TASCAM Shootout

  • Thread starter Thread starter nate_dennis
  • Start date Start date

Which TASCAM Unit would YOU chose?

  • 388

    Votes: 4 18.2%

  • TSR 8

    Votes: 12 54.5%

  • 38

    Votes: 6 27.3%
  • Total voters
    22
nate_dennis

nate_dennis

Well-known member
Ok, so I've been curious about this for a while, so lets put it to the poll.

All other things being equal (or as close as they can be) which would you chose based SOLELY on sonic qualities. So basically, I'm not concerned with features tape width or speed (though they are kind of rolled into it.) The TASCAM 38, TSR 8, or the 388? Let the games begin!
 
Oops, I was a little trigger happy and chose the 388 and not for the reasons you outline. Can I take it back? :confused:

As far as sonic qualities alone, then usually a wider / faster format would win so either the TSR-8 / 38 would fit that mold. What's the 388 doing there?:confused::D

Seriously, I thought of doing a poll such as this but asking people what's their one favorite piece that they would buy starting over again. I immediately assumed it was this type of poll and so I chose the 388. Why? Because it's perhaps the coolest most functional little analogue setup I'd want. Sonic qualities would not be up to the TSR-8 / 38 but it's an all-in-one with a little bit of everything you'd want in a setup. Sorry for rumbling.

Sorry, have no direct experience with the TSR-8 / 38 but I'd think the TSR-8 'cause it has newer electronics / transport and that makes a sonic difference.
 
The TSR-8 has noise reduction, which I nearly always use. Are we assuming it's disabled (and if so, are we assuming it's disabled on the 388 too)? If not, are we assuming that the '38 has DBX modules to compensate?
 
No, I'd assume N.R. is used. Because it's available for the 38 as well, just not built in. So yeah. This is just for fun to see what you all think. Maybe we should switch it up. Maybe we should just say . . . which one would you chose? So that will be the new question. If you had all three units available to you in perfect working order, and they were all free, which would you chose and why?
 
I've only used the 388 so I will have to refrain from voting. I'll just skew the results.

But I would like to say, I certainly like the sonic qualities of the Tascam 388. :)

If you can't make a good record on a 388, chances are you can't elsewhere.
 
Okay...with that last clarification I now have something to say and vote on...

388 for sure. Some of it is based on the fact that I already have a 1/2" 8-track, tho' I have mixers too, but my vote is for the 388.

Why? There is nothing else ever like it...the Akai 1212/1214 is the only thing even close but the 388 has a much better mixing section and uses reel tape rather than proprietary cartridges of unknown tape (there is some skepticism as to the tape formulation in the Akai carts...) Yes, the Akai decks run at 15ips and have 50% more track width, but 1/4" tape stock on 7" reels is readily available, and IMHO you don't get a 1/4" 8-track or 1/2" 12 track because you are looking for the pinnacle of sonic potential...you get it for many reasons like its what you can afford/its what medium you like to or prefer to work with etc. And I also think it is important to keep in mind that sonic potential lies with user more than the recording medium...I've said it before but check out some of A Reel Person's stuff done on cassette 4-track. It will redifine what you think is possible on that medium...another shocker for me was Hilltop Studios...Dave put up some stuff awhile back that was done on (IIRC) a Fostex Model 80 (might have been an R8) 1/4" 8-track. IMO it sounded phenomenal...as professional as professional can be to my ears. And on the digital side my favorite new recording was done (MUCH to my surprise) in a home using nothing but a Studio Projects C1 (I have one and don't like it) and a Shure SM57 through a Digidesign Digi 001 and 002...A signal path that is a recipe for disaster in my experience (I'm talking mainly the combo of the 001/002 converters and the C1...brittle). The recording was done by non-technical people but they are VERY talented writers/artists and have good instincts with mixing.

So, quit getting hung up on the format is what I'm trying to say and use what works for you and inspires.

I have lots of neat-o gear laying around (none of which is fully functional at the moment...what a lark), but the one that is so easy to use and fun is the 424mkII. Its the whole Portastudio idea doing its thing there...so to get back to the question, the 388 isn't a Portastudio per se...more like a Portastudio with a bad case of giganticism, but it is self contained/plug and play and has much greater tape real estate than a cassette-based system and that coupled with a relatively powerful mixing section would be fun and inspirational AND have the sonic potential to compensate better for my inadequacies...I can't do what A Reel Person does on a cassette 4-track...not suggesting it is right to size up your format to "sound better", I just don't think I'm up to that challenge yet.

SO...

  • "Real" mixer features (enough features to be used as a capable small format mixer...really cool)
  • Integrated noise reduction
  • Sync capability (this is just cool...a real pro feature)
  • Great balance between affordable tape format and sonic potential
  • All them glowing analog VU's

It'd be the 388 for me for sure.

