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I was thinking of getting a Tascam 388 to record rock (live drums, loud guitars, vocals) and random noise stuff (drum machines, organ, loud guitars, vocals). I've heard some music recorded with one (Black Keys) and it seems to sound pretty good for what it is and what it costs.

My concerns though are three fold:
1. Where can I get tape for it?
2. How do I test it before I buy it? I know to turn it on and make sure that all the lights light and that things move forward and backward, but is there anything else I should look at/test for?
3. Is there another machine/setup that is comparable for less than $600?

I recorded the last band I was in through a four channel Fender passport mixer to a consumer tape deck from the 80s, so I think it's time for an upgrade. Any help at all would be greatly appreciated.

Dave

1: Quantegy are manufacturing tape again, including the 1800' ¼" 457 variety. 1800' being the length recommended for the 388.

2: Well, to test that it actually runs properly you'll need to thread a tape (nb: I'm relying on memory here. I haven't taken the tape off of mine in ages). Once you've established that here's what I'd do.

i: Plug a mic into the XLR jack of channel 1 and a pair of phones into one of the phones sockets at the front (stereo only)
ii: Set the channel 1 input select switch to MIC
iii: Whilst speaking into the mic turn up the TRIM control until the OL (overload) indicator flashes then back off.
iv: Push down the 1/2 ASSIGN switch
v: Turn the PAN knob all the way to the left
vi: Raise the CHANNEL fader to the shaded area between 7 and 8
vii: Raise the ODD PGM MASTER fader, also to between 7 and 8.
viii: Raise the STEREO MASTER fader. Again to between 7 and 8
ix: Turn MONITOR GAIN control 1 to about ¾ of the way up. Leave the PAN control centred.
x: Turn the MONITOR/PHONES volume control below the tape well up to about ¾ as well.
xi: Assuming you've remember the tape push down the RECORD SELECT button for track 1: The little light will start blinking.
xii: Push down the RESET button below the tape well if the RTC (Run TIme Counter) isn't showing 0O:00
xiii: Press PLAY and RECORD and speak (or sing) into the mic. You should be able to hear yourself in your headphones and see the needle on the little meter above channel 1 bouncing around
xiv: Stop the tape and press the RTZ (Return To Zero) button.
xv: Disengage the track 1 record select.
xvi: Press play. If you hear yourself then playback's fine.
xvii: Repeat for all 7 remaining channels and tracks. If you feel like it and the vendor has the patience.

3: No.

Mark wrote:3: No.

There are many other 8-tracks that use 1/4 or 1/2 inch tape and go for 600 dollars or less. I bought my Otari MX-5050 for around 500 bucks. Ive seen Tascam 58s for around 450 or so.

I think a good question to start with is how important having a built-in mixer is to you. If you have access to a mixer, then you have many other options. If you dont, then the 388 may be your best (most economical) choice.

I'm sure wiggins can be more helpful than I can as he uses this machine, but I know that, although it suggest the use of 457, he has used GP9 and 456 with the 388.

He bypasses the built-in mixer though. If you have a mixer, i strongly suggest you look into better machine - dig around for a 5050. The otari mx5050 (8 track) is actually acceptible for proffessional quality recordings, in my opinion.

Jeremy

I love my 388. However, if you're serious about recording, you'll eventually need to upgrade - so, in that sense it might be better for you to go ahead and get an Otari Mx5050 or similar 1/2" 8 track. You'd also need to buy a good mixer (and not to mention the cables to wire it up to the tape deck, inserts, etc. - not cheap), but if you buy a good one in the first place, you won't need to change that for a while. That'll put your cost way above $600, though.

To be honest, I've never used the mixer on the 388 - I'm not sure how the preamps sound, etc. etc. I run from my mixer into the insert returns on the 388. I've had a couple of problems with mine, but they clear up with "jiggling". Search this forum for the other 388 topics if you run into anything.

Tape is cheaper, too! 7" reels of 457 are about 12 bucks from my tape wholesaler. As compared to what, $30-60 for 10" reels of 1/2"?

Mark says use 457, but I've used 456 and GP9 with no problems.

As far as sound, it sounds fucking great if you're looking at your wallet while you're listening. While on paper, it's only a few steps up in quality from a cassette (1/8" 4-track/1/4" 8-track), it's still exponentially better sounding to my ears.

PM me if you want to hear some stuff I've recorded on mine (in a 2 car garage, with no mics over $250).

Sure, if he already has a suitable mixer (4 or 8 buss with at least 8 channels excluding FX returns) then a standalone ¼", ½" or even 1" 8 track would be a lot better. Especially as they'll probably run at 15 IPS, which'll give you more high end.

However, a ¼", ½" or 1" machine PLUS a decent mixer will set him back a fair bit more than the 388.

And don't forget the cables.

I have a couple of recordings done on mine at my Myspace music site: which I'll change my www link to in a minute.

Changed

Mark - thanks for the testing advice and for letting me hear the stuff you've recorded.

I do not have a mixer. At one point, when I was going to record live to a two track 1/4" I found in my dad's office, John Vanderslice suggested I get an Allen & Heath board as the best I could get for the money I had. I have less money now though, and no permanent recording space, so the all-in-one-ness of the 388 is tempting.

You're welcome. Though I don't think they're the best 388 recordings you'll ever hear I am, nevertheless, reasonably pleased with them.

You need to liberate that 2 track. Stat.

The 388, however all-in-one, is a real mother to drag around. I wouldn't count on it as being really portable. That will get real annoying.

I'll vouch for Wiggins' recordings: if I didn't know they were on a 388 with lower end mics, I'd still say his recordings sounding pretty darn good.

Jeremy