my tascam 8 track has broked....

robert(original) · Post by **robert(original)** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 12:10 am

i have had this portastudio III 8 track beast since about 03 or so, and about 1 month ago it took a 33 dive and no longer turns on.
i took it apart and checked it out(for cracked shit, loose wires) and nothing.
are these things worth fixing or should i vest insomething nicer and newer and (uugggghh)digitized)
you see the thing i like about it, its straight forward no bullshit tape recording.
the new stuff is all... digital with usb and has built in effects so im uncertain if it will sound the same to me(it won't)
advice?

gaybear · Post by **gaybear** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 1:03 am

seems like if it's a power issue it wouldn't be too hard to fix, but then again, you couldn't find anything...hmm...it's nice to have both (tape/digital) to get the best of both worlds. i see the 4-track portastudios alot, and for cheap. don't see the 8-track so much (unless it's digtial). I'd say, if doable, replace the 8-track/or repair it if it can be, and also get something digital (compy or not)

hotrodperlmutter · Post by **hotrodperlmutter** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 4:13 am

i'd say get it repaired, or try to find one like it, if that's what you're used to.

i've got a near vintage fostex dmt-8vl with a hard drive that i need to get my stuff off of before it craps out. fucker's been through a lot.

Sublimedo · Post by **Sublimedo** » Sun Nov 22, 2009 8:09 am

find a cheap reel to reel 8 track!

Mages · Post by **Mages** » Sun Nov 22, 2009 8:31 am

Sublimedo wrote:find a cheap reel to reel 8 track!

unfortunately, no such thing. and reel to reel tape is very expensive these days. a reel of 2" tape will cost you around $300.

I have the 4 track portastudio. it can be cool for some things but I recommend just to get an m-audio interface and DAW program of some sort (pro tools, logic, etc.) and it will sound much better than the portastudio. trust me. the frequency response on those tape machines are only like 40-16kHz in high speed. in normal speed only up to like 10k!!! that's like all your cymbals, gone.

gaybear · Post by **gaybear** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 8:11 pm

my tascam 388 is an 8-track reel to reel (1/4") and cost 400-600$ i think. the reels are 15 bucks.

Rhysyrhys · Post by **Rhysyrhys** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 9:15 pm

How good is your computer?

You could just get an outboard soundcard/preamp and be done with it. Thats what I might be doing. (Did have a fostex, it broke...)

Mages · Post by **Mages** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 12:20 am

gaybear wrote:my tascam 388 is an 8-track reel to reel (1/4") and cost 400-600$ i think. the reels are 15 bucks.

ah, 1/4". that's cool though, do you use it often?