Teac 80-8 (Again) need gen info.

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ThedukeOfearl

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Hi i know i am new to this site and reel to reel , but not new to recording.
Ok so here is my not really problem but pickle. I had gotten a tascam 488 8-multitrack cassette recorder. But found out later that i could not re-wire and playback all eight separately into my mixer cause it does not have eight outputs just eight inputs and stereo outs. And so its basically cancelling out Manipulation of individual tracks through a external mixer(Dub reggae) and then trough a amp and DAT so on and so forth. So i know i should get a different track recorder so i can "plug in eight, and play back eight (sep)"

So my question is with the teac 80-8 how do i plug in my instr. and mics. do i need special connectors for it because i notice it doesent have 1/4" instr. cables it has smaller RCA cables Correct?
 
Yes, you'll need a cable loom with RCA on one end and 1/4" jack on the other - sometimes this is referred to as a 'snake'. You should be able to get one fairly readily over the internet. Actually, it's probably best to get two since you'll have 8 inputs and 8 outputs in total.
 
Ok great, so when recording, 1/4" from instr/mic to rca teac 80-8 and when mixing down through exteral mixer, Rca from the teac to 1/4" into the mixer.

Real quick also, any mixer will work correct i have any alesis multimix8 (analog also), but i just use it to mix down like i said before output 1 from the teac to input 1 of alesis multimix, and everything should work they way i expect?
 
Ok great, so when recording, 1/4" from instr/mic to rca teac 80-8 and when mixing down through exteral mixer, Rca from the teac to 1/4" into the mixer.

Real quick also, any mixer will work correct i have any alesis multimix8 (analog also), but i just use it to mix down like i said before output 1 from the teac to input 1 of alesis multimix, and everything should work they way i expect?
Sounds like you've got it, yes. The inputs are the only bit which require thought, since there are eight of them and unless you're doing a live 8-track recording you generally only have one or two inputs at once. I use a 4-way switch and a second mixer on the front, but I think most people use a patch-bay.
In any case, you'll be able to get going at first just by plugging things in and out as needed.
 
Yeah, i have a complete set of eight musicians ready to play and all i need to do is plug them in to the teac, or is it a good idea to get a "patchbay" in which im not familiar with(functions and purpose). Damn i know im asking alot, but its very crucial to know that i can just record all seven instruments, and one vocal on the teac 80-8 with simple cables and the manipulate them individually
through my mixer and then main mix out to amp-monitors. If i am getting something wrong in this idea please stop me before i do anything drastic

basically it would set up like this Instruments-Teac 80-8 *Recording*
(All 8 or just 2-4 at a time)

THEN Teac 80-8--Mixer---amp,monitors--DAT
(all 8 outputs into 8 inputs of mixer)
Correct or do i need anyother pieces of equipment to achive this setup?

(So sorry, i just want to be professional when i have my musicians come in)
 
Yeah, i have a complete set of eight musicians ready to play and all i need to do is plug them in to the teac, or is it a good idea to get a "patchbay" in which im not familiar with(functions and purpose). Damn i know im asking alot, but its very crucial to know that i can just record all seven instruments, and one vocal on the teac 80-8 with simple cables and the manipulate them individually
through my mixer and then main mix out to amp-monitors. If i am getting something wrong in this idea please stop me before i do anything drastic. basically it would set up like this Instruments-Teac 80-8 *Recording*
(All 8 or just 2-4 at a time)

Yes, that should work fine. I'm a solo artist so I work by overdubbing tracks one at a time and my needs are different to yours. But I believe what you're planning to do is correct.

I don't use patchbays either, but in this situation you would use it basically as an extension cable from the machine's inputs, so you can plug things into it and rearrange the inputs from the front (or from a rack if you have one) rather than having to reach back to the back of the machine each time you need to plug an instrument into it.
 
ThedukeOfearl...

patchbay: its just a piece of gear that you plug all your ins and outs into so that you don't have to repatch on your mixer, recorder or other gear when you're going from the tracking phase to the mixdown phase and such. Like this:

When you are tracking (recording), all your sources (mics, instruments, etc.) are plugged into the 8 channels on your mixer. But when it is time to playback and mixdown to DAT you are having to plug the outputs from the 80-8 to the mixer channels right? Well, the patchbay would have all the ins and outs of your mixer AND the 80-8 connected to the back of it, and then the jacks on the front of it (which basically carry whatever is connected at the back of the same jack)are available so you can use patch cables to direct where you want signals to go. Think of it like a traditional telephone switchboard. That make sense?

Patchbays make more sense in situations where you've got clusters of gear in different areas, your operation requires frequent repatching and/or it is difficult or inconvenient to access the back of said gear. Patchbays then can also save wear and tear on the connectors on your gear.

