Learn all the secrets of the Tascam 388 in my Program! tinyurl.com/3u7nysmp

The fact that you interned for Zimmer is pretty awesome tbh, Glad you got this beauty somewhat sorted out in the end too!

Thank you for taking your time to record and share this video. I notice it’s been online for a few years but it’s still serving it’s purpose. After watching this I was confident to attempt the repair and was able to easily get my clock counter working also! Hello from Tennessee.

@travisraab

11 ай бұрын

whaaat that's awesome to hear

Passion and dedication to something that's worth it warrants great results. Good for you!

@travisraab

2 жыл бұрын

Owens Thank you!

Thank you Travis for sharing. It is always equally impressive how people, in addition to all day-in-day-out-of-survival activities, find the strength and desire to share their experiences. Also, do it in an entertaining way. It's funny how people while talking to the camera/phone easily forget that they are actually talking to themselves.

@travisraab

2 жыл бұрын

right on Dusan thanks for watching !

This was great man! Keep doing these 388 vids!!

@travisraab

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Mark i have a few I'm editing up rn

I have one of these and i need to use it more frequently, These are nice machines and they are increasing in value..

Really enjoy your videos I'd love to have one of those 388's great work just having the patience to do stuff like that and get it working so satisfying

@travisraab

2 жыл бұрын

It can definitely be rewarding! It's a fun machine I'm thinking about getting rid of it actually, I'm kind of a minimalist.

❤ good job dude🎉 I bought one when they first came out! Bring back a thousand memories 😊 and yes the rewind speed always scared the hell out of me but it always stopped 😊 stay well

@travisraab

Ай бұрын

very cool! thanks for stopping by

I wonder if your fader for channel 1 needs to be sprayed with DeoxIT. You really do have a nice little machine there. Your efforts are going to prove to be rewarded. Ownership is half the battle. The other half is doing your research to repair it, which is what you did. Thank you for helping out the rest of us.

@travisraab

2 жыл бұрын

I fixed it here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/o5max49uqMaTnrw.html Thanks for watching Paul!

Those things were dope!

I’m finally bringing my 388 out of storage after 8 years and your vid has me more stoked than I was before. Thx!!!

@travisraab

2 жыл бұрын

whoa!! that's exciting Andrew. Keep me posted on it. I hope it runs smooth that'll be fun !

@mullethillsound

2 жыл бұрын

@@travisraab It "should" run smoothly. I had it serviced just before mothballing it. I've been 100% DAW based for years now, but I'm missing the 388 magic. I'll probably use the 8 pres on the front end into my DAW, and I'd like to experiment with using it as an analog summing mixer for 4 stereo stems if I can figure out how to pan the channels for line-in signals. Perhaps thats' easy, but Ive not tried it yet.

@travisraab

2 жыл бұрын

@@mullethillsound sounds like a fun plan

I was given one of these today. I'm pretty excited about it. I think your videos are gonna teach me a lot, plus entertain me of course.

@travisraab

2 жыл бұрын

Whoever gave that must like you a lot! Congratulations!

@snarfusmaximus

2 жыл бұрын

@@travisraab He's moving interstate and didn't want to lug it. I promised it a good home and that I'd keep it maintained. I'm an electronics nerd and musician, and he's an awesome friend and former bandmate. It'll give me an excuse to finally turn my bungalow into a studio and make bad music with the instruments I spent years hoarding.

@travisraab

2 жыл бұрын

@@snarfusmaximus I love it! Keep me posted :)

@thedayones4918

2 жыл бұрын

I want to hang out with the two of you so maybe I can get one of these beautiful machines for 1/4 of the asking price or fucking free. Shout out from NYC keep up the great work 😆✌🏽

@travisraab

2 жыл бұрын

@@thedayones4918 thanks ;) they just put out a 388 plugin btw. I'm gonna compare it against my real 388

This was frickin awesome. Such a good video. I came here after seeing IK Multimedia have just done a plugin based on this machine, and was keen to learn more.

@travisraab

2 жыл бұрын

thanks Toehider! man I heard about that plugin. I commented on their youtube video offering to compare their plugin to my machine, and they deleted my comment! pretty crazy.

