saf@floyd.UUCP (Steve Falco) (08/05/83)
I recently asked people on the net for info about multi-track tape units for the hobby recordist. The results have stopped dribbling in so here is the summary: Most responses were from TEAC owners. All seemed pleased with their equipment. The only problems noted were with used equipment which might have been ill-maintained. No Fostex owners answered my request. Either there aren't any (possible since the company is only 2 years old) or they don't have time to respond (also possible.) TEAC is very good about sending literature - typically I got what I requested within a few days. So far Fostex hasn't sent their literature. So my conclusion on reliability is that you can't go too far wrong with TEAC. (I got one recommendation for Revox (which appears overpriced) and one for Ampex (which is out of the market, thus un-maintainable).) Now for performance: After reading the TEAC literature, I must say that the cassette units look tempting. Aside from frequency response, they have almost identical (or better!) specs than the open reel stuff. Specifically, the cassette 244 fq. resp. is 40-14k +-3db at 0vu (at 3.75ips). while the open reel 34 fq. resp. is 40-22k +-3db at 0vu (at 15ips). The 244 makes a 90db s/n ratio, IHF A weighted at 3%THD (yuk) with built in dbx while the 34 only makes 68db (no dbx) so here the cassette is better. Of course you can add dbx to the 34 for $600 or so. The cassette uses 3 motors (capstan, reels, and head/pinch roller mover) as does the open reel (capstan, left reel, right reel) - both have +-.06% peak weighted flutter. Both are similarly priced (the 34 is maybe $200 more) but of course the 244 is complete with parametric eq, mike preamps, mixing, dbx, etc. while the 34 is essentially stripped and will require something like a $1300 mixer (model 30) plus the $600 dbx. So what do you get for the added dollars? Better cuing (grab the reels) and the ability to splice easily (which I don't like because adhesives don't last). Also, I guess the open reel setup looks more impressive although it sure is less portable. (70lbs for the 34 w/mixer & dbx vs 20lbs for the 244.) The main problem I see with the 244 is that to get the performance, it runs at 3.75ips so you only get 15 minutes on a C60 tape (or 22 minutes on a C90). Still, with 10.5" reels, at 15ips you only get 33 minutes (for $20). Cassettes like UDXL-IIs are around 6 for $20 (or better) so you get 1.5 hours for the same money. I guess I'll buy the 244. If I ever need more tracks I'll have to look at the open reels, but not now. Steve Falco