Hi, Should I Get It???

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powersurge

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hi every one, i am new to the world of recording and i want a reel to reel. i found a teac a-2340sx for about $100 on kijiji (like craigslist) but the owner tells me that he can only get gain on one channel. do you think i should get it and also would i be able to get it repaired.
 
Hi and welcome to the site. I am not able to give you an answer, but I am going to move this thread. Usually, I would leave a newbie's question in the newbie's forum, but I think this one is better served in the Analog forum. The analog guys hang out there and you'll probably get a quicker and more suffice assessment.

Good luck,
 
that would be a fine deal if it were in 100% working order. unless you know how to work on it, i would not get it. it may be a minor issue or it may take hundreds to repair it (and there is the issue of finding a good local tech as well).

that machine only runs 7.5 ips max, you would be better served with a teac 3340, the same deck but runs 15 ips and tape 10.5" reels as well.

any tape machine is going to require SOME upkeep; it is better to buy machines that have been gone through by a good tech unless its a super deal or you REALLY love a particular deck and don't mind putting time and money into keeping it running. its worth it to pay more and buy one that's been gone through.

what will you be using it for?
 
If I were to get back into reel to reels I would would want a better one than that. There's lots of old Otaris and MCI's out there that need homes.
 
Unless you know how to repair it I wouldn't get it. The 2340sx is a great sounding recorder though. The 3340s would be better because it records at 15ips but you can make some nice recordings with the 2340. If you feel like taking a shot at fixing it I would at least talk him down to half of that.
 
thank you to all the suggestions. i just got a reply from the owner, this is what he said.

"From what I remember the 4-track takes 4 one channel inputs. So you can only record one channel properly. The other 3 don't have any signal on the meters when monitoring the inputs. I actually haven't tried recording on those other channels though."


i think i will pass on this one.

thank you all!!!!!!!!!
 
Hello, and welcome to the world of analog recording!

What do you plan on recording? The reason I ask is that we could make some recommendations on which machines to look out for, depending on what you plan to record and with how many tracks.

-MD
 
well to be honest i would need a tape recorder with 3¾ ips and 7½ ips because i have old tapes from my family witch some used 4 track recording. but i would also like to record my band. so if you have any recommendations that would be great, i really want to get into analog recording :)

THANKS!!!
 
powersurge said:
well to be honest i would need a tape recorder with 3¾ ips and 7½ ips because i have old tapes from my family witch some used 4 track recording. but i would also like to record my band. so if you have any recommendations that would be great, i really want to get into analog recording :)

THANKS!!!
Click to expand...

in that case, the 2340 model would probably be ideal, its a 1/4" 4-track which can play these "consumer"-grade tapes but can also double as a reasonable deck for overdubbing and recording your band. but you need to find one in working order or its gonna be a headache.
 
powersurge said:
well to be honest i would need a tape recorder with 3¾ ips and 7½ ips because i have old tapes from my family witch some used 4 track recording. but i would also like to record my band. so if you have any recommendations that would be great, i really want to get into analog recording :)

THANKS!!!
Click to expand...

There is nothing wrong with recording at 7 1/2ips. More important is that the tape deck works well, heads are good, that you're using good tape for which the recorder is setup and that you actually have good talent and know how to record properly - the technique factor.

You say you're recording a band... all in one live take or are there overdubs and / or you want to have many tracks for many instruments? This is important for the recommendation.

If the band is recorded live, to stereo or mono, then a simple open reel deck is cool like this: http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/ele/1893937655.html
Has glass heads (they don't wear) and 3 most popular speeds, incl 15ips, using economy 1/4" tape and, I believe, is direct drive (no belts to change). Seller is willing to negotiate. This is the safest bet (if looking for a good deck to record a band live to mono or stereo, simplest way to get into proper analogue). A mixer would be nice, helpful but not really required for you can just plug in two mics. If you want one tho, to expand your sound, there's one here: http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/msg/1886656556.html (good mixer).

If you're looking for overdubs and / or the ability to record each instrument on each own track then you need a multi-track recorder, sky is the limit. There is a Tascam 38 and mixer for sale on craigslist, in the Toronto area http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/msg/1860810057.html but then you run into more costs for tape, having to gauge if the heads are good and generally more know how on what to test and most important, what you need. A mixer is required for multitracks.

If you require even more tracks then an MS-16 would be in order. Our long time friend on this forum Jeff (The Ghost of FM) has a nice one for sale (also LOCAL to you). I think a customary 10% OFF will be in order. :D .......... ;)
 
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