Here is some info as promised via links, respectively, on the TASCAM 80-8, addition of an outboard 8-channel DBX in 1976; some 80-8's on e-bay for cheap; and several real cheap DBX units that would work for your purposes. You might consider a 2-channel DBX unit to use for a stereo mix. Even without DBX, I dont think you will experience pumping. I think you would get a pretty constant signal that you could play with. So you have a couple of options:
1.) buy an 8-channel DBX
2.) buy a 2-channel DBX ( 10 or 20 bucks- wow! this stuff used to cost about 400.00 per channel in the 70's!)
3.) take me up on my free offer to remix your tape on a TASCAM 38 and play with EQ and Waves restoration, and maybe some cool impulses and see what you get.
I've bounced many tapes with and without noise reduction and it will sound better than you think- certainly better than a tape rotting in a box. Another problem you will have is tape shedding-common with tape deterioration (chemistry of the manufacturing process and tape longevity). Ask Roy Howell and Bazzle about tape restoration and baking.
Bottom line: I'll be glad to assist and you won't know how it is going to sound until you roll the tape- and I have the tools if you need any help.
Feel free to e-mail me and maybe I can be of help in preserving your songs. It's real cool to look back to your old stuff!
Best regards,
Mike
.......and 1976.. TASCAM introduced the rack mountable DX-8 (8 channels of dbx noise reduction). The DX-8 significantly improved the fidelity of audio recordings. When combined with TASCAM's 80-8 multitrack recorder, the marked improvement of the audio mirrored those recordings made on multitrack recorders costing four times as much as the 80-8.The DX-8 (dbx noise reduction module) would help TASCAM ultimately level the playing field with regards to its acceptance of a professionally recorded product on an affordable multitrack recorder.TOP
http://www.tascam.com/Company.html
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=WDVW
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=WDVW
http://search.ebay.com/dbx-noise-red...ertyZ2QQsotrZ2