J
JoshHorn
New member
Reel to reel machine, what kind are out there? what's good, what's not? Are there any being made still or do I have to buy one older/used?
B
Beck
Guest
What do you want to do? Multitrack?
There are a gazillion different options -- number of tracks, tape width, etc.
You might want to narrow it down for us.
There are a gazillion different options -- number of tracks, tape width, etc.
You might want to narrow it down for us.
T
The Ghost of FM
Banned
Three machines and manufacturers offer product to this day.
- Studer still offers a 2", 24 track.
- Otari offers a configurable 2 track mastering deck.
- TASCAM offers a 2 track mastering deck.
Everything else at this stage of the game will be from the used market and this is not such a bad thing because most pro level reel to reels were incredibly expensive when they were new and used, they sell for pennies on the dollar.
I would make a generalization that any machine that still has parts and service available is going to be in the "good" category.
TASCAM, Otari, Fostex, Studer and Sony, are all still in business and the majority of these companies still have inventory on popular parts to varying degrees.
Most of the guys and gals on this bbs would be TASCAM owners, including myself, and so far, I have not run into trouble getting parts for my decks and both of them are around 20 years old.
Do a search on Ebay for multi-track recorders and you will see what is one the menu.
Cheers!
reel buzzer
New member
V
Vintage TX
New member
JoshHorn, searching for reel to reel can be confusing but like Ghost said there is many different types and models.
If you want a 1/4 inch machine for home or small studio there is several good ones.
But first you need to narrow it down:
Reel-size: 7 or 10-1/2 inch. Bigger machines cost more, dependable decks in my taste is Tascam.
Some good models:
Tascam 22-2 ( 2 track machine ) = 7 inch reelsize. Speed: 7-1/2 and 15. Great small machine *
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Tascam 22-4 ( 4-track) = 7 inch reelsize. Speed 7-1/2 and 15 + pitch control and sync function.
Also dependable model in the smaller models
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can still buy some new parts from Teac and many used decks are out there.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bigger with 10-1/2 reel-size.
====================
Teac 3440 a classic reel to reel . 4 -track ,7-1/2 and 15 speed.
Dependable but there is many worn out decks with heads or not serviced units so be careful what you buy.. .
A nice machine is a blast to use and warm sweet sound
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tascam 42 , 2-track. Older machine but have alot of bells and whistles for doing quality 2-track recording. 7 or 10-1/2 inch reel-size. Also be sure it is a complete and working machine, they are dependable but buying a worn out not complete 42 can cost a bundle to get up to spec's again.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tascam 44. 4 track. in my opinion a very nice machine to use, same features as the 42 but a 4-track instead.
Speed : 7-1/2 and 15 + pitch-control.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tascam 32, 2 track . speed 7-1/2 and 15 also a 2 track machine, and very dependable. Teac sell some new parts for this and the 4-track model Tascam 34. Many still around and can be found pretty easy.
As always it's better if you look and test the machine before buying..
I have people contacting me after buying from Ebay or Yahoo often and some sellers does not have the knowledge to test the decks. "lights comes on and everything seems OK" is a standard phrase selling junk so be careful.
There is many nice decks to buy and other less fun to buy
All models I listed here is 1/4 inch tape-width if you want 1/2 or 1 inch that's another ballgame.
Just 2-cents of my favorites.
Best regards
Vintage TX
If you want a 1/4 inch machine for home or small studio there is several good ones.
But first you need to narrow it down:
Reel-size: 7 or 10-1/2 inch. Bigger machines cost more, dependable decks in my taste is Tascam.
Some good models:
Tascam 22-2 ( 2 track machine ) = 7 inch reelsize. Speed: 7-1/2 and 15. Great small machine *
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tascam 22-4 ( 4-track) = 7 inch reelsize. Speed 7-1/2 and 15 + pitch control and sync function.
Also dependable model in the smaller models
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can still buy some new parts from Teac and many used decks are out there.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bigger with 10-1/2 reel-size.
====================
Teac 3440 a classic reel to reel . 4 -track ,7-1/2 and 15 speed.
Dependable but there is many worn out decks with heads or not serviced units so be careful what you buy.. .
A nice machine is a blast to use and warm sweet sound
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tascam 42 , 2-track. Older machine but have alot of bells and whistles for doing quality 2-track recording. 7 or 10-1/2 inch reel-size. Also be sure it is a complete and working machine, they are dependable but buying a worn out not complete 42 can cost a bundle to get up to spec's again.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tascam 44. 4 track. in my opinion a very nice machine to use, same features as the 42 but a 4-track instead.
Speed : 7-1/2 and 15 + pitch-control.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tascam 32, 2 track . speed 7-1/2 and 15 also a 2 track machine, and very dependable. Teac sell some new parts for this and the 4-track model Tascam 34. Many still around and can be found pretty easy.
As always it's better if you look and test the machine before buying..
I have people contacting me after buying from Ebay or Yahoo often and some sellers does not have the knowledge to test the decks. "lights comes on and everything seems OK" is a standard phrase selling junk so be careful.
There is many nice decks to buy and other less fun to buy
All models I listed here is 1/4 inch tape-width if you want 1/2 or 1 inch that's another ballgame.
Just 2-cents of my favorites.
Best regards
Vintage TX