($299) Tascam PortaStudio 246
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- Опубліковано 30 вер 2024
- I bought a broken Tascam 246 from a 12-year-old hipster. Join me as we try to diagnose and repair this troubled Vintage Analog Portastudio from the 1980s. This might be the best sounding tape saturation of all time.
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The hipster gentleman I bought this from told me that this tape recorder worked fine, and that the only trouble with this machine was that playback on channels 2 and 4 was inconsistent. I made sure to ask exactly which channels were weird and if he could disclose any other issues just to help me with trouble shooting. He did not respond to my follow up emails after I noticed the machine was not functioning. I didn't even want to return it, I just wanted some more info so I could diagnose it easier.
Maybe it was fine all along and he couldn't figure out how use the monitor section. I admit, the PGM/ Monitor situation is super confusing and non intuitive. It's a lot like my Tascam m30 analog board. But I was able to get both the monitor to work and the PGM outs to work, and on this machine you are able to listen to both of those with the headphone out.
I'm really impressed with the tone of this tape recorder. I'm not sure why this machine would sound different from a 424 or a porta or anything else. But there's something about the tape saturation on this thing that sounds great.
What do you think?
#analog #portastudio #homerecording
Studio Guitarist & Virtual Guitar Teacher
www.TravisRaab...
PortaStudio 246 vs IK's Cassette Plugin : ua-cam.com/video/HFNgHg2LNx0/v-deo.html
Does this guy not know that he is a hipster?
1:58 they’re changing your idler tires for you. Helpful little guys.
speak of the devil!
the baby 388! You got a good deal. It's got such a rad boxy sound, I have to leave mine on for 10 minutes to wake up, then it's usually pretty solid. Also, my last repair on mine was the idler tyres, which is the less obvious fix than the belts. Worth checking out, i just used plumbing O ring thingos ua-cam.com/video/JJ_CTuMzDE0/v-deo.html
yeah i think the overdrive on this thing sounds incredible. i don't know why. was your problem the same as mine? it just plays for one second, then stops, and eats tapes? and if so did the idler tyres fix that?
Ooh, the start of a new era... At some point in the future you'll be able to sync all the multitrackers and make 32 track recordings using 10 devices at once. All with their own characteristics and purposes. The hipster was too busy finding his identity instead of the problems that you solved in a couple of hours. And, what do you think of the result of using only one mic for the drums? I think it sounds more balanced and you definitely can get more out of it by some tactical EQ-ing. Nice video, seeing you busy is quite motivating for me, as I have lots of things waiting for checks and repairs. Enjoy a weekend, Travis!
thanks basroos! yeah it sounded cool- only wish it had more tracks
Tell me you know nothing about recording some more. One mic on a kit sounding better than multi. Ridiculous. Try that on stage with 4000 ppl in in area. Goofball
@@vinceisdead6063 I said one is better than two in the current setup. Of course multiple mics would be better!
I bought one of these way back when they were just released, did many years of recording on it, and still have it for decoration in the studio ;). About 10 years ago I wanted to transfer some of my old tapes to digital on this and found that play wasn't working very well either. I then replaced one of the elastic bands inside which was way to loose with a house hold elastic and it worked fine again after that :).
I love that story! Good work man 👍
12 year old hipster is crazy lmao
I had a 2 inch 16 track recording studio when these first came out. The portastudio put a lot of smaller studios out of business because musicians could record their own demos. I was able to stay in business because 2 inch tape at 30ips had a sound that the portastudio could not make. But it sure did revolutionize the industry at a grounds roots level.
very interesting Billy!
This channel is anti AI
Looking forward to the day you find a Fostex X15, get bored with it and let me borrow it.
it's yours!
You got it rollin !
i did!
Tape limitations (if I recall correctly) for the old Tascams are Type I -only and recommended maximum length of 60 minutes - thinner tape might stretch or even snap. Chrome tapes might sound wonky and Metal won't work as the head can't drive the tape. I recommend keeping the DBX NR on all the time even though it might introduce 'breathing' as it will non-linearize the tape compression and distortion even more dynamic wise.
