Track Rat
Just Your Average Sized Member
Dave, you wouldn't know who might have parts for 238's do you? Like heads or if anyone re-laps these heads, capstan motors, etc.
A Reel Person
It's Too Funky in Here!!!
Hi Mike,...
To the best of my knowledge, Tascam/TEAC, Inc., is still the best source for these parts, service & stuff, of the 238, and all the other classic Tascams, up & down the line.
Tascam Parts dept: (323) 727-4840.
Of course, certain parts will be of limited availability, depending on type of part and age, but the 238's still modern enough that they'd hopefully have that kind of stuff.
AAMOF, I recently scored what appeared to be a near-mint 238, but it apparently needs a capstan motor too. Tape speed has gone all wacko, w/direct drive capstan. So, I'm in basically the same boat as you. I'll be seeking either a capstan motor, or Tascam Service directly, before too long, TBD.
No doubt, the 238, when working properly, is a super-nice unit, and I'm excited about my future plans of 8-in/8-out/8-simul recording to cassette.
Oops, sorry, 4-trackers!
Off topic!
Oh yes, 4-tracks & Portastudios, both things near & dear to my heart. I own a fair share of 'em, too.
JFYI, all you lurkers, catch lots of my 4-track Portastudio rantings at http://www.nowhereradio.com/davemania/singles
-all classic rock covers, aka "Davemania".
To the best of my knowledge, Tascam/TEAC, Inc., is still the best source for these parts, service & stuff, of the 238, and all the other classic Tascams, up & down the line.
Tascam Parts dept: (323) 727-4840.
Of course, certain parts will be of limited availability, depending on type of part and age, but the 238's still modern enough that they'd hopefully have that kind of stuff.
AAMOF, I recently scored what appeared to be a near-mint 238, but it apparently needs a capstan motor too. Tape speed has gone all wacko, w/direct drive capstan. So, I'm in basically the same boat as you. I'll be seeking either a capstan motor, or Tascam Service directly, before too long, TBD.
No doubt, the 238, when working properly, is a super-nice unit, and I'm excited about my future plans of 8-in/8-out/8-simul recording to cassette.
Oops, sorry, 4-trackers!
Off topic!Oh yes, 4-tracks & Portastudios, both things near & dear to my heart. I own a fair share of 'em, too.
JFYI, all you lurkers, catch lots of my 4-track Portastudio rantings at http://www.nowhereradio.com/davemania/singles
-all classic rock covers, aka "Davemania".
A Reel Person
It's Too Funky in Here!!!
re: 464:
Maybe not mentioned until now [above], but definitely a high-end quality Portastudio recorder. It was basically topline for it's time, and has aged well as compared to the dumbed down & stripped modern Porta's of today.
Personally, I'm not too keen on LCD-menu driven assignment and operation, and I think that's a fairly common opinion in the analog/vintage crowd, but otherwise I think the 464 is an excellent and highly capable unit. I've seen some 464's in absolutely pristine mint condition on Ebay, over time.
Be it the LCD, or whatever, the 464 is a lesser-mentioned unit, that also sells at slightly lower bid, so this might imply that it's a slightly less popular unit,... no offense, of course. If it weren't for the LCD menu, I'd probably have three of them, but that's just a personal-thing.
The 464 was the topline Portastudio of it's time, and it's more highly complex and high-end than the bulk of the most modern Porta's of today.
Rock on & more power to'ya.
Maybe not mentioned until now [above], but definitely a high-end quality Portastudio recorder. It was basically topline for it's time, and has aged well as compared to the dumbed down & stripped modern Porta's of today.
Personally, I'm not too keen on LCD-menu driven assignment and operation, and I think that's a fairly common opinion in the analog/vintage crowd, but otherwise I think the 464 is an excellent and highly capable unit. I've seen some 464's in absolutely pristine mint condition on Ebay, over time.
Be it the LCD, or whatever, the 464 is a lesser-mentioned unit, that also sells at slightly lower bid, so this might imply that it's a slightly less popular unit,... no offense, of course. If it weren't for the LCD menu, I'd probably have three of them, but that's just a personal-thing.
The 464 was the topline Portastudio of it's time, and it's more highly complex and high-end than the bulk of the most modern Porta's of today.
