Complete list of Cassette MultiTrack Recorders and Portastudios

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markjazzbassist
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Complete list of Cassette MultiTrack Recorders and Portastudios

Post by markjazzbassist » Sat Aug 22, 2020 7:58 pm

4 Tracks
TEAC/Tascam
134
144
234
244
246
414
414mkII
424
424mkII
424mkIII
464
644
Porta One
Porta Two
Porta Two HS
Porta-02
Porta-02mkII
Porta-03
Porta-05
Porta-05 HS
Porta-07

Fostex
160
250
260
280
460
X-12
X-14
X-15
X-18
X-24
X-26
X-28
X-28H
X-30
X-34
X-55
X-77
XR-3
XR-5
XR-7

Vestax
MR44
MR100
MR200
MR300

Yamaha
CMX100
MT100
MT100 II
MT120
MT1X
MT2X
MT3X
MT4X
MT44
MT44D
MT400
MT50

Marantz
PMD720
PMD740

Audio-Technica
RMX64

Akai
MG614

Peavey or AMR
MCR-4

Ross
4x4

Aria
Studiotrack IIII R504

Cutec
MR402

Korg
CR-4

Studiomaster
Studiomaster Studio 4

Clarion
XD5
XD-550
XD-6500F


6 tracks
Vestax
MR66

Sansui
MR-6
WS-X1


8 tracks
TEAC/Tascam
238
488
488mkII
688

Yamaha
MT8X
MT8XII

TOA
MR-8T


if i missed something please let me know and i'll add it. I just wanted some sort of resource for other cassette multi-trackers multi-track multitrackers that might search the net.
Last edited by markjazzbassist on Mon Feb 14, 2022 6:47 am, edited 12 times in total.

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Re: Complete list of Cassette Multi-Track Recorders and Portastudios

Post by shedshrine » Sun Aug 23, 2020 8:31 am

Here's a Tascam 688 being put to good use.

Here's a very good but primarily Tascam/Teac oriented cassette multitrack thread .
_________________________________________

Here's a diagram that just seems like it needs to be here.
track size.jpg
track size.jpg (78.85 KiB) Viewed 6801 times
Last edited by shedshrine on Fri Aug 28, 2020 7:56 pm, edited 2 times in total.

Magnetic Services
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Re: Complete list of Cassette Multi-Track Recorders and Portastudios

Post by Magnetic Services » Sun Aug 23, 2020 2:11 pm

There are also multiple versions of some models, such as the TASCAM 424 MK I, MK II and MK III.

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Re: Complete list of Cassette Multi-Track Recorders and Portastudios

Post by shedshrine » Sun Aug 23, 2020 5:32 pm

Magnetic Services wrote:
Sun Aug 23, 2020 2:11 pm
There are also multiple versions of some models, such as the TASCAM 424 MK I, MK II and MK III.
Of this series I'm partial to the MKII as it had the I/O accessible from the top.
A.David.MacKinnon wrote:
Mon Aug 24, 2020 6:55 am
I use as little of the onboard electronics as possible.
Totally!
https://tapeop.com/interviews/19/some-4 ... ette-tips/

"When recording, bypass the channel mic inputs and instead use line or aux inputs whenever possible. This can audibly increase the clarity of the recorded signal. For mics, obviously, this will only be possible if you have an external preamp. But even without an external preamp, you can still use this method to help your line-level signals (e.g. from a keyboard or sampler), as the benefits stem from more than just using a higher-quality preamp. There's quite a bit of extra signal path in a channel input (EQ knobs, pan control, fader). On a cassette 4- track, these won't be made from the highest quality components. Signal degradation adds up quickly, especially when passing through cheap capacitors. So even on a line-level signal, where you would have the channel's "trim" or "gain" knob all the way down, you are running that signal through more stuff than it needs to experience. If you have simple, non-preamped and non-EQ'd inputs (like line inputs 5-8 on a Tascam 424) use them whenever possible, because it will save your signal a fair amount of dampening and muddiness."


MKI, II, III
Tascam 424 mk1.jpeg
Tascam 424 mk1.jpeg (113.54 KiB) Viewed 6941 times

MKII
Tascam 424 MKII  AA.jpg
Tascam 424 MKII AA.jpg (176.78 KiB) Viewed 6941 times

MKIII
Tascam 424 mkIII.jpg
Tascam 424 mkIII.jpg (147.99 KiB) Viewed 6941 times
Last edited by shedshrine on Tue Aug 25, 2020 12:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Complete list of Cassette Multi-Track Recorders and Portastudios

Post by vernier » Sun Aug 23, 2020 7:08 pm

That's a huge list! ...never knew most existed. I recently been mixing stuff on X24 ..no sends, no eq, which suits me fine.