@thaexception3406

2 жыл бұрын

Same reason I came somewhat - I just used that 388 plugin and it is lovely so I had to look up some videos about it. The Porta one too is Niice.

@travisraab

2 жыл бұрын

@@thaexception3406 is that plugin any good?

Hey! I got one of these sitting in my basement and needs adjustments too! Your video is very interesting and I will try to adjust myself. I used to run Cubase on my old Atari 1040 ST(1 meg ram) computer back in the mid-90's and I had a PPS-1 midi sync box that would start Cubase when I would roll the tape machine. The idea was to disable the DBX noise reduction on track 8 of the Tascam 388 (there is a switch for that), and stripe track 8 with a time code with the PPS-1 box connected into midi on the Atari. That time code would then start Cubase when I would roll the tape so I could have all the analogue in sync with the midi instruments. It was like having a 7 track analogue machine and midi recorder teamed up! Worked great!

Great video. I also have my 388 I bought from Long and McQuade used back in 1990. Still works great, but i left it not used for a few years with a tape reel and tape against the heads, Forgot to remove it. Now the heads need to be cleaned and de magnetized.

@travisraab

7 ай бұрын

How much did you pay for it

Awesome gear. Always wanted one. Had a Sony TC-580 (actually 2 of them) and the rewind and FFW were so fast you'd think the machine would take off into the air.

I was in the market for one of these things 10 years ago and they could be had for between 300 to 600 bucks. Now you're lucky to find one listed for less than 2k.

@travisraab

Жыл бұрын

They are getting closer to 4k now

@joekaplowitz2719

11 ай бұрын

Yeah, kinda sucks doesn't it. All the old gear is going for stupid money now.

Nice! Congratulations and thanks for sharing.

@travisraab

3 жыл бұрын

basroos!! thanks man :)

@basroos_snafu

3 жыл бұрын

@@travisraab Amazing you're replying to everyone. You're a soul of my kind, we have a lot in common and it's kind of refreshing to watch you do your things, vulnerable and open minded. Keep up the inspiration and good work!

@travisraab

3 жыл бұрын

@@basroos_snafu wow hearing things like that is really great and makes it worth it thank you so kind!

So cool, thank you! I need to do the same on my machine too, I guess. After watching this, I feel motivated doing the damn procedure today! 💪 😂

@travisraab

3 жыл бұрын

Yes!!

Lucky you! 🤩

Very interesting. I like this gear topic. I'd like to see more tests of 388 or any sound comparison

@travisraab

3 жыл бұрын

Nice I'm going to post some of this comparisons

That's awesome dude. We have a couple of them sitting here at Tele Tech.

Oh this is super helpful. I believe I need to do the same and adjust my tensioner. thank you

@travisraab

Жыл бұрын

My pleasure

@stevemungarro2713

Жыл бұрын

@@travisraab IT WORKED!! Hallelujah, it worked!! My counter & FF both work! Thanks again!!

@travisraab

Жыл бұрын

@@stevemungarro2713 congratulations :)

This has to be one of the most awesome things I have ever seen, even though I can do far better audio production with my PC now, I STILL WANT ONE!

@travisraab

2 жыл бұрын

yeah they are fun!

this how we used to do it. 8 track cassette recorder everything except the vocals; those would involve stuffing someone into a closet with a Sure and some headphones 🤘😆

@travisraab

2 жыл бұрын

Love it

2:20 very much digging the socks. It's also cool to watch you drag Gen Z back to the analog age. You're making me repent my investment in digital recording gear...

@travisraab

2 жыл бұрын

thanks david i appreciate that! i have been digital for most of my life ...

I can so relate to all this retro tech trouble shooting lifestyle. Cause it’s a lifestyle.

A great all in one box. The only things missing really were phantom power and polarity. Generally sounded good but felt that distorted guitars never quite sounded right. Anything acoustic seemed beautiful. Still got mine but it needs love - your video has inspired me to have a go.

