We're looking to replace our cassette decks. Since they are used for playback only, I don't see a need to invest $300 or $400 in the units. On the other hand, we want something that is professional that will not last. Any suggestions on a nice playback deck that will do the job without all the bells and whistles?
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Rack Mount Cassette Deck Suggestions
- Thread starter shreveville
- Start date
My small-market clients have been using consumer cassette decks for years. Long time ago, one of my clients bought the $800 deck with balanced I/O, and it developed the same capstan motor trouble that the cheapo decks did. He bought cheapo ever since. I have them interfaced with the board cleanly, and it's just fine. All they are used for now is playback of Sunday religious shows...everything else is file-based now...rarely use CD's except in emergencies, either, so consumer CD players are used too.
Thanks - is there a particular unit/model that you could recommend?
Thanks Grich. $150 sounds good. I'll look for a Teac. Anyone suggest a particular model or company to purchase from. I think BSW lowest priced cassette deck is around $340.
I think engineers are finding it is better to purchase a $150 unit and if it fails, replace it rather than invest a lot of time trying to repair it.
I think engineers are finding it is better to purchase a $150 unit and if it fails, replace it rather than invest a lot of time trying to repair it.
If you know how to align the decks yourself, these are a good option. You have 2 independent decks in one unit, with independent ins/outs.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TASCAM-302-DUAL-CASSETTE-TAPE-DECK-/250877376248?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item3a6974f6f8
Or if you only need one
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TASCAM-112-PRO-CASSETTE-RECORDER-CLEANED-NEW-RUBBER-/270804170513?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f0d2fb711
What will you be playing back on them? Are they going to be in production or the air-studio? My suggestion is anything that's going to be used on air should be dubbed into Adobe (or your DAW of choice) and cleaned up for air.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TASCAM-302-DUAL-CASSETTE-TAPE-DECK-/250877376248?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item3a6974f6f8
Or if you only need one
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TASCAM-112-PRO-CASSETTE-RECORDER-CLEANED-NEW-RUBBER-/270804170513?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f0d2fb711
What will you be playing back on them? Are they going to be in production or the air-studio? My suggestion is anything that's going to be used on air should be dubbed into Adobe (or your DAW of choice) and cleaned up for air.
While both those Tascam decks were very good when they were new, you are nuts to buy a used one for a radio studio that needs to be reliably on the air. The number one problem with all cassette decks is the transport. They are made mostly of plastic and don't take a lot of abuse. After about ten years or so the rubber parts start to rot out. Usually the first thing to go is the capstan drive belt. When it breaks or stretches, the game is over. Sure, you can replace the belt if you can find one, but they are usually miserable to change. When the belt goes, the pinch roller and rubber idler wheels are not far behind.
If your hobby is fixing cassette recorders, then those shown are great values. If your time is worth much, just get whatever consumer deck you can find and plan on replacing it periodically. Sony and TEAC are probably your best bets, but there aren't many cassette decks left on the market. The easy way out is to search Amazon.com. They have several, and you’ll have it on your doorstep in just a few days.
If your hobby is fixing cassette recorders, then those shown are great values. If your time is worth much, just get whatever consumer deck you can find and plan on replacing it periodically. Sony and TEAC are probably your best bets, but there aren't many cassette decks left on the market. The easy way out is to search Amazon.com. They have several, and you’ll have it on your doorstep in just a few days.
I agree. I would be afraid to buy a used cassette deck for a radio station. Better to have a new one that can take some abuse.
shreveville said:
Well, if you want something pro that will not last, pick just about any deck you like! ;D
No cassette deck will last, as mentioned by others above. Even hi-fi buffs with their several-thousand-dollar Nakamichis are
always looking for pinch rollers and drive belts. Rubber perishes, end of story.
So, I work on the basis that I'm going to have to replace these parts at some point in the life of the unit. It may be 5 years down the track, it may be 15 - but it's going to have to be done, so may as well factor it into the job schedule.
In the meantime, I want a deck that has a nice feel, operates solidly and is ready to go with balanced I/O, rack ears etc.
I don't want to have to spend even more time modifying a consumer deck to do a pro-deck job.
In theory, your cassette deck should never see a lot of use. Compatibility is really the only need for one these days, so you can recover old audio or listen to a demo tape (but even those are rare).
Everything else can be done digitally - aircheck logging, client demos, file transfer and archiving.
I have a Tascam 122 MkII and so far I haven't needed to change any rubber parts. Granted, there are probably pro-type cassette decks out there that are easier to work on than this machine, but the price was right and it's nice to use.