Rock on & more power to'ya.
johneeeveee
New member
thanks reel
... i appreciate the advice. upon further research, i think i have it whittled down to finding a used 424 mk II (i think i prefer the layout of that machine better than the mk III, and it seems a little more "solidly" built) or... finding an old 234, and maybe using a mackie 1202 mixer with that deck. any opinion on which way to go? your 2 cents is more than welcome.
thanks- jv
... i appreciate the advice. upon further research, i think i have it whittled down to finding a used 424 mk II (i think i prefer the layout of that machine better than the mk III, and it seems a little more "solidly" built) or... finding an old 234, and maybe using a mackie 1202 mixer with that deck. any opinion on which way to go? your 2 cents is more than welcome.
thanks- jv
A Reel Person
It's Too Funky in Here!!!
Get both.
A 424mkII has that flat, top-mounted connector design, and I also prefer it a bit more than the 424mkIII, although the mkII has two less of the full channel strips,... an insignificant difference to me.
The 234, paired with a more highly capable mixer, would be less porta and more studio than any Portastudio ever built. I'd recommend the M30 mixer, but as always, that's a personal-thing.
234 or 424mkII?
Get both.
I have both, and I wouldn't recommend you do anything I wouldn't do myself.
A 424mkII has that flat, top-mounted connector design, and I also prefer it a bit more than the 424mkIII, although the mkII has two less of the full channel strips,... an insignificant difference to me.
The 234, paired with a more highly capable mixer, would be less porta and more studio than any Portastudio ever built. I'd recommend the M30 mixer, but as always, that's a personal-thing.
234 or 424mkII?
Get both.
I have both, and I wouldn't recommend you do anything I wouldn't do myself.
johneeeveee
New member
thanks reel...
you're a champ for sharing your knowledge with a newbie to all this. it's a little embarassing that i don't have more hands on engineering skills, considering the amount of time spent in recording studios. it's about time to take some matters into my own hands, right?
anyway, your input seems right on. i am not familiar with the m30 mixer (made by tascam?), but i'm assuming that the mic pre's and overall performance of a capable separate mixer coupled with a dedicated recorder like the 234 could produce some very good results.
i have since done some research on the tascam 246 (thanks to the recommendations on this site), and that seems like a good machine although there are no xlr in's. maybe a descent mic pre/compressor (like a dbx 376) would work well with this type of recorder.
i apologize if i am "overpicking" your brain here. i think i am getting close to knowing what to purchase. i am a full time musician on a tight budget, so i need to spend my money wisely, and your help is invaluable. i'm just trying to at the very least do some pre production here at home... but, who knows, if i can get some quality basic tracks to bring to a bigger studio to finish, some stuff could end up on my next record. a guy can dream.
thanks again- jv
you're a champ for sharing your knowledge with a newbie to all this. it's a little embarassing that i don't have more hands on engineering skills, considering the amount of time spent in recording studios. it's about time to take some matters into my own hands, right?
anyway, your input seems right on. i am not familiar with the m30 mixer (made by tascam?), but i'm assuming that the mic pre's and overall performance of a capable separate mixer coupled with a dedicated recorder like the 234 could produce some very good results.
i have since done some research on the tascam 246 (thanks to the recommendations on this site), and that seems like a good machine although there are no xlr in's. maybe a descent mic pre/compressor (like a dbx 376) would work well with this type of recorder.
i apologize if i am "overpicking" your brain here. i think i am getting close to knowing what to purchase. i am a full time musician on a tight budget, so i need to spend my money wisely, and your help is invaluable. i'm just trying to at the very least do some pre production here at home... but, who knows, if i can get some quality basic tracks to bring to a bigger studio to finish, some stuff could end up on my next record. a guy can dream.
thanks again- jv
A Reel Person
It's Too Funky in Here!!!
Tascam M30
8-in: [6-XLR & 2-HiZ-1/4", switchable MIC/LINE/TAPE]
4-buss
Stereo Buss Monitor
Stereo Submix, [switchable: PRE/POST/TAPE]
... [i.e., 8x4x2x2]
plus,...
3-Band EQ: 2-Sweepable & 1-Fixed EQ, each channel
Headphone OUT/LEVEL, [switchable: MON/SUBMIX]
VU METERS [4], [switchable: MON/BUSS/SUBMIX]
ACCESS SND>RCV patch points on each channel AND each buss
CHANNEL MUTE on each channel
more...
[including & PHONO PREAMP INPUTS!]
8-in: [6-XLR & 2-HiZ-1/4", switchable MIC/LINE/TAPE]
4-buss
Stereo Buss Monitor
Stereo Submix, [switchable: PRE/POST/TAPE]
... [i.e., 8x4x2x2]
plus,...
