WTB: Tascam 4 Track

[japetus]

Does anyone have an old Tascam tape 4 track they would wanna get rid of on the cheap? I am starting a project and it involves recording very bare bones onto tape. It doesn't have to be big on features, just the cheapest most basic one would work. Anything ya got, lemme know!

 

[Monkey Man]

That'd be the Tascam 244 PortaStudio that you'd want, methinks Brian.

Here's how they look in pristine condition so you can easily recognise whatever you're offered. The transport buttons yellow over time, so don't worry about that if they look smoke-stained:



I'm recommending this one 'cause it was the best-value, toughest one out there back in the day. Served me well for many years without a glitch.

 

[japetus]

That one would be awesome. I had a similar one a long time ago but it didn't have the VU meters (which would be a bonus). I am going to try to do a 3 song demo with 1 mic, and a tape recorder only. No digital recording.

 

[SDMF38]

I may have one. I’ll check

 

[Monkey Man]

That one would be awesome. I had a similar one a long time ago but it didn't have the VU meters (which would be a bonus). I am going to try to do a 3 song demo with 1 mic, and a tape recorder only. No digital recording.

I did many demos on that thing; it'll do the job for sure, man. Sounds great, better than the popular Yamaha alternative IMHO.

Bear in mind that you can record 3 tracks and then bounce them to the remaining single track and even rinse and repeat if you need more tracks. I think you may even be able to record 4 and then bounce the lot to a stereo pair if you need the panning to be intact for each individual track, then record another two on the freed-up tracks.

 

[japetus]

Bump, help me bring analog rock music back

 

[Monkey Man]

+1

 

[japetus]

One last bump and I record into Protools and analog is dead forever! Help me save analog recording!

 

[ericb]

That'd be the Tascam 244 PortaStudio that you'd want, methinks Brian.

Here's how they look in pristine condition so you can easily recognise whatever you're offered. The transport buttons yellow over time, so don't worry about that if they look smoke-stained:



I'm recommending this one 'cause it was the best-value, toughest one out there back in the day. Served me well for many years without a glitch.

OMG. I had the 244. . Flew into NYC from VT when I was 18 in 1978ish. . Roundtrip fights were about 50.00. . Bought the 244 at Sam Ash for $1000.00 walked thru the streets of NYC and subways /airport carrying it in my arms, sweating profusely due to nerves, and possibly other'Fear and Loathing" antics... .Made it back all in 1 piece and alive to VT and used it to shittily record shitty music for many years. LOL.. It was surely a fine device back then, but why would anyone want one now? I'm curious Also it records at double speed .. Oh well , cool memory, and that was 42 years ago! ERIC

 

[japetus]

That'd be the Tascam 244 PortaStudio that you'd want, methinks Brian.

Here's how they look in pristine condition so you can easily recognise whatever you're offered. The transport buttons yellow over time, so don't worry about that if they look smoke-stained:



I'm recommending this one 'cause it was the best-value, toughest one out there back in the day. Served me well for many years without a glitch.

why would anyone want one now? I'm curious

I just want to do the most stripped down version of a 3 song demo I am wanting to do. Or get a part from one for a time machine I am secretly building.

 

[Kordoba]

Bump, hope you can get one!

 

[Monkey Man]

OMG. I had the 244. . Flew into NYC from VT when I was 18 in 1978ish. . Roundtrip fights were about 50.00. . Bought the 244 at Sam Ash for $1000.00 walked thru the streets of NYC and subways /airport carrying it in my arms, sweating profusely due to nerves, and possibly other'Fear and Loathing" antics... .Made it back all in 1 piece and alive to VT and used it to shittily record shitty music for many years. LOL.. It was surely a fine device back then, but why would anyone want one now? I'm curious Also it records at double speed .. Oh well , cool memory, and that was 42 years ago! ERIC

I can so relate to that story, Eric.

It's as if the piece of kit under your arm is not only the most-important thing in the world, but the ONLY thing in the world.

 

[ericb]

OMG. I had the 244. . Flew into NYC from VT when I was 18 in 1978ish. . Roundtrip fights were about 50.00. . Bought the 244 at Sam Ash for $1000.00 walked thru the streets of NYC and subways /airport carrying it in my arms, sweating profusely due to nerves, and possibly other'Fear and Loathing" antics... .Made it back all in 1 piece and alive to VT and used it to shittily record shitty music for many years. LOL.. It was surely a fine device back then, but why would anyone want one now? I'm curious Also it records at double speed .. Oh well , cool memory, and that was 42 years ago! ERIC

I can so relate to that story, Eric.

It's as if the piece of kit under your arm is not only the most-important thing in the world, but the ONLY thing in the world.

Man, I was sooo nervous carrying that thing thru that world! NYC wasn't the safest place back then either, and it took me soooo long to get 1000.00 saved. lol. . Anyway, I looked on REVERB and saw people asking 800.00 for these. That's absolutely ridiculous and they're not worth more than 100.00 at all today. I guess there must be some collectors out there of this late 70's (Vintage!) gear. I have 2 Adats that blow these away and Adats aren't worth anything. I just saw Fostex MR8's selling for around 100.00 so that'd be way better than this. Anyway, good luck to the OP, and there are definitely much cheaper excellent shape multtrack recording devices out there.

Eric

 

[Monkey Man]

Don't forget 'though, Eric, that repairing or even calibrating the drum on an ADAT isn't something you're likely to be able to do at home.

I thought the 244 was '80s, not '70s...

 

[ericb]

Don't forget 'though, Eric, that repairing or even calibrating the drum on an ADAT isn't something you're likely to be able to do at home.

I thought the 244 was '80s, not '70s...

I apologize! I bought it brand new in 1982. I was off by 4 years. Hey, I still say 100.00 at the most for something like this, and it would have to be in excellent condition. There's nothing soundwise or featurewise that loads of other newer gear won't do better for 100-200.00. I would only buy one if I was a 'collector' at this point. I did love it for many years, until I bought the 2 Adats and they were infiiitely better. I bought them for 2000.00 each, and years later they're worth 100.00 each. Not a good investment. When Covid-19 hit here and our quarantining crud in March, I decided to finally learn computer recording using LOGiC and intergrate with a few friends using Reaper, or even another free software, and they again are infinitely better than Adats. . Seriously if the OP wants something for recording multi-tracks, look at the 95.00 Fostex MR8 or Tascam DP01's or whatever. They're so much better than the old Tascam 244. It was great 38 years ao though for sure, but technology has come a long way . For amps and guitars, vintage is great, but not consumer-level multitrack recording stuff. . Only imho

Eric

 

[Monkey Man]

Agree 100% mate.

The OP did imply that he's attempting to build a multitrack cassette unit and may be able to use it for parts at least 'though:

Or get a part from one for a time machine I am secretly building.

 

[Braciola]

I have one in pristine condition

 

[japetus]

I have one in pristine condition

Are you looking to sell? If so, PM me a price!

 

[ericb]

Agree 100% mate.

The OP did imply that he's attempting to build a multitrack cassette unit and may be able to use it for parts at least 'though:

Or get a part from one for a time machine I am secretly building.

Aha, you're right! The flux capacitors should work out well

Eric

 

[Monkey Man]

... as long as he can hit 80mph with it.

It uses 2x tape speed so that's a good start. Probably just a matter of gearing.