Which reel to reel to buy?

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deferr

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Hello I'm just a beginner with recording. I'm a long time musician who has always loved collaboration. What better way to collaborate than record people. Anyway I really want to set up a vintage tape studio style and sound of recording so I'm looking at a reel to reel machine.

I'm open for suggestions but I only want to spend around $200 and would like to have 4 track capability.

Here are the units I'm looking at.
Akai GX-2
Teac X3

Also how do you choose which track you're recording to on these old machines?
 
any suggestions on a reel to reel type machine?

What does the 4 track in the description mean then?
 
Search this board for A3340 or 3440...

4 tracks can be decieving.. I think you're after multi tracking capabilities... That is 4 tracks that can be recorded seperately..4 tracks on those machines that you listed record 2 tracks in one direction and another 2 when you flip the tape over as opposed to 4 tracks in one direction... Look for 4 VU meters on the machine...
Here's some pics.. http://www.angelfire.com/electronic2/vintagetx/TeacA-3340S.html

:cool:
 
Thanks for the info very informational.

What about this unit. I haven't found much mentioned about it on the forums but it seems everyone loves teac and tascam.

teac 40-4
 
Yes a 40-4 will do the trick but another machine you can get once in a while is the tascam 22-4. It is a real nice unit.
 
I'd suggest FOSTEX R8. It's really good and not too expensive. 8 channels, 15 ips (which is what you need for good quality).
 
Here is an R-8 but it will not record. Anybody know what may be wrong? Maybe there is a common problem with these machines?

R-8
 
There are a couple of things here that could make this R8 a good deal.
And that is the machine just doesnt work or the guy just doesnt know how to put a R8 into record mode. If you are not familiar with this machine it can be confusing how to put it into record mode. Its hard to say on this sale.
But he does say he has the manual so it shouldnt be that hard to figure it out.
 
if the machine would need repaired how would one go about diagnosing the problem?
 
Haven't had any problems with these machines. It's hard to say what's wrong with the machine up for an auction.

Forgot to mention to you about the tape speeds - always go with at least 15 ips, the faster the better. Tascams with 15 ips are usually more expensive.
 
Go for the Fostex R8. Even if you weren't thinking of that many tracks, you will grow into it in no time.
 
Deferr,

I have an R8 that I just bought from a friend of mine. He said it wasn't working anymore just quit. Turns out it was just a drive belt. I put the new drive belt on and it's back in working condition. Everything works good..meters, transports, heads are in good shape. Cosmetically it looks real good. It records and plays back on all 8 tracks. This is a 1/4" 8 track format it runs at 15ips. It's nice and compact doesn't take up a lot of space and weigh a ton. It would be perfect for your situation. There's no manual, but you can find 'em on ebay. If you are interested PM me and I could e-mail you pics. Let me know. Thanks
 
I'd spring for a TSR8, for a couple of hundred more you can get closer to analog heaven.
 
cjacek said:
Anything over 15 ips is not a good idea.
Click to expand...

True, but that depends on the machine. If it's anything like Studer, I'd go with 32ips, or even 72 ips (yes, some people have experimented with that, and...great results).
 
_DK said:
True, but that depends on the machine. If it's anything like Studer, I'd go with 32ips, or even 72 ips (yes, some people have experimented with that, and...great results).
Click to expand...

If you want to go through the expense of changing / relapping heads more often than neccessary (very expensive for a pro designated machine), not to mention extravagant tape costs, then go with 30 ips. If you like thinner bottom and tape hiss pitched up an octave (from 15 ips) then 30 ips is for you.

Any extended high frequencies obtained from 30 ips or above will not be significant enough to be heard in the real world by an average human being. The expense alone of going over 15 ips is not worth any benefits it may have.

Seriously, it was very common for studios to be using 15 ips since the inception of analog tape. Pick up any LP and odds are it was recorded / mastered at 15 ips. Why you'd wanna use 30 ips and higher is perplexing to say the least.

You'd get LOTS better sound going to a wider track format at 15 ips than with anything else.
 
cjacek,

I fully understand your point about re-lapping and such, but I still think 30 I.P.S has a place. I have a Studer 807 High-Speed Version which will crank out '30' all day long on Quantegy Gp9 stock, and the headroom cannot be be beat. It all depends what you are doing. Acoustic music, anything where you are not 'slamming' deliberately for effect, that's as good as it gets. The real challenge is to try to fit it into your digital DAW, in terms of real-world dynamics.

Best,
CC.
 
do you guys think NR is necessary for a 1/2" 8-track?
 
I've heard to use it if you have it, but so far I haven't even noticed any major hiss out of my TSR-8 (at least hiss that is annoying) and NR is not engaged. I dont plan on using it anytime soon
 
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