How can I get the most from my Tascam 38?

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BigsbyBoyUK

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I have been using my Tascam 38 for about six years now. I've probably only recorded about 15 songs on it in that time, mostly acoustic stuff with no drum machines or computers involved.

It seems to be working fine. I clean the heads frequently and generally look after it.

I want to try to keep using it rather than get into digital (although I am running out of tapes and new ones seem like hens' teeth now!). For what I do (you can hear four demo tracks recorded on it at myspace.com/richardgroom) it's fine.

I can think of two ways to get better performance from it:

1. Find a DBX unit to start using noise reduction. (Question: is this really worth it, ie will I manage to cure much of the hiss without too much of a compromise on sound clarity?)

2. Get a head demagnetizer. (Question: will any one of these work or is there something I especially need to look for?)

I guess I could also get it serviced but I'm not sure there's anyone local who can do this and I understand it had a service just before I bought it, and with the limited use it's had, and with no obvious problems, is a service worth it?

So can anyone help a recoridng dummy and comment on whether the two suggestions I make above are worth while, or if there's anything I should also do?

Many thanks.

Richard
 
A demagnetizer is something you really should have if you are serious about analog recording at all. If you don't demagnetize the tape path on a regular basis, it is possible for residual magnetism to build up on the metal parts of the path, which slowly destroys the high frequencies on any tape you run through it.

There is really only one demagnetizer worth its salt, and that is the RB Annis Han-D-Mag. The price may seem like a little more than you'd want to pay for a demagnetizer, but this is an investment, as well as a solid and reliable tool whose power you can feel in your hand while you use it. Seriously, the first time I used mine, I was surprised by the degree to which I could feel it thrumming in my hand when I got it near metal.

I can't comment on the need for dbx, as I've never used a 38. I have a Tascam ATR-60 (which is also a 1/2" 8-track machine), and the noise level on that seems perfectly acceptable to me without noise reduction. Your ears should tell you how important it is in your case.
 
Your machine could need demagnatising by now, every 100 hours use in recommended but as yours has not been serviced for 3 years it could be the reason why you are getting some background noise on recordings?

Something similar to these on Ebay although there's no cheaper ones on there at present?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TDK-HD-11-Hea...ryZ32093QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Akai-AH-9-Ton...ryZ19603QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Don't know where to get them brand new & the US ones work on different voltage.
 
I'll second the reccommendation of the Han D Mag.

RE: dbx NR... I'm not much of a fan, but i play and record more loud rock stuff and print hot. with quieter acoustic stuff or stuff with lots of dynamics, I can see more of a need for it. Personally, I didn't like what dbx seemed to do to the sound, but it may not bother you.

new tapes aren't so hard to find. 1/2" RMGI SM911 is currently being manufactured. i think the site is www.usrecordingmedia.com or something. Its like $80/reel though. kinda pricey.
 
At a guess, I'd say the Han-D-Mag 220 is a 220v model. Assuming that running at 50hz instead of 60hz doesn't disrupt it in some way, that's probably the one you'd need.
Whatever Annis may know about magnetics, their website is pretty broken so its not possible to be sure without asking them.

Talking of broken sites, http://www.protape.co.uk seem to have completely destroyed their online shop. This is a shame, as they're one of the few places in the UK who sell tape. You can still order it over the phone, though.

The other place that springs to mind is:
http://www.studiospares.com

They sell RMG tape, 1/2" 911 at about £38 inc VAT. They also sell a demagnetizer for about £72 (inc VAT), which they claim is strong enough to work on anything up to 2", and will certainly work in the UK. It's listed under 'Media Accessories' in the 'Media and Books' category.
 
Thanks so much everyone for the input. I'll definitely get a demagnetizer sorted asap as background noise is exactly the problem I want to address.
 
re: Demagnetizing - Make absolutely certain your recorder is turned off[/U] before using a demagnetizer! Otherwise, you will toast the electronics.

re DBX units - They are worth it in my opinion provided that:

1. you are using type I units not type II,
2. your machine is properly aligned, and
3. you don't print too hot. Severe over-biasing and elevated recording levels
defeat the purpose of noise reduction and in the case of dbx, cause
pumping, low end strangeness, and poor transient response.
 
Excellent advice above.

I'd add that any demagnetizer which has an ON/OFF switch is extremely dangerous and I'd second the Han D Mag purchase, along with the dbx 1 recommendation (as long as the 38 is properly aligned, as Rick R already pointed out). That and the correct usage of the demagnetizer is critical, as more harm than good can be done.

--
 
Alignment to get the potential from your 38

Routine maint is very good. Clean, demag. With a car engine you would take it apart and measure then "Blueprint" it to get the most from it (assuming you were not going to build it).

With your 38 I would suggest that you get a MRL tape and a few spring scales (plus manual) and do a full alignment. This would "Blueprint" the deck bringing it up to spec. In addition it would alert you to any problems that may exist.

When I align/calibrate a deck I make a "sub-master" MRL tape on that deck and put my MRL away in a safe place. The sub-master is a quick check tape that lets me know how things have changed over time. It has a 60 Hz, 1 kHz and 12 kHz tone printed on all channels.

Mechanical alignment of the heads minimize (unusual) wear and insure that tapes created on this deck will be optimally readable on this or another deck in the future. Electrical calibration brings each channel to a uniform and optimal condition and lastly mechanical calibration of the tape path and reel torques makes tape handling smooth and nice. </Alignment song of praise>

Regards, Ethan

PS
My 38 needs some new heads and I do NOT have a MRL for it yet. If anyone wants to make a 250 nW/m sub-master for me drop me a PM.

PPS
To directly answer your question: Alignment is very worth it. It you have the time you can learn to do it yourself if you do not want to spend the Pounds or if there is not a local shop. Many on the list can help with sage advise.
 
yeah, you know if it were me, I think I would rather have a properly aligned/calibrated/de-magged deck than NR. just IMHO.
 
Hello -

Just saw this thread; wanted to make you aware of an alternative to the DBX noise reduction units which so many have used over the years with the Tascam 38. There was a unit made by Rocktron: System One, encode/decode noise reduction; the model number of the unit was 180A. Eight channels of NR in a single rack space unit. I used it with my 38 for years. Excellent results - hiss gone! I found it sounded more natural than the DBX units, which I sold. Convenient to have 8 channels in one rack unit.
I have converted to digital since those days, and my Rocktron 180A is up for sale. It's hard to find; haven't seen one on eBay in years.

mellowPH
Los Angeles CA
 
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