Finally got a 424

[Outlaws]

So I know $50 seems to be the going price on eBay for a Tascam 424 (the original model), but this one I got locally so I didn't pay shipping. Oh, and the owner bought it brand new and said he has only used it maybe 20-30 hours. The thing looks brand new. There are only 2 or 3 super small scratch and they right near the inputs and the headphone out.

I just wanted something super easy to use for ruff ideas.


http://www.battletone.com/misc/tascam/424_1.jpg

http://www.battletone.com/misc/tascam/424_2.jpg

http://www.battletone.com/misc/tascam/424_3.jpg

http://www.battletone.com/misc/tascam/424_4.jpg

Are there any manuals online for this? I know how make it work, but there are a couple things I don't get (granted I haven't used it yet outside of the basic once over while buying).

1) Are the 4 tape cue knobs so that you can cue for one track without screwing with your mix volume?

2) Is the effects send pre or post the signal hitting the tape? I don't see anywhere to pick.

3) In picture 3, are the two sync RCA connectors useable as outputs so I can output all 4 tracks to something else if I choose?

 

[A Reel Person]

So I know $50 seems to be the going price on eBay for a Tascam 424 (the original model), but this one I got locally so I didn't pay shipping. Oh, and the owner bought it brand new and said he has only used it maybe 20-30 hours. The thing looks brand new.

Yeah, that's a really clean piece!

I just wanted something super easy to use for ruff ideas.

That's cool.

Are there any manuals online for this?

Not that I know of, however the 424mkIII manual is still available online.
http://www.tascam.com/Products/424mkIII.html
http://www.tascam.com/Products/424mkIII/Porta_424mkIII_manual.pdf

I know how make it work, but there are a couple things I don't get (granted I haven't used it yet outside of the basic once over while buying).

It's generally easy to use.

1) Are the 4 tape cue knobs so that you can cue for one track without screwing with your mix volume?

Yes, without screwing with your 'input' mix, or 'main' mix, the one that goes thru the Master fader, busses & to the tracks. It's a totally independent 4x1 'cue' mix that goes straight to the 'monitor' section, independent of the main mix. Oops,... repeating myself again.

2) Is the effects send pre or post the signal hitting the tape?

No. It's the effects' send [1-4] that come off the mixer section, as either PRE-fader or POST-fader signals.

3) In picture 3, are the two sync RCA connectors useable as outputs so I can output all 4 tracks to something else if I choose?

Not that I know of, but maybe you can give it a try. I don't think there's a workaround for 4 dedicated "tape-outs", which are lacking in the original 424.

 

[dweeb]

Back in 1979 my friends and I would have given our left nuts for one of these. Back then $1100 was like a small fortune.


"In 1979, TASCAM unveiled the TEAC 144 Portastudio, the world's first 4 track recorder based on a standard cassette tape. Priced at only $1,100 suggested retail, the 144 brought unprecedented quality, economy and portability within the reach of every serious musician. The 144 Portastudio was a revolutionary creative tool. It allowed musicians the ability to record any number of instrumental and vocal parts on different tracks of the built-in 4 track recorder and later blend all the parts together while transferring them to another standard 2-channel stereo tape deck (remix and mixdown) to form a stereo recording."

 

[crazyjman]

I had one of those for years! I thought I got a deal at $900!! Awesome for throwing down ideas.
Unfortunately my post contains no useful advice however congrats on the nice deal

 

[Outlaws]

That's cool.

Thanks. I just got sick and tired of recording guitar doodles and either A) throwing them out, or B) spending a half hour backing up the tracks on a CD when they are just ideas.

hey real, have you ever hear of a half track cassette recorder? I think all those Tascam mixdown decks were still 2 tracks each direction.

 

[A Reel Person]

Yes.

The Tascam 124AV is a halftrack cassette recorder & is real cool.

 

[Outlaws]

These are -10dB unbalanced inputs huh? TS, no ring?

It might be because I only have a male XLR to male TRS with a dual female connector between the mic and the cable to make things work, but my mic is not getting ground. This is the same mic/connector/cable setup I use for my friends Soundblaster though and that works fine.

The switch under the gain doesn't seem to take to the mic on the left setting (mic/line), or the middle (tape), but does on the far right setting (tape[mic/line L]).

What do I need for my 57 to work right on this? I guess I am spoiled from from that VS1680. I feel like such a nub all the sudden.

 

[A Reel Person]

Pls listen to my 424mkIII "demo", a cover I recorded just today!

02/04/07!.............

 

[A Reel Person]

Also this,... my second "demo", another cover on the 424mkIII !!!

02/05/07!...............

 

[Outlaws]

Nice harmonica work.

 

[A Reel Person]

Thanx!

.............

 

[A Reel Person]

02/05/07!...............

*I cleaned up the vocals & reposted this on 02/06/07.