Tascam 38 question

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famous beagle

famous beagle

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Ok, so good news and bad news.

Good news: I scored a Tascam 38 in purportedly "mint" condition for $300.

Bad news: It was in Denton, TX (where I used to live and go to school at UNT), and I'm in Milwaukee now. So I had a friend of mine pick it up for me, and I won't be able to get my hands on it until I'm in TX next, which will be in June. :(

My question is regarding the DX-4D NR units. It didn't come with any.

For those who have experience with both methods (with and without NR):Is it not even worth it to try to record without the units? Or, if you're doing a good job setting levels, is it not that much of an issue?

I know that the quieter and more intimate the music being recorded, the more factor the noise will be, obviously. I'll probably be using this 38 for full-band indie rock-type stuff in the vein of Wilco, Beatles, Counting Crows, Black Crowes, etc.

If I want to record an intimate acoustic/vocal thing, I'd probably just record it live, straight to my Tascam 42B.

So, should I work on getting my hands on some units before June, or is it worth waiting to see what it's like without them?

Thanks!
 
If it were me I'd be snatching some up because I've got gear-it is...I'm stoopid that way. Don't do it is my 2p. You don't need 'em yet...try it out and then if the noise is a problem you can look for some.

Congrats.
 
Ok, so good news and bad news.

Good news: I scored a Tascam 38 in purportedly "mint" condition for $300.

Bad news: It was in Denton, TX (where I used to live and go to school at UNT), and I'm in Milwaukee now. So I had a friend of mine pick it up for me, and I won't be able to get my hands on it until I'm in TX next, which will be in June. :(

My question is regarding the DX-4D NR units. It didn't come with any.

For those who have experience with both methods (with and without NR):Is it not even worth it to try to record without the units? Or, if you're doing a good job setting levels, is it not that much of an issue?

I know that the quieter and more intimate the music being recorded, the more factor the noise will be, obviously. I'll probably be using this 38 for full-band indie rock-type stuff in the vein of Wilco, Beatles, Counting Crows, Black Crowes, etc.

If I want to record an intimate acoustic/vocal thing, I'd probably just record it live, straight to my Tascam 42B.

So, should I work on getting my hands on some units before June, or is it worth waiting to see what it's like without them?

Thanks!

If you come across any that work properly and are reasonably priced, get them. Better to have and not need than the other way around.

The s/n performance of the 38 will be much improved with dbx, assuming one doesn't print hotter than necessary. I never printed without it on any of my machines save for my ATR 102 which truly is the quietest 2-track I've ever encountered.
 
I saw that one on Craigslist local...was tempted, but let it pass so I could buy my wife a christmas gift.

No, she did not want a 38........

Tell your friend to drop it by my place in Garland and I'll...ahem....hold it for you until you come down hehehe
 
I saw that one on Craigslist local...was tempted, but let it pass so I could buy my wife a christmas gift.

No, she did not want a 38........

Tell your friend to drop it by my place in Garland and I'll...ahem....hold it for you until you come down hehehe


Heheh

I used to live in Garland as well. My house was on Foliage street, which is off ... (I'm trying to remember the name of the main street it was off) .... Broadway .. that's it. It was near the intersection of Broadway and Wynn Joyce --- which is kind of near Broadway and Centerville.

Total bachelor pad. We had the whole living room as the tracking room, and the adjoining bedroom was my control room. The only time I've had a separate control room setup! :)
 
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