Sometimes I wish I could just give up on analog recording and get into digital, because it really is like a curse to me up to now.
I`ve spent far too much money on reel-to-reel recorders that would break down within weeks and become un-repairable, more the less. I think I`ve already wasted about 1300 EUR for tape machines and all I have now is crap.

I have 2 Tascam 38 8tracks which both broke down and stopped playing several tracks. Both were repaired only to break down again. Apperantely, the Tascam-38 is the worst reel-to-reel ever built. I`ve spoken to an very experiened r2r expert who told me the same.

Now I`m pretty pissed, as I`ve wasted so much money for the simple dream of analog recording, and I wonder if I just made a poor decision in buying this Tascam crap and everything would be fine if I`d some good tape machine, like an otari 5050 or even a revox, or if I should simply stay away from the good stuff and get a crappy 8track soundcard and cubase.

try a TSR-8 or a 5050. Or just get a Studer

or go digital and get the tape plug-in

Grenouille wrote:I wonder if I just made a poor decision in buying this Tascam crap and everything would be fine if I`d some good tape machine, like a revox

My Revox cannot play or record.


-Noah

everyone, say it with me now... just because it is a reel to reel does not mean it is good.

if you buy a '82 chevette and expect it to drive like '96 audi you are going to be sorely disappointed.

grenouille, i started with a tascam 38 that was awesome. worked great for me the whole time. analog tape machines and consoles aren't plug and play.

my condolences with your hard luck everyone, it's part of the curse. if it makes you feel any better i had to put about a grand back into my otari MX70 to get it back in shape. it's just the name of the game. from now on, only buy from reputable people.

nick92675 wrote:
if you buy a '82 chevette and expect it to drive like '96 audi you are going to be sorely disappointed.

The best response yet!

Much love, Nick

What do you guys think of the tascam ms16? im going to get one and ive heard its a good machine- what do you think?

Gold Soundz wrote:try a TSR-8 or a 5050. Or just get a Studer

or go digital and get the tape plug-in

I had an Mx5050 when I had a little home studio and understand that Steve also had one in the early days. Never gave me a moments trouble and it sounded fantastic. Would highly recomend. Have seen them going for less than $100 on e-bay.

Nows the time to buy with all the panic selling going on.

Here's the two track version currently at $9.99 on the bay:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... eName=WD2V

brings back memories, so it does...

nick92675 wrote:grenouille, i started with a tascam 38 that was awesome. worked great for me the whole time. analog tape machines and consoles aren't plug and play.

Hmm, when did you start? Perhabs the problem is that Tascam 38s are pretty fucked up when they`re 20 years old and back when you were using one, it was not that old yet.

grenouille - i had my 38 from 2000-2001 i think - so, not so long ago. and i got it off ebay. had to do a litttle bit of maintainence on it, the reel hub height had to be adjusted... a few other minor things. but in retrospect i got very lucky with the machine. i bought it from one of those power seller dudes who sells tons of pro audio stuff so i was reasonably confident in the transaction up front. i'm only 29, and was all cassette 4track until about 2000.

vance - thanks, though my comment was kind of an extrapolation of one of steve's comments about ramblers and new fenders in a post somewhere.... so credit due where it's due. it's such a great analogy that fits though, i had to reuse it.

milkfajen - re: ms16 - they can be good, but it depends on the machine. i tried to do a session on one that was totally unusable, and i've been on a bunch of other sessions with one that worked great. for the 16tk market people tend to say the mx70 is a little more "professionally built" (subjective) than the MS16, though it also is bigger and costs more. if you found a good condition MS16 i think you'd be happy. just like with all older analog stuff, you just gotta be cautious and know what you're getting into.