Tascam 38

[anazgnos]

I was recently given a TASCAM M-308 board and 38 8-track reel-to-reel recorder.
I have been completely unable to record a signal.
I have been working on it for over a week, so I've tried as many different arrangements as I can
I know for certain that everything is routed correctly, and that the recorder itself IS receiving a signal
from the board. The VU meter on the recorder moves as I attempt to record the signal.
Additionally, playback is functioning properly (used tapes). So I know the tape is threaded properly.
In fact, in cases of the recording on the pre-recorded reels, I did notice that the original signals were
slightly dulled and in some cases the faintest vestiges of my shouting into the mike could be heard underneath

The only thing I can figure is that the heads are severely magnetized. In fact, I know they are -
prior to operating the things I cleaned off a very large amount of metallic residue from all the heads and
capstans. I've had to clean them a couple times since, and I haven't even started recording.
So I know I need to get a demagnetizer. However, I'm not prepared to invest $60 unless it is likely to solve
the fundamental problem here. Basically all I want to know is whether severe magnetization can completly
interrupt the heads' ability to record a signal, and, if not, where else my problem might lie. The original owner opined that he felt it was unlikely the heads themselved were damaged and/or inoperational. I am as certain as I can possibly
be that the signal is successfully entering the recording unit itself. Any help is appreciated.

 

[bbauhs]

I have used a 38 deck quite a bit.

It sounds like you have a problem on your hand but one that is definitely worth fixing.

If my memory serves me correctly you can choose "repro", "rec", or "play" mode on that machine. I might have the names wrong but they are similar. One plays back only and doesn't allow you to record (the green light). One allows you to record and hear what the other tracks in real time ( orange light - I think). The last allows you to record but you would hear a slight delay between the track you are recording and the tracks you are playing back due to the gap between the recording head and the playback head (red light).

Try sending signal to a channel while you are in the orange light mode. Record must be selected on that channel (you can select to record on each of the 8 tracks separately). The record and play button must be selected. I'm probably telling you stuff you already know but sometimes it's the obvious stuff that screws us up.

If that doesn't work something is broken. It is worth fixing however. Those are great tough machines that sound good. They aren't a Studer but if you nail a channel hard with a snare drum or distorted guitar you get great tape saturation. I loved the sound I got from that machine.

Hope that helps.

If you decide to get it repaired I had Full Compass in Madison WI (where I was living at the time) work on my machine. That was years ago but they can probably still help you.

Good luck.

 

[MichaelGuttilla]

38-8

Are you using noise reduction? That could cause what you are describing. I have used that machine for over ten years. It is reliable and very durable.
Try an electronic keyboard output directly into the recorder. And then the recorder out put into an amp.
good luck
mike