@travisraab

2 ай бұрын

you know your way around the 388

@squarejawpublishing

2 ай бұрын

I’m pretty familiar with it. I have had it since 1990. Done plenty of recordings with it and just love the workflow. It is heavy though.

cool ! I had one of these from 1988-1991

I found a like new one a few years ago. It's become one of my favourite machines (despite having a 2" 24 track studio) Such unique and fun machines. And the only thing I had to do was adjust the tension rollers. Same technique 😅

@travisraab

2 жыл бұрын

oh really? wow that's crazy. what is your 24 track machine? I keep thinking I want to sell it before it breaks.

@johnbeaudoin308

2 жыл бұрын

@@travisraab Don't sell it! I sold one in 2005 , and had to buy it back now at 4x the price ha. And I think everyone's had to adjust those tension roller resistors at some point!

@travisraab

2 жыл бұрын

@@johnbeaudoin308 i hear you John! are you enjoying yours now?

this channel is underrated af

@travisraab

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Sam!!

You bought the holygrail of tapeloopers dream

@travisraab

2 жыл бұрын

man i should try some looping

I love a happy ending.... you could still get it serviced and still come out ahead, given what these things go for...

@travisraab

Жыл бұрын

did you watch the whole video?

@xisotopex

Жыл бұрын

@@travisraab I thought I did! was it not a happy ending? it looked like you serviced it yourself so a win-win....

Good video even better with the laughs

@travisraab

2 жыл бұрын

😂😂

ooooofffffff sounds so good

@travisraab

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks plumdum! I appreciate it

OK so my Tascam 388 has the exact same issue, where it can't fast forward and the time screen does absolutely nothing. Going to give your solution a shot, you just saved me hours and hours of time going through old forums. Wish me luck!

@travisraab

2 жыл бұрын

whoa! keep me posted good luck

@BabeCityRecords

Жыл бұрын

@@travisraab it f'in WORKED!!!!

@BabeCityRecords

Жыл бұрын

thanks again for this incredible tutorial and advice, now my RTZ and timer works too!

@travisraab

Жыл бұрын

@@BabeCityRecords oh my goodness! congratulations that is super exciting congrats!

I made the demo that got my first record deal with one of these decks, that was in 1988. I was rerecording those songs in LA in 1989.

@travisraab

2 жыл бұрын

Very cool Dennis!

Ok first I have ever seen anyone adjust the tensor arms we are getting somewhere. 👍👍👍

@travisraab

Жыл бұрын

cool beans

I always used dolbyC on my fostex, you needed to use the noise reduction on all the 4trk units, always sounded fine to me

The 388 is king. Great videos man!! These are the best 388 videos and you're just getting started, nice work. What was your tracking process for the kick track and also the bass? Just out of curiosity. I had some fun with those tension rollers myself with the tweaking.

@travisraab

3 жыл бұрын

Man this 388 is fun there's something about it! Thanks for saying that i appreciate it ☺️. So there's another video where i talk about it a little more in depth regarding that song. kzread.info/dash/bejne/nqh5s8mlo9fNXZM.html Bass I actually probably should have used something to boost the signal because i had to max out everything to get enough bass juice. Kick Mic was that big Shure one. There's another video where i talk about how my friend helped me tune my drums. Those tension rollers scare me to death ☠️

Having the exact issue! Thanks!

@travisraab

Жыл бұрын

Aweskme

@travisraab

Жыл бұрын

Awesome

I had one of these. It was very good at doing what it needed to do. Loved it. Then came digital and destroyed everything. LOL. But really it destroyed everything.

@travisraab

2 жыл бұрын

yep digital is worse. analog is a better investment. the stuff actually lasts more than a few years.

So jealous man, have wanted one of those for years

@travisraab

2 жыл бұрын

i'm thinking about selling this bad boy

Wow 🤩

@travisraab

2 жыл бұрын

maui wowi

Have the same issue with a Portastudio 464. While hitting PLAY it won't run, so the mechanism stops. Rewind and FFW work fine.

I’m gonna start ending stories with “I said ‘Aw yeah’ and I drove to muthaf***in Vermont!”

