It's basically an 8 track reel to reel, like the fostex but the fostex is more of the traditional type like a Quad reel to reel, That it stands upright and has an 8 track head etc. and I think Tab can play right from the cart. But I can't ! Ifound to many q8s that needed to be opened and were to tight on the hub and could get damaged by playing direct from the cart I take the tape out and re wind it on to an empty reel and play it into my sound card all 8 tracks at one shot and then re- spool it back on the q8 reel and it's a bit tricky to do but after doing it a few times, it 's easy to do and then just pull the leader tape off and replace the metal sensor tape and shut the case and thats it! The main difference is the Tascam 388 is HUGE and is a console type unit with an eq / mixer section to the left with 8 lighted meters across the top,and the reel to reel section to the right laying down not up-right, with a smoked cover lid and meters above it! Springsteen did the Nabraska album on the same machine. It also has 8 channels of dbx1 n.r. and I modified the control board for speed to get the 3.75ips, I tried the reduction in size of the capstan but the speed is computer controlled and just speed up the motor so got out the manual and boy is it BIG and looked up the board and changed th vari-sistor and 3.75.
I have pix but nowhere to host them so if you want a pix I can e-mail you The bugger Weighs in at 90lbs and came on a pallet when delivered, I bought 2 one for parts If something goes I just pull a board and pop in a new one! I may get a second head unit to keep as a spare but so far the sound kicks butt on any q8 player out there. I'll have to look in my computer for the pix thou! Some of the tapes I did had freq. up above 20 khz. Most level off around 17-18Khz.
Most q8 players won't go that high!
0] Rob
