That's gonna be awesome and, dare I say, the ultimate in 4 track cassette. Yup, I def see the beauty and simplicity of plugging in a mic at the back, having only a very basic but functional mixer on the front and rolling tape. Too cool.
But, can you imagine, maybe later on, pairing the 234 up with your 388 (its mixer section)? Wow!
BTW, the 234 remains one of my last loves but because I have so much already, in 4 track cassette, it's always been just a thing to wonder and salivate over. While it would be nice to have one, I can't justify a 234. I'll just enjoy it through you.
Spot-on, Daniel...I was going to make a subsequent post after my last one but you kind of stole my thoughts...
Many of you know I'm not a simple guy...I over-think things multiple layers deep and when I work on something I typically tear into it as deep as I can possibly go. Now, that has resulted in some really nice things, but it has also spawned many, many misadventures and even some technical casualties. I'm learning to accept simplicity and experiencing that many times the simplest thing brings the same or better results than the in-depth tour or complex array or path.
The 234 is an amazing blend of simplicity, vintage Tascam build-quality at its best, and the top fidelity potential of the 4-track cassette format simply based on the least complicated signal path that
also doesn't require a mixer, but still has the 3 3/4ips tape speed and dbx noise reduction.
As I was fiddling with it the other night and enjoying the dirt-simple operation for overdubs I also starting doing my thinking thing and pondered "if only they'd come up with a way to be able to buss the inputs...like a 4 x 4 input mixer or even 4 x 2..." Well, there I go again. Then it wouldn't be what it is. Its all setup to interface with ANY mixer you choose that has -10dBv outs on it as well as 4 -10dBv returns for mixdown or monitoring. Tascam also kept the home solo recordist/artist in mind at made it possible to plug in a mic, line or instrument input into any input and track away and to be able to monitor with the onboard headphone amp AND mixdown with the 4 x 2 output line mixer. Nothing more, but nothing too "less" that you are dependent on ANY outboard gear save for a phantom power supply or one of those TS to XLR impedance matching transformers, and of course a mixdown deck of some sort...hey...You could use a PE-40 with this thing really well and have awesome EQ capability to sweeten your tracks...that's the thing...it CAN go ultimate or it can totally stand alone, and that's what I want and need it for...dirt simple clickity-clack scratch-pad with good old analog VU meters...too fun.
I have to say again how impressed I was by the crisp and smooth response of the transport. Totally the opposite of chintzy...not that I
expected it to be chintzy, but it is a step above any Philips cassette-based transport I have ever used, including my Dad's 424 mkII...it just seems like it isn't working as hard and it just simply stops on a dime and takes off like a rocket in fast-wind.
I like it.
Just right.
I like to use things to their full potential too though, and there is a balance there. I think it should be fun to do that...sometimes I'll feel obligated to do that "because its there" and then its a burden, but someday it WOULD be fun to interface the 234 with an external mixer. I had been wondering what I'd use and, Daniel, I didn't even
think about the 388 mixer.
That's perfect! Thanks for the suggestion!
BTW, if I didn't say it already, during my testing the other night it sounds really nice.
I've been messing with the open reel units so long its like a new novelty to fiddle with the same components on a smaller scale...cute little capstan motor...I'm definitely ill...sheesh
OY! 
