which machine & spring reverb!

[daddyK]

Fostex E/G 16 or Tascam MSR16? pros & cons

also i have a couple of old spring reverbs units and want to build an EQ pre & post for each one - are there any kits to build basic EQ's?? or am i going to have to do it all from scratch?
many thanks

K

 

[FALKEN]

I'd just do it with whatever mixer you are going to use (usually there are a couple extra stereo channels). DIY eq's are complicated but there are some schematics out there... as to which machine to look for...its like coke vs pepsi....its going to depend on the condition of the machine more than anything. I have had very good luck with two fostex E-series machines, whereas I've had nothing but bad luck with tascam stuff. Other people have had exactly opposite experiences.

 

[jpmorris]

I've only used the TSR and '32 from Tascam, the MSR-16 seems to be similar to the TSR-8.
The gap between the E16 and MSR is kind of narrowing. It's supposed to be impossible to get Fostex parts, so bear that in mind. However, Tascam seem to be dropping core parts for the MSR-16 as well. The Fostex might actually be a better bet since there are thousands of E16s out there to cannibalise - the B16 and G16 are probably compatible with it in as far as the actual tape transport goes.

It seems to be a generally-held tenet that the Fostexes have inferior mechanical construction since they were built as a lower-cost competitor to the Tascam. In particular I've heard rumours that if you thread the E16 wrong and hit FF (or was it PLAY?) it will bend the tension arms out of shape.

I'm sure someone once wrote: "Tascam have a sturdy mechanism but lousy electronics. Fostex have a lousy mechanism but better electronics."

 

[daddyK]

Thanks for that! I think ill hold out and look for a Fostex!

With regards to the reverb - i would use the desk but i don't have any direct outs on each channel - could i use the insert and break the point on the patchbay?
Basically what i wanted to do was route the Aux send to a different channel take all the bass freq off send that to the reverb and then return via a seperate channel add the bass back in then take the direct out from that in to anthor channel so i had my reverb there to do with what i want! if i can't use the insert as an out then i'd have to send it via the sub groupls as well and it would get even more outrageous than it all ready is! so i thought if i built a unit with a pre & post EQ either side of the reverb then it would slove all this and i'd only have to use an aux!
The reason for this is i'm getting massive swells of bass when sending it through the reverbs!
I'm sure there are better ways to do this but this seems to be the best way i can think up at present! any advice would be more than welcome!
Peace