Tascam 238

  • Thread starter Thread starter David Benson
  • Start date Start date
You really won't hear much, if any, improvement from a Tascam 488 to a 238 with a better mixer. If you want higher fidelity recordings then you'd have to step up to a reel to reel recorder, be it the Tascam 388, or even better the 38 or TSR-8. You wouldn't need a new mixer for the 388, but would for the other two.

-MD
 
When it comes to the model 3, if you have the money for a 1508 or a 30 I would hold out just a while and find one that is in good shape. They come up all of the time and you should be able to get one or the other for not more than 175.00 total with shipping.
And it is never a bad Idea to get the best mixer or gear you can for your money. I wouldnt get a cheap one or a less quality just because you are only recording on a cassette unit. Some day you will want to upgrade your recorder and it will be nice to have the mixer already so you dont have to upgrade it at the same time.
 
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The M-30 made some distinct improvements over the TEAC Model 3, specifically in the EQ, Submix and Monitor section.

I'd stick with the M-30, minimum, as the Model 3 is a bit too primitive for my taste.
 

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:eek: The Tascam M-30 has improvements over the Model 3 that are discernable to the naked eye.;)
 

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Hi ARP (Dave), Herm, and MADDOG :^) :rolleyes:

THis is the M30 I bid on with white tape next to the switches, what do you think? Even if it needs some work, the parts are pretty much available right? It needs a couple lamps for the VU's from what the listing said, though nothing about its actual working order.

thank you
Edge (Ed) :rolleyes:
 
Looks to be in pretty good condition. I just happen to have got my m30 out a couple of weeks ago to use on a song I am recording just to see what I thought about the board and I really like it. I am still trying to get used to the monitor section on it but it is a nice board that doesnt sound to bad.
As far as the lights go if thats the only thing wrong with that board I wouldnt let that stop me from getting it. Heck all of my lights are burnt out on my m30 but i dont think Im going to mess with changing them.
From the manual it doesnt look to be to much fun :rolleyes:
 

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Here's a nice M-1508 for'ya,...

It has many more features than the M-30, including a separate power supply. ;)

This one bid up to $207, recently.;)
 

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Stop, you all R making me drewl..... :eek:
Dave that mixer for $207 was one that I bid on but did not win, there is another one that a guy wanted $450 (it is nice and clean like the one you posted) he was willing to bring it down to $200 plus shipping, I mentioned that the other day. I am currently bidding on the M-30 you posted a pic of, maybe I will win that. Someone posted somewhere that the M-30's mic pre's are better sounding/warmer than the new hi-tech stuff out now..... :rolleyes:

Yes, the 1508 looks cool with all the bells and whistles... But I just bid on a Alesis ML 9600 and won the auction at $392, its clean but just found out it has the small harddrive... (3.2 Gig) :confused: But for now I can at least start to mix down to cd. Later I would maybe like to upgrade the HDD to the 40 Gig upgrade with new OS version software updates. For now, first things first. Still waiting for my 238S to get here, and see which mixer I end up with.... :o
 
M-1508

I am selling a m-1508 that is pretty much unused, I mean its not got a scratch on it and everything works perfect. Its none of the ones I was watching on ebay, it is one this guy had that he never used and I mean its so clean. Ok, I like it, but I finally got my $47 M-30, and it works so much nicer for my needs and space. I really like the EQ sounds and have finally figured out how to use the monitor mix for my Lexicon LXP-5, that I finally got to work right. This little reverb unit has some very nice quality reverbs, delays, nice pitch shiter and a wonderful chorus. The reverbs are very natural for a unit this old. So I have to sell the M-1508, but I think I ended up paying a bit much for it, I guess I got caught up in the condition it is in and just had to have it. Well, Ones gotta go, and the M-30 is staying. I could of picked up a M-35, but why? I am not really into being a used mixer collector, I just have gotten into the aesthetics of the old mixers of that time, now that I have a M-30, thats it!
 
Congrats/Good Luck.

Just as an aside, the M-35 is significantly heavier than the M-30, as well as being bigger and a whole other design concept. Signal routing is different, and e'thing.;)
 
help...need advice on tascam 238 vs 488

i am a new-comer / 60's retread to casette recording. i want to stay analog 8 track casette, and need simplicity as i am not a technical person.
should i get a 238 and separate mixer or a 488 with mixer included?
will difference in tape / listening quality be noticeable?
does anyone have a very good condition 238 or 488 for sale?
thanks,
avrim
 
What about the M-200 series mixers with the Tascam 238?

Would you still recommend one of these others if I can get one of the 200s at a reasonable price?
 
I don't see why not.

Go for it!.............:eek:;)
 
Okay, I'm going to give this combo a try to replace broken 488 portastudio.

Seem to be comparable? Or am I missing something that may be needed? I want to mix a bunch of cassette 8 tracks down.
 
I think you will find the 238 M-200 combo to be a step up from a 488...8-track simultaneous record, and better quality signal path...more flexible mixing features and faculties. ;)
 
Now, is there an easy way to get this music (once mixed) to my computer with this equipment?
 
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