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  • Thread starter Thread starter RelientKurt
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I'll also add that, as of late, the used section of Guitar Center has been stocking some really good deals. I can't say I've seen any analog recorders there, but with regards to mixers and older fx processors, you can find some good deals.
 
Reel to Reel Tape Recorders...

They seem to be going on eBay for about $150 - $250. Is that right?

I'd like to include links but I haven't made enough posts yet. But you can easily find the AKAI recorders I'm talking about on eBay.

Thoughts, anyone?
 
I think you're looking at consumer grade stereo machines (2-track). Multi-track (like 8 track) prosumer or pro-level machines should range more in the $300 to $500 range. Here are some typical prices for decks that are allegedly working properly:

Tascam 38 (1/2" 8 track): $400 - $600
Fostex 80 (1/4" 8 track): $300 - $450
Fostex R8 (1/4" 8 track): $275 - $350
Otari MX5050 (1/2" 8 track): $750 - $1200

I must say though that maintenance and/or repair is a very real issue with these decks usually. I don't mean to scare you or anything, but I want you to realize that there's a very good chance that, even if you buy a deck that allegedly "works perfectly," it may need a bit of work to get it fully up to speed.

There are awesome people here to help with that if you choose to tackle stuff like that on your own. But I just wanted to make it known. You could get lucky and get one that's in perfect shape. But the reality is that many of these machines are at least 25 or 30 years old, and that usually means maintenance.
 
And further to Beagles point...EVEN if the machine was absolutely perfectly within factory spec it would still need biasing and aligning with whatever tapes you can now buy. The chance that the orignal bias is bang on for new tape is highly unlikely.
FYI: Symptoms of overbias are...dim sound, loss of highs and "punch".
Underbias: Overbright sound, possibly crunchy mids and generally crappy, gritty sound. But, been a long time since I "done one" so present biasers please chip in!

At the very least IMHO you will need an audio oscillator and a good audio millivoltmeter.

Dave.
 
Mixer

I don't own a mixer or a reel-to-reel, but I do have access to this mixer. Is this a kind of mixer I'd want to be using for recording on a reel-to-reel?

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RelientKurt said:
I don't own a mixer or a reel-to-reel, but I do have access to this mixer. Is this a kind of mixer I'd want to be using for recording on a reel-to-reel?
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No, not exactly. That's a small venue powered sound reinforcement mixer. It's made for live sound/public address and will lack the basic features and noise specs for recording. You can use any mixer for recording in a pinch, but there are so many good and inexpensive choices out there I wouldn't try to use that one.
 
Beck said:
No, not exactly. That's a small venue powered sound reinforcement mixer. It's made for live sound/public address and will lack the basic features and noise specs for recording. You can use any mixer for recording in a pinch, but there are so many good and inexpensive choices out there I wouldn't try to use that one.
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Yay!^ I have had a reply from StudioMaster and they say it is too old for them to have any information about it.

I dare bet the pots and switches crackle and there does not seem to be any provision for phantom power and even these hammer and chisel tape guys use spook juice I think!

A wee $50 Behringer, Yamaha, Mackie or similar mixer will knock spots of that old clunker.

Dave.
 
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