How I recorded an album using cassette technology with the Tascam 238 Syncaset
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- Опубліковано 19 чер 2024
- We illustrate the process and approach to using the Tascam 238 Syncaset (as well as the 688 MidiStudio) to record the backing tracks of an album called Morbid Euphoria.
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Clients would walk into my studio and see the Yamaha 4 channel cassette deck or the 45 year old Sansui reel to reel always got their attention first, (even though there was plenty of state of the art digital equipment present) and "can we use these on the project?" was always an immediate response, especially once I'd play them some previously recorded tracks. Thanks for reinforcing the notion that merging BOTH obsolete and current mediums not only sound great, but also create a blissful camaraderie between artist and engineer, i.e. FUN !
I´m a guy who tracked on 2 synchroniced VHS recorders as a 4 track set up, back in the 80`s... I also apreciate your effort to keep your workflow fresh and your comitment while you`re doing it.
sounds like good fun !
I wish I had grown up with someone as cool/weird as you. Downloaded the album and I'll stream it on my next bike ride.
Fascinating journey...
Just listened to a few tracks from the album - the 90’s are alive and well in your music, which is awesome. Keep up the good work 🤘🏻
Man! I just love your channel and content!
Keep rocking dude!
Hello there to all tape and cassette fans. Thanks for the video, Landon. Great stuff. I got myself a 238 four years ago and still working with it and it’s fun. I’m using it especially for drums and keys for backing tracks and love the sound and work flow. You literally dive completely into your song or project. Nice music btw. Have.a great day. :)
Such a gorgeous machine. Still want one. I had a Tascam 112R that I loved the quality of.
I just got my first 4-track, a 414mkii. Really digging your channel and seeing you evolution.
I’m not sure if it’s intentional, but I find your voice and delivery during rundowns almost have an old 70s-80s documentary feel. I say that with the highest level of admiration as it really adds to the nostalgia factor. I hope to see more from your channel (and downsized studio?) in 2022.
im recording an album... i've tracked everything digitally. I spent ages mixing it - it just didn't sound "right". No matter what I did, it didn't sound pleasing to my ears. So I bounced everything to my tascam 688, and as you said at the end of the video, it genuinely "magically glued" everything together. It's convenient to record in the digital domain, but maaan, tape sure does make a mix sound nice!
Loved working with this recorder. My sound company in the early 80’s was considered top of the line because we offered live multitrack recording ! Great machine !!
@Magic Spiral ah man, it's so inspiring to see your working processes, made me want to go back and do some music again! and your album...sounds really great and psychy, gonna purchase it :) Thanks!
Thanks for this great video. Very helpful and inspiring. I love my 238 with a passion. Bought it brand new back in the 90's. Had to send it to Denis in N.Y., for repairs, also. It's hands down the finest 8 track cassette recorder ever made. Very user friendly and a beautiful warm sound that has never been eclipsed. It has quite a cult following. BTW, those 90 -110 minute thinner tapes are known for stretching, jamming and seizing up the heads. Happened to friends of mine who ignored the warning. A VERY expensive repair job, so it's best to stick with 60 minute Maxell tapes. You'll never have a problem with those.
Hello Landon, I hope you are well. Loved this video, because I'm an analogue nut. I'm still using my 488mk1 just because I love the sound of it. Kind regards. Paul.
I don't know how your channel doesn't have more views. Great content, man! It's awesome seeing this gear in action! I've been recording with reel to reel recently, but it's been really fascinating to see on cassette tape, and DAT. It's really neat to see experimentation with many different formats.
No kidding - his channel is way better than certain other cassette multitracking tutorial channels. I won’t name names.
Owned the Tascam 688. It was great!!! Used track 8 to sync my MIDI instruments via SMPTETRK running on my Atari ST.
I'm going to be honest, when I looked up Morbid Euphoria I was expecting something terrible and amateur. What I found was an incredible album. The style, the mixing and mastering.. the panning.. I loved it. it's a great album man!
I don’t blame you for expecting that, though I’m glad you could be surprised that you enjoyed what you found. Cheers!
