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“Tascam 2488 Review - I began recording decades ago. I...”

written by hood63 on 07/04/2008

Good Points
The Tascam is perhaps the easiest digital recorder to navigate on, and has great 24 bit sound. It is simply the best buy on the market for a recorder with these features and amount of tracks. I have heard other reviewers downplay the sound quality. If you know anything about recording, the quality is top. Remember, the sound coming out is only as good as the sound quality you put in. Take your time, don't slop out a project and you will be very very pleased. Demo quality and above ++++++++++++. Remember, some of the greatest albums of all times were recorded on old analog 2, 4, and 8 track tape systems. With a Tascam or other digital recording studio, you have at your disposal quality and features that they may not have even dreamed of at the time of those great past recordings. I will say it again, "no matter how many features or high dollar tools, the sound coming out is only as good as what you put into it". Sure, some units have pitch control to make bad singers at least passable. But "why"? If you can't sing then do something else. The artists of the past never had these tools and relied solely on their talent. We need to get back to that.

Bad Points
Here is the only reason I gave this product an 8. Tascam although one of the grandads of recording have some bugs that need worked out of these units. They have attempted to fix some of the problems (I have read) with the new MKII. However, I still read that folks are having the same problems and error messages. Tascam needs to address these problems quickly with software upgrades or other in order to continue a good reputation in the recording industry. However, I personally believe that at least some (i said some not all) of these error messages that are spoken of are from rough use.

General Comments
Tascam 2488 Review - I began recording decades ago. I cut my teeth on an old Teac reel to reel 8 track and 8 track board. When I got back into recording years later I realized that the world had completely flipped upside down with the new digital technology. I wanted something that was at least similar in operation to what I had grown up with. The Tascam 2488 was the answer. If you have any knowledge of recording this unit is so easy to navigate on. It is very straight forward...the designers did their work here. It also has some great features. You can make your recording process as easy or as micro managed as you want. The Tascam has the ability to do it your way. My unit (after many many top quality outputs) developed an internal electronic problem after 2 years. No error messages, just an internal electronic problem (possibly bad internal connection). I had read many bad reviews on this unit for it's reliability. I decided to purchase a Boss BR1200. Not as many tracks but hey it is supposed to be so easy to use and reliable. I have had the unit for a couple of weeks now and still cannot figure out certain simple functions. I even bought the DVD tutorial. It seems that certain aspects are left out of the DVD, although it is extremely helpful. My problem is, I am not a computer geek/guru and instead of doing detailed in depth programming, I just want to record. I am seriously considering sending the Boss back and getting the new Tascam 2488 MKII. More tracks, and better sound quality with the Tascam. The Boss may be great, but there are certain features that I miss with the Tascam such as a monitor volume level dial. With the Boss you have to turn down your entire master level fader to listen to playback through your monitors. I miss my Tascam! I am not knocking Boss, I believe in the right hands this unit is great. But remember, the Boss is 16 bit sound versus 24 bit sound with the Tascam. My new unit (whatever it may be, but I suspect will soon be a new Tascam MKII) will be left in my studio and not moved very much. Although Tascam and other manufacturers are touting "Portastudio" and other like phrases, they are still computers with interfaces. I don't regularly carry my desktop around, not going to do it with a portastudio either. I believe these units are sensitive to vibration and misuse. Having said that I also believe if you take really good care of them, follow the guides procedures, and keep them away from vibrations and abusers, then they may last you for years.