The Glorious Tascam 424mkIII

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analog aaron

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I was just wondering........ Why is the Tascam 424mkIII considered to be the most popular (maybe the best) 4 track cassette recorder of all time

- Is it because of the XLR inputs?
- Because the EQ has mids?
-The design and layout?
I have one and I do like it, but I just never really knew what the big deal was.
:confused:
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I had the Tascam424mkIII, gave it to my son. I never knew it was considered as the most popular it was one of 4, I owned over the years by Tascam, and I bought it because it was the top of the line at that time in the Tascam line-up. I used it mostly for sequencing song ideas, and I will say it is a nice sounding, inexpensive four track cassette tape recorder.
 
Why is the Tascam 424mkIII considered to be the most popular (maybe the best) 4 track cassette recorder of all time

<snip>

I have one and I do like it, but I just never really knew what the big deal was.
:confused:

Who said it was the most popular or best? The greatest benefit to owning a 424mkIII is that it's the most recent and fully featured portastudio, that can still be had new. While decent in sound, features, built and price, it isn't, however, up to the much higher standards of the long discontinued models, such as the TASCAM 246 or 244.
 
I just love my MKII!

I'm going to try digital one more time with Reaper, FP-10; but I'll still use the MKII.


Can't remember the diff. between MKII and MKIII?:confused:
 
I dunno... the TASCAM 246 is my pick as the best 4-track on cassette. Not sure about most popular. :)
 
I dunno... the TASCAM 246 is my pick as the best 4-track on cassette. Not sure about most popular. :)

Indeed an important distinction and I'm glad you pointed this out.

To rephrase my earlier statement, I too feel the 244 / 246 share the distinction of best 4 track cassette recorder but were not neccessarily most popular, which may be construed as quite ironic. ;)
 
i thought the most popular was the 424 MKII. i had one so it must have been. :D
 
Yeah... I had heard that somewhere. Maybe Tascam claimed it was the best-seller, most popular model :eek: I'm not familiar with the 244 or 246. What functions does it have that make it so special? I'm curious.
 
is the 424 that rack mount version?
If so, the local music store has one for $100.
 
The 234 is the rack mount 4 track. It's big brother is the 238 rack mount 8 track cassette model. The 424 is just a portastudio.
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If your local music store has the 234 rack mount 4 track for $100, that might not be a bad deal considering it's age. Hopefully it's in good shape with not so much wear. The 234 is supposed to be pretty good quality if anyone's lookin' for a 4 track.
 
I'm not familiar with the 244 or 246. What functions does it have that make it so special?

For starters, both have 3 motors (vs 1 for the 424), better EQ, the capability to patch in a compressor (and other effects), more quiet preamps, better, higher quality parts and more robust built quality.

It's not neccessarily that the 244 / 246 have many more features or functions but that it's of a higher caliber 4 track portastudio, in just about every way.

The only downside (not really that big of a deal) is that they're getting old and routine maintenance (even minor servicing) is standard for these old beasts, not to mention the always probable shipping damage when sent via mail.

You really have to know how to find a good condition unit and be prepared for some minor servicing. Again, not that big of a deal if you know what you're doing.;)
 
You really have to know how to find a good condition unit and be prepared for some minor servicing. Again, not that big of a deal if you know what you're doing.;)

What kind of servicing other than belt replacement, cleaning heads, pots, and demag? Like head adjustment? I've never done that before. Sounds a little tricky.
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What kind of servicing other than belt replacement, cleaning heads, pots, and demag? Like head adjustment? I've never done that before. Sounds a little tricky.
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If you get a well cared for unit ('cause that's what you want to look for anyway) then all you need to do is a belt replacement (both capstan + control), use a good rubber cleaner such as the caig RBR to do a once over on the pinch roller, and in a worst case scenario, replace the pinch roller - basically take care of all rubber parts, which is no biggie. No need to do any head adjustment, unless it was f*cked around with by the previous owner. Cleaning heads should be done after every recording. Again, if you find a well cared for unit, all you really need to do is the belt replacement and cleaning of the rubber roller and routine cleaning of the heads. That's the minor servicing I was referring to and, again, it's not that big of a deal especially when you're dealing with a good condition unit.
 
Going back the Tascam 244 and 246 you guys were talking about..... Do these unit record in normal speed only? I kinda figured they would because of their age.
 
I think...

by advances in technology over time, Tascam was able to bring the 424mkIII to market at an unheard of price point, ($499), which was as hifi, high quality & packed with features as any unit out at the time. Due to this, they sold many more numbers of units. I think "most popular" as stated on the box & elsewhere is by volume of units sold. On the other hand, with the new 244 at $1100, & the new 246 at $1350, back then the home 4-track Portastudio was a specialty market with smaller numbers sold. That's MO, anyway.

The 244 had double speed only, & the 246 had low/hi speed switchable.:eek:;) You should also watch out for an issue with differences of head phase between tracks the older Tascam Portstudios and the new ones, which (f/i) makes 244 tapes incompatible with 424 tapes. Depending on speed, NR and 'hidden' issues like head phase, not all Tascam Portastudio 4-track master tapes are 100% compatible. But you knew this, & it may be OT, so...

Carry on!:eek:;)
 
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by advances in technology over time, Tascam was able to bring the 424mkIII to market at an unheard of price point, ($499)which was as hifi, high quality & packed with features as any unit out at the time. Due to this, they sold many more numbers of units. I think "most popular" as stated on the box & elsewhere is by volume of units sold.

Yup, exactly and these "advances in technology", which enabled a lower price, can also be called extreme cost cutting. ;)


On the other hand, with the new 244 at $1100, & the new 246 at $1350, back then the home 4-track Portastudio was a specialty market with smaller numbers sold.

Yeah and what's even more scary is that's 80's money, which would translate into something like $2000 and 2500 in today's dollars!:eek:
 
Going back the Tascam 244 and 246 you guys were talking about..... Do these unit record in normal speed only? I kinda figured they would because of their age.

Generally speaking (and not only about the 244 / 246), it's erroneous to assume older gear equates to "less" 'cause in many cases that's not true. In fact, current or more recent products are watered down versions of similar. Unfortunately, price (and features) dictate sales and not quality. That is the reason analog will continue to be a small specialized market and as Dave (A Reel Person) pointed out, the reason 424MKIII is the most popular and best selling. Translation = it's cheap. Quality is another issue altogether.
 
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