Tascam 424 MKIII Acoustic Demo

[BillyShuler111]

Did you use the built in preamps? Sounds great by the way!!

[wehappyfewmusic]

@BillyShuler111 Thanks, I mainly used a Behringer preamp to get phantom power

[AktOnInstinkt808]

This sounds good ! these analog recorders are great people have forgotten about them because of the digital revolution ! but i just picked up the 424 mk2 these things are great for recording ideas quick and they don't sound bad either.

[aefhwtra]

the best tapes to use on this unit is tdk sa90....find them on amazon

[TR0jAX]

how many tracks can you record on this ?

[wehappyfewmusic]

@TR0jAX 4 tracks

[keepyourlovesafe]

I just bought a practically new boxed MkIII what kind of mic would you recommend for an acoustic? a small diaphragm? I only have a shure sm57 currently but am looking to record acoustic guitar, vocals, room ambience, tambourines/shakers that sort of stuff.

[wehappyfewmusic]

@keepyourlovesafe Nice find with your 424 MkIII. I'd get a large diaphragm condenser mic for the stuff your doing. Have fun!

[a280281]

can anybody advise me on the best kind of cassette to use in a multi track recorder ??????

[vamtim]

@a280281 Use type 2 high bias, TDK still make them.

[MooseHeadMoosic]

@vamtim

This might be a dumb question, but if I'm looking for GLORIOUS LO-FI ACTION sounds, would it be a good idea to use an old commercial tape?

[vamtim]

@MooseHeadMoosic

Then just use a type 1 tape that's a normal tape the ones that you used to dub compilations onto when you were a kid. Most 4 tracks are biased to play type 2's optimally so playing a type 1 through it will sound rough.

[MooseHeadMoosic]

@vamtim

Haha, I didn't dub any compilations onto tapes when I was kid, sadly. Boombox couldn't record ( really fucking useless one, eh? ).

But yeah, I guess I'll get a Type 2 if I can find a couple cheap.

[vamtim]

@MooseHeadMoosic Type 1's are even cheaper than type 2's and I quite like how they sound. If you're looking for glorious LO-FI type 1's (they will have "Normal bias" written on the packaging) are what you're looking for.

[MooseHeadMoosic]

@vamtim

Alright, I found some Type-1 Normal Bias on DeltaMedia.

Ordering a few Type-2's as well, just for good measure.

Thanks for replying to my questions!

[vamtim]

@MooseHeadMoosic

No worries, I hope you have fun with them.

[BartleDooEnt]

Im trying to sell one of these for $150 if anyones interested..

[aefhwtra]

i've got a brand new one still boxed !!!!!!!....and i would'nt sell it for the world

[pinahl]

@davettalashley If you want a new untouched one, when you do your searches on ebay type in NOS (new old stock). Brand new old gear comes up on ebay from time to time.

[RRyyNNee]

good song. cool recorder for a good price there that one is.

[MrJohntube12]

Check on ebay! Just got mine today! Sounds great man keep it up!

[MrJohntube12]

Check on ebay! Just got mine today!

[wehappyfewmusic]

@davettalashley Thanks and good luck with your hunt for a new 424 - must be one somewhere in the back of a dusty musicshop?!

[Djentlebear]

I miss my mk3. Such as great, simple machine to work on

[basicneedtv]

Sounds great, I have the original 424

[manfaeglasgow]

nice track,i got this same Studio T/424,mkIII,i luv oldskool (tape) :)

[whatabeautifulscene]

I got a 424 MkIII on eBay for 40.00.

Everything worked, minus the output. It's coming out really quiet. Any suggestions?

[wehappyfewmusic]

@whatabeautifulscene Have you checked to make sure the assign switches are in the right position?

[whatabeautifulscene]

@wehappyfewmusic I'm very new to analog recording, so I'm not exactly sure. I've looked at the manual, but I'm still a bit lost. Like... When I record, it comes out fine when I have it set to Effect 2/Cue, though the orange level knob is the only volume knob. There, the master serves no purpose. And when I record and play it back, I can't adjust the track volume, etc. And no forum has helped me yet. Haha.

[wehappyfewmusic]

@whatabeautifulscene I've sold my mk3 now so can't check it out properly, but think you should just be able to switch the assign button to tape, then it should come out of the main output. You should the be able to adjust the level of the individual tracks with the faders (if I remember right)

[whatabeautifulscene]

@wehappyfewmusic Well, I've played a drum track back, and I set the "input" to tape, then I could adjust the faders. However, if I turned the volume all the way down, I would still hear the drums being played. Though, remember... If I take the Effect/Cue switch off of Effect 2/Cue, the output is extremely quiet. The orange level knob below he Effect/Cue switch is my only option of master volume control. Could my master fader be damaged?

[wehappyfewmusic]

@whatabeautifulscene Maybe then, one other thing though - just check if you've got the switch below the orange level control on Tapecue?

[whatabeautifulscene]

@wehappyfewmusic I had it set to tape cue, already. Though, I think I fixed the problem. When I playback and the effect/cue is turned off, all the channels are accessible when I have the input switched to "tape". If you turn off input on all channels while playing it back and having effect/cue turned off, is it supposed to be quiet? If so, then I believe my machine is fine and I didn't do something right, or my 424 is rigged.

[wehappyfewmusic]

@whatabeautifulscene hi, that sounds right, think you've got it all sorted now.

[whatabeautifulscene]

@wehappyfewmusic So, one more question... Really fast.

Is that how it is supposed to work? You set the input to tape to make adjustments to the separate tracks and fade?

[wehappyfewmusic]

@whatabeautifulscene That's right for mixing

[wehappyfewmusic]

@09prizefighter09 Cheers man, this is a 4 track - Tascam did a 488 and 688 which we're 8 tracks though.

[chrisbagi]

I picked a Tascam 424 MKIII from craigslist for 20.00, I struck gold. It has no issue and I do all my main recording on it, I got away from the digital recording on the computer, too much bull. I am happy to see the analog multitrack tape is coming back. I like your song and it sounds great from the multitrack

Cheers.

[wehappyfewmusic]

@chrisbagi Thanks Man - Sounds like you got a bargain with your 424!

[phemohilia]

Awesome song!!!

[DeJayPlp]

What type of tapes do you use for this?

[JamBucker]

who song is ? can you send me the song ??? pleaseee

[wehappyfewmusic]

@JamBucker This is my bands 'We Happy Few' song. The final version is being mixed at the moment. Cheers

[ricflairjrs4]

Great sound! I love the Tascam PortaStudio's. Have used the old 424 and 488mkII to great effect; you don't necessarily need a $1500 Pro Tools rig to make great sounding demos...Ebay, search Tascam PortaStudio, you can't fail.