Hey man, watched the video and loved the music. Playing it via Spotify now and added you to my favourites. Love it!
Thanks man! :)
I listen to my tapes made in the 1990 made whit a tascam 4 track a few month ago ... it still sounded amazing
Aww man. This brought back a ton of memories. Would love to have a tape recorder.
Cool stuff. Sounds good.
Great video, thanks for posting this
Sounds crisp
I use a free plug (Windows only) called SN03/SN03-G Tape Recorder. It sounds really good and does'nt use much CPU. I use it on everything, usually on the NAB setting with the tape noise off.
Very nice setup man!
sounds great
this is the first UA-cam ad I've ever watched, nice job.
This is such a well done video. I enjoyed every second of it. About halfway through, I started to imagine this video being made on VHS tapes. Everything about this video belongs on tape and I really liked it.
It is such a great sound when you start at 7:56! It has this special vibe, but also, the tracks are magically present in the same space. Likewise, it also reminds me of Beatles records.
Did you know that the Sergeant Pepper's album was recorded on 4 track tape machines? That means there was a LOT of bouncing of tracks before mixdown. So, you had to get it RIGHT & TIGHT before combining tracks, 'cause there was NO turning back! I'm from that "Old School" when MUSIC was the focus instead of spending hours on end referring to a 200 - 300 page manual before you can even get anything recorded. Digital equipment has more options for corrections, but it's stiff, cold, sounds sterile, and requires WAY too much time just figuring out how to do things, rather than actually making music. By then, your brilliant ideas are forgotten!
I started out with tascam 4 tracks when they were a new thing...then eventually to Roland VS 1680 digital and pro tools then Logic etc. Now I want to go back to 4 track tape and just see what happens. I agree the process is important. Like if you were an author who used an old typewriter, then went to word processor cuz everyone else did- but realizing going back to typewriter is part of who you are- the process being just as an important part of the creativity. THat's how I'm starting to feel. Great vid. Like your approach.
Awesome video bro!
I think you did a great job on this!!! It's not necessarily my favorite style of music, but you definitely know what you're doing. I believe the reason you had a problem with the Type IV tape vs. Type II is because the deck is probably biased for Type II. If it was biased for Type IV, I think those tracks would be really loud. I'm not sure if the type IV would eventually be harmful to the heads. I think that would be my main concern with that. I have a Tascam MSR 16 (16 track) reel to reel deck that sounds beautiful. I found that using that vs. digital is really making me a better musician and music producer. If I run out of tracks, I'll put a mixdown version on the first 2 tracks and start adding but will manually sync up what was in there because I don't have a DAW and really only use Audacity when mixing down and compressing. To me, tape sounds huge, especially on the drum tracks and the bass guitar. I notice a lot of new recordings bury the bass guitar in the mix but 40 to 70 years ago bass stood out in recordings. Another trick somebody taught me is if you want to hear the bass in the mix, but a very subtle distortion on it. It's enough that it's overdriven, but subtle enough that your ears don't detect distortion, but can hear the bass notes clearly. I really haven't applied that myself, but I heard his mixes and it does work. Anyway, fantastic job. Thank you for sharing.
DOPE!
I really dig your music
thanks a lot! 🙌🏼
WOW!! That Was So Dope Using cassette analog technology to record an entire album! 👍✌
Thanks! It’s a very fun process!
Great music! Love seeing this gear used for it's intended purpose! Mind if I throw in my 2 cents about something mentioned in the video?
For recording, you got it perfect with the 2 high bias tapes. The Maxell xlii formulation is exactly what this machine is calibrated for. Even the MS "Studio" cassettes use the same tape inside for this reason.
The type 4 Metal is a bad idea for a few reasons, though, besides the thinness of that length. A big one is that it will wear down your tape heads, especially with repeated use and shuttling. But mainly, to record properly on a type 4 requires a higher bias current than this machine puts out. And even if it records ok, it will have less headroom and warm tape saturation when driven. And Metals are actually so sought after for decks that use them, that you could sell a used one for the price of a couple new xlii's.