@travisraab

3 жыл бұрын

If it doesn't end that way then it isn't worth telling !

this video made me subscribe

@travisraab

Жыл бұрын

thats awesome thank you!

Holy SHIT that thing sound THICC!!

@travisraab

3 жыл бұрын

😂 you can tell by the cat. I was just doing a session yesterday and we were about to add strings and I mentioned you. Ended up not going that route but looking forward to making some music with you!

@catojrgensen8912

3 жыл бұрын

@@travisraab The cat seriously had me laughing out loud! So confusing at first and then I got it, hahaha! Hey man, you just say when. I got you.

@travisraab

3 жыл бұрын

👍🙏

I'm kind of surprised that you "fixed" it by DECREASING the take-up tension - I think I would have tried INCREASING the supply tension first so that they were balanced. But WTF, you nailed it!

@travisraab

Жыл бұрын

My heart was pumping!

Good to see you got the transport working okay. Any luck with channel one??👍

@travisraab

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah it was a special moment when I turned that thing like 5 degrees haha. Yeah I'm about to open this guy up and try to repair channel 1!

Do you have any advice on how to service a dead channel? I have a channel 4 problem. No ins no outs. I re-seated the card, but it didn't do anything.

@travisraab

Жыл бұрын

That's a good first step. Swap that card with another channel to see if it's that card.

Hey bud do you remember what exact screwdriver you were using to adjust those tension rollers? Cheers

@travisraab

2 жыл бұрын

It looks like a small flathead screwdriver for a watch. But i don't have the manual in front of me and it's been about a year. I would grab a copy!

@KeeganPowellmusic

2 жыл бұрын

awesome. ps did you ever encounter your rewind button fastforwarding? trying to figure out why mine's doing that

@travisraab

2 жыл бұрын

@@KeeganPowellmusic you mean you press RR and it fast forwards? is it possible you wound it backwards?

@KeeganPowellmusic

2 жыл бұрын

@@travisraab Good point. I'll get back to you. Thanks for your vids

How do you know what tension it's supposed to be?

@travisraab

Жыл бұрын

depends what you are trying to achieve

Do a video on recording a full song on the 388

@travisraab

3 жыл бұрын

I got one coming!

Lol that’s my 388 in the thumbnail

@travisraab

3 жыл бұрын

!! I think I literally just google searched it. Would you like me to credit you in the description? It's a beautiful shot.

@gahgahgahd00

3 жыл бұрын

@@travisraab thanks :-) don't worry about it. cool video

@travisraab

3 жыл бұрын

@@gahgahgahd00 thanks man beautiful machine !!

i don't know anything about sound, i am watching this for fun, real question how do you sync what you do on that machine to your computer?

@travisraab

Жыл бұрын

You use an interface. There are also ways to sync it with a DAW by giving up one track. Thanks for watching!

@iamcillamusic

Жыл бұрын

@@travisraab wow!! music definitely is like magic, thanks for answering my question, you are incredible!!

@travisraab

Жыл бұрын

@@iamcillamusic absolutely

Had about six of these in the past twenty years bought the one I have now for 275 it would not record in any tracks cleaned the heads very dirty and demagnetized also as always a new drive belt it works perfect now it also looks brand new people don’t take care and do maintenance on these

@travisraab

2 жыл бұрын

very cool Al! congrats on your purchase. that's just about the best deal I ever heard.

@vox1966

2 жыл бұрын

@@travisraab thanks it was six years ago on eBay from a music store in Virginia the machine looked like brand new they sold as is for parts I can believe no one looked how dirty the heads visually looked. The real deal I got was on a tascam atr 80 with remote two inch 24 track machine bought on eBay from a famous recording studio in Chicago 800 bucks same thing as is for parts works flawlessly until this day

@travisraab

2 жыл бұрын

@@vox1966 you're a master!

I got a 388 for 35 bucks, but it also came from some hippies grandmother- So cleaning and sanitizing was important- I replaced the 'timing' belt, NOW im gonna adjust the tension rollers, thanks to you- Where can i get a manual? Thanks- Oh yeah i subscribed-

@travisraab

2 жыл бұрын

thats a really good deal!