3-Band EQ: 2-Sweepable & 1-Fixed EQ, each channel
Headphone OUT/LEVEL, [switchable: MON/SUBMIX]
VU METERS [4], [switchable: MON/BUSS/SUBMIX]
ACCESS SND>RCV patch points on each channel AND each buss
CHANNEL MUTE on each channel
more...
[including & PHONO PREAMP INPUTS!]
Attachments
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A Reel Person
It's Too Funky in Here!!!
A Reel Person
It's Too Funky in Here!!!
A Reel Person
It's Too Funky in Here!!!
A Reel Person
It's Too Funky in Here!!!
A Reel Person
It's Too Funky in Here!!!
A Reel Person
It's Too Funky in Here!!!
A Reel Person
It's Too Funky in Here!!!
johneeeveee
New member
thanks very much for the pics
... very cool mixer. are the m30's hard to find? and what would one set me back? i only have enough money for one recorder, but i definitely want to get the best sounding rig i can. any thoughts out there on sound quality between a 424 mk II, and a 246, and how they might sound compared to a 234 with a descent mixer. i know there are many variables to consider, but please toss your opinions my way, if you have a moment.
thanks yet again- jv
... very cool mixer. are the m30's hard to find? and what would one set me back? i only have enough money for one recorder, but i definitely want to get the best sounding rig i can. any thoughts out there on sound quality between a 424 mk II, and a 246, and how they might sound compared to a 234 with a descent mixer. i know there are many variables to consider, but please toss your opinions my way, if you have a moment.
thanks yet again- jv
A Reel Person
It's Too Funky in Here!!!
johneeeveee
New member
388
... my friend in cali just bought a 388, so i may get a chance to record on one soon enough. no room in my place for such a beast (unfortunately). you catually own all these rigs, huh, reel? awesome.
-jv
... my friend in cali just bought a 388, so i may get a chance to record on one soon enough. no room in my place for such a beast (unfortunately). you catually own all these rigs, huh, reel? awesome.
-jv
A Reel Person
It's Too Funky in Here!!!
I think there's a hierarchy there,...
with the 388 on top of the heap, being an 8-track on 1/4 tape, 7" reels, @ 7.5ips, w/an 8x8x2x2 integrated mixer.
Next would probably be a 234 paired with an M30 or M308, or other Tascam Series 300 mixer, your option.
Down the recording food chain further, you'd have the 246, which is superior in almost every other way, except no XLR's,... a small price to pay.
Then, probably the 424mkII or 424mkIII, your choice. Both units should be comparable in sound quality, although design factor and some features differ.
The most vintage Porta- I'd go would be to the 244, a great sounding starter unit, that's simple enough for the beginner, but still has 80's vintage design features that blow away many other modern Porta's.
Rep- has it that the 244 & 246 sound better than the newest Porta's, opinion being related to the high quality components and build quality that was standard in the early 80's, when the Portastudio market was still young. It was a hot technology, and not a "throw-away" technology like it is today.
There are other good Portastudio units, and equally qualified opinions out there, depending on who you ask.
with the 388 on top of the heap, being an 8-track on 1/4 tape, 7" reels, @ 7.5ips, w/an 8x8x2x2 integrated mixer.
Next would probably be a 234 paired with an M30 or M308, or other Tascam Series 300 mixer, your option.
Down the recording food chain further, you'd have the 246, which is superior in almost every other way, except no XLR's,... a small price to pay.
Then, probably the 424mkII or 424mkIII, your choice. Both units should be comparable in sound quality, although design factor and some features differ.
The most vintage Porta- I'd go would be to the 244, a great sounding starter unit, that's simple enough for the beginner, but still has 80's vintage design features that blow away many other modern Porta's.
Rep- has it that the 244 & 246 sound better than the newest Porta's, opinion being related to the high quality components and build quality that was standard in the early 80's, when the Portastudio market was still young. It was a hot technology, and not a "throw-away" technology like it is today.
There are other good Portastudio units, and equally qualified opinions out there, depending on who you ask.
A Reel Person
It's Too Funky in Here!!!
johneeeveee
New member
many thanks!
you rock reel... thanks for the info... all seems on line with what i've read in my research. great to have someone out there willing to help me spend my starving musician dollars wisely. i'll keep you posted on my progress, and thanks again.
- jv
you rock reel... thanks for the info... all seems on line with what i've read in my research. great to have someone out there willing to help me spend my starving musician dollars wisely. i'll keep you posted on my progress, and thanks again.
- jv