But I'm just glad you're having fun and making good music with it! The heads are pristine on my 238, and I hoard type 2 tapes, but I never get around to actually recording with it.. so you're the one doing the right thing! Hope you keep it up! 👍👍
Thanks! That certainly makes sense for the Type iv cassette and why the recording levels were much lower. It was an experiment with a tape given to me. I’ll stick with the type ii tapes when I use this machine. Cheers!
Mine’s a 246 Portastudio & a Tascam 122 (about 2 in 4 a professional work-over), Tascam & Teac electret pencils .. VERY home-studio😜😝😜
this... this was such a fcking awesome video
I’m creating a cassette project now. Can you do a signal flow video??? 24 track to tape, midi setup etc. ?
What mixer are you using with the rack mounted tape deck?
You used a Type IV tape in that thing!?? Thank god nothing exploded and you weren’t harmed. Really enjoy your videos, bummer you sold the 688 though.
Good point.
Hi where did you ship off the tape player to get fixed at . I need my lcd screen fixed on a qy700?
i been learning things if you have a audio interface with 8in and outs what ever you can mix outside the daw i got things i wont t do like turn the daw into tape lmao
dang sick i i had to sub epic
I just got my hands on a Tascam 238, and...... it has the motor problem too. I hope the replacement of the elco's will solve the problem but some say it can be more complex if the IC's are defective. I see you payed almost 300 $ to repair it, but if it's only these elco parts it can be repaired for 10$ if you know how to solder.
Cool
I noticed on my 238 that the dbx nr can be turned on and off also after recording, as i bounce the tracks from tape to DAW. This is practical if i decide to maybe not use dbx as i record the tracks to my daw. My question: Does it make a difference if I enable dbx before recording on the 238, or can i record without and then spontaneously decide after? Cheers
This is the HOLY GRAIL for me. One day I will get one. Or the 234 at worst. Theres something about analogue thats never been matched.
yeah, the noise, hiss, limited bandwidth, lack of recall, compression of what the sound actually was.. that from a tape user for 45 yeas. NO advantage these days. MyUAD studer800 sounds way better than my old tascam 8 tracks. PS I also SOLD these machines... and all the others.
Yeah… good digital is basically outright superior in most cases. But, old analog does add those idiosyncrasies and can be useful in some aspects.
What 24-track desk is that?
How do you like it sound vs r8?
@Magic Spiral I have a question about the DA-38... I want to buy one.. i am wondering on what my possibilities are with it. I wonder if it is possible to sync to my DAW for sequencing other hardware to be recorded by DA-38 etc. I see there it\s the RC-848 module thing, and then some midi/smpte/ MMC-38 box... would those things allow me to sync to a daw?.. would the DA-38 be slave to daw?.. i am new to all this... thank you sir, you are a great inspiration my good man.
Hi there. Sorry, I just don’t have experience using smpte. (I typically record audio.) That seems like something you’ll have to refer to a manual to get set up. I believe the MMC-38 is what you’ll need.
Who is the company you sent it off to to fix your Tascam 238? I have a 238 with the same problem.
Hey. Great video first of all. Would really like to see more stuff on the 238 😇 I also do have a question: Do I need to calibrate or service the 238 (just like regular tape machines) appart from demagnetizing and cleaning heads? Really couldn’t find info on the internet. Cheers ✌️
More videos coming soon! (Been busy making my last album!) i had mine serviced when I bought it. Do a search for cassette machine calibration and it’ll give you an idea. I haven’t done any calibration to mine since it was serviced.
@@magicspiral3323thanks for the quick response. And I know what it´s like beeing busy on music. It never ends^^
Cool video. If working on 24 track tape was economically viable, I'd absolutely love that.
It is doable. The Tascam msr-24 is not that expensive and uses only 1 inch tape.
