Tape deck recommendation

Tomas · Post by **Tomas** » Mon Nov 15, 2004 6:25 pm

I'm thinking about getting a tape deck. I'm considering either 1/2" 8 track or 1/4" 2 track.

What machines would you recommend in each category? What would be the difference in price and tape cost between the two?

Thanks a lot.....

Tomas

antilog · Post by **antilog** » Mon Nov 15, 2004 8:24 pm

Until others chime in, here's a good start for pricing:

eBay recorders

bigtoe · Post by **bigtoe** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 5:09 am

1/2 inch tape is twice as much as 1/4" inch tape. weird huh?

oddly enough, you can find them costing about as much as each other.

oddly enough you can find 2 inch 24 track's for what i paid for my 8 track.

oddly enough, my ex is a psycho.

oh wait...sorry.

Mike

Tomas · Post by **Tomas** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 9:18 am

Thanks....

Anybody with more specific advice?

JASIII · Post by **JASIII** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 9:19 am

i like my otari mx5050 8 track just fine. built like a tank.

bigtoe · Post by **bigtoe** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 9:58 am

agreed - if you have the money - get a 5050mkiii-8 or the higher end tascams...for what little you pay for you get better reliability and a better machine.

a couple years ago the 5050's and higher end tascams cost at least twice what the 'lower end' stuff does. not anymore...maybe a hundred...maybe a couple hundred more...go for the better stuff.

See ya
MIke

Tomas · Post by **Tomas** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 10:05 am

I think there are a few different models of 5050 8 track, right? Are the differences between them major and do they affect the overall audio quality?

What would you consider "higher end" Tascams?

Thanks guys.....

JASIII · Post by **JASIII** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 10:46 am

the only differences I'm aware of are whether it's a 4 or 8 track machine, 1/4" or 1/2". there are mx5050 mk III, (the most popular model, the "tabletop" design, which i use) and there is an older model with seperate transport and electronics (i have this one as well). I recommend finding a mkiii somewhere near you to avoid shipping, since they weight a lot, probably cost you $70-100 for shipping alone, not to mention packing materials. Then just expect to pay another $200-300 to get a tech to service it. Honestly, people talk about getting one these days for only a few hundred $, but if you want a mkiii 8 track 1/2" (which you DO!), expect to pay over $500 for the machine and more for servicing. More realistically expect to pay $850-$1000 total by the time it's all said and done. But when you consider that's what you'll pay for a DAW like a Yamaha AW16, I think it's worth it.

Tomas · Post by **Tomas** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 10:54 am

I see ..... I thought there were different versions of the 8 track machines (mkll, mklll, etc)

Thanks a lot for all that info. Much appreciated....

loosegravel · Post by **loosegravel** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 11:08 am

bigtoe wrote:
oddly enough, my ex is a psycho.

oh wait...sorry.

Mike

man, he never stops!

Tomas · Post by **Tomas** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 2:34 pm

What would be some 1/2" 2 track or 1/4" 2 track machines to check out?

Message Board

Tape deck recommendation

Tape deck recommendation

Re: Tape deck recommendation

Re: Tape deck recommendation

Re: Tape deck recommendation

Re: Tape deck recommendation

Re: Tape deck recommendation

Re: Tape deck recommendation

Re: Tape deck recommendation

Re: Tape deck recommendation

Re: Tape deck recommendation

Re: Tape deck recommendation

Who is online