Tascam MSR-16 1/2" Reel to Reel

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TheFollow

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Hello, I'm new to this BBS. My band, The Follow, recorded our first album on one of these machines in 1992. We'd like to transfer the tracks into the digital realm. I'm looking to borrow, rent, or purchase an MSR-16. Would anyone have some advice?

Mat
 
Mat is s fellow Como man, anyone that can help him out it would be very appreciated. I suppose this is me vouching for him. You know what it's like having your magic master tapes trapped on something that you can't listen to them on.
 
At a pinch, a Fostex E16 or G16 with external noise reduction might work. That's assuming it's DBX-coded. I have a feeling the MSR-16 exists in both DBX and Dolby-S versions.
 
TheFollow said:
Hello, I'm new to this BBS. My band, The Follow, recorded our first album on one of these machines in 1992. We'd like to transfer the tracks into the digital realm. I'm looking to borrow, rent, or purchase an MSR-16. Would anyone have some advice?

Mat
Click to expand...

Tape from that era may have sticky shed. Be very careful.

-MD
 
Thanks for reading and replying guys. I had someone ask why I'm looking for that exact machine. Would any 1/2" 16 track work? JP Morris: What's similar about the Fostex E16 or G16 units?

Also, I assume "sticky shed" would be really bad for the playback head? Any advice on how to know if this tape is not salvageable?
 
The TASCAM and Fostex half-inch 16 tracks used different noise reduction, unless you happened to have used the TASCASM MSR-16S for the tape. That one has Dolby S. In that case you would need one of those or a Fostex G16S, which also used Dolby S.

However, the standard MSR-16 had DBX Type I, and the Standard Fostex B-16 and E-16 used Dolby C. So if you used the noise reduction (NR) in your recordings it would be best to find another machine like it. Another more complicated option would be to use any one of the above machines, but disengage the NR and use outboard DBX Type I modules for playback.

You would have to buy eight dbx 150-X Type I units, which have two channels each. They aren’t very expensive on the used (eBay) market, but it may take time rounding that many up.

As for the tape, if it was recorded in 1992 it’s best to consider it as having sticky-shed… I’ve never seen one from that era that didn’t have it.

You will need an inexpensive food dehydrator. I use a Snackmaster dehydrator I bought at Walmart for 39.96 or there about. Check the following thread for info on sticky shed and what to do about it. You should be able to save your tape long enough to transfer.

https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?p=2449157#post2449157
 
Wow,
So tapes from '92 probably have sticky shed? This just doesn't seem all that long ago to me. So, once the tapes are baked, they are only useable for a short time? Let's say after the transfer from tape to digital ( a few yrs later)would the tapes need to be baked again if you wanted to go back and remaster or change the mix for another transfer? Is baking something you can keep doing to tape, or can you only do it a few times? I just don't know that much about it.
A
 
Thanks so much guys. VERY helpful. The EXACT machine is somewhere near me in mid-Missouri...just hoping it comes out of the wood work sometime soon. I'll ask the owner (2 sales ago) which version of dolby. Thanks for the tips!
 
In London we have companies who transfer various types old multitrack tapes to digital formats of your choosing. There must be similar in the US?

Would be better than buying a machine just for this one purpose, especially as some of these machines need servicing & repairs before they can be used?

It's an idea anyway!
 
trancedental said:
In London we have companies who transfer various types old multitrack tapes to digital formats of your choosing. There must be similar in the US?

Would be better than buying a machine just for this one purpose, especially as some of these machines need servicing & repairs before they can be used?

It's an idea anyway!
Click to expand...

Theres an ad in TapeOp that says they can tranfer any analog tape to any form of digital. I don't have an issue handy right now though to get the info
 
analog aaron said:
Wow,
So tapes from '92 probably have sticky shed? This just doesn't seem all that long ago to me. So, once the tapes are baked, they are only useable for a short time? Let's say after the transfer from tape to digital ( a few yrs later)would the tapes need to be baked again if you wanted to go back and remaster or change the mix for another transfer? Is baking something you can keep doing to tape, or can you only do it a few times? I just don't know that much about it.
A
Click to expand...

Beck knows his stuff for sure from everything I've ever read from him. However, all I can say is ..for whatever reason, I've NEVER come across sticky-shed and I have all kinds of 7" and 10" tape from the 80's and 90's new and used stored all over the place that I still use. I know he is trying to help, but I wouldn't necessarily "assume" your tape has sticky-shed.
 
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