...

Most teac and tascam decks are two speed only. Either being 15 & 7.5 ips or 3.75 & 7.5 ips.

If you want to do mastering and be able to maintain format compatibility with pro mastering facilities, you'll need a 15 ips two track, two channel deck.

The only decks I've seen that can do all that would be some of the older Studer decks like the 807 series which can also be configured to be 2 track stereo or 4 track quad with different head stacks and the additional electronics. and offers all 4 speeds including 30 ips.

Those aren't cheap units. Even well used ones go for 3 to 4 grand.

Maybe consider buying two cheaper teac or tascam decks to cover all those bases?

Cheers! :)
 
Thanks I think I'll take your advice and get the 3340 for now, then a 2340 later to play the prerecorded tapes, because that's less of a priority.
 
If I only record the mix to the front two channels it'll be compatible with any two track deck right? And it can be a master tape?
 
Last edited:
TheHen0 said:
If I only record the mix to the front two channels it'll be compatible with any two track deck right? And it can be a master tape?
Click to expand...

No. It's not a 2 track, 2 channel deck.

Such a deck would be a tascam 22, 32, 42, 52, BR-20, ATR-60-2. All of those are mastering deuces that run at 15 ips and use the entire width of the tape to record and play those tracks. No flipping sides involved.

Pretty much everything from teac's consumer line up would be 4 track, two channel stereo decks, where you flip the tape over to play the other 2 tracks and will run at 3.75 and 7.5 ips.

The 3340 was a quad deck, meaning 4 tracks all playable at once in one direction only. No flipping the tape unless you want to listen to stuff backward! Or, use it with only 2 tracks and flip for side B playback and recording like a consumer deck.

Cheers! :)
 
I think some of the Otari MX5050s have a 4-head arrangement so that they can play back quarter-track tapes. They will only record half-track stereo (studio standard) though.
 
there's a 2 channel playback button on the 3340, does that not apply to the recording?
I'm willing to not have the slower speeds
 
TheHen0 said:
there's a 2 channel playback button on the 3340, does that not apply to the recording?
I'm willing to not have the slower speeds
Click to expand...

No. That switch just shuts off two of the playback channels so that you don't have to turn down the level knobs to not hear the side B material being played backwards.

The track width remains quarter track stereo as only changing the heads would give you true half track stereo, like the machines I listed in my previous post.

Cheers! :)
 
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