Reel to reel 4 channel

[jonc1975]

Hi,

I'm looking to purchase a 4 channel reel to reel such as the TEAC 3440. I record vocals (one mic) and acoustic guitar (two small diaphragm condensers) so need at least 3 channels - the fourth would be useful to use as a room mic also.

I found one on offer, and the seller says the machine both records and plays on all four channels and is in full working order - is there anything in particular that I should ask/look out for before purchase, it sounds like it functions fine, but I am still concerned I might have missed something, I've attached a photo of the heads - I know visual inspection is not the best gauge of this, but do they seem worn?

If not is there any other 4 channel machine that might be suitable? (<£500)

Thanks,
Jon.

Two sound cards? Mix on the PC and if you want the 'tape sound' transfer to a stereo tape machine.

[mole42uk]

It's not really possible to tell from the pictures whether the heads are okay or not, you need to get quite close and personal with them!
Is there any way you can try it on sale or return?

[jonc1975]

Thanks,

I thought that might be the case - I asked for a larger photo.

Afraid not, are there any good shops/sellers that offer such a service? I don't have vast funds but nonetheless would prefer to pay a little more and be sure of a machine in perfect working order - just not sure where to look.

Hard to look out for any flat-spots or head-gap openings with the photo size - but it looks like the tape guides are well worn in the above photo, is that case?

Jon.

[ricard]

Those 'guides' are actually tape lifters that lift the tape away from the heads in fast wind modes. It's true that they look very worn, on the other hand my experience has been that since they have no function when the tape is playing normally (they move up between the heads out of the way) they can be made of a softer metal than the tape guides. Don't know if this actually the case with the Teacs though.

[dave walsh]

You might want to look at the Service Sound website run by Geoff Kremer who is here in Bexhill. He sorted a PA amp and a couple of other things for me and is a tape recorder specialist with a meticulous attitude to his work. You are wise to be cautious as repairs to the sort of machine you are interested in are a significant on-cost should the description not match the reality.

If you were paying £50 it would be another matter but I'm sure he would be happy to discuss things with you. He had a small shop outlet at one time and sometimes sold R to R's then [with a full guarantee]. The web-site suggests he may be repair only now but it might be worth seeing what he says in the first place. He may even remember me as the man from Lancashire. I hope this info will be some help to you.

Dave Walsh

[Radio Wrangler]

Those tape lifters show a fair amount of wear, but consider that they run on the tape only during fast forwards or fast reverse. They are out of contact and not taking wear during recording or play. It's unlikely that a machine gets used mostly for fast winding, it's more likely to spend time in play or record. Some stereo 1/4 track machines in domestic use play a tape through, it's turned over and the other 'side' is played. they spend somewhat less mileage in fast winding. A machine used for recording performances is shuttled back and forwards a lot, so lifter wear is heavier and head wear not so heavy.

The only spare heads you'll find are going to come from a scrapped machine so they probably won't be particularly fresh and supply/demand will still put a high price on them. Re-lapping is a possibility.

£500 was justifiable for a good recorder, but nowadays £500 is a lot to pay for a box stuffed with irreplaceable wearing parts. It could last you many years, it could last a week, you have no way of knowing.

If a 4 channel tape recorder is something you've always wanted or you already have one and want to get it into good trim, then that's a different proposition to jumping in for one to do a job you rely on.

If you want to just record things, then a computer with Pro-tools or Logic-pro is what I'd suggest.

The Teac 3440 was a great success in its day. It was light and carryable, it was affordable. Apart from the portastudio it was the lightest and cheapest 4 track in general use. But it isn't a Studer in build quality.

Whatever tape machine you go for, no-one's making crucial spares for wearing parts.

If music is your hobby, use a computer
If old electronics is your hobby, get a tape recorder.
If you believe that recording onto tape gives your performance a certain je ne sai quois, then you either do without it, or you take a big financial risk.

David

[TIMTAPE]

New heads for these were still available last time I checked the -Bay site. Probably capstan belt also. 4 channel heads very expensive.

