Complete list of Cassette MultiTrack Recorders and Portastudios

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

Post by Mark » Thu Aug 27, 2020 2:39 am

Here's a real rarey

Studiomaster Studio Four
106500571_2753732204949732_3229537366715229812_n.jpg
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WWRHS?

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

Post by markjazzbassist » Thu Aug 27, 2020 6:12 am

thanks mark i got it added.

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

Post by MoreSpaceEcho » Thu Aug 27, 2020 8:27 am

I like the look of that Studiomaster. And the Cutec is aptly named.

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

Post by shedshrine » Thu Aug 27, 2020 10:00 am



Per linked Reverb listing:

The Studiomaster Studio 4
is a rare, top-of-the-line four track cassette recorder, made in England from the 80's. Not missing any parts!
I couldn't find much information on this machine, but here is what I can tell you about it's features:
•6 channel mixer
•4 track recorder/reproducer
•3 band EQ with swept mids AND lows
•pre and post aux send per channel
•zero stop function
•stereo aux returns
•high speed tape recording
•phantom power
•xlr and 1/4 inputs
•inserts per channel
•very rugged construction
•XLR's wired for pin 2 hot, which is the same as modern equipment, unlike other vintage British audio gear.
•eject button has a cushioned slow release door mechanism
•vintage "calculator" style led's for the digital tape counter

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

Post by shedshrine » Mon Aug 31, 2020 6:15 pm

I realize the following is very Tascam-centric, I had a Yamaha at one point that was very good as well.

a Tascam Portastudio 488 modded with 8 direct outs
Doesn't show how to do it, but a cool mod.

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A Tascam Portastudio 424 modded with 4 direct outs

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The Tascam 424 MKII and III have direct outs

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However if you are fortunate enought to pick up a nice condish Tascam 246 you've got inserts and (rca) direct outs per channel stock

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A.David.MacKinnon
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Re: Complete list of Cassette Multi-Track Recorders and Portastudios

Post by A.David.MacKinnon » Mon Aug 31, 2020 7:44 pm

I've seen that 488 mod elsewhere as well. Someone on Ebay is selling it as a service. I believe they're just tapping the 8 tracks where they come out of the DBX decode circuit. The synch input/output does the same thing except the output taps before the DBX circuit. I think the output would be a fair bit lower than it is out of the mixer section but you could easily add cleaner gain than the mixer is giving you.
If you had access to the schematic it wouldn't be too tricky to do. I've thought about it more than once. It would solve one of my biggest complaints about that machine.

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

Post by shedshrine » Mon Aug 31, 2020 7:48 pm

..and thus MacKinnon Mods was born. :)

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

Post by A.David.MacKinnon » Mon Aug 31, 2020 7:55 pm

I just have to overcome my inherent laziness. Is there a mod for that?

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

Post by shedshrine » Mon Aug 31, 2020 8:14 pm

A.David.MacKinnon wrote:
Mon Aug 31, 2020 7:55 pm
I just have to overcome my inherent laziness. Is there a mod for that?
*googles for answer to no avail*

I know you use yours for serious work, wondering if you'll end up:

1. Modding the 488 (and being happy.)
2. Selling the 488 and (augmenting with funds raised from your new mod service?) and moving on to a 238 and clean external mixer gain bliss.
3 Continuing to use the 488 as is because using external gear and gain staging in through the subs in is working well enough.

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

Post by A.David.MacKinnon » Mon Aug 31, 2020 9:31 pm

My biggest issues on the 488 are -

#1) making headphone mixes with the cue function sucks. It's mono (which is fine) and sounds like shit (which is not fine). There are work arounds but it's a pain.

#2) Getting all 8 tracks out at one time is a pain and track 8 has to be recorded with the DBX disengaged because the synch out (which you need to use to get all 8 tracks out at once) is pre DBX decode. Because I'm using the 488 for mostly soundtrack work I need to be able to generate mix alts and edits quickly and easily so I dump the tracks to pro tools and go from there. 8 direct outs would be a huge help but I fear buggering the machine up doing it and I don't care enough to ship it to who knows where to have someone mod it for me.

Complaints aside, for what the 488 is I love it. If I could find a good price on a solid, clean 238 I'd jump but they're hard to come by and pricy. For 99% of what I'm using the it for the 488 is just fine. The rest is just striving for that 4-5% better/easier/quicker. At some point you need to remind yourself that your recording 8 tracks on cassette. Wanting 4-5% better/easier/quicker is probably just being greedy.

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

Post by vvv » Tue Sep 01, 2020 12:41 am

A.David.MacKinnon wrote:
Mon Aug 31, 2020 7:55 pm
I just have to overcome my inherent laziness. Is there a mod for that?
Peru's biggest export, yeah.

Just wanted to say, I have used about 5 of these recorders at least once, still own a Porta 2 and 238.

But you didn't list sound on sound two tracks? I have a Tascam? something out in the garage, looks like a regular home cassette deck (olive green) with two tracks but you could overdub on them somehow - it's kinda a fuzzy memory about using it ...
bandcamp;
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I mix with olive juice.

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

Post by vernier » Mon Sep 07, 2020 9:31 pm

What I like to mix on.
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Re: Complete list of Cassette Multi-Track Recorders and Portastudios

Post by shedshrine » Tue Sep 08, 2020 10:44 am

no image showing unfortunately
Last edited by shedshrine on Tue Sep 08, 2020 11:29 am, edited 3 times in total.

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

Post by markjazzbassist » Tue Sep 08, 2020 11:04 am

vernier wrote:
Mon Sep 07, 2020 9:31 pm
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What I like to mix on.
image isn't showing

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

Post by Mark » Tue Sep 08, 2020 1:10 pm

Not showing for me either
WWRHS?

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