Tape manufacturer and their different tapes also matters somewhat - in my cassette box of treasures I have a lot of tapes from same manufacturers that sound very different from each other so they were clearly experimenting with different materials and solutions. Some tapes had a harsh and tinny upper end and another tape from the same manufacturer might have a super smooth top register, even though both were similar types, just different marketing names. The condition of the deck and the heads also change the characteristics of the tape recording as well, of course.
Looking quickly into the box, my favourite tapes were TDK AD60 - neutral top end, can take abuse (drive) a good amount. Scotch CX60 - super smooth top end, mids were a little iffy if I recall correctly. Best cassette I've had for the consumer deck is Maxell UDI 60 - rich and lush with no annoying tinniness at the top and good bass. Also, look for pre-recorded tapes, they're usually strong and good quality.
I still use cassettes to this day as a tool - I run raw synthesizer samples through the tape to distort and mangle them - then record back and assemble the samples to the keyboard. Makes it sound like the synth patch was left on the attic for 40 years. :D
The stuff stuck in the effects RCA is possibly part of the loop thingy. The send and return have to be patched so the signal path is not cut (at least on some Tascam machines and mixers).
Tascam porta studios are biased for high bias type II cassettes.
@@burtreynolds2969 You are correct, just checked.
noice
Just picked up a 246. Gotta replace all the gooey rubber parts. Then see if it’s all working. I keep getting burned lately on machines that are too gone for me to fix, hey, I’m no Tetrakan here. Plus I don’t have the time to mess with things that aren’t easily fixable.
I'm excited for you
pls keep these vids coming. love these tape recorders
Jules, as long as I keep getting positive feedback like this, I will keep it going!
What is the exact cables you use for the output of tascam into daw? I just bought one and I’m trying to run separate tracks to my DAW
typically it's RCA to 1.4 inch
thank you!@@travisraab
is it ok to use a stereo RCA to 1/4?@@travisraab
@@thekman707 i think that's just two mono cables attached
My god those guitar tracks sound amazing through that thing :)
You can never trust a hipster, especially one not old enough to drink
only trust 'em as far as you can throw them
Still not a bad deal, you can get that thing rolling!
i have faith
What type of PGM outputs did u use?
are there more than one type?
Was just wondering if the outputs were 1/4 to 1/4 or XLR to 1/4. Its the first time I hear about PGM outputs I was going to ask "brand name" instead of type or a link to buy them. Was the connection PGM to 1/4? Also, great content btw I'm just trying to learn something new every day
I don't have it in fronton me. It's either RCA or 1/4. this machine doesn't have XLR I don't think. thanks!@@juandoe195
Also, tape eating is a symptom of sticky AF idlers, capstans and pinch rollers. Get in there with some rubbing alcohol on qtips and clean off all the old tape gunk. It should leave black to brown smears on the qtips if it's real dirty.
I might replace all that rubber
Nice! My damn Sony TC-377 R2R just gummed up on me yesterday, so now I gotta do some investigation as well! It’s uber mechanical so it shouldn’t be too much of an issue to figure out.
Good stuff!
funny coincidence i just watched someones sony tc377 video and it had some issues. LR sound totally different
Mice! Talk about burying the headline..! ha
oh man I have quite the video on the mice situation...
The little mice in your attic, are handing out flyers being they like your music. Lol
😂😂😂😂
Travis, at this point I'm pretty well convinced that you can make mighty fine music with any object or appliance
that's very kind of you! next song with a microwave and a coconut
I offered to help you and you turned me down. You said you liked the "bad sound".
thanks for watching ronny!
Travis =) you make me wanna try to try to get my AKAI MG-614 fixed,...i have new pinchroller and belts, but there is a gear that missing a half tooth and it seems wierd almost as it was like that from the begining,...Thanks for a ton of inspiration =) Love cheers
You can do it
@@travisraab Thanks for inspiration man You are so kind, Much love & light to you 🎸😆 💚
Great! The 246 preamps how compares to m 30 preamp??
i haven't compared those directly yet
I have a Porta 07 Ministudio 4-Track Cassette. Not sure if it's good gear or not. Hypothetically can I send it to you to fix? I'm in Canada. also, if you have any opinions on the unit i'd be more than curious to hear.