Idk why there wasn’t a proper hi8 based portastudio, there was at least one tascam digital tape unit for it. Twice as wide as a cassette, or thereabouts. Wouldn’t be too crazy to fit 16 tracks on it if you can fit 8 on your standard cassette. Maybe 24, if you could avoid issues that comes with. Still, that many heads and that large of a mixer probably wouldn’t be cheap either
"...I plugged it in .. and...." BEEEEEEP :D :D :D
I saw you own a fostex model 80. Do you ser any disadvantage to use it instead of the tascam 238? I own a model 80 too. Your songs and vídeos are awesome
The give and take between the machines? Honestly, the 238 is surprisingly cleaner sounding with less noise floor, but the Fostex has more body and low end. It’s more expensive to run the Fostex, which makes you plan your sessions more, but the 238 uses relatively cheap cassettes that lend themselves to spontaneity. Winner for me is the 238 because it’s clean, quick and mean (if you’ve had it serviced.)
If you haven’t yet, check out the video we made on using the M80.
Cheers,
Landon
@@magicspiral3323 I was listening your last album, 238 definitely sounds clean and awesome. I only use the model 80 with dolby NR. I will keep an eye to any 238 around the corner here.
@@magicspiral3323 exactly! 238 seems to be clean, compact, silent and easy to use
@@magicspiral3323 I saw all your videos already. I also own an HD24XR and feel happy to know you like the 8 tracks adat. I like Hd24XR but preffer tape much more
Honestly I have a model 80 too, and I feel like the M80 has better high end response
Otherwise known as ‘How I got so jealous so quick’
Been looking for one of these, but prices are crazy right now. $600+ no matter the condition.
were the additional instruments and vocal overdubs (and various takes) recorded directly in Logic or did those go through the tape machine as well? Just trying to understand if it's common practice to dump all the tracks in the DAW and clear the tape tracks for overdubbing and how timecode would then be matched. Thanks!
I basically recorded all of the backing and rhythm tracks directly to tape. I then played the tape back and imported the tracks into Logic. No time code or any sync. I performed all of the overdubs within Logic. My reason being that things like vocals for me are best left to the ease of computer editing. I don’t use tape for the sake of authenticity, I use it because I like the workflow, sound and tape-only effects.
@@magicspiral3323 thanks for the response. That makes sense and I think that’s what I want out of it too. With how many takes I do fiddling knobs I’m thinking synth might be best tracked into a DAW as well, though I’m curious if the absence of tape treatment would be noticeable sitting with the others.
With the 688 is the timecode problem potentially remedied if your DAW is accepting midi timecode from the recorder? Can you record back into the DAW multiple times without any time shifting? Basically I’m just trying to find out if it’s possible to expand upon 8-tracks without bouncing tracks in the machine.
@@autojahnvonbaron5083 there is no way to expand tracks, and if you’re using time code, then you’re even compromising a track.
@@autojahnvonbaron5083 perhaps with the Midiizer one could sync more than one 688?
I’ve had a Tascam 414 mkii for years and I’ve been ok to use it for performing tape loops...but what’s the best way to convert a 4 track tape into a stereo master tape for replicating??
You want to make cassette copies or digital copies?
Magic Spiral preferably cassette. I’m dawless. Not for “hipster” reasons lol. I’m old school hardware musician, don’t have a computer, and never learned how to use a daw
geoff ashley get a good cassette deck like a Tascam 112
Also digitizing the master tape might be a good idea for archival purposes
Hi I'd like to ask if it;s possible to put instruments directly to 238 without mixer and record 8 track at the same time ?
You’ll need a mixer.
@@magicspiral3323 thx for respond, but this mixer could be other bramd than tascam? I suppose it has to get some inserts or direct outs? Corretct?
How does the 238 recorder, with its unbalanced RCA jacks, connect to the mixer, which has 1/4" jacks? I assume he's using RCA to 1/4" cables?
RCA to 1/4” would work, but I’m actually using RCA to DB25 for my mixers “tape” inputs.
@@magicspiral3323 Got it. I didn't even know there was such a converter! Thanks.
I live in NY and have a 238 I have the same problem, would like the name of your tech please ...if his name is Arem then never mind.
DON"T trust anyone called Arem, tech or otherwise!
