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(original 424 text courtesy of Tom Roussell, tomroussell@cakewalk.com, who typed this all in from the owner's manual; edited/converted to 8-track specs by Dragon)

The Tascam 488 MKII Portastudio is a 8-track "Multitrack Master" cassette tape recorder and a full-function mixer with 8 inputs/stereo outputs combined into a single workstation. The 488 MKII records on readily available standard (Philips) Compact Cassette tape, high bias Type II. The recorder has 8 tracks while the mixer has 4 group outs; you can record on up to 4 tracks at one time. The 488 MKII's dbx Noise Reduction virtually eliminates unwanted tape noise. A special SYNC feature turns off the dbx on track 8 separately, making it possible to record and play back the MIDI sync tones or SMPTE/EBU time code without being affected by the dbx encode/decode. This ensures that the sync tones/code are recorded and played back without unnecessary processing. With proper operating techniques, it is not necessary to leave a guard band between music and sync tone tracks because of the low crosstalk of the TASCAM heads.

The transport controls of the 488 MKII are microprocessor operated, allowing highly reliable functions that make the unit easier to use:

* A three-point autolocator (MEMO 1 and 2 and RTZ) lets the tape STOP or PAUSE at, or PLAY from preset points.
* REPEAT allows a section to played over and over between the MEMO 1 and MEMO 2 points.
* REHEARSAL programs the 488 MKII to repeat a punch-in/out sequence as many times as you wish, and AUTO IN/OUT actually executes it on tape exactly as you "previewed" in REHEARSAL.
* The tape speed can be increased or decreased with the PITCH CONTROL dial in both playback and record, to match pitch or for special effects.

MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Tape: Compact Cassette (C-30 to 90), High-Bias (Type II, CrO2)
Track Format: 8-track/8-channel, single direction record/play
Head Configuration: 8-channel record/play (permalloy) x 1
8-channel erase (ferrite) x 1
Motor: DC servo motor x 1
DC reel motor x 1
DC ancillary motor x 1
Tape Speed: 9.5 cm/sec. (3-3/4 ips) +/- 1%
Pitch Control: +/- 12% (approx.)
Wow and Flutter: 0.04% WRMS , +/- 0.06% W. Peak
Fast Winding Time: 80 sec. (approx.) with C-60
Dimensions (WxHxD): 528 x 128 x 437 mm (20 13/16" x 5 1/16" x 17 3/16")
Weight: 7.1 kg (15 lbs. 10 oz.)

ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS Mixer Section

MIC/LINE INPUT (Ch.1, Ch.2) (XLR type connector x 2)
Input Impedance: 2.8k ohms
Nominal Input Level: -60 dBV (1mV) (MIC position)
-20 dBV (0.1 V) (LINE position)
Maximum Input Level: +5 dBV (1.8 V) at Trim Min.
MIC/LINE INPUT, Ch.1-2 (1/4" phone jack x 2)
Input Impedance: 5.8k ohms
Nominal Input Level: -50 dBV (3mV) (MIC position)
-10 dBV (0.3 V) (LINE position)
Maximum Input Level: +5 dBV (1.8 V) at Trim Min.
STEREO INPUT, Ch.9-12 (1/4" phone jack x 4)
Input Impedance: 10k ohms
Nominal Input Level: -10 dBV (0.3 V)
Maximum Input Level: + 5 dBV (1.8 V)

SUB INPUT (RCA jack x 2)
Input Impedance: 47k ohms
Nominal Input Level: -10 dBV (0.3 V)
Maximum Input Level: + 5 dBV (1.8 V)

LINE OUTPUT (RCA jack x 2)
Output Impedance: 100 ohms
Nominal Output Level: -10 dBV (0.3 V)
Minimum Load Impedance: 2k ohms

EFFECT 1+2 SEND (1/4" phone jack)
Output Impedance: 100 ohms
Nominal Output Level: -10 dBV (0.3 V)
Minimum Load Impedance: 2k ohms

CUE OUTPUT (RCA jack)
Output Impedance: 100 ohms
Nominal Output Level: -10 dBV (0.3 V)
Minimum Load Impedance: 2k ohms

MONITOR OUTPUT (RCA jack x 2)
Output Impedance: 690 ohms
Nominal Output Level: -10 dBV (0.3 V)

PHONES (1/4" stereo phone jack x 1)
Nominal Load Impedance: 30 ohms
Maximum Output Level: 100 mW (approx.)

Equalizer

HIGH (Shelving): 10 kHz, +/- 12 dB
MID (Parametric): 250 Hz to 5 kHz, +/- 12 dB
LOW (Shelving): 100 Hz, +/- 12 dB

Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 22 kHz, +1/-2 dB
Signal-to-Noise Ratio UNWTD (20 Hz to 20 kHz)/ IHF A WTD
1 MIC INPUT to LINE OUTPUT: 65 dB / 68 dB
4 MIC INPUTS to LINE OUTPUT: 60 dB / 63 dB
1 LINE INPUT to LINE OUTPUT: 79 dB / 83 dB
8 LINE INPUTS to LINE OUTPUT: 76 dB / 79 dB

Distortion
1 MIC INPUT to LINE OUTPUT: 0.05% (at 1 kHz, 20 dB above nominal input level with 30 kHz low-pass filter inserted)
1 LINE INPUT to LINE OUTPUT: 0.05% (at 1 kHz)
Crosstalk: 55 dB (at 1 kHz, nominal input level with 30 kHz low-pass filter inserted)

Recorder Section

Noise Reduction: dbx TYPE II
Frequency Response (overall): 40 Hz to 14 kHz, +/- 3 dB (without dbx)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (overall): UNWTD (20 Hz to 20 kHz)/IHF A WTD
54 dB/58 dB (without dbx)
90 dB/95 dB (with dbx)

Total Harmonic Distortion: 1.3% (at 400 Hz, 0 dB level)
Crosstalk (Channel Separation): 50 dB (without dbx at 1 kHz), 70 dB (with dbx at 1 kHz)
Erasure: 65 dB (at 1 kHz, +10 dB level)

Other Power Requirements

USA/CANADA: 120 V AC, 60 Hz
EUROPE: 230 V AC, 50 Hz
U.K./AUSTRALIA: 240 V AC, 50 Hz
Power Consumption: 39 W

In these specifications, 0 dBV is referenced to 1 Volt. Actual voltage levels are also given in parenthesis (0.316 V for -10 dBV rounded off to 0.3 V).

Changes in specification and features may be made without notice or obligation.

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