Mixdown / mastering deck

  • Thread starter Thread starter lo.fi.love
  • Start date Start date
lo.fi.love

lo.fi.love

Functionally obsessed.
I'm on the market for a mixdown deck, now that I've graduated to doing multitrack recording.

From what I have seen, the Tascam BR20 looks fantastic. There are a couple of other Tascam decks that I've seen that should be good for the purpose (I think I saw them in Vintage Texas' photo gallery).

Keep in mind that I'm operating on a budget (and limited space), so I'm not looking for a Studer! Other than that, does anyone have any recommendations?

And for what it's worth, I'm using the term "mastering" pretty loosely.
 
TASCAM - 22-2, 32, 42, 52, BR-20
OTARI - MX5050 [2 track / half track]
TEAC - some half track models exist but can't think of model #. They usually
have "2 track" posted on the front cover.

-----> best to look locally and, as you're in California, it'd be very easy to find one of these. ;)
 
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cjacek said:
TASCAM - 22-2, 32, 42, 52, BR-20
OTARI - MX5050 [2 track / half track]
TEAC - some half track models exist but can't think of model #. They usually
have "2 track" posted on the front cover.

-----> best to look locally and, as you're in California, it'd be very easy to find one of these. ;)
Click to expand...


A working Teac 7030 GSL is a nice machine. Don't buy if heads don't check out. They can't be relapped as i recall.
 
There's a BR20T on craigslist right now for $400. The only problem is getting a room mate to drive me out to Danville. Ugh. Seems like all the good recording equipment is in the suburbs!

Here's the URL: Linky link

It makes me wonder, though, since it was used in a video production business. Would this mean that 1) the machine has seen heavy use and may be out-of-shape, or 2) the machine has been maintained regularly and is in good shape?

I'll have to see for myself.
 
Ah, yes, the video production business... Of interest is that last year I bought a TASCAM 48-OB from one of those businesses and it was hardly touched.
Another one I've found, again from an A/V place, this year, was a Fostex 16 track model. Hardly touched but I didn't buy it for another reason.

There is a chance that the recorders that they have for sale are low use but don't bank on it. Best to check 'em out carefully, incl heads.. and general ware. Yes, if I were you I'd go over-there in person cause they have a couple of goodies, including the BR-20 and also the Otari MX5050 2 track, with stand and remotes. Not bad of a price, especially if you try to get the seller down, maybe another 50 or 100, if the recorder checks out fine [in person though].

---
 
BTW, if the OTARI and TASCAM are in the same good condition, I'd get the OTARI if I were you, as it's a better overall built machine which cost almost 2x retail vs the TASCAM. As it turns out, the OTARI is cheaper at $250 vs the TASCAM so it's gonna be an even better deal if they're both in the same good shape. Don't be afraid to make him a lower offer in person.
 
cjacek said:
Ah, yes, the video production business... Of interest is that last year I bought a TASCAM 48-OB from one of those businesses and it was hardly touched.
Another one I've found, again from an A/V place, this year, was a Fostex 16 track model. Hardly touched but I didn't buy it for another reason.

There is a chance that the recorders that they have for sale are low use but don't bank on it. Best to check 'em out carefully, incl heads.. and general ware. Yes, if I were you I'd go over-there in person cause they have a couple of goodies, including the BR-20 and also the Otari MX5050 2 track, with stand and remotes. Not bad of a price, especially if you try to get the seller down, maybe another 50 or 100, if the recorder checks out fine [in person though].

---
Click to expand...

I'm not familiar with Otari recorders. I see here that the deck has XLR ins/outs, which makes me assume I'll have to boost the signal from my M-30 from -10 to +4. I can do that with my two-channel tube preamp. Do you see any problems with this? I can't imagine there wouldn't be any difficulties, but I want to ask first.
 
I believe those machines are -10db / +4db switchable on the back [confirm when you see the recorder].

NOTE: Ultimately you're looking to buy the machine in the best condition. That's what you should be focused on. I'd get the OTARI only if BOTH machines are in the same good shape.
 
To add to the mix though, that is a good price for a 20T IF the condition is good. The 20T is actually a 3-track recorder/reproducer. It has a center dedicated timecode track if you're into that sort of thing...I see BR-20 decks going from 500-1000+...though the capstan drive is by belt (not sure why they did that...most everything else 'professional' in that era was direct-drive), it has a good reputation...the last of Tascam's open reel analog recorder/reproducers. Look carefully at it...both my 48 and 58 decks came from video house liquidation and they look little used. My BR-20T also came from a video house and has nominal use...lotsa life left but it has had hours on it. They supposedly had another one there that I didn't see but reportedly it had a lot of hours on it. The seller said the one I bought was like new...I beg to differ so I'd hate to see the one that had lots of hours on it. :) Anyway, my point is to look carefully when buying from a professional house...either they got it and leaned to digital shortly after and it has low hours, or they've run the snot out of it.
 
Under my nose

I called a friend of mine, to ask for a ride to the 'burbs to look at this tape deck. I told him what I was doing, and he mentioned that he has a Otari MX5050 MKIII-2 that he wants to sell. I'm getting the "keep it in the family" deal - I'm buying it for $175!

I didn't expect him to have a tape deck... he's a digital guy, although he recently got a 2" 16-track machine for some reason.

Plus, he's borrowing a MRL tape from a friend and we're going to calibrate our decks on Sunday.

Man, I am really excited!
 
Yeah, I'm excited too! That is an incredible deck at an unheard of low price [local too]!! Just make sure all works well and that the heads are in reasonable shape. Keep us updated lo fi!:D
 
cjacek said:
Yeah, I'm excited too! That is an incredible deck at an unheard of low price [local too]!! Just make sure all works well and that the heads are in reasonable shape. Keep us updated lo fi!:D
Click to expand...

I'll keep y'all updated. It's much better than local: I'm buying it from a good friend!
 
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