tascam 388

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Jillchaw

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I just got a 388 and i am looking to buy some tape for it. But of course i need the 7 inch reels with the little hole in the middle. Which tape type is this and where can i get it. I thought i could just cruise to musicians friend but all their Quantegy products show the same picture so i cant be sure if its the small hole kind or the hub style. Thanks.
 
If you order a tape on 7" reel it will arrive with a little hole in the middle. So don't worry about it.
What's the best kind of tape for your recorder - I don't know. But I think you'll be happy with 457 ... can buy at AMS likn: http://www.americanmusical.com/item--i-AMP-4571511J1.html (ignore the image there ;)... because it's f*ng PATHETIC!!!!!! :mad: :D :mad: :D )
I think you may find the same tape for couple bucks less somewhere... try searching...

the tape/reel looks similar to this (attached) 456 tape photo (found at e-bay):
 

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Jillchaw said:
I just got a 388 and i am looking to buy some tape for it. But of course i need the 7 inch reels with the little hole in the middle. Which tape type is this and where can i get it. I thought i could just cruise to musicians friend but all their Quantegy products show the same picture so i cant be sure if its the small hole kind or the hub style. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Provided the recorder was not setup for another type of tape by the previous owner(s), the TASCAM 388 was originally aligned for Maxell UD 35-90 (now discontinued). The tape can still, however, be purchased on eBay.

Whatever tape you use, one must realize that any recorder of this age drifts out of alignment (both electrical and mechanical) and would need to be readjusted.

If you wish to get some newly available tape, then there's the excellent Emtec RMGI LPR35, Quantegy 457 and Quantegy 407. All are 1mil tapes as per factory recommendation.

Musicians Friend doesn't have any 1mil tapes and the closest is the 456. I personally wouldn't use that on the 388, even though there are some that use the thicker type without any problems and getting good results. I'm just going by what is officially recommended and my own preference. You want to look at 1/4" x 7" x 1800'

This is what you want to get (ignore the picture):

http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--AMX4571511J1

... and / or this:

http://www.usrecordingmedia.com/rmlp1x18sub.html

PLEASE NOTE that you will need to have your 388 readjusted for these tapes for best and most accurate performance.
 
....just to add to my previous reply:

When I first got my 388 and noted that it had not been callibrated to another type of tape, I went to search on eBay for Maxell UD 35-90. When it arrived, I popped it in and was happy to report that all levels and tones were more or less accurate and so I just went to record with this tape, again happy that the recorder hadn't drifted too badly. Setting up for another (newer / better quality) tape is another story but well worth it ...
 
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