Reel to Reel: which one should I choose?

[sobredosis]

Hi, I've been doing home recordings with my Tascam 414 portastudio and now I want to make a step to a Reel to reel multritrack recorder.
I've checked some of the articles I've found online and I want to know which one should I choose:

Phillips 4404


Pioneer Model Rt 1020l


Akai Gx-210d


Akai 4000 Db


Akai X-355 Solid State


All are around $4800 Argentine pesos... something like US $520
Any advice?
Thanks!

Julián

 

[raven46]

Their nothing special but I'm drooling all the same. I'd love to have any of those. Can't give you any advice as I want to start learning about these machines. Good luck with your buy.

 

[gecko zzed]

The Pioneer gives you the option of using 10" reels, and is most likely a higher end machine than the others.

 

[RFR]

Hi, I've been doing home recordings with my Tascam 414 portastudio and now I want to make a step to a Reel to reel multritrack recorder.


Julián

None of those are Mutitrack recorders. You could mix down your 4 track to those, but not use them as a multitrack.

 

[sobredosis]

None of those are Mutitrack recorders. You could mix down your 4 track to those, but not use them as a multitrack.

Just what I've suspected, since it only has 2 vumeters and 2 inputs... I'm a newbie in all this, and thought that maybe they were multitrack just because it reads "4 track" hahah... thank you man!

 

[RFR]

They sort of are "4 track". 2 stereo tracks in one direction, then when you flip the tape, you have another 2 stereo tracks.

But they only record in stereo. Two tracks at a time.

You need a dedicated 4 tracks in one direction machine.

 

[The Ghost of FM]

If you want a 4 track reel to reel for multi-tracking look for the following models:

Teac A-3340S
Tascam 3440, 22-4, 34, 34B, 44, ATR60-4
Fostex A-4
Otari, 5050 - 4 track version

Google those to see pics and specs.

PROTIP:

Once you get one of those, you'll also need a mixer and cables to go with it along with noise reduction units if you don't want to hear tape hiss.



Cheers!

 

[jpmorris]

What kind of music are you making? Is four tracks going to be enough, or might it be worth looking at an 8-track deck of some kind?

 

[RFR]

Yes 8 tracks would be the logical progression if you have been working with 4.
Going from 4 track cassette to 4 track R to R may give a bit better sound quality but you are still limited to 4 tracks with added tape cost.

Go eight!

 

[Mark7]

How much more fidelity would a consumer reel to reel from the 60s/70s have over a Portastudio made in the late 90s?

Only, you could fill up all four tracks on your portatape, bounce them to a reel to reel, then bounce them back to two tracks of a fresh tape on your porta. That would leave you two tracks for overdubs

Something like

Portastudio tape 1

Track 1: Drums
Track 2: Drums
Track 3: Bass
Track 4: R. Gtr

Bounce in stereo to reel to reel, then back to the portastudio. Result

Track 1: Rhythm Mix Left
Track 2: Rhythm Mix Right
Track 3: Lead Guitar
Track 4: Vocal

Of course, if you wanted more than 6 tracks you could always record something less important that lead guitar and vocal on the last two tracks and bounce again. It worked for George Martin and The Beatles.

 

[Nate74]

I made the same transition years ago from a cassette based 4-track to the Tascam 38. It's a 8-track, 1/2" reel to reel at 15ips. I think the first mixer I used with it was a Mackie 1604-VLZ. Made TONs of demos with that setup. Later moved to a Soundtracs Topaz and some nicer outboard gear but that Tascam 38 is still around. Do most of my stuff in the box these days, but every once in a while I'm tempted to get that old Tascam 38 out when I'm doing some "old timey" music. Just something about tape I guess. They pop up every once in a blue moon for decent prices. Mine has the noise reduction outboard stuff too. Not bad at all... I also know there are 1/4" 8-track but know nothing about them. Fostex made one I believe. Oh, and 8-tracks is plenty for 90% of the "real" bands I've ever worked with.

 

[Copyhat]

I made the same transition years ago from a cassette based 4-track to the Tascam 38. It's a 8-track, 1/2" reel to reel at 15ips. I think the first mixer I used with it was a Mackie 1604-VLZ. Made TONs of demos with that setup. Later moved to a Soundtracs Topaz and some nicer outboard gear but that Tascam 38 is still around. Do most of my stuff in the box these days, but every once in a while I'm tempted to get that old Tascam 38 out when I'm doing some "old timey" music. Just something about tape I guess. They pop up every once in a blue moon for decent prices. Mine has the noise reduction outboard stuff too. Not bad at all... I also know there are 1/4" 8-track but know nothing about them. Fostex made one I believe. Oh, and 8-tracks is plenty for 90% of the "real" bands I've ever worked with.

I'll second the Tascam 8-track 1/2" decks as a nice option. I bought a working 58 with a gooey pinch roller for $200 here in Denmark. They are more rugged and the electronics sound better than the equivalent Fostex decks.

 

[sobredosis]

What kind of music are you making? Is four tracks going to be enough, or might it be worth looking at an 8-track deck of some kind?

I'm doing all kind of music...from classical music compositions in piano to indie rock.. sometimes I record with my band, sometimes alone in a small room.
I would love to buy a 8-track, but costs about the same as a Fiat Uno.

 

[sobredosis]

Thanks everyone for your replies.
I guess I'll have to wait until the right appears, and not rush to the first option

 

[WarmJetGuitar]

I think you should go for a eight or 16 track by either Fostex or Tascam. My experience with Tascam is very limited but most of their machines do have a good reputation.

As for Fostex there's a handfull of eight tracks. The advantage with those is that they run 1/4" tape which can be had for cheap if you're patient or lucky and a new reel from RMGI ain't that pricey.

A8: The first one from around '81. I've working on the A4 which sounds great but they're damm old now so finding one in good condition might be a challenge.

E8: Everybody seems to love it. Havn't tried it myself.

Model 80: I've worked countless hours on my M80 and still have it. Well build and reliable.

R8: Most recent one. Sounds good but has shitty plastic transports. Mine started damaging the tape and out it went. Avoid this one unless you got access to a 3D printer and can make your own metal replacements for the most critical plastic parts.

As for the 16 tracks I love the Fostex G16. Sounds great, very reliable and the electronics sounds very good and don't crap out even on very high levels. I always use it without Dolby C and record on hot levels.

This article is very usefull as for judging the condition of a used machines although it mostly focused around 2-track machines and more high end 2" 24 tracks:
Buying A Used Tape Machine