Recording with digital tape - Tascam DA-38 and the DTRS format

[@CannedFunkMusic]

The LED signal test at turning on the DA-38 was FIRE!!! My Maschine and Komplete Kontrol come second

[@ibanezman1025]

Awesome series of exploring older recording methods! I really dig your videos and approach. I tend to favor analog recording as a preference but to each their own!

[@magicspiral3323]

Eric, your reaction gives me good vibes and I’m grateful for your comment. 🙌🏼 Been in conceptual stages for upcoming videos about using multiple machines since I’ve released my last album, Anomaly Me.

[@corywilliams458]

The DAT.....hip hops Golden Era Format!!

[@happypapi1903]

Had a friend who swapped all the original line stage op amps for Burr Browns on a pair of his DA38s and they sound really good. Any "character" in the digital realm comes from the converters and the gain staging in front of them.

[@MisterRorschach90]

I remember walking into the recording studio my dad worked at in the 90s and seeing walls filled with stuff like this. Then later in life when I started getting into recording I was very confused that all you had to do was plug a cable into an interface and bam it’s on your computer. I thought surely there was more to it.

[@icallmybabystp]

In my first studio recording experience, we recorded to one of these DAT machines. In listening to those tracks, I recently found that I really enjoyed how full it sounds. I kept attributing it to the mastering because I kept thinking we recorded everything straight to the computer. But, now realizing that “fullness” wasn’t as apparent on the other album tracks, I have a sneaking suspicion the sound of those two tracks we used a DAT machine on sound great because of, well, the DAT machine! Got a bit nostalgic and bought one on eBay. Without even considering I’m going to need some RCA cables and possibly a patch bay and an 8-track mixer. That’ll all fall into place over time. Really hoping I didn’t get a lemon, as the seller says it’s functioning perfectly as it should. We shall see. Thank you so much for the video. Will definitely help a lot when getting it all set-up.

[@soulslip]

You filmed this like an old educational film like they played in my industrial technology class in elementary... good job

[@magicspiral3323]

Thanks. I attempted to be thorough.

[@KevRalph]

There is a antique shop / thrift store near my house and they are selling 2 da-88's for about a 160 bucks each. It would be fun to mess with them.. 30 years ago, my friend would use a tascam TSR8 for his recordings and then the Masters would go on a DAT

[@coolelectronics1759]

pretty dope machines for being basically a music VCR. I gues I underestimated the power of these disregarding them because I was enitially put off by them being tape based, now I have a completely different opinion on them. Thanks for changing my views on these! I actually use a real VCR to do processing for vaporwave music I record.

[@bradswim]

if you'd be willing to disclose your process, I'd love to know how you integrated a vcr into your production setup. I've got some retro gear like that and I'm keen to know some creative ways to utilize them

[@coolelectronics1759]

@@bradswim sure! Basically what I do is use the audio section only of the VCR to run my L and R through it and record the signal to tape, then play it back into my interface going to the computer and capture it there. With VCR its pretty neat when you start to play with the different modes because you can achieve several different results depending on the mode e.g, SP, SLP, and on some Im sure that you can choose between mono linear analog, or the modulated FM signal that uses the actual drum to imbed the interlaced audio onto the tape, all these have there unique characteristics, and I have standalone consumer audio tape decks too, that have an entire other neat quirk and character on there own. If you have an old busted or stupid tape you don't care about, you can actually although I don't really recommend doing this, purposefully damage and or rinkle the tape in parts, to achieve the ultimate in vaporwave aesthetic you want, the artifacts that come naturally are good enough in most cases in the event you got a pile of naturally weathered tapes!

[@coolelectronics1759]

p.s the gold standard for a good VCR for me for the studio is for it to have hifi stereo, and stereo inputs-outputs, avoid the crappy mono models they are junk imo and just not as flexable, also a nice full led/VFD status window with RTC/counter and VU meters is nice to have and I will generally look out for in a VCR.

