TASCAM 34B is still being made (must read)

[regebro]

Dont laugh as I know not what I speak...

Im gonna be recording off of records but I assumed that the entire signal either from my mixer or amp would be summed directly into just one track of the tape, which would have allowed me to dub on the other one. BUGGLES!

So what I really need then is a four track. But I don't understand how you can dub another 2 stereo on top of the original 2 stereo if tracks 1,3 and 2,4 are respectively recorded in opposite directions.

Could you explain what it is you want to do, because this just doesn't make any sense to me.

 

[tanoka]

Thanks cjacek!

(deadly serious)

Do yourself a big favor and get the 34B. Why complicate things ? I can see how you'd want to go from cassette tape width and the constraints of the format to 1/4" open reel running at 7 1/2 - 15 ips but obsessing on wider tracks after that and the minimal benefits it would bring would be, in your own words, quite "anal". Look at the benefits of running the damn tape at 15 ips and having 4 tracks to work with on 1/4" tape. If you had the BR20 and the 34B side by side to compare, then you'd quickly note that the very small benefit of the wider tracks is not worth the investement. Plus you'd get bogged down having only 2 tracks to work with ... I think that if you had to choose one machine, you'd better spend your money on the 34B.

Daniel

I think you just sold me on the 34B!

 

[tanoka]

Because all 4 tracks run in the same direction...no flipping over like a cassette tape.

A mixer would let you take all 4 tracks and you can adjust each ones volume and how you want it panned (left or right speaker and anywhere in between). Then that gets output two two tracks ala a tape or CD to be used at your discression.

Now having a mixing console sounds dope. Can you get one with any effects?

 

[tanoka]

ha ha

Could you explain what it is you want to do, because this just doesn't make any sense to me.

I'm goin to be focusing mostly on editing/splicing a lot of forgotten classics and I was thinking I might as well leave room to overdub just in case.

 

[regebro]

Then you need a 4-track, yes. I don't think you need a mixer for that, nor effects.

However, if you are gonna do this from vinyl (which was my understanding) you could benefit from doing some "cleaning" to get rid of clicks and stuff. But then you will have to go digital, and I have the feeling thats not an option.

 

[tanoka]

not really

Then you need a 4-track, yes. I don't think you need a mixer for that, nor effects.

However, if you are gonna do this from vinyl (which was my understanding) you could benefit from doing some "cleaning" to get rid of clicks and stuff. But then you will have to go digital, and I have the feeling thats not an option.

Naw, most muh classics are minty.

 

[Outlaws]

I'm goin to be focusing mostly on editing/splicing a lot of forgotten classics and I was thinking I might as well leave room to overdub just in case.

"editing/splicing"

?!

Gee just jump in head first without testing the water.

It seems to be that that would be 100,000 times easier on a digital format. Are we talking about a part of a song playing...then another song starts playing right in time with it while that one stops?

Good luck.

I would think it could happen if you punched in and out....but from a recording off a record, I don't know how you would line to two up properly.

I take it then you are familiar with the term Xacto?

 

[The Ghost of FM]

Physically splicing and editing tape is not as difficult as it would appear to be and especially so on a decent deck that allows for hand cueing and with a splicing block mounted just below the heads, real cutting and pasting is a quick and do-able art.

As well, you never have to worry about a tape machine crashing in the middle of a session and loosing all your unsaved work as is the case with many computers!

The key tools are a razor blade, spicing tape and gloves to keep those nasty skin oils and finger prints off the tape and possibly causing drop-outs.

A clean, well performed analog splice is every bit as convincing as its digital cousins and looking back at history and the millions of splices made, it is an art and discipline that deserves being kept alive.

Cheers!

 

[tanoka]

who's scared?

"editing/splicing"

?!

Gee just jump in head first without testing the water.

It seems to be that that would be 100,000 times easier on a digital format. Are we talking about a part of a song playing...then another song starts playing right in time with it while that one stops?

Good luck.

I would think it could happen if you punched in and out....but from a recording off a record, I don't know how you would line to two up properly.

I take it then you are familiar with the term Xacto?

I'm plannin on mostly editing by re-arranging the songs. There are a ton of classics that may have an annoying or outdated vocal, a cheesy string or two, or just the entire song that needs to be edited out save the break. And basically extending the best parts, so yeah I'm lookin forward to a real sharp Xacto!

 

[tanoka]

Word Up

Physically splicing and editing tape is not as difficult as it would appear to be and especially so on a decent deck that allows for hand cueing and with a splicing block mounted just below the heads, real cutting and pasting is a quick and do-able art.

As well, you never have to worry about a tape machine crashing in the middle of a session and loosing all your unsaved work as is the case with many computers!

The key tools are a razor blade, spicing tape and gloves to keep those nasty skin oils and finger prints off the tape and possibly causing drop-outs.

A clean, well performed analog splice is every bit as convincing as its digital cousins and looking back at history and the millions of splices made, it is an art and discipline that deserves being kept alive.

Cheers!

I hate computers. nuff said.

What kind of gloves work best for the job, Ghost? surgical?

I couldn't find the photo of just the head. Will the B34 have a sufficient splicing block and will it be cool with a manual cue?

T

 

[The Ghost of FM]

Surgical gloves would be best and are available at most decently equipped drug stores and medical supply outlet centers.

The 34B does not come with a splicing block as stock equipment so you will have to source out one somewhere.

The 34B can be hand cued too via the cueing lever and rotating the hubs by hand.

