Tascam M3700 User Guide Part 1

[@johnkaplun9619]

Very nice. I have a complete M520 with a tascam 58 8 track and two 42NB mix down decks, essentially the same range as this set up but about 10-15 years older. It's super fun but this console looks a lot more featured. Hoping to move up to two inch 24 track soon and I'm gonna seek one of these out because I've been so impressed with the M520 and having the automation would be amazing.

[@LCD-b8q]

Nice M3700, never used one as I used to use an Amek and a TAC scorpion many years ago. Just wondering, what monitors are you using? Many small studios lack the investment in good studio monitors which is vital. Again many years ago it was the JBL 4435's or 4412's which where the choice of many professional studios.

[@guerrillastudiosmanchester]

We actually have a selection of monitors for engineers to choose ranging from Yamaha's to Mackie's. My personal preference ironically are probably the cheapest and the ones you'll see in most videos. They're a pair of Alesis M1 mk2's. Someone gave me some to repair and after I tried them I had to get my own for the studio. I believe they were discontinued in the 90's so they weren't easy to find. Every now and then you'll see some pop up on eBay, but nobody ever asks much for them despite the good specs. I simply find that I am able to mix best with these.

[@OSHEIT]

Man! I miss my M3700 and my MSR-16 😢

[@Rscanlon322]

I’m having an issue with the tape returns hopefully you’ll be able to help . I have all the channel faders down and all the flip buttons up. But I’m still getting sound from the tape returns? As far as I’m aware of the faders are down there should be no sound right ? And definitely not if the flip buttons are up so I’m really confused .

[@guerrillastudiosmanchester]

Hey, firstly I'd check what the master section is set to listen to in the control room. I can't remember off the top of my head how these are routed but there may be a configuration there that would allow you to hear the returns even with the faders down. Also the short monitor faders pre, mon in conjunction with the line buttons allow for multiple configurations of routing for mixdown purposes. The routing is complex but explained in the manual. Do you have a copy? If not drop me your email and I can send you a PDF. It has good illustrations of all the possible internal routing for signals which should help you get to the bottom of it.

[@rickysaunders2680]

Hey, looks like one o these desk is coming my way for free soon! Do you know are the Direct Outs pre or post fader? I plan to use it run into my DAW through interface.

[@guerrillastudiosmanchester]

The direct outs are post main fader. They are also TS connections due to the age of the console so you may encounter ground loop interference when using it with a digital interface. It hasn't been an issue for us as we're using tape machines.

[@Rscanlon322]

Hey I’m having a problem with the auxiliary sends on the desk. I’m getting no sound and I can’t figure out why. I want to send various inputs to the auxiliaries to use as monitor mixes but there’s no sound. So I’m having to use the sub groups instead which isn’t ideal . Could you maybe give me a few scenarios of why I mightn’t be getting sound

[@guerrillastudiosmanchester]

I suppose the first things to check are the simple things. Is the signal reaching the master section of the desk? Once you turn up trim to send the signal to the Aux from the channel strip and turn up the corresponding Aux trim on the master section. Then on the master section select to just listen to that Aux with the push buttons. Does the signal come through the control room speakers?

[@Rscanlon322]

@@guerrillastudiosmanchesterthank you very much for the reply . It turns out the aux 1 output on the desk was just faulty!

[@bernardomanzoli7603]

Hi. My Tascam MSR16 scratches the tip of the tape on the reel every single turn. How do you solve this problem? Thank you for the awesome content.

[@guerrillastudiosmanchester]

Hi thanks for the question. This is usual for half inch spools as they are easily bent out of shape. It won't effect the performance of the machine but it is annoying. There are some things you can do to improve it. I modified the machine by placing 1mm washers under the top right corner screws where the motors mount. This angles them slightly inwards helping keep the tape away from the edges of the reels. I also try and be very precise when threading the tape onto the take-up reel so that it is away from the edges of the reel. Also check your reels are as straight as can be and store them upright so nothing can lay on them as they are so easily squashed out of shape.

[@bernardomanzoli7603]

@@guerrillastudiosmanchester yes, that's annoying and makes noise to the microphones. Thank you so much for all those tips. I will try them.

[@jonstringer3436]

Lovely explanation of the 3700. Pardon me for asking but wonder if you could post the dimensions of the console for me. Looks a nice centre piece for our open reel machines indeed. I like how your patch bays and outboard gear sit at the right hand side of the console, very handy to get at. I have my outboard gear in rack units underneath. My Mackie 32 worked in a very similar fashion to the 3700, other than no automation. I guess you have better pre’s with the 3700 also. It didn’t bother me too much as I have 6 Isa 1’s for my serious tracking. I’m getting some nice production results lately with the SSL Fusion on the master bus, along with 2 Klark EQPT’s and a ART Pro Vla comp. I’m always changing something hopefully for the best, almost un satisfied but, I’m always looking for that little bit better which like you know, these are the avenues we have to venture. I’m very interested in the 3700, undecided right now regards to room, but surely can’t be larger than the Mackie 32. The other thing obviously is the risk of one being in fully good working condition. I had a Tascam M 2600 a while back which had all sorts of problems going off. However I know the 3700 is in a different league. My compliments to you and thanks for a thorough explanation of the 3700, very intuitive.

[@guerrillastudiosmanchester]

Sure its approximately 1360x305x953mm and weighs 80kg. Originally I believe they were all supplied with a very nice built in stand so there are some wooden panels on the sides which can be removed. Therefore the dimensions may vary slightly as most of the examples I've seen are missing the stand or at least one side of the wood panelling.

[@jonstringer3436]

Ahh appreciate this, yes realised it came with the stand or did initially. It’s really some console. I own two MSR 24’s which are both in lovely condition all working. I had the Midizer controller at one point syncing them both giving me 46 tracks time code on trk 24 on both units. It worked flawlessly and was great to see and work with. I soon realised it really wasn’t necessarily for all those tracks and not having a console to cater for them to. Also the price of one inch tape for two machines. One machine is not quite so bad to keep in tape obviously. At present I’m using the MSR 16, aren’t they lovely machines? I’m just using an Alesis 16 channel desk with quite some I/O but like I mentioned previously would like something particularly to cater for the 24 tracks. I have a Revox PR99 for mastering to, which suites nicely. Great to chat with you and see how you are working your studio. Regards John

[@robison824]

Does it have a loud hissing or buzzing noise? I want to buy one. The guy is asking for $600, I thought it was a good price.

[@guerrillastudiosmanchester]

So long as you don't use it with a digital interface

[@SONORSQ2guy]

No phase reverse?

[@guerrillastudiosmanchester]

That's correct, the M3700 does not have phase reverse. One of the few features that is missing from this otherwise fantastic console.

[@cristianpatrocinio4974]

Very goog