Cool stuff, but I'll definitely stay skipping straight to the making music part, by just having Reaper and a bunch of plugins on my laptop 🤣

It does not show specific ally how to adjust the tension or which pot to use for each tension arm.

@travisraab

Жыл бұрын

Lol

What kind of tapes are you using?

@travisraab

Жыл бұрын

Lpr35

@Daniel-sz2pe

Жыл бұрын

@@travisraab Thanks!

My 388 is showing some weird signs of becoming old and tired - i.e., dead channels and some other weird things. you should absolutely break it down and fix channel 1! would be super helpful to see. :)

@travisraab

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Sumner! I'm sorry to hear that about your 388. Keep me posted maybe we can figure it out. I fixed channel 1 = kzread.info/dash/bejne/o5max49uqMaTnrw.html

@twitches_music

2 жыл бұрын

@@travisraab Wicked man! Thank you. I'll touch base with you again if stuff gets wonky.

👍👍👍

@travisraab

Жыл бұрын

whoooo

Tascam M-30 for $75? That mixer is amazing.

@travisraab

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah it sounds cool! I made a whole video about it for fun. Do you have one?

ah yes, the non-portable portastudio, the _studio_

@travisraab

2 жыл бұрын

it's a big one arfan!

That FF looks normal to me. But you might want to make use of the LOAD function

@travisraab

3 жыл бұрын

You're right mark. I got a lot to lern!

@Mark761966

3 жыл бұрын

@@travisraab It's all in the manual. AKA The Holy Book

Wer kann mir helfen, mein Gerät hat einen Defekt. Nach dem Einschalten schaltet ein E-Magnet und die Tasten Stop und Start reagieren nicht.

@travisraab

2 жыл бұрын

love it

It speeds up in ff. I've had mine working before.

this is extremely coincidental and random, but that image that you flashed on the screen of the guy in the hat with the dread locks is from my town and we grew up playing shows together. It’s confirmed, he has done a lot of modeling and stock photos. I came here originally because I’m (hopefully) getting a 388 in the next few days, but I did not expect that lmao

@travisraab

2 жыл бұрын

man i can't do anything anymore without getting into trouble lol. well it's a great photo!! is he from vermont? that is incredibly random. congrats on your 388 btw

@nintendoor1

2 жыл бұрын

@@travisraab no he’s not, that’s just a crazy coincidence haha. also, that 388 didn’t end up working out, but I found another that I may pick up eventually. I was bummed at first, but then I decided to try and fix my Teac 80-8 track 1/2 inch reel to reel recorder, and now, it finally works smoothly. That thing sounds unreal when it actually works

@travisraab

2 жыл бұрын

@@nintendoor1 sounds cool! Keep me posted. Your friend is cool

All for a little tape hiss and saturation

Dude, this is the same problem I have!

@travisraab

Жыл бұрын

I hope this helps, Matthew!

“Can’t trust the hippies”. Gets this unit for $75. 😅 Thank goodness for those damned,”Hippies”.

0:46 been there

@travisraab

2 жыл бұрын

done that

Basically more than the Beatles had (not including all they had with the lab coat scientists and all 😂 but ykwim)

@travisraab

2 жыл бұрын

That's why my music is better than theirs

@ME-ru4hv

2 жыл бұрын

@@travisraab 🤔True true. when you right you're right

THATS ORGASMIC MASHINE!

@travisraab

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah dawg

Cheap Tascam 388 Preamps! kzread.info/dash/bejne/Z3mKqKuCmbPKiJM.html

It do figure there would be problems i tell ya this vintage gear always has hidden problems and its sickening when you find it out toooooooo late!

@travisraab

2 жыл бұрын

It's basically perfect

😂

@travisraab

2 жыл бұрын

👍

wtf are these craigslist finds!?

@travisraab

4 ай бұрын

early bird gets the word

I did not see any difference.

@travisraab

Жыл бұрын

Lol

Bro Turn Those Machines off First Before repairing Them please Don’t want you to be in the Big Studio in the Sky 😂😂😂😂 Good 👍🏾 Channel