There is also an EDIT switch for dump editing and to ease the use of hand cueing but you must be careful with the feature or you will end up with 2500 feet of tape on the floor!

Cheers!

 

[A Reel Person]

Quad is the way of the future!

Enough said!!

 

[jtvrdy]

cjacek,

do you know if it will be posible to buy the 34B here in Spain ?

 

[cjacek]

cjacek,

do you know if it will be posible to buy the 34B here in Spain ?

Contact TEAC JAPAN and ask. Don't give up. That's the best advice I can give.

Daniel

 

[BluesPower]

4 tracks? That's not too useful.
If they're gonna reissue an analog machine, at least make an 8 track machine. Then I'd buy a new one for sure. with 4 tracks, you can only make bare bones recordings.

 

[cjacek]

4 tracks? That's not too useful.
If they're gonna reissue an analog machine, at least make an 8 track machine. Then I'd buy a new one for sure. with 4 tracks, you can only make bare bones recordings.

Alright, here's my take on it ... What we have here, to the best of our knowledge, is the only multitrack, "simul-sync" 4 track reel to reel recorder, in the entire world, that's still being manufactured. Take it for all it's worth to you.

As for 4 tracks being "not to useful" ... Take a listen to some of The Beatles' earlier (60's) studio work .. all done on 2, 3 and 4 track ..

Speaking of The Beatles .. I think some of you (Dave ? ARP ?? ) will find this link and info useful: http://www.recordingthebeatles.com/

Daniel

 

[BluesPower]

I know. 4 tracks is not totally bad. But I'm just saying, 8 tracks would be much nicer. With past 8 and 16 track reel to reels like the TSR-8 or MSR-16, it wouldn't have been too much trouble to re-issue one of those.
If you're gonna do something, do it right.

Also, I think there are still companies making new 24 track, 2" tape reel to reel recorders, I'm sure they're way out of most people's price range though.

 

[cjacek]

Lets keep this thread going!!!

Could it be that this thread has had the most views of any thread posted here, at any time ? Seems so .. Pretty impressive!

Me thinks that this speaks volumes as to the excitement certain Alalog gear still generates.

Hmm .. me wonders how many persons actually called in to TEAC, either to enquire about this and/or actually ordered the 34B ?? I think it could be quite informative if you'd post your experiences here. Obviously many more persons are "lurkers" here, that don't actually post, and it is those that make up the bulk of the "views" this thread generated. I'd like to hear from you as well!!

Daniel

 

[Outlaws]

lso, I think there are still companies making new 24 track, 2" tape reel to reel recorders, I'm sure they're way out of most people's price range though.

Studer....which I understand is discontinuing them.

That leaves no one.

 

[cjacek]

I know. 4 tracks is not totally bad. But I'm just saying, 8 tracks would be much nicer. With past 8 and 16 track reel to reels like the TSR-8 or MSR-16, it wouldn't have been too much trouble to re-issue one of those.
If you're gonna do something, do it right.

Also, I think there are still companies making new 24 track, 2" tape reel to reel recorders, I'm sure they're way out of most people's price range though.

Yeah, STUDER makes the 24 track 2" machines (not for long). These have a price tag of a luxury car ... .. in the area of $30,000 USD I believe. As you can see, the 34B makes for a nice compromise

Again, 8, 16, 24 tracks etc etc are nice to have, for some persons, but I feel the bulk of home recordists would be very happy with the 4 tracks and the relatively fair price of the 34B. Again, Teac is really making us a HUGE favour by dropping everything to make a few units of the 34B. We should really applaud them for at least trying and not "moan" and complain. At least that's my take on it. Right now it's all business and, believe me, Teac is not making the best business decission by halting production of its mass production digital gear in favor of making room for the few 34B units. IMHO, Teac wants to satisfy the relatively small, but faithful Analog crowd OR perhaps Teac is testing how "fertile" still the ground is for Analog recorders and the 34B is its "test subject" ? This would explain the rather "conservative" offering by way of the 34B. Ya think ? Perhaps, if the 34B is well received, Teac will ressurect others in its "vintage" line. (That's how things usually work). Damn, how great it would be if Teac opened up a branch (kinda like it did with TASCAM) and would call itself "Vintage Teac Line" (my fav) or "Teac specialty products" and offer up some of its better sellers etc ... Teac could reserve part of its manufacturing space just for its special product line, so that it wouldn't have to halt production of its other gear, and make these by way of special order. This could work by way of Teac sending some nice color catalogs to dealers for people to "special order" or they could also do it online. Anyway, my thoughts only but I think this could work very well and be low risk for Teac.

I got the following from: http://www.vintageking.com/

"New" Vintage Gear?

Helios has resurrected the Olympic Type 69 Series EQ as used by artists such as the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Bob Marley, and Led Zepplin. Helios became known as the musician's choice of recording consoles in the late 60's and early 70's.

Chandler has re-issued an EMI/Abbey Road inspired compressor, the TG1. This classic limiter/comp was featured on custom EMI/Abbey Road recording and mastering consoles. These rare units were used on late Beatles recordings like Abbey Road and Pink Floyd albums such as Dark Side of the Moon. Chandler has also released a matching mic pre, the TG2.

Pretty compelling, isn't it ?

Can TEAC do the same ? Of course, but it's up to us!

I remember how "impossible" it seemed that TEAC would even resurrect one of its true 4 track, simul-sync recorders, and how skeptical even the hardened vintage lovers were about the possibility. It happened though ...

Daniel