488 488 488 488 888888888888???????????

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pudgystern

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What is the deal with the 488?
It is marketed as a 8 track recorder, yet you cannot record 8 tracks at the same time, you can only record 4(So can my 424mk3) The question is with the 488 can you bounce the 4 recorded tracks to anouther track , and then record four more tracks.
My other question is when it comes down to mixing will you have 8 sepparate tracks to mix with or just the usual 4?

If I'm right the only benifit to the 488, is to be able to record 4 sepparte tracks bounce(mix) to a 5th track, and then record 4 more sepparate tracks. But in the end still end up with 4 tracks at mixdown.......or 5? etc. please help
 
I think about the only benefit to the 488 is that it's the only 8 track cassette recorder. I could be wrong. Anyway, it only records 4 track simultaneously. No bouncing is required to then record on the other four, you just assign inputs 1-4 to tracks 5-8. You have full access to all 8 tracks when you mix.
 
Pudge & Vurt,

There's the Tascam 488, 488mkII, 688 and 238 cassette 8 tracks.

As Vurt said, the 488, and similar cassette 8 tracks, have 8 tape tracks available, total, but you can only record on up to 4 tracks simultaneously, [maximum]. Access between recording tracks 1-4 and 5-8, is handled by a switch.
 
There's also the Yamaha MT8X and MT8XII...

...which used the same head design from TASCAM's 488 and other 8-track cassette machines. This of course means that tapes made on the Yamaha MT8X/MT8XII are compatible with the TASCAM 488, 488MKII, etc., and vise-versa. I know this for a fact because I've had both decks, and tapes play perfectly no matter which deck you recorded them on. (I'm pretty sure that Yamaha stole TASCAM's staggered-track head design.) You can pick up these units on e-bay. None are currently being manufactured.

Yes, you can only record on 4 tracks at a time, after which you just switch to a different group and record on the other 4 tracks. When Groups 1&2 are on, the other 2 are off. They're arranged like this (if memory serves me well):

Group 1&2: tracks 1 2 5 6
Group 3&4: tracks 3 4 7 8

It's only a minor inconvenience, in my opinion, unless you're trying to record a lot of different musicians in one go. In that case, you'd have to get an outboard mixer and mix several instruments together before sending them in to the multitrack. If you're doing tracking on your own alone at home you'll only be needing 1 or 2 tracks at a time, 4 at the most.

You do, in fact, have access to all 8 tracks at mixdown. The Yamaha machine has individual RCA outs for each track, but the TASCAM 488/488MKII only has stereo L and R outs. You CAN get all 8 tracks out individually on the TASCAM, but it's a bit hairy. (Do a search on this site if you're interested to know how.)


Hope this helps.


Bruce in Korea
 
Oh yeah, apparently Yamaha has a 'me-too' cassette 8 track. Good one.

Also, BTW, the Tascam 238 is a Syncaset and not a Portastudio, so it records 8-simultaneously, but requires an external mixer.
 
Yo Pudgy of the Stern of the Ship:

The Tascam 488 isn't made anymore; it is old, but very nice, technology. Depends on your needs. What do you want to do?

How many home studios really record more than 4 tracks at the same time? Business studios, yes, because there are no neighbors, noise pollution, etc. And, a business studio is supposed to make money; home studios, I think, do not make big money; they are the love of those who love music and like to record at the very best levels possible according to a budget.

I've done some great stuff on the 488 -- but, it took more than two years to get to that point with that box. Learning is so much fun with the help of the folks on this site.

So, if you want a 488, go. I like the digital boxes better. I won't even mention that I use a Yamaha 2816 because I don't want to hear reverberations from my colleagues who love the 488.

Green Hornet
:p :p :p :p
 
thank you, thank you overseas

thank you Mr. overseas for answering my question. I think I will stick to my 424mk3+mixer. thank you thank you. I couldn't get a straight answer from anyone even Tascam. Also I did see the section on how to have access to all 8 tracks at mix down. Thanks again:)
 
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