Ok, just thinking it through

[iamjethro]

Tascam 488. In very good shape. Used sparingly. Probably a total of 6 to 8 hours total use, then set in a closet for 15 years or so. I recently received a fostex Mr16HD as a present from my wife. Ease of use is just too great. I see the 488 not getting used and it just makes me sad. What could I get for it and who would really want it? If anyone here thinks it is something they really want, I would rather meet and hand it off than ship it. I don't want it to be destroyed in a shipping mishap.

The only other thing I could think of was to use it as a submixer to bring in 4 other inputs if I ever needed to record a group all at once (which is not on the agenda at all).

Any ideas?

[jjones1700]

Depends. Where abouts do you live?

[A Reel Person]

accept no substitutes!

My friend, tho I think there are numerous heads who would read this post and want to snap that 488 up asap, if it were me and these were my only two machines, I'd keep the 488.

My reasoning is this: I critique the MR16HD (and the whole class of similar units) as inadequate in what's often referred to as "front-end" mixing. This is the mixing of inputs to busses, then subsequent assignment of busses (not inputs) to tracks. Any 488 or mid- high-end Portastudio does this intrinsically in the design. They record in buss mode as well as direct.

The MR series, f/i, just assigns inputs-to-tracks, with no capability to route more than one input to a single track. There is no front end mixing, no buss-mode but only direct-in configuration.

When I record, I'm accustomed or prefer to submix inputs to busses before assigning to tracks. That enables me to (f/i) mix a DI line-in guitar with a close-mic of the guitar, mixed together and routed down to 1 track, or route any number of drum mics into a stereo submix, or any number of common things like that. Front end mixing is an every day primary concern in the way I produce music. The capability of recording in buss mode vs direct mode only goes hand in hand with that. The MR16 and e'thing like it has no buss mode & [IMO] begs the issue of needing a front-end mixer.

I know with 'wow-its-digital' theres a different philosphy,... that you're not as limited with track count anymore, so why submix on the front end, but instead just plop each input on it's own track and mix (or bounce tracks down) later. I hear that constantly as the counter argument why something like the MR16 doesn't need a full functioned mixer that mixes signals going in both directions in the recording process. Maybe I'm old fashioned or old school, but I never got that mode of thinking or got onboard with that idea.

What you have on the MR's and e'thing like it is an input-to-track architecture with a playback mixer. Maybe I'm spoiled with my Tascams and take full functioned mixing on an-all-in-one unit for granted. On balance, I feel the MR's (etc) are sorely lacking in the mixing department, specifically on the front end side of the recording process.

I think it's best to keep the 488 as it will prove invaluable as a submixer, even for a soloist or producer working in a small setup. The issue of submixing is something the MR16HD falls flat on entirely, and the 488 would complement that well. The MR16 is 4-input/4-simul and the 488 is 12x4 (4-buss) mixer, so I think that's a good fit. The 488 could prove very useful as your recording technique evolves, but as always YMMV.

[jjones1700]

REEL, hush up man! I'm trying to upgrade from my 424!

[A Reel Person]

Send it to me!.......

[A Reel Person]

Give the 488 to Jjones!!! He needs it. I have one.

Send me the MR15HD instead!..........

[iamjethro]

Well, I was really hoping someone would convince me to use the 488. I see the value and hate to pay about 1200 for something and sell it for one tenth of that. I am thinking that the submixing could be useful, but I also know I will use it sparingly at best.

BTB, I live in west central Arkansas. Well off the beaten path for most of you urban dudes.

[cjacek]

KEEP THE 488 (sorry jjones)

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[jjones1700]

Originally Posted by cjacek

KEEP THE 488 (sorry jjones)

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Dab nabbit. @#(%*&#$. @#%$(*&#.



I don't think I would be able to fit that into a back pack if I rode the motorcycle up to Arkansas. I don't even think my 424 fits in a backpack. 8 channels would be awesome to work with, in my new "projects".

[iamjethro]

Well, like I said, I am just sorting thru what to do with it. I would love to use it, but if I am not going to use it, I want it to be used by someone. Sitting in a closet not being used for its intended use would have to make it's analog little soul unhappy and possibly lead to bad karma for me.