Lots of "narrow format" open reel multitrack decks. There's only one 388.
 
Cory pretty much summarized my love for the 388. The final product is still gonna sound as good or better than any current distributable medium, including CD, cassette or vinyl and the only limit is the person working behind the 388.

The "Studio 8" is plenty of capable in the sonic department but is a true all-in-one with 1/4" tape being inexpensive. There's nothing like the 388 and it's the most fun I have with the format. I have a 48 (had a 58), 34, 3440 and a couple of other beauties but I just love the experience working with the 388.

So, yeah, my vote goes to the 388. It's like a mutation between the open reel format, the cassette and a full size mixing console. Many a time, photos don't do the 388 justice. One has to actually see it and work it in person.

All you need is a mic or two, the 388 and some cheap tape and you're recording in a matter of minutes. It's the easiest thing since the cassette portastudio but a lot more capable.

Cory, if you ever find a 388 locally, grab it. :)
 
Cory, if you ever find a 388 locally, grab it.
Click to expand...

Oh no...nonono...no. :eek:

Hm.... :rolleyes:

No. :p

ARG!!! :mad:

nnnnnn :confused:

nnnnnnn....o :D

You know my situation, Daniel...is it really that much an experience? No more acquisitions here unless something goes and nothing is up and running yet for me to know what works for me...I think the closest thing I might have to the integrated package will be maybe pairing the 58 with the M-308B...but I must say that it is a real issue when it is so easy to sit down and jam and track on the 424...the 388 has all that plug and play capability with twice the tape real-estate of the 424 and better electronics/transport to boot for sure...neat. I'm still stuck in techy world and haven't migrated back to making music, and that's what its about. Sometimes I wonder how wrong I've gone getting all this stuff because I don't do music anymore. I sold everything off several years ago and kept just a Tascam US-122...the original chunky blue and silver thing. Did a bunch of ddodles during that time and since then...
 
Yes, yes, I do know, Cory. I'm sorry. I totally lost my head on that one. :o
 
The reality though is that who knows? After this (long) leg of the journey is complete (i.e. all my present gear is fixed up the way I like) I may find it all seems cumbersome/overkill...maybe it doesn't get used the way I had envisioned...In spite of my complex approach to owning gear, I'm really basic in my approach to recording...I'm a one-take guy (strive to be anyway). Don't do punch-ins. Flubs become part of the take. That's the way I record digitally too...all the automation and tools to loop/cut/paste...used them for sure but when I'm tracking ideas or my own stuff the DAW get's used like an analog deck. Maybe the day will come to simplify in a big way again and a 388 will find its way here in sparse company. Simplicity is really what drew me to pick up the 234...easy to say at a time like now when I can't see the end of the projects...the key is that I need to stop jumping at suppositions and use what I have and after spending time using it all find out what really does and does not fit.

Always have been drawn to the 388 tho' and probably always will be. Wish replacement heads weren't such a struggle to find.

Sorry for the tangent everybody...:o
 
I picked the 38 for sound quality and this assumes a good mixer. I've owned both a 388 and a 38. The 388 is definately one of a kind as far as a package goes but I think that the 38 (AGAIN, with a good mixer, i was using an m520) sounds better, especially if you are bouncing tracks. Just my opinion.
 
I own a 38 with the full outboard dbx option but I would assume the TSR-8 having newer cleaner preamps and a smarter logic drive for the transport would have to give it a slight sonic edge, though I find the 38 to be a more handsome piece of gear...being visually aware and factoring in the; I don't want to look at some ugly hunk of stuff, disposition. ;)

Cheers! :)
 
Since I've never had experience with any of the above other then the 38 I will pick that.
 
I am biased towards the TSR-8. It was my first analog machine back in 93. I traded in one of the first ADATs for it. I immediately hated the ADAT. I now have 4 TSR-8's, they are great.
Although it does seem the earlier models were made better, everything in the 90's was made differently. I just bought a NIB Tektronixs oscilloscope from 92 and it has the same light duty feel to it.
VP
 
sweetbeats said:
. Wish replacement heads weren't such a struggle to find.
Click to expand...

OT: I'll post this here, rather than in the new multitrack thread, don't want to get caught in the cross fire.... Looks like the even more narrow gauge heads are harder to find, i.e. 1/4" 8 track and 1/2" 16 track, doesn't seem to be any problem with e.g. 1/4" 2-4 or 1/2" 8 1" 8/16 and even 24.



I won't vote, cuz only familiar with the 38 out of these. I think I'd choose the 38 over the TSR-8 for the analog meters, don't know enough about the electronics difference, or specs, especially with the outboard dbx.
 
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