The day will come when I have to pull it down and overhaul it, but until we lose mechanical formats of audio recording for good, this little task will be with us for sometime.
If your time is worth a lot, then you shouldn't be considering mechanical playback devices in any critical role anyway.
The Tascam 122 was a very good deck, but any you are likely to find are probably 10-15 years old. They are not much fun to work on. In my previous life, I owned a Pro-Audio company that serviced them and as well as lot of other stuff, so I have some basis for that claim.
The good news is they seldom break, but when they do the first thing to go is the rubber parts, usually the capstan belt. The other problem spot is the transport control buttons. Usually the stop button breaks, rendering the deck useless. You can't change just one button. It is an entire module with all the transport controls. If you can find a replacement, it isn't that hard to change, but as far as I know, Tascam no longer supports them, so finding a replacement may be a problem.
Here at the station, I have two or three of these decks that need switches. If you have a stash of them, I'd be interested.
Otherwise it is a good deck. They seldom have any electronic problems, although the VU meters sometimes quit working. If you can find a meter, it is an easy fix.
The good news is they seldom break, but when they do the first thing to go is the rubber parts, usually the capstan belt. The other problem spot is the transport control buttons. Usually the stop button breaks, rendering the deck useless. You can't change just one button. It is an entire module with all the transport controls. If you can find a replacement, it isn't that hard to change, but as far as I know, Tascam no longer supports them, so finding a replacement may be a problem.
Here at the station, I have two or three of these decks that need switches. If you have a stash of them, I'd be interested.
Otherwise it is a good deck. They seldom have any electronic problems, although the VU meters sometimes quit working. If you can find a meter, it is an easy fix.
i can't vouch for this brand, but at this price i'd take a look at:
http://www.pyleaudio.com/itemdetail.asp?model=PT649D
it's available from amazon, j&r, other places for under $75. at that price buy 2.
-amos
http://www.pyleaudio.com/itemdetail.asp?model=PT649D
it's available from amazon, j&r, other places for under $75. at that price buy 2.
-amos
Can I ask why on earth in 2011 you would be using a cassette deck at all? I haven't used a cassette in any of my client stations, both small and large for quite a few years.
If it's for skimming, you'd be much better off getting BSI Skimmer and a PC and going that route.
Is a programmer sending you something on cassette? Demand a CD from them.
If it's for skimming, you'd be much better off getting BSI Skimmer and a PC and going that route.
Is a programmer sending you something on cassette? Demand a CD from them.
Man... I thought I was the only one! ;DWNTIRadio said:
And if they can do a CD they can make it a mp3, WAV or whatever file too... :-X
although the OP didn't say exactly what would be played on them, he did say they would only be used for playback. it sounds like what another person suggested -- to play a program from a preacher.
the OP also stated he was looking for something in a budget price level.
and he also said (in the subject line) that he wanted rack mount.
i'd sure try this one http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-Home-PT6...V3TT/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1314071102&sr=8-1
no it's no a teac, studer, or nakamichi. there is a new-old-stock Nakamichi cr-7a on ebay for $1800, but alas it doesn't have the rack mount.
the OP also stated he was looking for something in a budget price level.
and he also said (in the subject line) that he wanted rack mount.
i'd sure try this one http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-Home-PT6...V3TT/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1314071102&sr=8-1
no it's no a teac, studer, or nakamichi. there is a new-old-stock Nakamichi cr-7a on ebay for $1800, but alas it doesn't have the rack mount.
I deal with such talent at one of the stations I engineer for. I have them now comfortable with CD-R recorders and flash recorders which use SD cards. Which work great and much easier workflow. And the preachers have appreciated the fact that we take their messages seriously and the fact that by making them sound more professional on air, the more people will really listen to their messages. And they're even podcasting now to reach and relate to younger members. And the ability to listen to their messages at length.
while i totally agree that it's the 21st century and audio is much better from a source other than a cassette tape, the OP did ask for cassette deck suggestions.
if i asked you where to find a good slice of pizza or hot dog in new york, would you direct me to ruth's chris?
i suspect the OP knows the limitations of the cassette, but still has his reasons for needing them.
*pizza - famous rays original 11th st @ 6th ave in the village
*hot dog - nathans - coney island location only.
if i asked you where to find a good slice of pizza or hot dog in new york, would you direct me to ruth's chris?
i suspect the OP knows the limitations of the cassette, but still has his reasons for needing them.
*pizza - famous rays original 11th st @ 6th ave in the village
*hot dog - nathans - coney island location only.
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