Tascam ATR 60 or 38?

[Jerome Higgins]

Hey guys- i am in the process of buying my first analogue machine and can't decide between a tascam 38 apparently in good condition for AU$450 (that's about $320US) or a Tascam ATR 60 1/2 inch 8 track also in Ok condition for AU$800 (about $570US). They are both 1/2 inch 8 track units, the 38 has the old 3 band EQ that i have used on an old desk - it's pretty crunchy but ok for guitars and bass. but i don't know much about the atr-60 , and i figure it's probably a bit tougher to maintain . any thoughts??
by the way, the 38 comes with a few reels

cheers

 

[Mark7]

Hey Jerome.

Either unit would be a good choice if it's in good condition (and for those prices you'd be getting a bargain, whichever one you chose). I'd personally go for the ATR-60 myself, simply because it was the later model and is therefore more likely to be found in good condition. Not that the 38 would be a bad choice.

One thing that confuses me about your post, though, is this

the 38 has the old 3 band EQ that i have used on an old desk - it's pretty crunchy but ok for guitars and bass.

The 38 is a stand-alone deck. It doesn't have any in-built EQ (believe me, I drooled over enough of them on ebay to know). In fact, the only reel to reel machine ever made with built in EQ that I'm aware of is the Tascam 388. Which had an 8/8/2 desk built in (or was it an 8/8/2 desk with an 8 track recorder built in? )

 

[A Reel Person]

The ATR-60/8 would be the pro deck, all the way.

The 38 was a decent machine for the semi-pro, small project, home and hobbiest market,... although 1/2"-8-track is a great sounding format, almost any way you slice it. The 38 is a fine choice, for most home recording purposes.

I agree with Mark, that your details seem a bit misleading. The 38 has NO EQ, and it's the 388 that has a mixer-integrated-reel-recorder design, and indeed does have 3-band EQ. The 388, however, would be 8-tracks on 1/4" tape, not 1/2". The 388 is a fine machine, on it's own merits, but it's quite a different platform than either the 38 or ATR-60/8.

Good luck.

 

[Jerome Higgins]

thanks guys - yeah, i think i was a bit mixed up. i was also looking at a 388 a few weeks back and must thought the 38 had the eq. anyway - looks like the atr-60 is the winner so far
cheers

 

[The Ghost of FM]

The ATR60-8 is a very well built, professional machine and basically has the same transport, electronics and head design level as the MS16. It is not as portable a machine as the 38 but it does offer more options and has a much better RTZ and STC functionality.

If you can find a low mileage one for a good price, I would grab it!

Cheers!