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Re: Complete list of Cassette Multi-Track Recorders and Portastudios

Post by jacksaturn » Sun Aug 23, 2020 9:05 pm

Great thread!

I run a repair business in Portland, Oregon called Recursive Delete Audio/Visual, and my specific focus is repairing / refurbishing / reselling cassette-based multitrack machines, mainly supporting 4-track users in the Pacific Northwest. If anybody sees this thread and needs a machine looked at, is looking to buy one, or is searching for belts/parts, feel free to drop me a line and/or follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/recursivedelete

On first glance, here are a few machines that need to be added to the list, including a few variants: Tascam 414mkII, Tascam Porta02mkII, Tascam Porta03, Tascam Porta03mkII, Tascam Porta Two HS, Fostex X-28H, Yamaha MT100 II. (Looks like a few other replies mentioned the Tascam 424mkII and Tascam 424mkIII.)

Jack

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markjazzbassist
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Re: Complete list of Cassette Multi-Track Recorders and Portastudios

Post by markjazzbassist » Mon Aug 24, 2020 5:19 am

i've added all the variants. i'll probably post this to the cassette culture reddit as well for info.

what really surprised me is that fostex made the most of anyone. i was always under the impression tascam did. tascam made the most variation of each (4 and 8 track) whereas fostex just pounded the 4 track market it looks like. The 6 tracks are interesting, i have owned the Vestax and it was nice. The selling point was their 6 tracks were the same track width as a 4 track but with 2 more tracks. they did this by less guard bandwidth and space between tracks, it sounded good, the vestax also has amazing routing on the front, it's perfect for use with outboard gear (which you should be using with any cassette multi-track IMO). I've ended up with a 488mkII and Marantz PMD720. 4 and 8 track, i might sell the 8 track, 4 seems to be the best for me.

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Re: Complete list of Cassette Multi-Track Recorders and Portastudios

Post by A.David.MacKinnon » Mon Aug 24, 2020 6:55 am

The Vestax 6 track is a pretty impressive piece of engineering. If I could just get mine set up for type 2 tape it would be killer.
I'm also rocking the 488 for most of my writing/demoing a fair amount of soundtrack work. I have a love hate relationship with it. It sounds great but the routing is a pain in the ass. I wish it was a 238 as I use as little of the onboard electronics as possible.

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Re: Complete list of Cassette Multi-Track Recorders and Portastudios

Post by markjazzbassist » Mon Aug 24, 2020 7:43 am

A.David.MacKinnon wrote:
Mon Aug 24, 2020 6:55 am
The Vestax 6 track is a pretty impressive piece of engineering. If I could just get mine set up for type 2 tape it would be killer.
I'm also rocking the 488 for most of my writing/demoing a fair amount of soundtrack work. I have a love hate relationship with it. It sounds great but the routing is a pain in the ass. I wish it was a 238 as I use as little of the onboard electronics as possible.
yeah the routing and the crappy pots are why i'm thinking of ditching my 488. you have to be super sensitive and gentle with them otherwise they move too easily, i'm more cave man than gentle man so it's difficult for me lol

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Re: Complete list of Cassette Multi-Track Recorders and Portastudios

Post by MoreSpaceEcho » Mon Aug 24, 2020 9:25 am

Fostex 280 is what I learned on and that thing was a great machine, I wish I still had it.

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Re: Complete list of Cassette Multi-Track Recorders and Portastudios

Post by Mark » Tue Aug 25, 2020 2:20 am

How about the Aria Studiotrack IIII R504?
118081908_2672573356405183_279424155630335729_o.jpg
118081908_2672573356405183_279424155630335729_o.jpg (129.96 KiB) Viewed 6829 times
WWRHS?

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markjazzbassist
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Re: Complete list of Cassette Multi-Track Recorders and Portastudios

Post by markjazzbassist » Tue Aug 25, 2020 6:00 am

thanks mark just updated and added that Aria. looks almost like a Tascam 234.

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Re: Complete list of Cassette Multi-Track Recorders and Portastudios

Post by Mark » Wed Aug 26, 2020 1:35 pm

Cutec MR402/Polaris
$_86.JPG
$_86.JPG (102.2 KiB) Viewed 6781 times
WWRHS?

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Re: Complete list of Cassette Multi-Track Recorders and Portastudios

Post by Mark » Wed Aug 26, 2020 1:40 pm

Tascam 134
Tascam134.JPG
Tascam134.JPG (171.63 KiB) Viewed 6780 times
WWRHS?

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Re: Complete list of Cassette Multi-Track Recorders and Portastudios

Post by markjazzbassist » Wed Aug 26, 2020 2:01 pm

thanks mark i've added those as well.

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