I use patchbays in my studio, but I didn't for years. It just came to the point that I felt I was spending too much time dealing with climbing over stuff to repatch when needed, and as my studio grew it became more of a need.

It doesn't sound like a patchbay is something that you need as the multimix mixers are easy to access.

There is a way to get 8 tracks out of the 488 simultaneously:

Check it out here. Its a little funky, but it works.
 
Wow man you guys have been more help then my uncle who lives in austin and Owns a Pro Studio(he never called back) I cant wait to get this started really, Sweetbeats, thanks much for the info on the tascam 488 mk 2 but i have a mk1 the gray unit 8-track(not as many outs) not the blue one that looks all gnarly.

So from this discussion i guess i can say that all my setups will work Recording on the teac 80-8 and mixing down and manipulating each track Indv. from the teac to my mixing console. Much love and blessing to all.

(anything im missing in my setup that some one notices, please fill me in
all knowledge is welcomed and very much needed(my first "studio" studio)
 
not the blue one that looks all gnarly.

:D:D:D

Sweetbeats, thanks much for the info on the tascam 488 mk 2 but i have a mk1

Oh bummer...but you DO have an 80-8! :p

As far as I can tell from reading the thread you have all you'll need to track to and mixdown from the 80-8. The only other word of wisdom is that everytime you want to monitor playback from the 80-8 you're going to have to repatch. This might be a little tricky for overdubs too, especially if you are wanting to overdub, say drums, onto 2 or 3 tracks on the 80-8 and you have the kit mic'ed with 4 mics. If 5-6 tracks are already occupied on the 80-8 you'll have to be choosy about what you are monitoring on the 2-3 4 channels not being used on the Alesis mixer. Does that make sense?

The other thing you could do is use the 488 as a monitor/cue mixer and the Multimix as your tracking mixer. You'd have the outputs from the 80-8 connected to the 488 during tracking and do your headphone mix from there, and have the inputs...wait...Am I off-track here (no pun intended)? The Multimix doesn't have direct outs...how many tracks are you recording simultaneously?
 
Im recording four at one time, and four at another(all eight in the end).
This is at first just basic arrangements. Then the idea is to play them back(each through indv.cables)from the 80-8 through the alesis, and then to final cut(of course while mixing down in dub, effects emphasize curtain rythem tracks, Drop-outs happen, and manipulation is done)

It doesn't seem complicated to me but i just had gotten a wrong piece to the approach, and now that i have to go "back in time" and get a 80-8 im sorta excited but want to make sure i can still do everything i plan on with out spending about 30 grand.(no the alesis only has main mix outs & control room outs )
 
The only hitch in your diagram is that you aren't going to be able to connect your instruments direct to the multitrack reel machine. What are you using for mic/instrument preamps on their way to tape?

I love dub. Have any soundbites you can link?

I'd like to get back into doing dub. I was in a reggae band for several years in the early 90's. Its the main reason I picked up my Roland DC-30 analog delay unit and Tascam RS-20B dual spring 'verb unit.

I just dug and pulled this off the sketch-pad pile. It was digitally tracked and mixed, so it doesn't have the old-school vibe to it...its a doodle, but I love dub.
 
Actually i didn't know i needed preamps.(or would a 1/4" to RCA Instr. cable work/I plan on getting two or more snakes) Ah man so exactly where is the flaw and how and with what do i fix it. Im glad you actually looked at my threads since you have dubwise(knowledge on dub) So to achieve exactly what i am trying to achieve(old dubing techniques) EXACTLY exactly what would i need. I am really trying to bring this old way of dubbing back to life with what ever mean necessary. Please please, much help if i can still work with the diagram posted, but would need one or two pieces HELP I NEED SOMEBODY!!!
I guess im this worried because i already have the 80-8 just need to know exactly how to achieve this(dub)setup.

All Help Appreciated!!!
 
I am leaving for a couple hours Sweetbeats but please if you could answer the last post since it seems that we are almost at the end of my problem. I feel you have really helped alot, and will help me produce the best reggae this century Real Roots Iah.

Like said please still help me with my(getting smaller)problem, just a little more advice/teqhn. and i know ill be on my way.

Much love and blessings, ThedukeOfearl.
 
i don't know anything about dub, but is there any reason why the instruments aren't going through the desk to the tape deck? great diagram by the way :)
 
don't know anything about dub, but is there any reason why the instruments aren't going through the desk to the tape deck? great diagram by the way

My point exactly.

I've PM'ed him to try and assist with some specifics on his setup. It'll be a little tricky since even tracking 4 at a time with monitoring and such since neither the 488 or the Multimix8 have direct outs on the channels (though he can use the inserts that way...)

We'll get 'im going...
 
Does somebody have a teac 80-8 user manual in pdf ?
It would be greatly appreciated.....
 
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