Tascam 688 equivalent in reel to reel

[KPI]

I am impressed with the features in the 8 track cassette 688 unit, but is there an equivalent tascam 8 or 16 track reel to reel (1 or 2 inch tape) that has all the features of the 688, but reel to reel instead of cassette?

[A Reel Person]

The closest you'll get, and it may be a stretch,... is the Tascam 388.

The 388 is an impressive Portastudio-format 8-tracker, that records onto 1/4" tape on 7" reels, with an integrated 8x8x2 mixer section that's second to none in it's class.

The 388 doesn't have an identical feature set to the 688, but it's the 688's closest relative. The 388 does not have the fancy electronic switching or MIDI that's featured on the 688. The 388 has 8 mixer channels, as opposed to the 688 that has 10 channels that have dual-function to accommodate 20 inputs. The 388's 8 fully functional inputs/outputs/mixer channels provides ample I/O and onboard mixing capability. The 388 has better EQ than the 688, and records up to 8-tracks simultaneously, as does the 688. The 388 has better high fidelity than the 688, by virtue of recording onto 1/4" tape running at 7.5 ips, which is double the track width and double the speed of the 688's cassette format.

The 388's basically a Portastudio on steroids by design, but at nearly 90 lbs. Tascam wouldn't dare call it a Portastudio, and therefore it's name is the "Studio 8". However, it is a self-contained Portastudio-format recorder, but it's probably better if you get a friend to help lift. I know, I've lifted it by myself by necessity.

Maybe, instead of calling it the "Studio 8", Tascam could have named it "the Backbreaker" or "the Herniator".

You won't find a similar all-in-one package on 1" or 2" tape, or in 16-tracks, although it's nice to wish.

[KPI]

thanks for the informative reply. I will check it out.

are you able to talk about another equivalent tascam 8 track open reel that has at least 8 XLR inputs, I mean one that looks "old school" like this:

[A Reel Person]

There's the Tascam 48, 58 & ATR-60/8. All of these units are 1/2" r/r 8-track recorders with XLR-line inputs, running +4db balanced line level, (not XLR mic inputs). They run at 15 ips and noise-reduction units are extra, not included.

It's a far cry from the basic 688 format but they're out there. You'll see each of these units on Ebay occasionally. The mixer would be a separate item.

In fact, there's an ATR-60 8-track reel/reel recorder on Ebay right now.

Tascam never made a 1" 8-track or 2" 16-track, to the best of my knowledge, but they made a few 1" 16-tracks,... the 85-16, 85-16b & the MS-16. These are also standalone reel/reels, with mixers being an add on unit.

There is also an 85-16b and an MS-16 on Ebay this week.

PS: the recorder you have pictured above looks like a 40-series recorder, (42, 44 or 48).

[KPI]

Originally Posted by A Reel Person

In fact, there's an ATR-60 8-track reel/reel recorder on Ebay right now.

There is also an 85-16b and an MS-16 on Ebay this week.

PS: the recorder you have pictured above looks like a 40-series recorder, (42, 44 or 48).

that ATR-60 8 track on ebay, what approximate year is that? it certainly looks like a pro setup.

[A Reel Person]

I believe the ATR series of recorders was discontinued in the mid-late 90's.

It's a pro setup, alright.

[A Reel Person]

That the 48-OB is the version with the balanced (XLR) line inputs and outputs, as well as RCA's.

[A Reel Person]

the Tascam ATR-60/8

[A Reel Person]

the Tascam 85-16

[A Reel Person]

Johnny!!!

No, actually it's the Tascam MS-16.

This unit would typically have (2) dbx NR units mounted below the transport, but this one doesn't have any.

[A Reel Person]

an MS-16 that shows the optional dbx units and autolocator (AQ-65).

[A Reel Person]

Tascam 688, the one that started this whole post.

[carelessorc]

I love looking at this old analogue stuff! Better than the hot babes in the dragoncave!
In fact I loved my 688: it was beautiful to look at, the mixer was great (midi muting - no less) and the built in MIDI sync unit was terrific - but - 8 tracks on cassette tape struggled to get the quality: recording acoustic guitar never quite worked, so we got divorced - but I still have her photo!

Dave: I've often wondered, did Tascam ever make a straight mixer like the 688 (but without the tape recorder side)?

Orc

[A Reel Person]

The simple anwer would be "no".

I think there were some similarities between the 688's mixer section, and mixers like the 1508 and 2516. That's about all I could think of.

[Bobby Darko]

although i'm not a midi man, that 688 looks great. Can you record 8 tracks at once like with the 238? I have a 238 right now, but i'm struggeling with it, cuz the mixer doesn't see to work (cheap ass) and not too many affordable mixers floating around here. So back to portastudio would be great!!

