tascam 488

[dugra]

My problem with the 488 is this. It, on occasion, will wow and flutter. I can record six tracks, and on the seventh, it will go to crap. I can sometimes fill all eight tracks and have no problem. I do use the recomended tape.
Any help on this?

[twist]

dugra,

Probable bad motor or flywheel bearing. Those are the 2 things that cause flutter in a tape deck.

Twist

[dugra]

Thanks for the response. I will check those items.
It is just baffling because it's intermitent.

[dlc1880]

I went through three 488s before realizing it was the machine. Each time Tascam would send me a new one.
I really believe the 488 is plagued with this problem.
The same thing you're describing happened to me all the time. I would record a few tracks and then on the next track I would hear flutter on a previous or current track. I don't believe its capable of delivering the performance you're looking for. I got so frustrated with it I took it back to the store where I bought it and got my money back. Didn't record for a long time.
Finally when Roland came out with the 1880 I bought it.
My wow and flutter problems are over!! I don't believe you can get 8 tracks on to a cassette without some wow and flutter. Yes the 1880 costs more but hey, check out the vs880 or 840, both great units.
All I can say is it was worth the price. I'll never go back to cassette based multitracks again!!

[dugra]

Finally, a definate answer. I thought I was losing it.
I don't record for anything other than my own pleasure,
and I wasn't too pleased when this problem came along and pissed me off. I am looking for other formats and will....let the Tascam sit with my other equipment that just doesn't get used any more.
Thanks for the support on this site, and thanks Mr.
Dragon for this forum.

Doug