[@bradswim]

@@coolelectronics1759 Thanks! I've got a hifi stereo VCR and I'm tempted to try out processing some of my older tracks just to see how it all works. Thanks for sharing :)

[@coolelectronics1759]

@@bradswim Not a problem! have fun!

[@danandkiko]

I love how you do these projects. I need to learn how to use my synths and rhythm machines with MIDI. It's still a mystery to me in some cases.

[@syru2894]

Informative, entertaining, well put together.

[@javierjanaid]

Thanks for that. I really appreciate the time and energy you put into it. So helpful

[@leogolive]

My Tascam DP-24 works just like this, it just doesn’t use tape! I’d like to have one of these!

[@georgesirinidis6210]

so nice and inspiring ! Will inspire many people to buy one of these and then searching for a replacing pinch roller for the rest of their life ! There are many not working units on ebay for a a reason : NO PINCH ROLLERS in the market ... so just a waist of time ! And money !

[@anthonyptak8650]

Grr profile on this product! Thanks

[@KevRalph]

Just like CDs replaced records. At one point I thought DAT would replace cassettes but I saw a video recently on the history of DAT and how they were doomed from the beginning and not due to lack of quality.

[@gamingmusicandjokesandabit1240]

4:58 Someone said digital clipping sounds somewhat pleasant. The statement that digital clipping sound horrible is, to say the least, a bit distorted. (not a true story).

[@hollyhockbaby1216]

My favorite. It was amazing.

[@projectz975]

this guys music sounds like the soundtrack to a low-budget gamecube game that later gets discovered as a hidden gem and sells on Ebay for like $80

[@soulslip]

I found 2 da-88’s at a shop for $30 as well as a DA-30 mkii

[@thaexception3406]

Informative and comprehensive

[@parkingsuper3330]

Hello Landon ! I Really appreciate your content ! I know thats not the subject here, but does the RC-808 remote (2:41) work also with the 238 (she seems to be very similar from the RC-88) Thanks you for your help, best regard !

[@magicspiral3323]

parking super nope. It didn’t fully function when I tried it. Thanks!

[@ShaneOBrien]

Hi Landon, nice video. I have used three PCM 800 machines to record at least two dozen CD's of my own music. I'm having issues with the heads munching the Hi8 tapes. I understand the heads on these machines (as well as on the DA 88 machines) have a limited service hours and I am positive I have passed those limits. Do you know of any place that would be able to rebuild these machines? DA 88s are almost identical in every way, to me at least. Maybe I can find a couple DA 88 machines to replace these super heavy PCM 800 machines. Probably cheaper to replace than to ship to a shop somewhere. Also note: The operating examples and the set up for formatting tapes you gave in your video are dead on, and by the way, way cool. Much easier to understand than the mega confusing operation manual from Sony Sorry if I'm confusing Tascam DA 88 and the Tascam DA 38, I'm sure you get my point regardless.

[@magicspiral3323]

Hey, thanks for watching! You know, might be cheaper to buy some parts machines. I’m unaware of anyone working on machines like these, and if you can find anyone it’ll be more expensive than the machine itself is going for. Good luck, mate!

[@fireside007]

👍 YOU ~ ROCK ! ! 🎸🤛

[@SM57]

Great channel,dude👏👏👏

[@earlyraybonneville1762]

Great tutorial!

[@gwugluud]

Were all 3 DAs in good condition; you were able to put them to use straight away? My ADAT died about a year ago. Bought it new in 1996.

[@gertzpalma]

THANKS!

[@soundsolacestudio]

Where is the final mix? Can we listen to the song?

[@xray111xxx]

It was brilliant times. No SSDs no easy to get cheap HDDs. I had the ADAT XT-20. These machines are fun to use but SD and SSD is so much easier to get along with. Just have a NAS with SSD hot swap and manage your network of creation. I want to try DTRS but it really have no application for me that current computer tech already offers. Plus no physical tape media to worry about. I grew up in analog so I get what is the deal with ADAT and DTRS. Won’t even start about AKAI ADAM in the day. Everything today is so easy. I didn’t say cheap. But it is incredible how much you get today. I look at the DA current multiple track and mastering solutions if I was really doing it today if I needed external recoding.

