Advice / Suggestions : Upgrading my Reel-to-Reel & Mixer

[lp4]

After a few years of lurking and gaining a lot of incredibly useful information from all of you, I just signed up to create this post to ask some advice. I started home-recording on a Tascam 424 mkiii in 2002, and about 7 years ago, was given a Fostex Model 80 (1/4") tape machine which I've been using with a Teac 3 Tascam Series mixer. I dealt with repairing the Fostex once after the motor blew out, and now also have a second Fostex Model 80 (minus the working motor) for a parts machine as a result.

I've never been absolutely blown away by the Fostex/Teac rig - though its 8 tracks and superior sound quality (when compared to my cassette 4-track) typically mean I it's my go-to for recording. The Teac 3 board has its obvious limitations - no phantom power, no effects sends, limited EQ controls, etc. I play a lot of instrumental rock music, folk music ambient soundscapes, sound collages, and the occasional experimental noise recording. The motor in the Fostex seems to be behaving erratically again, and I don't feel like dealing with it any longer should it breakdown.

Anyway, I'm ready to move on to a new setup, but I'm not sure to what. I'd like 8 tracks, a board with the ability to get an outboard reverb unit connected to it, and for it to be something common enough that I can find spare parts I'm working with probably a $700-$900 budget.

I've considered just upgrading my board to something like a Tascam M-308B and perhaps pairing that with a Tascam 38-8 tape machine, though that can add up cost-wise (and doesn't leave me a way to reference old 1/4" tapes should the Fostex break down). Would a Tascam 388 Studio 8 make sense? I recorded a record on one in the late 90s and loved the "gigantic portastudio" feel, though I can't believe how expensive they have gotten lately. Any other advice? Thanks in advance.

[kslight]

I don't know your Fostex machine, but the 388 is 7.5ips...so hopefully that is what your Fostex uses if you wish to maintain something resembling compatibility?

The 388 also lacks phantom power if that is important to you.

I personally love the 388 but I would probably not go for it at their current prices...I've got two, each for $350. But I suppose if you went out and bought a mixer, standalone tape machine, and all the associated wiring you would likely spend the same or more as you would on a 388...so not like the price is totally ridiculous...

But it is super fun/convenient to use in the Giant Portastudio form factor, and almost the cheapest way of recording to tape, relatively easy to service, etc...

[A.David.MacKinnon]

The 388 won't be a big step up from what you're running now. Your board may be limited but it's not hugely different than the features and sound you'll get out of the 388 mixer section. Beyond that, the biggest drawback to the system you're running and the 388 is 8 tracks on 1/4" tape. It's just not enough tape width per track.
If you're looking for a big sonic step up I'd move to a 1/2" 8 track. I ran a Tascam 38 for years and loved it but it can be a temperamental machine. The transport isn't the greatest and my machine was prone to losing tracks due to circuit cards working themselves loose. It's also been out of production for years and years and years so spare parts might be an issue. If I was doing it again I'd be looking for an Otari 1/2" 8. Otari's are like the Ford Escort of tape machines. They do the job (and do it well), they've been in production forever with very little change in design and parts and parts machines are plentiful and relatively cheap. They're not as flashy as MCI and Ampex machines but they run forever, get the job done and sound good.

[CBA713]

I'm wondering about taking this same step as well, just bypassing your second step.

So I'd be going from my TASCAM 424 mkII to what would hopefully be a respectable 8 track recorder and mixer. I wouldn't be going straight from the 424 to a reel-to-reel... I've done a lot of recording on BOSS digital studios and in Logic.

I'd really like to take the step into tape recording though, and am wanting to really learn how it all works, so I'm not afraid of some maintenance and learning how to do that.

I have the TapeOp book from a few years back, and it looks like Otari 1/2" 8 track is the way to go. I think that's a 5050? Maybe not.

There is a Studer 4-track for sale in my town for $2000... could probably talk him down. But I'd rather do 8 track.

C

p.s. Just read that big "Recording The Beatles" book and that's what's getting me excited about learning all this stuff.