Tascam 238 8-track (should i go there?)

  • Thread starter Thread starter MiXit-G
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MiXit-G

MiXit-G

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Just wondering if anyone out there has used one of these 1/8" tape rackmountable analog recorders.

Is it worth the stretch to a 1\2" reel to reel? and if so which one?
the 38?
 
I have an old 238 in the studio somewhere and have done some pretty good stuff with it. That being said, if you're looking for the best bang for your buck I'd look for an ADAT or two or go the computer recording route. IMHO, to really realize the benifits of analog recording you need big tape running at anywhere from 15 to 30 inchs per second. Again, IMHO, for eight tracks I'd want a 1" tape machine. And tape ain't cheep. Your operating costs skyrocket. This is not to say you can't get good recordings on a 238 or a TSR-8 oor a 38 or a E-16 for that matter. Having used both I feel that ADATs are better audio quality than a 238 and lower operating cost than an open reel multi tracks. YMMV.
 
i have a Tascam 238s Syncaset. is is the model with Dolby noise reduction (vs the DBX noise reduction of the "standard" 238......the Dolby sounds a bit better to me).
i've had it for a few years and it has been quite dependable. it is big and chunky and
heavy and if you need to sync it to MIDI you cough up a track. BUT,..it uses those
"cheap as hell" standard cassette tapes (even the "high" quality ones are pretty
inexpensive......the shorter length/high-bias tapes producing the best results). the key
here is a QUALITY mixer. i have a Mackie 1604vlz and it has proven to be a perfect match for the Tascam. REMEMBER,..if you bounce,..IT IS PERMANENT. there is no UNDO function. careful planning and quite a bit of REHEARSAL is required. NEVERTHELESS,..i've produced some really NICE sounding recordings from the unit.
i bought mine years ago and paid nearly $1000 for it (these were the PRE Roland VS880 days). it still sounds good and although i have upgraded to a digital recorder i STILL use the 238 from time to time.......ease of use/good sound..PLUS the fact that
you can get some nice "special effects" by toying with the "pitch" knob in real time.
BOTTOM LINE: it sounds as good as any 2-track cassette recorder. if you are prepared
for the "digital age drawbacks" of using an analog machine then (if the PRICE is right)
you would probably be happy with the unit. high bias cassette tapes are certainly easier to find than skinny "reel" tapes. the unit is SOLID and DEPENDABLE and sounds GOOD. cheers.
 
Tascam 238

Thats what i wanted to hear thanks Cratinus.

I dont want to use it as my "Primary" recorder but as my portable unit mainly for recording live gigs and drums in different envoirs,the fact that it used such a standard media format is so tempting that im willing to sacrifice a little for conveinience.

They are asking $200 USD and im on the verge of purchasing.

Is there anything particular to look out for as far as wear and stuff?
 
MiXit, the only real concern you'd probably have is head alignment and head wear.
cramming 8 tracks onto a cassette is no simple task, but Tascam has done it (repeatedly) over the years with the 238 and various Portastudios. the transport mechanism on the 238 is as rugged as they get. really the only test for head problems
is to see if you can hook up the unit to a mixer and run some signals through it. using a high quality tape you could send a signal to each track and then monitor playback through the mixer. weak playback signals could mean alignment problems or maybe
just dirty tape heads. i've never had a problem with mine. i clean the heads periodically and de-magnetize on the odd occasion. REMEMBER that tape head alignment and cleaning is imperative on ALL tape based machines (not just the 238).
if the exterior of the unit is in good shape "odds are" that the mechanics are in good shape as well (i wouldn't buy it if there are dents in the chassis or beer stains on the cassette tape door... hehe). if this unit used "reel" type tape i'd have unloaded it years ago,...but then again, i probably never would have purchased it in the first place. even if there ARE problems with alignment,..these are curable by Tascam repair or perhaps a local electronics repair shop. cassettes are cheap. $200 or less for this machine (particularly if it is the DOLBY version) is a pretty good deal i think.
 
Hello, just signed up. I'm fresh.

Having only ever recorded on a 4 track and halfbaked things on garage band due to ignorance/impatience/laziness i thought i''d get a Tascam 238, to get a better sound whilst it being still analogue. I know very little about recording set up's. Im sure i could of spent my money on half decent software etc maybe, but i want the tape machine, because its hands on and i dont require endless possibilites etc etc... basically i'm a novice and often find manuals crippling. So here i am, on the internet, publicly announcing these questions to you generous and knowledgable people:

1. Can i hook up a soundcraft spirit folio 12/2 mixer with tascam 238? (i have limited funds for the tascam mixers that i've read about)

2. Literally, in toddler speak, how do i connect it all up, how many leads, do's/dont's, yadda yadda?

Of course over time and through trial and error i will figure stuff out, but a few pointers on how to get up and running pronto would be very useful.

Many Thanks Cratinus,

Chris
 
As far as I can see from a brief look at the manual, the Spirit Folio isn't well suited to multitracking, as it only has stereo tape outputs. You'll want a mixer with enough tape outputs and inputs for all 8 tracks on the 238.
 
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