[A Reel Person]

the 688 records up to 8-tracks simultaneously.

The 688's mixer section is 10-channels, with a total of 20-inputs using this clever "dual" function. It was designed to accommodate a "midi" musician who might need to accommodate a large number of extra inputs in a tape/live midi mixdown situation, using the "midi-virtual tracks" method. This would typically involve a large number of sound modules playing live at mixdown time, over & above the standard 8-tracks on tape.

[Bobby Darko]

thanks reel, so if I understand correctly: simply put, ignoring the midi facilities the 688 is a 488 (1) but records 8 tracks at a time unlike the 488 and has 2 extra inputs?

if so i'm swapping my 238 for a 688 cuz i found out i'm a standalone-man

ps. the problem is I never see a 688 in the netherlands!

[A Reel Person]

The 688 and 488(std/mkII) each record 8 tracks onto cassette.

The 688 records 8/simul, and the 488(std/mkII) records 4/simul.

The 688 has 10 full mixer channels, and the 488(std/mkII) has 8.

The 688 has 20 total inputs, and the 488(std/mkII) has 12.

The 688 has 8 subgroups, and the 488(std/mkII) has 4.

The 688 has 10 XLR mic inputs with 10 preamps, and:
... the 488(std) has no XLR's and 2 preamps;
... the 488mkII has 2 XLR's and 4 preamps.

The 688 has inserts on all 10 channels, and the 488(std/mkII) has 2 inserts on the first 2 channels.

The 688 has 8 Pgm-Outs, and the 488(std/mkII) has 4.

The 688 has 8 Tape-Outs, and the 488(std/mkII) has none.

The 688 has fancy electronic routing and switching, and the 488(std/mkII) has standard switches and buttons.

The 688 has 3-band EQ, and:
... the 488(std) has 2-band EQ;
... the 488mkII has 3-band EQ that's equivalent to the 688.

The 688 has an LCD control/routing display with a large LED VU meter bridge, and:
... the 488(std) has a simple black & white LCD VU display.
... the 488mkII has a highly visible Flouro-Luminescent VU meter display.

...
...
...
Other than that, they're identical!

[A Reel Person]

.....................

[KPI]

That ATR half inch 8 track on ebay at the moment, how do you qualify the difference in recording quality between that and say a 388. I mean, if you were to lay down some tracks on the ATR, then the 388 and playback the raw tracks without mixing, would there be an audible difference?


BTW here is a serious piece of kit, 24 tracks on 2" tape. Very very cool. Would love to buy one but I image the shipping is the killer. The thing would be heavier than a small car.

Speaking of serious kit, what tape machines were the beatles using at abbey road in the 60's? They were 4 & 8 tracks, but they weren't portastudios right?

[A Reel Person]

I was tempted to buy one about two years ago for ~$4500, but at the time I couldn't justify it in the budget, not to mention I have nowhere to keep it.

If I saw an ATR-80/24 in excellent condition today in my local area, I'd surely be temped to get it! I always watch for that one-in-10,000 deal to float along. Budget be damned!

The ATR-60/8 half inch 8-track would yield a more robust sounding recording than the 388. There's a qualitative boost in the punch and sizzle that 1/2"-15ips-8-tracks delivers over and above the 1/4"-7.5ips-8-track format of the 388.

The 388 has the integrated mixer and all-in-one-Portastudio format, but that's probably another issue.

[A Reel Person]

I don't know much about the 8-tracks that the Beatles used, but I'd presume they were 2"-8-tracks. I'll research that point some day, as I have a truckload of Beatles books, or maybe someone who's more up on their Beatle lore will hop on and post an answer.

[KPI]

What would be the practical application for a 2" 24 track recorder? Would you do all 24 tracks simultaneously?

[A Reel Person]

I record by myself lately, for the most part, and I don't know if I have huge 24-track production aspirations, but you could pretty much do anything with up to 24 tracks as a solo artist, couldn't you?

Plus, as I see it, when you go to 24 tracks, you then record each drum separately, maybe using 6 tracks on the drums alone, then use 3 tracks each for rythm guitar, lead guitar, bass, keyboard, then maybe the remaining 6 tracks dedicated to vocals.

I'm not saying that's how I produce stuff now, but I think that's how I'd produce stuff if I were to go up to full-blown 24-track production.

[BMWerks]

The Tascam 2488. Done. Dave, If you could find one used, I'd throw in the 1.02 upgrade!



I really love all the photos. Brings back a lot of wonderful memories.