Prices of 16 tack Reel to Reels/recommended mixers??

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diskobox

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hello, i've currently got a tascam 488 mkII, but im looking to upgrade to 16 track reel to reel. From other topics i have gathered that the Tascam Msr-16s is the kind of thing im looking for. I've read that this machine is better than the Fostex E16 in terms of build and durability, plus i would like the msr-16s rather than the msr-16 cos of dolby s. What are the general opinions on these machines, or any other for that fact, bearing in mind that the reel to reel recorders using more than 1/2" tape are probably out of my price range. How much do you think i could buy an Msr-16s for? and also, could anybody recommend some mixers i could check out to go with it?

thanks, Ian
 
There are no real options other then the one you mentioned which is finding a Dolby S model instead of the original dbx type I Professional, original version which will offer better s:n ratio specs, less print through and less adjacent channel cross-talk.

As far a mixer goes, you should try to find something with at least 24 main mixing channels so that you can have a few dedicated input strips along with dedicated tape strips.

The number of busses the mixer has is also important in that you want to have enough busses to accommodate however many tracks you envision recording in one pass. If you work alone or with one other person, a 4 buss mixer will do nicely teamed up with a patch bay to route the recording signal to the desired track on the recorder. Some mixers also offer direct outputs on the individual channel strip and making use of them will increase the number of separate simultaneous paths you can create when recording. 8 Buss mixers will offer more flexibility but also increase your costs.

As far as models of mixers from TASCAM to consider, you might want to look at the M224, M320, M320B, M520, M2524, M2600, M3500, M3700. All of these would team up well with the MSR16 and I listed them in the order of most basic and cheapest to most expensive and complete in features.

The recorder sells for between 750 and 1200 bucks plus shipping depending on market conditions on ebay.

Cheers! :)
 
thank you, i have seen a Tascam M2516 mixer for sale, but there is not much information about it, do you how many tracks at once i would be able to record with this? thanks, sorry about the double posting, wont happen again! Ian
 
The 2516 is an 8 buss mixer and has direct outs as well so this should cover any complex tracking needs you may encounter but, as I mentioned in my last post, its always better to have more channels on the mixer then you have tape tracks so that you have extras for dedicated tracking input channels and extra effect return channels or sequenced midi tracks to add in on mixdown.

Cheers! :)
 
if i get one of those mixing desks, do they have built in preamps for the mics or do i have to buy seperate preamps?, cheers, ian.
 
The microphone pre-amps are built in on the 2516 and all the other models I mentioned in my first post. It's actually near impossible to find a mixer designed for recording to not have them. The only ones which wouldn't have them would be Line mixers that are designed primarily for keyboardist set ups where the user might have a bank of synths, pianos and drum machines and needs a sub mixer to blend those all together to a common output.

Cheers! :)
 
is it possible to use two 4-buss mixers to record onto 8-tracks simultaneously?
 
Yes, it's certainly possible if not a bit unorthodox.

I use two M312B mixers from TASCAM cascaded together to form one larger mixer myself. I also own a 16 track machine. Mine is the MS16 which is a 1" recorder with dbx type I noise reduction. Even though I am running the two boards together, I am still using it as a 4 buss configuration because for my needs, that's more then enough as I generally record alone or with one other person so I don't really have a need for 8 busses at any one time.

Why do you ask?

Cheers!:)
 
i asked because, i was looking at 8-buss mixers but found that they are a little too pricey, so i thought i could possible get the mackie 1604vlz pro, then using that, and my tascam 488 combined together to record on 8 track simultaneously, then i could just use the mackie to mix all 16-tracks. i know you suggested getting more channels than 16 but i'm on a tight budget! i also suspect that the preamps on the tascam 488 probably wont be as good as the mackie, but i gots to start somewhere! Ian
 
Diskobox, are you near CT?

I have an MSR-16S that I haven't used in a few years, 2 of it's channels were getting "crackly", so I retired it and went the computer route.

I'll offer this deal, it's also open to anyone else who might be interested..

1 TASCAM MSR-16S 1/2" 16 track reel to reel, with wired remote control (paid $1500 for it)

1 TASCAM M-1600 24x8 mixing console with meterbridge, (paid $900 for it)

2 D-Sub snakes for the console hookup, one of which needs a wire soldered back on in a couple of the 1/4" TRS plugs (I think I paid $40 each for these)

1 24 point patch bay (paid $100 for it)

1 Digitech DSP-128 Multi-FX (paid $100 for it)

1 Yamaha Multi-FX (paid $50 for it)

1 SoundTech 2 channel graphic EQ (paid $50 for it)

1 Alesis 3630 stereo compressor (paid $200 for it)

Sold altogether only, $600 takes it ALL, cash only, and YOU PICK IT UP.

:)

Sorry for the SPAM!
 
Damn man, where were you 3 months ago before I purchased all of the shit I just did for a total of about $2300???? BTW, bad channels if in the amp card can be fixed, though not replaced new (discontinued) for about $70 each and someone who knows how to do it. FYI to both owner and potential buyer.
 
Strryder said:
Diskobox, are you near CT?
Sold altogether only, $600 takes it ALL, cash only, and YOU PICK IT UP.
Click to expand...
I've said it before and I'll say it again. Why does NO ONE in New Zealand seem to come up with this kind of deal? I'd happily drive anywhere in the South Island to pick up that kind of package for that kind of $$!
 
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