cjacek
Analogue Enthusiast
Ok, so my new-in-box TASCAM 34B arrived .. I'll try to be as reserved as possible, considering I was doing jumping jacks from all the excitement! 
Ok, have you heard the term "shock and awe" that was used in the war ? Well, that's exactly my feelings about the 34B. Just a little background on the machine:
It was one of two, unused, units that came out of Indiana University. Even though the original box and styro was pretty worn out and the manual or take up reel wasn't included, I can assure you that it was UNUSED. As mint and new as it just came out of the factory. Not a nick or scratch or anything! I was a little concerned, though, when I opened the box and noticed that the styrofoam got worn to the point that the 34B had about an inch of space between it and the styro. When I moved the box sideways, the machine moved. Not good. I also noticed that the styro at the bottom got crunched pretty bad from having that 20KG machine sitting on it that it was just about half an inch from the bottom of the box. Again, not good when shipping. It should have been double boxed with a lot of styro and bubbles added. I knew it got banged up some when being shipped with nothing but that crunched/squashed styro protecting it from the hard ground. I checked it to be working perfectly however, and looking new. I think it is the robust engineering that kept it "alive" through all the postal handling.
The first thing I noticed is how brutally heavy it was! I mean HEAVY!!! What did they put in there???? LOL!
I gotta tell you that I fell in love with the 34B right away. I tested all of the functions and did some test recordings. Look, guys, this machine sounds AWESOME!!!! My background is cassette based portas, from the cheap 414mkII & 424mkIII to the more robust 246 & 244 - the best of cassette IMHO. I also had experience with some of the best all in one digital porta-studios from the likes of KORG to ROLAND, no more than a year or two ago. The 34B BLOWS these totally away is sound and pure joy of operating it. It is much easier to record than when using a cassette porta, if you can believe. I also noted the EXTRA-ORDINARY amps and preamps on the 34B. Once again, I've had experiences with some pretty high end mic preamps and amps in general a while ago. (No, I'm not talking art tube mp here 
). The 34B has amps/preamps that are as good, or certainly very similar, to the very best preamps out-there. I did some tests with only 7 1/2" tape speed (it does 15" as well) and was absolutely blown away by the robust, rich, detailed sound --- and many times I was going into the red! (That was only at the low speed mind you). One other thing that surprised the hell outta me .. There were some signals that I recorded, that were at around -20db. The hiss was barely audible and yet the signal came through clear. Who needs DBX?!?!?!?! Ok, the tiny bit of hiss added a nice sound to the whole recording that I feel I'll never, ever record with DBX again!
I want to make a plea to all the newbies who are deciding on digital or analog to PLEASE search out a nice condition 34B or similar and don't ever hesitate to purchase one. Even get one cheap and get it over to TASCAM to fix it and bring it up to specs. The 34B, IMHO, is the most AMAZING sounding, working, built 4 track reel to reel recorder that has ever been made, or at least belongs at the top of the list.
I really have to thank Dave (A Reel Person) who helped me "secure" a good deal on the 34B on eBay. Thanks Dave!
Thank you also to all who keep this ANALOG board and recording going and helping out!
I do have a question, however, with regards to cleaning of the heads. I know what to use but I need to know if I need to retract the heads or do I just get in there with a q-tip, with the machine "off"? Thanks so much and HEIL TO THE MIGHTY 34B!!
<a private message to TASCAM> : TASCAM .. I love you but now I hate you as well !
Daniel
Ok, have you heard the term "shock and awe" that was used in the war ? Well, that's exactly my feelings about the 34B. Just a little background on the machine:It was one of two, unused, units that came out of Indiana University. Even though the original box and styro was pretty worn out and the manual or take up reel wasn't included, I can assure you that it was UNUSED. As mint and new as it just came out of the factory. Not a nick or scratch or anything! I was a little concerned, though, when I opened the box and noticed that the styrofoam got worn to the point that the 34B had about an inch of space between it and the styro. When I moved the box sideways, the machine moved. Not good. I also noticed that the styro at the bottom got crunched pretty bad from having that 20KG machine sitting on it that it was just about half an inch from the bottom of the box. Again, not good when shipping. It should have been double boxed with a lot of styro and bubbles added. I knew it got banged up some when being shipped with nothing but that crunched/squashed styro protecting it from the hard ground. I checked it to be working perfectly however, and looking new. I think it is the robust engineering that kept it "alive" through all the postal handling.
The first thing I noticed is how brutally heavy it was! I mean HEAVY!!! What did they put in there???? LOL!
I gotta tell you that I fell in love with the 34B right away. I tested all of the functions and did some test recordings. Look, guys, this machine sounds AWESOME!!!! My background is cassette based portas, from the cheap 414mkII & 424mkIII to the more robust 246 & 244 - the best of cassette IMHO. I also had experience with some of the best all in one digital porta-studios from the likes of KORG to ROLAND, no more than a year or two ago. The 34B BLOWS these totally away is sound and pure joy of operating it. It is much easier to record than when using a cassette porta, if you can believe. I also noted the EXTRA-ORDINARY amps and preamps on the 34B. Once again, I've had experiences with some pretty high end mic preamps and amps in general a while ago. (No, I'm not talking art tube mp here ). The 34B has amps/preamps that are as good, or certainly very similar, to the very best preamps out-there. I did some tests with only 7 1/2" tape speed (it does 15" as well) and was absolutely blown away by the robust, rich, detailed sound --- and many times I was going into the red! (That was only at the low speed mind you). One other thing that surprised the hell outta me .. There were some signals that I recorded, that were at around -20db. The hiss was barely audible and yet the signal came through clear. Who needs DBX?!?!?!?! Ok, the tiny bit of hiss added a nice sound to the whole recording that I feel I'll never, ever record with DBX again!I want to make a plea to all the newbies who are deciding on digital or analog to PLEASE search out a nice condition 34B or similar and don't ever hesitate to purchase one. Even get one cheap and get it over to TASCAM to fix it and bring it up to specs. The 34B, IMHO, is the most AMAZING sounding, working, built 4 track reel to reel recorder that has ever been made, or at least belongs at the top of the list.
I really have to thank Dave (A Reel Person) who helped me "secure" a good deal on the 34B on eBay. Thanks Dave!
Thank you also to all who keep this ANALOG board and recording going and helping out!
I do have a question, however, with regards to cleaning of the heads. I know what to use but I need to know if I need to retract the heads or do I just get in there with a q-tip, with the machine "off"? Thanks so much and HEIL TO THE MIGHTY 34B!!
<a private message to TASCAM> : TASCAM .. I love you but now I hate you as well !
Daniel
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I used it on a dried out pinch roller. Turned to a sticky mess in 2 days. ARGGGGGGG.(it was for a printing press roller)
