Newbie Going analog with a TEAC 80-8.

[samth3mancgp]

Yeah, erase head looks fine, sync head looks rough...repro head in between. It all comes down to whether or not you can get it aligned reasonably within spec. Replacement heads are not terribly expensive...saw couple on eBay for $55 BIN. Several decks used compatible heads so they are relatively available if needed, but see what you can do with what you have. My hunch is that it'll work for now.

BTW, you're too modest about your setup...real as it needs to be. what kind of board are you using?

Where did you see heads!? I tried finding them and could never find any haha. But I specified heads for an 80-8.

What meant about it not being ready for serious recording was that it was a mess. Stuff spread out everywhere! haha. the board I am using is a Peavey SRC-2400 from a series of "Sound Reinforcement Consoles" made by them in the 90s. $250 on craigslist a few months ago. It's a 24 channel, (well 20 channel because 4 of the pres are dead on it. They share circuits so when one dies the other channel usually does too.) 7 aux board. 4 mono submixes. No build in digital effects like new mixers today. I have 8 channels being used as inputs on the left side thats hidden by the rack and another 8 right in front of me for the outputs so I can mix them. I have a good idea of how it works, but that thing could have it's own thread!

Can't really add to what sweets already said. +1 to that.

OK, actually, just one thing..... I'd not only keep an eye out for a heads deal but also for another local 80-8, to have as a parts machine. See, I love all the various tape machines that I have but there is plenty reason to have more than one of the same. Stick with the 80-8, a seriously over-built and ballsy sounding deck.

I'll keep an eye out for one! I still want to get a decent, functioning 2 or 4 track deck to use at school because I spend a good portion of my day there and it would give me more time to work on analog recording. It needs to be functioning though. I'm not looking to make any repairs for a while.

 

[sweetbeats]

You can search for heads for models 38, 48 and 58...maybe ATR60-8 too, but you'll see them come up for the 38 more than any of the others, BUT I second cjacek's advice to keep your eyes out for a parts deck.

My studio mess tromps all over yours...