Tascam series 70 eight track
How do they compare to the Tascam 38 or TSR -8?
...OR! to an artist for whom struggle is the fuel.Beck said:The 70-8 is usable, but probably of more interest to a collector than an artist that wants to start recording with a minimum of hassle.
...OR! to an artist for whom struggle is the fuel.
While I agree that the transport controls on the 38 and TSR-8 are better, having some experience with the 80-8 and 38, I can pretty much say with certainty that the transport (as well as the overall mechanics) of the 80-8 is a more rugged design and would last longer. I don't have as much experience with the Series 70 machines, but with what experience I did have I also suspect that those machines would also last longer. I used to haul my old 80-8/DX-8 all over the place for location recordings. I had a custom Anvil case built for it and used to load it in the back of my 1972 Datsun 510 wagon. It weighed a ton, but took the abuse quite well. I wouldn't have attempted that with a 38. Transport wise, at least mechanically, the 80-8 (and probably the Series 70) was closer to the 48 or 58 than the 38. Sound wise, like I said, the 38 (and probably TSR-8) had better designed heads and a smoother low end because of that. When the 38 first came out I was amazed at the price point, until l first saw and played with one and realized how light duty it was in comparison to the 80-8.The 38 and TSR-8 are leaps ahead of the 70 series in every way, especially the TSR/MSR series, which have very sophisticated microprocessor transport control... very consistent handling and easy on tape.
The 70-8 is usable, but probably of more interest to a collector than an artist that wants to start recording with a minimum of hassle.
When the 38 first came out I was amazed at the price point, until l first saw and played with one and realized how light duty it was in comparison to the 80-8.
While I agree that the transport controls on the 38 and TSR-8 are better, having some experience with the 80-8 and 38, I can pretty much say with certainty that the transport (as well as the overall mechanics) of the 80-8 is a more rugged design and would last longer.
I dunno about sound quality and reliability of that thing, but it sure looks like it would be fun to record with one of those old beasts.
Just play the tape back, and record all 8 tracks into ProTools simultaneously. Do not record them in pairs, it is unlikely to work properly.I know this is probably a dumb question, but how do you convert the analog reel recording for digital use in ProTools? Before I consider buying it, I just wanted to know what I was getting into (he claims to be the original owner, with only several dozen hours on the machine)
Any thoughts or info would be greatly appreciated.
........ but it sure looks like it would be fun to record with one of those old beasts.
I don't believe 80-8's ever had a vari speed, other than an optional external box that, I believe, was a variable transformer. The next series in line, the 38, had a vari speed built in, and was not as robust.No it isn't. I recorded the very 1st album ever done on this unit. It was a royal pain in the ass. The original 80-8 was a big improvement. The 80-8's with the vari-speed capstan motor are not as robust as the original series.