MSR-24. Worth it?

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jjones1700

jjones1700

Learning, always learning
I know some people probably just choked on whatever they were drinking or eating, and for that, I'm sorry.:D

I have the opportunity to score a MSR-24 (not sure if it's the "S" model or not, yet) for a steal. What are the ups and downs of it, other than the narrow track width. I've got a TSR-8 and a 38 at the moment (changing the belt on the 38 tomorrow!), but I would (ideally) like to get my hands on a MSR-16. However, with the price the guys wants for the 24, I might not be able to contain myself and let it go.:p The downsides that I know are that the track width is tiny, and that it is only a 2 head deck. Was there a 3 head deck made after the 30, 40, and 50 series decks?

It's just something I'm keeping tabs on, but the price of 1" tape is a bit much so I don't have my heart set on it.
 
jjones1700 said:
The downsides that I know are that the track width is tiny, and that it is only a 2 head deck. Was there a 3 head deck made after the 30, 40, and 50 series decks?

It's just something I'm keeping tabs on, but the price of 1" tape is a bit much so I don't have my heart set on it.
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How about the fact that the head costs upward of $2000 assuming you can find one?
 
Hm...

It all depends on how much of a "steal" it is. I'd definitely stay away if it is the S model unless it is just stoopid cheep and you have a need for it.

track width isn't what I would call "tiny"...wider than 1/2" 16-track.

The only 3-head machines you'll find after the 30/40/50 series decks are the ATR60 and ATR80 systems, and the only 24-track would be the ATR80-24...that's a 2" though, but all the ATR60 and ATR80 decks are 3-head and available in 2/4/8/16/24 track formats from 1/4" to 2" (80-series only).
 
Unless you need 24 tracks, I'd pass...but what is a "steal"?
 
Johnny, isn't the MSR16 16 tracks on 1/2" and the MSR24 24 on 1"? The track width on the MSR24 is then likely wider than the MSR16, yes? If the price is right for you it'll probably be okay. Mind you, it's then 1" tape stock? $$$$$$ :rolleyes:
 
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It's a nice machine... IF you really need it and the one you're looking at is in great condition. As already mentioned your tape costs will go up considerably. The difference between the MSR-16 and the MSR-24 is negligible sound wise.

I will likely never move beyond ½” tape again in a home/project setting. I don’t need anything more. :)
 
Wow. Excellent points guys. That's why I come here.:D

The move to 1" tape is a pretty big factor for me, at least the increase in price. The cost of 1/2" is pretty steep in my book already. I hadn't even thought about the heads for the thingl:eek:

The guy is asking $375 for it. I'm not keen on Dolby NR so that would be an instant turn off. I haven't heard back from him to see which version it is yet. I really like the 8 trackers I've got, but I would like to have a couple more tracks to play with. Then again, I could just get another TSR-8 and a sync box huh? I guess the upside to that is that I already have 1/2" tape.

Hmm, I may just let this one go. I would love to have a look at an ATR series deck. I think I'll hold off for the moment. I've got a 38 to finish up on and some accessories to get for it. After I get those, I'll start on a hunt for a M-520. After seeing the photos of Cory's console, I think I would just buy one and stare at it for hours. It is a gorgeous piece of equipment.
 
Oh wow. It is a MSR-24. The kicker is he also has a 32-2, and a 32B that he is selling. I think I'm going to jump on the 32B at the end of the month instead. Everything looks like it's new. Amazing.
 
Yeah, see, if you really needed more tracks, you could slave your current TSR-8 to the 38 and have 14 tracks over the two 1/2" transports...It'd be a little cumbersome since it would be a basic code-only master (the transport controls on the 38 wouldn't control the TSR-8 transport...you'd have to do it old-school and shuttle each transport manually so they're close and then hit PLAY on both at a pre-roll point o give time for the TSR to lock up, but that's they way they used to do it...) More track width than either the MSR-16 or MSR-24 and you don't have to dive into the 1" world which is a significant step...

Yes, the M-520 is a handsome mixer...a sophisticated 80's look.
 
sweetbeats said:
Yeah, see, if you really needed more tracks, you could slave your current TSR-8 to the 38 and have 14 tracks over the two 1/2" transports...It'd be a little cumbersome since it would be a basic code-only master (the transport controls on the 38 wouldn't control the TSR-8 transport...you'd have to do it old-school and shuttle each transport manually so they're close and then hit PLAY on both at a pre-roll point o give time for the TSR to lock up, but that's they way they used to do it...) More track width than either the MSR-16 or MSR-24 and you don't have to dive into the 1" world which is a significant step...

