Tascam 238 Analog 8 Track

[PaddyMacNasty]

Glyn Johns method for the drums?

[lencycler1]

that song is bothering me.

[a280281]

this sounds amazing, did you use hardware effects on the mix ???

[wehappyfewmusic]

@a280281 Cheers, only eq on the mix from the tascam 644 but used hardware compressors and reverb when recording.

[a280281]

Thanks for the reply, im doing a project for uni and im planning on recording a live session with a tascam 488 my hope is to get a decent recording without the use of any DAW's so that i learn to use my ears rather then monitoring everything on screen with my eyes, i wasnt sure whever to use hardware during the recording process but i think ill definatley give it a go now thanks mate

[wehappyfewmusic]

@a280281 That sounds like a fun project, it's quite liberating when you free your self of the grid system of a DAW. Would love to see a video of the outcome of your live session with the 488. I had one of those machines too and there a great to work with - compact, analogue, and phantom power!

[a280281]

well ive got to document the process for my assessment so if all goes well ill upload some videos of the set up and recording session

[sacredrealm]

Your voals remind me slightly of James Hetfield in the load/reload era when doig a country style song haha.

[elnative00]

I just ordered a 238 offline. My question is if I can record straight in or do I need to go into a mixer/preamp first? What inputs does it have? could I run a "1/4 straight into the 238?

[wehappyfewmusic]

@elnative00 Hi, you'd need a mixer/preamps first as it just has rca jack inputs/outputs on the back.

[sacredrealm]

Which out of the 688 and 238 do you prefer? I use a 488, but am thinking of trying something else too if I can find anything.

[gonchujam]

Hello. You know I am about to buy something to record "analogycally", and i have to decide wether I buy something like this (an 8 track cassette recorder) or a 4 track reel to reel recorder. As I think reel to reel gets a better quality, I was alkmost decided on that. But this has got more tracks, and it sounds pretty well. Can I get some advice? Thank you very much!

[wehappyfewmusic]

@gonchujam Hi, as you say reel to reel is better quality but the tape is more expensive and the machines are a bit more difficult to setup/service. I've had both and prefer the 8 track cassette at the moment as think it sounds good, tapes are cheaper and it has a slightly more noticeable 'tape' sound. Make sure you get hold of one in solid working order though if you go for a 238, as some of them have a problem with dolby S chips. Good luck

[gonchujam]

@wehappyfewmusic Ok, thank you very much. I have almost made my mind, and I think i'll go for the open reel... I will let you know when I have made the decision haha. When i have my machine, I'll record something and upload it on youtube and will let you know too. Bye! Gonzalo from Argentina.

[runishit]

sounds great man!!! so,, if i'm right,, the drums are recorded in only 3 tracks? kick, snare, and a overhead? and what kind of tape is in that? is it special made for that 8 track recorder? i got a fostex 8 track reel to reel tape recorder, but i really need new tapes.

[wehappyfewmusic]

@runishit Thanks, and yes your right about the drums. The tape is a QUANTEGY C-20 HIGH BIAS (Type II Chrome) AUDIO CASSETTE, they will also work on ordinary tape decks but are good quality. I used to have a fostex 8 track too, was nice but the tapes we're hard to get and I couldn't get the spare parts i needed to fix it. I'm just about to collect my Tascam 688 from the repairers though, and they managed to get lots of parts from Tascam in Japan still!

[movementent]

That sounds very good. Was the entire album recorded on a Tascam 238?

[wehappyfewmusic]

@movementen Thanks, we also used a Tascam 688 for some of the tracks.

[movementent]

@wehappyfewmusic Cool. So it's analog all the way, eh? Awesome sauce! :0D

[jsnhrv]

Great sound.Couldn't you mix it yourself.What would cassacassette do differently?

[wehappyfewmusic]

@jsnhrv Cheers, we could of mixed it but liked the idea of someone else having the final input on the songs - Hermanns very good at cassa cassette as well!

[oioikanone]

you can't play ordinary recorded stereo tapes with that, can you?

[proxyflamer]

hey! i am fascinated by this, could you tell me how you made this?

Thanks

[wehappyfewmusic]

@proxyflamer Hi, we recorded the drums to the first 3 tracks then overdubbed the guitars bass and vocals.

[Martzoerst]

sweet! I have a tascam 688 :)

[subtracktion]

@wehappyfewmusic Do you use the noise reduction?

[wehappyfewmusic]

@subtracktion Yes I prefer the sound with it on and there's much less tape hiss

[InugamiRage]

Searched for entirely different thing on YouTube and just randomly found that.

Thought cassettes aren't used anymore, but what can you say - they are.

Nice music. ;)

[floseul]

it's very good

[Groove1993]

you sound a little bit like The Vines