Please list the NY tech that fixed that issue. Thanks :)
Sorry, he had the service at the time available on eBay, which is no longer available it seems.
Man I'm upset with you!!! How could you part with the 688?! You should have kept it for the love bro. Lol but I understand. Love your channel.
I hear ya. I wouldn’t mind keeping the 688. I only mentioned in the video that I got a larger mixer. I just don’t have a reasonable space for two large mixing consoles, and it was difficult to integrate them both efficiently. The other reasons I parted with the 688 were because it had some quirks and I honestly wasn’t the biggest fan of the digital patching matrix. Overall I find the 238 more stable and efficient for my needs.
Thanks for watching!
I'm deciding to buy one, I already have a Tascam 488 and a 688, is it worth it, does it sounds warmer/better?
It really comes down to the mixer you’re using. I think the 238 is an overall superior recorder, but the 688 has an integrated mixer with midi capability.
I’m using a tascam 2524 it’s a nice one not pro but it sounds fine
Just bought it We will see
nice shirt
I would still like the name of that tech in NY
I found him on eBay at the time. Not sure if he’s still providing the service, but I’m sure he had a 238 website up.
MY PLAY BUTTON NOT WORKING IS IT BELT DRIVEN. ?
They are direct driven.
Half way through this becomes a Logic video?!
The video title does state the album was made with cassette, it doesn’t say exclusively on cassette. Maybe I’ll do an instrumental album recorded entirely within the 238.
I would of kept the 688 instead!
Dam 300$ for a repair that’s way more than I’d wanna spend
Considering I came out positive in my investment towards the machine, it was a no brainer.
Did you say your name was Random Bork?
Love the video by the way, and the music sounds cool
I’m gonna start calling myself that now. 😆
@@magicspiral3323 You, Sir, have an excellent sense of humour. Subscribed! :-D
Is it just me or did the Get Gnarly song sound Beach Boys as fuck?
Why start in cassette and then go into Logic??? Logically start in Logic and apply a tape saturation plug in to get "that" sound, you will also then retain the high end over 10/12khz that cassette tape completely loses!
that’s just not the point of recording with tape / cassette. the degradation is understood as part of the sound, and some people like myself prefer the tactile nature and limitations. also, if you record tape, and then transfer to digital, you are hearing a perfect recreation of that tape recording, whereas if you go digital to tape, you basically destroy the digital signal (for better or for worse). I think quality can be subjective and that people should mix and match whatever equipment suits their tastes
You are making a leap in your description that isnt possible. How are you using multiple tapes for a song? You have a tape with 8 tracks.
Ok, so you recorded 8 tracks on tape, all analogue. And then you transfered those to you DAW. So you wan't to have the disadvantages from both worlds combined in this project, or what's the deal? You wan't the struggle of the analogue recording and the coldness of a digital master?
It's like doing an oil painting and then half way through taking a digital photo of that and continueing in photoshop :D
Was I not clear in the video about my approach to that process?
@@magicspiral3323 Sorry, did not watch till the end. I was out when you opened the DAW 😜.
Don‘t take me too serious. It‘s recording not religion. Do what ever you want. But I prefer to stay all analogue.
Excellent, but it is only useful to professional musicians and studios. As for home use, I do not recommend it and eat many tapes, because of its high speed and it cannot be used the tape on both sides.
It sounds like more of a transformer problem.
"Pianer" *Twitch* *Twitch* *Twitch*
While I think using tapes is a great thing, to me this is kinda cheating; I would have much preferred to see you track everything to cassette live, rather than running sequences from a computer.
Damn, dude. How do you talk like that ? Is that your usual talking voice ?
On my better days…
@@magicspiral3323 well i think you should like be on the radio with that voice, man! have you ever thought about that dude?
lol yes the natural progression from stealing music to stealing a car no wait producing music?
So then how do you end up stealing cars?
Unnecessary in a production side, necessary on a creative side.
Logic = fake video
This video does not exist
This is totally nonsense. You aren't doing a cd/album with a cassette recorder. You end up using a tone of tracks using digital means.