On the claim that the 234 syncaset, “represents a pinnacle of 4 track analogue cassette recorder technology”, well yeah it does, so GTFO. “A” pinnacle, in as much as a great mountain range might have one mighty pinnacle on its eastern flank, and a series of pinnacles within the centre of the range. In this metaphor the 234 Syncaset can be seen standing alone as the eastern apex, the approaches carved vertical by eons of constant wear and testing, the summit beyond examination in the distant cloud. Its actual limits unknown. If a tree was to make purchase on this pinnacle it would be a hardwood. A single Mallee, durable beyond compare. Now the other pinnacle(s) – well, lofty heights to be sure, but think gentle inclines, covered in soft fury softwood pine. There are walking trails and cable cars. Enough said.
Now I have great esteem for the Tascam Portastudios, such as the 244, the 246, and the 424 mk111, but in purely objective terms the 234 Syncaset was a different thing. It cost an astronomical amount of 1980’s dollars, (as much as 17 cars!!. Fact) It was designed as a top of the line workhorse for professional audio applications. Direct drive, separate motor for ffwd/rew, completely independent mic-in and line-in audio paths, (which meant you could/can run 8 simultaneous inputs!), minimal bullshit no EQ short path audio. In subjective terms it is a proud, magnificent beast. glowing VUs, silly coloured Tascam knobs, 2 rack space – basically God like.
End discussion. Cue Picture. Syncy wins.
About the time the BCs became ADs my old Stoic mate, Seneca, put forward a belief that people covert crap.
“It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor”
And whilst it is undoubtedly true, it just goes to show that people are people, doesn’t it? I mean, here we are two and a bit thousand years later, and the craving continues unabated. So…
So depending on your level of misanthropy you can maybe see this as a remedy against self-loathing caused by modern consumerism, i.e. “we’re actually not that bad, and certainly no “worse” than in old Seneca’s times. No, consumerism does not define who we are. So there!”, or you can see it as an inherent irretrievably dark side of a wasteful human nature, i.e. “we actually do suck now, and seem to have achieved zero since old Seneca gave us the big heads up. Not that he was even the first, shit we really are woeful at this life business aren’t we? Pass me the chocolate”
And so yes, we crave. Beyond that which might make us content, to and beyond a point that makes us lesser and poorer people. Human nature is a hell. Or something.
Interestingly, (“in-terestingggggly”) when we’re aware of this in ourselves we sometimes react by trying to recreate those simpler days of our youth or halcyon past, when we had less and it made us happier. In-terestingggggly, we often do the recreation via the possession of the exact things we associate with said times of content. Interestingly we often crave and covert these old possessions, until we again achieve ownership... And you can see where we’re maybe going with this… it’s all really quite interesting.
But we digress. None of that is anything to do with anything, this instead is the blog where we covert…. err, talk about the mighty Tascam 234 Syncaset, 4 track analogue cassette recorder. Cue picture.
As I say, the above has nothing to do with nothing. The 234 is not associated with some personal past, and the first time I encountered a 234 Syncaset I was, (depending on definition), well out of any halcyon youth and the Syncaset, already obsolete technology. So my great interest is non-personal, simple and concise -
This blog exists simply because the Tascam 234 Syncaset represents a pinnacle of 4 track analogue cassette recorder technology. So homage oh mighty beast, you will not be forgotten. In these pages we remember you. To expand - the 234 Syncaset was a fucking tank, and beyond its durability, it was, and remains, a great sounding machine. Because, in these circles, “wow and flutter” are bad things, the 234 should be noted as having very little of either, but… beyond the purely technical, Oh Wow! Many A Heart Is A Flutter. Syncaset, baby. Sync the damn cassettes, and let the blog begin.
Oh, there will likely be music here too.
Now I have great esteem for the Tascam Portastudios, such as the 244, the 246, and the 424 mk111, but in purely objective terms the 234 Syncaset was a different thing. It cost an astronomical amount of 1980’s dollars, (as much as 17 cars!!. Fact) It was designed as a top of the line workhorse for professional audio applications. Direct drive, separate motor for ffwd/rew, completely independent mic-in and line-in audio paths, (which meant you could/can run 8 simultaneous inputs!), minimal bullshit no EQ short path audio. In subjective terms it is a proud, magnificent beast. glowing VUs, silly coloured Tascam knobs, 2 rack space – basically God like. 