[@ОлегПрисяжный-з1л]

DTRS формат лучше намного dat формата в особенности если его использовать для архивирования с винила, катушек, компакт кассет, СД дисков, и.т.д.

[@DivinelyInspired24-7]

DAT...so good.......

[@DPHZH67996B]

Its ready for *LIVE DJ* Mix! 😂

[@magicspiral3323]

Get those backing tracks going somehow!🤘🏼

[@DPHZH67996B]

@@magicspiral3323 Maybee! 🦹‍♀️

[@midiaaudioevideo]

Hi friend, how do you connect DA98HR to a analogic mixer Like Behringer 3242MX ? Can you help me ? I'm not a musician but i'm a enthusiastic about audio and video

[@icollided]

Very nostalgic. It was the worst of both worlds.

[@videosuperhighway7655]

I cut my teeth on DTRS 4 units for a total of 32 tracks. So nice we are using computers and disk storage.

[@AKAIGXF71]

Super!

[@rainimaini1]

cool!

[@brawlick1096]

Dope bro!!! 💪💪💪🎯🎧🎶🎶🎶

[@muskymike1885]

do you know what kind of machine I would need to play DA-30 ampex 467 3/4 insh proffesaional digital audio cassette I believe its a U matic

[@joneg2008]

What type of cable is used to connect the DA38 to the RC 848 remote control thanks

[@magicspiral3323]

Unfortunately I think it’s proprietary

[@bamwu9233]

Some digital systems do not stream the data to disk/tape in real time, so there is a delay after hitting stop while waiting for everything to be flushed to disk/tape. Does this machine also have this same drawback?

[@magicspiral3323]

@@bamwu9233 no because it’s linear tape, not a hard disk.

[@bamwu9233]

@@magicspiral3323 Wow. That's definitely a point in its favor. So, you hit stop after recording 8 simultaneous tracks for 5 minutes, let's say... and the moment it stops, it's done? The data is on the tape, ready immediately for another round? Nice. I had to wait for awkwardly long periods after hitting stop on my Tascam Model 24. I had it only a few days because of this very problem.

[@drakefallentine8351]

Nice presentation, but I've got enough going on with analog equipment. I find it a relaxing, low stress hobby....so why ruin it?

[@ineedstuff8286]

@Magic Spiral on ebay i type tdk hi 8.... all kinds of stuff comes up that say "video"... that doesnt matter does it?.. it's all the same?... I imagine these have many uses?...if so, man.. these are cheaper than straight cassettes... WOW...

[@magicspiral3323]

Yes, typically hi-8 tapes were used for video. You just want the recommended tape formulation. (Should say in the manual.) they can have issues because there’s so many moving parts, but if properly maintained they still have some use.

[@MZ-tm1tw]

Alesis Adat Good sound but not a relabile format. Tascam Da 38, 78, 98 is More reliable. But why use digital tape machines at all much better to use harddisk recorders like Fostex D160 or later- 24-bit. D2424-LV it's the best substitute if you don't want to record to a computer. You don't use your Adats or Da machine for editing just dump your Tracks whit Adat lightpipe or Tdif digital to your Computer Soundcard Motu 2408 or RME hammerfall Digi 9636 and do all the editing in Cubase. If you want the magic of Analog tape what you want is a 1/2" 8 track machine or even better 1" 8 track machine. For 16-24ch you need the 2" format .

[@andreasmoll_0924]

I hated those big expensive hi-8 cassettes

[@gamepad3173]

heck if you wanted to you could connect up to 10 (if you wanted to record up to how ever many tracks that the controller can handle) then just bounce the stereo mix to a PC and continue recording.

