teac A3340s

[timowen73]

hi,

i'm looking for a good reel to reel four track; multitrack, not quadrophonic machine. i'm considering a teac 3340s or 2340s, but have also come across the dokorder 1140, a 60's stephens, an ampex 440, akai gX400d, toshiba pt884 ( i think these last two are 'fourtrack' machines not a quad machines ) on my travels around the internet. does anyone have a four track for sale? i'm in the uk. or does anyone have any thoughts on the above machines? – any to avoid? any guidance much appreciated. background is - fed up with modern digital gadgets, like the look, feel and sound of old machines and i get more done when i can see reels turning! i'd also be interested in a teac 2a mixer.

thanks,

tim

[DOFFERY]

Are you after a four channel or four track machine, there is a vast difference?

Colin

[timowen73]

hi colin,

i may be using the wrong term! i'm looking for a machine which functions along the lines of the eighties multitracks i grew up with (x15, porta two, etc) though obviously without a mixer function, but i'd prefer a reel to reel to a cassette based machine, as i have a b77 and love the sound. i just can't overdub with it, of course. what should i call what i'm looking for?

thanks,

tim

[James B]

So, a multitrack tape recorder... we run a couple of Fostex Model 80 eight-track machines which are good to use. But beware that Fostex machines are impossible to get spare parts for - you'll just end up buying a second machine for spares, which is why we have two!

[timowen73]

hi james,

maybe i should be in the market for two teacs! do you know if the teacs are any better for spares? i don't suppose anyone makes a new reel to reel four track machine. or do they?

tim

[James B]

I don't think any companies do make new multitrack tape machines anymore.

Something like a Tascam TSR-8 would probably suit you well - 8 tracks on half-inch tape, and should be reasonable to get parts for if needed.

[Electric-Hair]

Just because they say a machine is four track does not realy mean what you thing it means.

4 track in a lot of 60's machine's just means stereo recording and then you turn the tape over which gives 4. There is a special feature like whith akai around that time where you can record 4 mono tracks independentaly, to make the most out of the tape, and this involves actual movement of
playback head and turning tape over to get all 4 tracks.

When you want a 4 tack recorder like portastudio, you want to be able to record all 4 tracks and over-dub some tracks individualy. Just like the portastudio you need one whith a 4 track head that will record or play all 4 one direction, no turning of tape over. You could record on a quad unit, but you would not be able to over-dub on individual tracks. You could even go for an 8 track even more. You can even get an 8 track cassette. The wider the tape the more expensive it becomes or the more tracks on tape and the thinner the sound is?

Anyway, I think there are more 70's/80's Teac or Tascam ones made and I think they were also the most afordable too. Fostex are quite good but not too good for parts? There is a 16 track Fostex on 1/4 inch tape? I think Fostex was one of the last entrants in reel-to-reel in the 80"s.


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[jamesperrett]

Originally Posted by James B

I don't think any companies do make new multitrack tape machines anymore.

Something like a Tascam TSR-8 would probably suit you well - 8 tracks on half-inch tape, and should be reasonable to get parts for if needed.

I've heard rumours that Studer still have some brand new A827's in a warehouse somewhere and Tascam had a stereo machine in their catalogue until very recently.

There are a few multitrack machines advertised at http://www.soundonsound.com/readersads?Cat=9 - keep an eye on that page as I've seen A3340's and A3440's on there fairly regularly.

Cheers

James.

[James B]

Ebay is a good place to get machines, but I'd recommend you go to pick it up rather than getting it posted. That way you can maybe see it working if the seller allows.

[timowen73]

hi james, james and electric hair

thanks, v much appreciated. does anyone know of any companies that sell these? it would be reassuring to get one from a reel to reel specialist. even if it means paying a bit more. i've found some in the US, but they are 110v and i guess won't work in the UK. will keep an eye on s.o.s and ebay too. maybe i ought to look at eight tracks. thanks for all the advice. those 827's look fantastic. nice and big. my girlfriend will kill me.

tim

[Dr Rubberfunk]

Originally Posted by jamesperrett

I've heard rumours that Studer still have some brand new A827's in a warehouse somewhere and Tascam had a stereo machine in their catalogue until very recently.

There are a few multitrack machines advertised at http://www.soundonsound.com/readersads?Cat=9 - keep an eye on that page as I've seen A3340's and A3440's on there fairly regularly.

Cheers

James.

