Can I use old 4-track tapes in a new 4-track recorder?

[ackersonce]

Several years ago I made many 4-track recordings using a Tascam 414 and didn't get to finish all of the recordings or mix some of them down. Can I use these old tapes in a machine other than the original Tascam 414, or do I need to buy a used one somewhere?

[String7th]

Wow, a Tascam 414, that takes me back.

Yes, just pop them in a new 4-track player. All those tapes have, get this, "4 tracks" it records data on. These Tascams use use all 4 in one direction, where normal stereos use 2 going one direction, panned stereo, and 2 the other direction. If you were to pop of of these in a stereo you would hear channels 1 and 2 only, and turn it around you hear tracks 3 and 4 being played backwards. crazy, huh?

[newkid]

Originally Posted by ackersonce

Several years ago I made many 4-track recordings using a Tascam 414 and didn't get to finish all of the recordings or mix some of them down. Can I use these old tapes in a machine other than the original Tascam 414, or do I need to buy a used one somewhere?

if the tape size& reels , heads speeds, and tracks match yes

best to get another 414 unless you are sure what else you buy would really work

[ackersonce]

Thanks so much for the help. I figured that I would probably need to get another 414 because I did notice that playing speed was a factor, but did not know if the speed was standard across all models/types. Thanks again!

[newkid]

Originally Posted by ackersonce

Thanks so much for the help. I figured that I would probably need to get another 414 because I did notice that playing speed was a factor, but did not know if the speed was standard across all models/types. Thanks again!

most devices use one or more standard speed, size, reel, etc.
but 4 trackers need 4 tracks at once
most 4 track stereo decks do two tracks at once
flip the tape and then do two more in between the first two
(going in the opposite direction!)

I have a deck with two speeds and one with 4
there are at least 2 more speeds used that i dont have
and at least 2-3 more reel types that i cant use
and at least 3 more tape widths than i can handle
not to mention tape types and the bias they need

safest to find the same model you used at first
or find a place to rent that can copy the tape for you
might be cheaper if you only need to do it once

[tacman7]

I used to have a Teac 3340s deck. Never worked right after doing some guitar tracks when the uncut string end coming off my tuning peg when into a 110v socket that I had conveniently located on the edge of the desk.

Try and avoid that.

I would get them off tape, tape turns to dust. Hard drives turn to dust. People started recording albums on a hard drive and after 10 years find that just sitting there it got messed up. Nothing lasts.

Now I'm depressed.

Thanks

[newkid]

Originally Posted by tacman7

I used to have a Teac 3340s deck. Never worked right after doing some guitar tracks when the uncut string end coming off my tuning peg when into a 110v socket that I had conveniently located on the edge of the desk.

Try and avoid that.

I would get them off tape, tape turns to dust. Hard drives turn to dust. People started recording albums on a hard drive and after 10 years find that just sitting there it got messed up. Nothing lasts.

Now I'm depressed.

Thanks

hard drives do not turn to dust but become obsolete

tape does not turn to dust -
-- and will last for a lot of years still

they get brittle
the binder glue can seep
there are problems
but

there are ways to save old tape and get the music off
IF you treat them before using them


and of course
have the proper machine to play them

but tape machines will be around for some time yet
unlike 8" floppy drives which are gone forever
and 5" floppy drives pretty much all gone unless you have an old pc (might still be able to buy a used one working somewhere)
and floppy drives - just bought an outboard adapter for usb
and still have two machines working that use them
hey! you can still buy 3" floppys new

your best bet is to print out scores of all the music
then in the future you can scan them into some notation program and have musicians or midi recreate them live --- way in the future

paper lives on forever! magnetic stuff does not.
old books are in libraries
old magnetic stuff is in museums

[tacman7]

The libraries are having a tough time getting stuff off all the paper before it turns to dust.

I have a bunch of tapes and you get red crap all over your hands if you handle them.

This was something I read about producers that put hard drives away for safe keeping and there were errors on it after 20+ years of sitting. Cosmic rays?

They would have been better with vinyl.

Magnetic media degrades.
Media preservation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Even DVD's are supposed to have problems, now they sell archival grade dvd's that's supposed to last.


I don't think the world will be any worse off for loosing my old tapes.

[magno]

Most 4-track recorders were either "normal speed" or double speed. I used to use tascam and Fostex 4-tracks(I still own a Fostex X-28h that's out on permanent loan status), you could bounce your 4 tracks over to another regular cassette deck and end up having 2 or 3 more tracks to use. Most of them have a pitch adjust on them too.
Here's an idea that should work, with hopefully not too many problems. If you can get just a regular tape deck, record to your DAW the first 2 tracks, then flip the tape and record the other 2 tracks. Reverse the latter tracks and cross your fingers that they sync. They probably won't perfectly, but I'm sure it would be a lot of fun getting them to.

[garww]

I would look for a used one of some sort. Speed might be a small problem. Both speed and tracking should be adjustable - though maybe not so user friendly. I've been meaning to try that reverse in DAW trick, 'cause I have some tape in the old mono 4-track I'd like to just record from once.