Tascam 388 Studio 8 (USA Only)

Fully overhauled Tascam 388 Studio 8 for sale following a detailed and thorough restoration.

The 388 is a 1/4″ 8-Track tape machine with integral mixer: these are fabled for both their sound and workflow: a relatively pain-free route to real tape recordings.

Offered for sale on behalf of an experienced and trusted US tech who we work with regularly and whose work is exceptional.

Heads relapped to as-new condition – see photo of the head stack. Most of these machines have had long hard lives and require a lot of work to be even passable, but this one should offer flawless operation for many years to come.

The 388 is a classic – a “complete 8-track production centre” (to quote the manual).

Dating from c1985, this was the first combined eight track mixer/tape machine and is definitely not a very Porta-studio.

As used by many influential artsts ranging from Dan Auerbach (Black Keys), Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys) and Madlib.

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SHIPPING, TAX & BROKERAGE INFO:

This item is located in the USA (in LA). The listing excludes tax, which may be payable depending on your location. If you have any questions, please get in touch and we will do our best to help.

Shipping is to the USA or Canada only and is arranged between the buyer and seller direct. The seller has access to road case (which will need to be returned) and generally uses South West Couriers to move things like this. If you need an estimate then get in touch.

Brokerage Sale on behalf of a client. If you have gear that you want us to look at selling on your behalf then please look at our Commission & Consignment page for more information and get in touch to discuss your requirements.

We only sell items by brokerage with trusted clients who understand their gear. That said, it is the buyer’s responsibility to confirm details provided in the listing by the seller are to their satisfaction – if you have any questions at all please let us know before we arrange shipping.

As a brokerage sale, payment will be made to us but will be held in escrow for the seller until the buyer confirms satisfactory receipt of the item. The buyer has 14 days from receipt to raise any concerns, after which we will release funds to the seller. Full terms available on request.

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MORE 388 INFO:

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