[@gamepad3153]

how about recording with 8 track?

[@twoplayer5387]

Hey Landon, you're video really has me wanting to grab one of these I was just wondering once it's all on the tape how do you go about putting on a computer or other device?

[@magicspiral3323]

You’ll need a mixer to connect microphones and instruments to the recording machine. you’ll also need an audio interface like the Focusrite 18i20 (one that has 8 inputs) to connect the machine to the computer. Thanks for watching!

[@cusemoneyman]

I had two of these decks in the mid-2000's, and later wanted to transfer the contents of a bunch of tapes directly to computer (fully digital transfer, not digital->analog->digital). I needed special hardware to do it that is hard to find, and every transfer had to be done at playback speed (e.g. a 5 minute song took 5 minutes to transfer). As cool as these machines were, I really don't recommend getting into them now. As Landon said, they don't impart any sort of audible character on what they record, but they are also prone to breaking down, they will eat tapes, and the equipment needed to transfer the data to PC is hard to find.

[@songboy40]

@@cusemoneyman I ran 32 tracks of this for years. These machines transfer digitally using the Tdif standard. The MOTU 2408 has this protocal on board. Having said that, there really is no reason to use a digital tape transport these days.

[@badbeardbill9956]

I think preserving them for the sake of history is cool though. And a little fun for the guys who are into it. “Serious work?” Nah

[@aliasreco]

Hi. Do you know anything about problems with these recorders? I have only one dat player left... A tascam da-20. And in playback it gives often clicks left or right. When I rewind the tape the clicks are in other places. So it's not on the tape. How to repair this? (de magnetise the tape head I would suggest in audio cassette player age...) any ideas?

[@rtsasa1]

What Tascam mixer is that?

[@saren6538]

Hi can I ask did you develop any problems with the da38 as they are so prone to errors Thanks

[@magicspiral3323]

I didn’t keep the system around long enough to encounter any, but one machine did have issues running a few times when attempting to play or record, like maybe the sensor needed cleaning?

[@virensoni2970]

I want cassette player deck

[@ineedstuff8286]

if i wanted to sync this with an emu IV... can i just hook the two up with a midi cable?.. or do i need a separate tascam box thing like those controllers?

[@songboy40]

You would need tascams external sync box, or a DA-88 or 98 with the sync card installed. The sync card was amazing on these machines. Word, Video, etc.. Solid sync.

[@contumancia]

Do you need a tape inside to arm the tracks? Or I can pass the audio through without a cassette? Im planing to buy a DA-88 with broken cassette deck just to pass the audio right through it like I do with my DA30 : ) DAT rules : )

[@thomasrudder9639]

I have a DA88. I’ll let ya know.

[@saren6538]

@@thomasrudder9639 can you let us know

[@thomasrudder9639]

@@saren6538 sure. I’ll be home Friday. I’ll let ya know

[@ClaudeLavender]

Subscribe to this mans page!

[@hollyhockbaby1216]

Ive recorded on everything. Not.done

[@Bernz66]

I still have my Alesis ADAT XT that is synced to my DAW….. I also still have my DAT recorder

[@VDthrash]

is there any difference in sound if you did this directly to a focusrite/motu instead going the route you did?

[@Bernz66]

@@VDthrash are you talking about connecting the audio via ADAT SPD/IF? My ADAT is connected to my Echo Layla 24 by way of ADAT SPD/IF…

[@Bernz66]

@@VDthrash and are you talking about the difference in sound from the tape compared to recording to a hard drive (DAW)?

[@VDthrash]

@@Bernz66 yes! i mean besides the fun part from going back to these old machines, is there any significant difference in sound (since this is digital too) from going ADAT tape and then to the DAW, instead of going directly to a modern audio interface and then to DAW?

[@Bernz66]

@@VDthrash the sound is much fuller with more dynamics to my ear… it’s just another option to getting a fat sound…. I use tube mic preamps directly to my DAW to get a good full sound….