I think Otari are the only company still making new tape machines - albeit 2-track : http://www.otari.com/product/audio/mx_5050b/index.html

[zooterman]

I would suggest you stick with a Teac machine, an A3440 is a nice deck, why Teac, mainly because you have a better chance of getting parts, parts for other makes are very difficult if not impossible to get. I have approx 30 decks but the one that I use in the house is a Pioneer 909, nice compact and it looks and sounds great. It's your choice but take heed of previous advice, have it demonstrated before you buy.

[timowen73]

thanks zooterman,

i'll keep my eye out for a teac then, i think. thanks for the advice. you don't know anywhere that sells teac machines do you? where i can go and look and test things out? i suppose these things are all done over ebay now. maybe i'll do some phoning around secondhand music shops at the weekend.

tim

[reelguy]

You might also like to consider Revox machines. Reliable .Quality M/cs
Have a look at http://www.taperecorder.co.uk
Based in Ipswich I think.

Not cheap but then nor are Teac..
Sony. Pioneer.are others you might consider.
It will depend on your budget as with most things
Very unlikely you will find a good machine from a secondhand music store. But you never know..
Hope this helps.
Peter W ............Reelguy
PS, No connection with above mentioned firm
.

[arjoll]

Originally Posted by James B

Something like a Tascam TSR-8 would probably suit you well - 8 tracks on half-inch tape, and should be reasonable to get parts for if needed.

The TSR-8 is a very solid machine; if you're wanting 8 track its certainly a good choice. You may need to replace the pinch roller, and remember that it still may be an old machine so avoid a high mileage example. Remember its 1/2" tape so costs will be a bit higher!

Originally Posted by Electric-Hair

There is a 16 track Fostex on 1/4 inch tape?

I'm pretty sure they didn't get quite that high in track density! Fostex had a range of 8 track 1/4" machines, but watch for parts availability. They also did a 1/2" 16 track. Tascam did one 1/4" 8 track, only at 7.5ips and in a 'portastudio' format, the 388 (and from all accounts they are not that 'porta'ble!). Tascam also did the MSR-16 which I have a soft spot for - 16 tracks on 1/2" tape with dbx (or Dolby S on the MSR-16S). I engineered an album for a friend on one in 1993!

All of these recorders are getting on. Some Tascam parts are available, but I understand the heads aren't, so if they are beyond a relap you'll just have a big heap of parts.

Originally Posted by jamesperrett

Tascam had a stereo machine in their catalogue until very recently.

That's the BR-20, a very nice 2 track machine that was only discontinued around 2004-05. 2 track 1/4". There was also a version with timecode, the BR-20T. Used one of these when Rhema had a local studio, a very nice machine and streets ahead of the 32 (although I love my 32!).

If 4 track will do the job I'd look for something like a Teac A3440 or a Tascam 34, preferably the latter if you can afford one. If you need 8 track you could try one of the wee 1/4" Fostex recorders but a better bet would be the TRS-8. The Tascam 38 may also be worth looking at, a bit older technology but you might get one quite cheaply.

[Electric-Hair]

Fostex E8 8track (1/4 inch tape)
http://www.40watt.co.uk/images/e8.jpg


Teac 80-8 8track (1/2 inch tape)
http://www.40watt.co.uk/images/teac80-8.jpg


Fostex B16 16track (1/2 inch tape)
http://www.40watt.co.uk/images/b16.jpg


Otari MTR 90 24track (2 inch tape)
http://www.40watt.co.uk/images/mtr90.jpg




enjoy

[jamesperrett]

Originally Posted by timowen73

hi james, james and electric hair

thanks, v much appreciated. does anyone know of any companies that sell these?

The big problem is that the small format multitrack machines are getting a bit too old for anyone to be able to sensibly sell them with a warranty. Dealers are more likely to dump them or pass them on to someone they know rather than advertise them. Even the big multitrack machines are going for very little nowadays.

If you want something that works then the best bet is to find someone that regularly restores these machines and sells them on ebay.

Oh - I just did a quick search amongst a few pro-audio web sites and found a Teac at http://www.larking.com/summer_jumble_sale.htm

Cheers

James.

[Electric-Hair]

Here is a good page on the teac A3340s

http://www.angelfire.com/electronic2...acA-3340S.html


nice picture

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...A-3340S033.jpg



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[timowen73]

thanks everyone, very much appreciated; links, advice, etc.

tim