Yes, the M-520 is a handsome mixer...a sophisticated 80's look.
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whoa, I'm not sure I would even want to attempt to try and slave the 38 and TSR-8.:eek: Although, for a non critical project it would be cool to play with and learn how it's done. Would really make me have a new appreciation of what goes on during recording of an older album.

So how would would one attempt this oh knowledgeable one? I have a feeling you have probably done it at some point.:p You are talking about dropping a track off each machine for that purpose, but how would the 38 have the capability to work with this? I'm guessing I would have to go through and record some series of audible tones on a track of each machine and then go back and use those as a reference to manually sync them up?:confused:
 
A Reel Person said:
You'd be foolish not to buy it!:eek:;)
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ARP! Where ya been man?!

I would take all 3 decks if I could, but I can really only afford one, so I'm going with the 32B. There is also a DA-88 for sale, cheaper than the MSR-24!:eek: Maybe I need to sweet talk the fiancee into sweeping all 4 machines for me and consider it my birthday and Christmas for the next couple of years.:D
 
A Reel Person said:
You'd be foolish not to buy it!:eek:;)
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That's pretty much what I was thinking. $375 for a 1" 24 with Dolby S in good nick? Someone should grab it if JJ doesn't want it.

Dunno about the DA's though. Digital tape's kind of a 'no benefit' option to me these days. I read an interesting report from a tech recently that mentioned that the surface mount caps on the DA's are starting to go now and that they are a pain in the butt to replace. Maybe Tim G's had some experience repairing those and can comment about that from experience?
 
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jedblue said:
Dunno about the DA's though. Digital tape's kind of a 'no benefit' option to me these days. I read an interesting report from a tech recently that mentioned that the surface mount caps on the DA's are starting to go now and that they are a pain in the butt to replace. Maybe Tim G's had some experience repairing those and can comment about that from experience?
Click to expand...

The only reason I would want a DA is to transfer from that format to something else. I definitely wouldn't be recording to it.:eek: I don't have anything in DAT format, but hell, I've got damn near everything else, so why not?:p
 
If I really needed the tracks I would go with the 24. Why try to go to all of the headache of syncing two machines? And everyone thats done it will admit its not easy. Then you need to have two tapes, sync box and cables for that. Cleaning of 2 sets of heads instead of 1. And you need the space around your setup for two machines. plus your mixdown machine. Also striping the tape just puts more mileage on your stuff.
Why not just invest in one easy unit to use instead of going through all that grief and still have all the analog fun you want.
Simplify you will live longer.;)
 
I love my MSR-16's. I really like my MS-16 (1" 16 track) even without DBX, although I have the DBX option. With the Tascam MSR-24 being, track width-wise, somewhere between the two, I imagine it's a great machine.

For $375, so long as it works, just close your eyes and do it. You're not going to get an MSR-16, or even a Tascam 388 or TSR-8 for that price. 1" tape costs maybe 40% more than 1/2" tape, I've seen new reels of 1" GP9 go for $100 if you look hard enough.

-MD
 
I have to admit, for that kind of money, I'd probably buy one myself.
However, I'd be terrified of it failing on me in some nonrecoverable way and thereby losing access to my tape library. 1/2" 8-tracks are pretty common - 1" 24-trackers are not.
 
A local guy in Toronto is selling an MSR24 on Craig's list and asking $2300 for it. $375 is stupidly cheap! Makes me wonder what's wrong with it for that low a price...unless it's hot?

Cheers! :)
 
The game may have changed. There is a 388 for sale elsewhere and that's what I really have been looking for; well, along with a M-520.:p Curse you Cory!:D

For the stuff I'm going to be doing, 8 tracks, 1/4" tape, and 7 1/2ips is perfect for my needs. I just hear they are a bear to work on...

FM, they guy (or actually it might be his wife) sent me photos of the equipment and everything looks to be in pretty pristine. Of course looking at it in person might reveal otherwise. Damn, now I'm torn and confused!
 
I have wanted a 16 or 24 track deck for a long time. The $$$ is what keeps it a dream.
 
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