You could probably just get another one for cheaper
@@travisraab okay I appreciate it. Tbh I kinda of want to save for a 388
*Giggles* 'Hippsters' *giggleing*... Ahh the wonderfull 246. Using it for drums.
you have one? thats awesome
@@travisraab Yes I bought one for over ten years ago and I love it! I got the 388 this summer too so it’s interesting to see someone else having the same equipment. 👍😃
Those faders just needed exercise!
I hear ya
sounds pretty sweet
yeah this thing sounds pretty cool, buck
I love this content! Makes me nostalgic.
It was probably just used very little, and there was dust build-up, or oxididation on the internal switches.
Today, because we live in the digital world, the natural assumption is it's an electronic issue, but on tape machine's like this, it's usually mechanical in nature.
What most people who get these machines don't realize is the tape transport assembly has contact points (tabs or protrusions) that activate momentary switches that direct power, signal, and specific functionality through the selected circuit paths when engaged.
When you press play, or record, the assembly slides up, and the appropriate switches are depressed, but if they've been sitting for long periods, just like pots, they develop poor contact.
Sometimes just going through the machine's functions as you did is enough to get it working well enough.
As mentioned also....belts can be an issue as they age, and deteriorate.
They can stretch, or even turn kind of sticky, or just outright break.
I had issues with my old Teac R2R which thankfully has no belts other than the counter...otherwise direct drive.
My left channel was constantly fading in or out or not working at all during record and playback.
I was certain it was in the signal path cuircuit in the main board somewhere, like a bad capacitor, or transistor, but it was actually the internal switches.
I cleaned them, and also replaced all the original petrified lithium grease on all the transport mechanism pivots and contact locations, and it works beautifully now.
It's worth keeping these machines alive.
They have such a character, and the real tactile nature of the sliders and knobs is hard to replicate completely.
no belt? direct drive? very interesting
@@travisraab Yeah. It's a nice machine. It does need new brake bands for the hubs, but I haven't found a source for them yet.
Really need them with 10" reels.
Again...love your videos, and thanks for the reply.
@@shanejb2121 thanks for watching
You're breaking my heart! I had one of these beautiful machines, loaned it to some loser, who get this - lost it! Still miss it to this day. Old tapes in an army cartridge case waiting to be heard once again.
how does one lose something this large?
He claimed it was stolen out of his car. He paid me the going rate for the machine at the time. They are hella-expensive now. You lucked out on getting the machine going. Keep up the videos!
@@nicks.8003 Well that's good at least! You can still find some great deals out there. Thanks Nick!
Danggg thats a sweet deal man
if it keeps working, yeah! i need to finish the repairs. thanks for watching, Doctor
It's a great machine. Dirty switches, pots and contacts can cause all kinds of problems. Make sure the heads are clean. It may need new idler tires and belts. And there is a small switch located in the tape well that will change the speed. Keep it on high for a bit better fidelity.
Hi burt! thanks for the info.
what makes you think it needs new idler tires or belts?
@@travisraab Probably doesn't need new ones, but it's good preventative maintenance to replace rubber parts because it degrades over time. As long as you don't have any warbling and unsteady speeds, you should be ok.
@@burtreynolds2969 thanks Burt!
Found play and rec wasnt workin on my 246 today, maybe something with the belts then
Everybody keeps saying idler tires and pinch roller
@@travisraab yeah considering wether I should open it myself or leaving it to a professional, now the headphone out suddenly doesnt work either
@@kh4009 are you sure you didn't touch the monitoring section? you could attempt a fix and take it in if it doesn't work
@@travisraab yeah no its not that, seems like a bad connection gone worse
Tascam 4 track recorders were crap even back in the day. Every Tascam product I made the mistake of buying (DAT, 4 track, cassette) required some kind of repair at least once
i hear ya!
Love it
@@favouritethings11 whooooo