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Unusual, vintage and exotic electronic instruments and recording equipment.
Tascam 388 Studio 8
Tascam 388 Studio 8
Tascam 388 Studio 8
Tascam 388 Studio 8
Tascam 388 Studio 8
Tascam 388 Studio 8
Tascam 388 Studio 8
Tascam 388 Studio 8
Tascam 388 Studio 8
Tascam 388 Studio 8
Tascam 388 Studio 8
Tascam 388 Studio 8
Tascam 388 Studio 8
Tascam 388 Studio 8
Tascam 388 Studio 8
Tascam 388 Studio 8
Tascam 388 Studio 8
Tascam 388 Studio 8
Tascam 388 Studio 8
Tascam 388 Studio 8
Tascam 388 Studio 8
Tascam 388 Studio 8
Tascam 388 Studio 8
Tascam 388 Studio 8
Tascam 388 Studio 8
Tascam 388 Studio 8
Tascam 388 Studio 8
Tascam 388 Studio 8

Product

Tascam 388 Studio 8

Brand: tascam

Categories: Compact Mixers, Misc Studio, Studio Consoles, Studio Gear, Tascam 388 Studio 8

View our testimonials

Auction item. A great example of this wonderful mid-80s "complete 8-track production centre" (to quote the manual!). Supplied serviced and ready to go to work.

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These take a considerably amount of work to restore, so we may well have one being worked on. Get in touch now if you need to know more.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

A great example of this wonderful mid-80s “complete 8-track production centre” (to quote the manual!). Supplied serviced and ready to go to work.

Bid extensions / overtime: if a bid is placed in the final 5 minutes of the auction, the end time will be extended for a further 5 minutes. Read more about this…

Description

A great looking, low-use Tascam 388 Studio 8 for sale. It’s a 1/4″ 8-Track Tape Recorder with Mixer.

For sale by auction: fully serviced at Soundgas and with our usual warranty. Lead time is 10 to 20 working days from purchase.

Dating from 1985, this was the first combined eight track mixer/tape machine and is definitely not a Portastudio! We’ve previously shied away from them as most have had long hard lives and require a lot of work to be even passable, but when this barely-used example was snuffled out by our gear hounds, we couldn’t resist. They’ve become somewhat popular of late – perhaps unsurprisingly given their use by such varied luminaries as Dan Auerbach (Black Keys), Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys) and Madlib. 

SHIPPING – will be charged at our standard rates. Please ask if you need a quote.

This review from a pre-Sound-On-Sound Paul White tells you much of what you need to know:

You can find the manual online, and this info below is taken from there:

The Studio 8 is a complete eight track production system.

It contains a full function 8 x 8 x 2 mixer with 8 channel monitoring; combined with an eight track recorder/reproducer with full servo control, remote capability, and SMPTE/EBU/computer interface.

It is an ideal turn-key production facility for off-line audio for video, jingles, commercial radio and television spots, and music.

As a complete system, the Studio 8 virtually eliminates the time consuming and confusing patching normally associated with multi-track audio production.

The most frequently used functions are engaged automatically and many complex operations are internally wired to reduce work by reducing the number of steps necessary to get things done.

Specifications:

  • Track system: 8-track, 8-channel, stereo/monaural/multi channel system
  • Heads: 1 x record/playback, 1 x erase
  • Motor: 1 x capstan, 2 x reel
  • Reel size: up to 7 inch reel
  • Tape speeds: 7 1⁄2 ips
  • Wow and flutter: 0.05% (7 1⁄2 ips)
  • Frequency response: 30Hz to 16kHz (7 1⁄2 ips)
  • Signal to Noise Ratio: 90dB
  • Total harmonic distortion: 3%
  • Crosstalk: 75dB
  • Input: 300mV (line), 1mV (mic)
  • Output: 0.3V (line)
  • Dimensions: 837 x 220 x 641mm
  • Weight: 38kg
  • Year: 1985

Condition

In excellent cosmetic condition with only minor wear to the face. There are some scuffs and scratches around the edges of the case. The end cheeks are clean with shipping damage to a couple of the corners. Please see photos or get in touch if you require more information on condition.

Voltage Information

Switchable voltage for use anywhere in the world - it will be set up ready for you to use before we ship.

Tax

For sales in UK the price will include 20% VAT. Buyers elsewhere may incur VAT or other local taxes on import.

TESTIMONIALS

“The Space Echo made its way to me - it looks and sounds beyond dreams, thanks guys for your great service and communication.”

Julius Bonson

“The perfect place to hear, learn about and then buy your most wanted piece of vintage music gear! I've not only managed to buy a rare piece of equipment I really wanted, but I have the guarantee it's been serviced, and I got it from people who are clearly passionate and knowledgeable about what they do, as well as super friendly and responsive by email. Thoroughly recommended!”

Colleen / Cécile Schott

As good as it gets. Tony, Dec and team have been incredible, prompt communication, great advice and outstanding service. It really felt like my Polysix came from a loving home.

Ben Parm

Grabbed a Roland RE-201 (early edition killer pre-amp) and Roland DC-50. Absolutely STUNNING. These guys truly live up to the hype. They are meticulous in caring for the gear. Also, I have a few guitar pedal and plug-in emulations of tape-echo sounds and after plugging in the real unit I can't tell you how insane the difference is. It is incredible. Especially that tone from the early pre-amp! I am totally amazed. I am in heaven :) They made it safely to Nashville from the UK and were packed really really well! Thank you so much!! Worth every penny.

Chance Allen

"Finally, a company that tracks down all those brilliant curiosities that bring so much character and personality to a studio."