I've had a 3440 since brand new in 1981. Serviced it myself. Still works as new. I use it very occasionally to play back 4 channel tapes. I would never make a new recording on it now when there are much better alternatives.

The 3440 has "microphone" sockets but if you go direct into them, with most XLR microphones, your recordings will probably be even hissier than normal. The 3440 needs either an external mic mixer with 4 separate outputs, or 4 appropriate stepup microphone transformers.

These days I suspect nearly everybody would opt for a modern 4 mic input USB interface. One example is the Presonus 44VSL.

Tim

[Diabolical Artificer]

As someone who has gone down both these road's I thought I'd share my thoughts.

If you get an unknown tape machine apart from the potential expense of getting it to working condition, you have to take into account it's maintenance and calibration which requires all the test gear, IE, oscilloscope, wow and flutter meter, distortion meter, signal generator etc. You'll also need a small mixing desk. Then there's the cost of new tapes and test tapes. Either that or you'll have to pay someone to do all this, regularly, that is if you can find someone local. Recording with analogue tape is a rich man's game.

If you go down the audio interface route a new Protool's package and audio interface costs about £2000. You can do what I did and get an old interface and version of Protool's, £500 will cover this. But wait, Protool's or any DAW and an AI will quickly become unsupported, EG I bought PT LE 7.1 about 3 years ago, it runs on XP, which is now unsupported as is the Digidesign 002. Any DAW will need updates, because like any complex software they have bugs and glitches.

So if you want to record broadcast quality music you'll need a few grand at least. The last thing you want to do when you start recording and the muse is upon you is to have to fiddle about for two hours trying to get the bl&%£$ DAW/AI working, because your chilled pastoral acoustic song will have morphed into a 3 minute thrash metal diatribe about your hate for modern technology. : )

One other thing about recording your own music, to get it right takes skill and time to set up, I found it hard to play whilst trying to watch levels etc. So for a one man band I'd recommend a cheapish digital recording device that does everything. They're not as cool as a big DAW or reel to reel, but they do the job. Also they're affordable new and can be returned if you don't like them so you can try out as many as you wish.

Good luck, Andy.

[mickyfinn]

Jon I have a Teac A3440S.I had it serviced early this year.I am not an expert in this field merely an enthusiast in most things hifi.As far as I am aware it works fine.I have other decks so could easily live without it.You are more than welcome to call and spend a few hours playing around with it with no obligation at all.At least it will give you chance to decide if this is the road you want to go down. I am retired so around most of the time, you can bring whatever equipment you plan to use with one.Let me know, maybe drop me a pm.BTW at almost 4 stone in weight it is actually very heavy.
Mick

[Radio Wrangler]

Apple are flogging the current version of logic pro for £149.99 (just checked) and it has quite a good reputation.

The 4 channel machines on the second-hand market, other than the Teacs tend to be console jobs needing a moving squad to shift from venue to venue. I wouldn't want to carry a Teac far but the alternatives are much heavier.

David

[Michael Maurice]

You must check if this machine has been serviced. One of the biggest problem is the capstan belt, it deteriorates wraps itself round the capstan motor pulley which then burns the motor out. A new motor is circa £300 if you can find one.

[ms660]

The problem with tape decks is that there's servicing and "servicing" beware of the phantom tape path twiddler.

Apart from head wear the condition of the tape path guides can give a useful indication as to what's what, proper head alignment needs a good quality manufactures alignment tape, however, good results can be obtained without one with a known good pre recorded tape, I've not done much with tape decks except for Sony decks many moons ago, if the heads were sufficiently worn then apart from replacing them it usually meant replacing the tape guides as well with a corresponding full alignment and checking the feed and take up spool's height, correcting where needed.

Hard to tell from the OP's picture, it's possible that the heads might have been replaced at sometime, hard to say, If it's serious money I wouldn't buy blind, if you can go and see the machine then if possible take someone with you that knows their stuff to give it the once over.

Good luck whatever.

Lawrence.