Matthew Herbert

Purchased a Juno-60 and it works beautifully. Having gotten one teched before, I knew it was worth paying a premium to get it future proofed and Soundgas does just that. Shipped professionally from the UK to USA. Appreciate their expertise and professional demeanor!

Eric Cullen

"Engaging with old gear can sometimes be filled with a lot of uncertainty, and I can't imagine what more could be done to reduce this aspect of it on top of the service you provide. Really phenomenal and I couldn't be happier."

Stephen Voinea

I have been buying vintage stuff for a long time from resellers/stores/techs. I've never been so surprised and pleased after opening! Just received a Roland RE-201 and VX55 mixer, they look and sound amazing! Thanks to Tony/Declan for the service and the Soundgas team will be back!

Dong Yun Seok

"The packing job to get it over to the US was superb, and the sound and performance of my Space Echo exceeds all of my expectations. I hope to do business with Soundgas again in the future. Many thanks!”

Rhett Daily

“I’ve bought a number of items from Soundgas recently, and have been really impressed with their service. It takes the stress out of buying vintage gear to know it’s been properly (and faithfully) serviced or restored. Their after-sales service has also been exemplary. Highly recommended.”

David Wrench

“If not a new language, then at least a very challenging, old dialect that will take me some time to assimilate. I’ve been waiting a long time for the challenge. Thank you @soundgasltd, she’s a beaut...and nobody prepares and packs like you fine folks.”

Justin Meldal-Johnsen

“Imagine the perfect eBay.... with everything you never knew you wanted… and you can rest assured that your vintage and rare wobbly sound device will turn up on time and in one piece and possibly in even better condition that when it left the workshop. Soundgas - literally amazing."

Josh Lloyd-Watson & Tom McFarland - Jungle

"Just received my Roland RS 505 Paraphonic! Thanks so much - arrived very promptly, well packaged, in great condition and sounds amazing! Best seller."

Koko Hiras

"Yes, sure, you can find a Space Echo on eBay, but you won’t find one like this — that’s certain. I am so pleased with my decision to buy from Soundgas, and suggest you stop your search now and just send them a message. You will undoubtedly find yourself writing an ecstatic review about yours in short time."

Ben Evolo

Just wanted to say thank you so much for your pinch roller and echo tape. I've had a space echo for years, been sent to a shop in NYC and it never worked quite right. After installing the roller and tape, my echo works like a dream. Really incredible expertise you all have! Thank you.

Andrew Potter

“I purchased a completely overhauled vintage valve Binson Echorec 2 T7E modified with varispeed, wet-only output, and a new paint job from Soundgas in early 2018. Tony and his team did an amazing job during every step of the purchase”

Matt Morton

"Excellent equipment, wonderful service. I fully recommend Soundgas to anyone in the vintage gear market and I will definitely be a return customer. The gear itself was exactly as advertised and in great condition."

Hallam Kite

"DREAM. COME. TRUE. My music has taken me around the world a few times...and if you are like me and absolutely adore vintage gear...Soundgas is the stuff of LEGENDS. It's the shop that people like us search for our whole lives- fantastic and rare selections, and the technical know-how to repair and or mod these vintage items to get them into shape to flow with your modern setup."

Tom Gossin

"Still in shock! Can not believe how good the seller is. This product was inspected, and shipped from the UK to the USA quicker than orders from my home state. Highly recommend these guys."

Thomas Tedesco

"Soundgas has an unbelievable selection of the cool, old stuff that’s hard to find. Tony knows his stuff and goes out of his way to make sure the transaction is a smooth one. Thanks guys!"

Tucker Martine - Flora Recording

"Packed with love and care. A stampede couldn't have crushed this thing. Works great and sounds like a dream. I love you Soundgas."

Ben Van Vlissingen

"Soundgas offer a great service, sourcing esoteric gear that works great."

Tom Rowlands - Chemical Brothers

“I have bought two Moog synths from Soundgas over the past year, and I cannot say enough wonderful things about their selection of vintage products, the level of service, diligent responses to email, and expedient shipping with copious protective packaging. Soundgas is an impressive operation. My synths also sound amazing! These folks have made my vintage keyboard dreams come true in short order!”

J Yates

Fantastic. From initial contact to the product landing at my door the service provided was outstanding. Safe and secure shipping, quality serviced product.

Tom Johnston

“If you are a vintage audio gear head then this is the place you have been looking for all your life. Pretty much any piece of classic or obscure kit that you are after is available here... But the clincher for me is that the gear they sell has been restored by their top techs (unless otherwise noted) which is really very important when dealing with, for example, synths from 30 years ago.”

Lincoln Barrett / High Contrast

"When you are spending big money of vintage gear it's nice to have the confidence of impeccable service, sales and support... some of the best in the industry! Impeccable people, incredible equipment… my poor poor fiancé"

James DLR - Sofa Sound/Metalheadz

"Soundgas provided the absolutely top service in terms of item quality as well as service and communication. Shipping was fast, packing was top notch. These people deserve the best reputation they already have. Many many thanks, guys."

Dupille Luc

"808 is up and running. It’s hard to stop playing it. Like even to eat. Extending testing is quality control and the quality of your stuff combined with customer service is one of the reasons Soundgas is so successful in my opinion."

Brett R

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OUR GUARANTEE

We stand behind our gear with a guarantee of your satisfaction - see the FAQ section above for full details and buy with complete confidence.

SHIPPING DISCOUNTS

When buying more than one item you only pay the shipping on the item with the highest shipping cost. Calculated automatically at checkout.

NEED HELP?

Get in touch via the contact page. We know & love our gear and we want to ensure you get something that matches your needs (that, and we just like talking gear).

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