688 Channel output question

[TheOldMan]

Several years ago I sold my 688 and am now working with a Fostex VF160. I have a lot of 688 cassette tapes that I would like to transfer to my VF160. Toward this end I am considering buying a 688 just to move these tracks over. I can't remember if the 688 had outputs for each channel. The VF160 can record up to 16 tracks at one time. S0....if the 688 has an individual output for each of the 8 tracks I should be able to somewhat readily move the tracks over. Anybody working with a 688 that could answer this for me? Thanks!

 

[muttley]

A RESOUNDING YES IT DOES

 

[overseas]

You could also do the same thing on a Yamaha MT8X

The Yamaha MT8X and MT8X II have the same head design as the Tascam, so if you don't want to plunk down the bucks for a 688, you could just as easily pick up a Yamaha. I know this because I used to have an MT8X, and the tapes I recorded on it line up perfectly on my 488 MKII. Unfortunately, the 488 & 488 MKII don't have 8 individual outs.

I'm pretty certain that there is really only one head design for 8-track cassette multitrack recorders, which would be Tascam's staggered-head configuration. All other companies appear to have "borrowed" from Tascam.

Now that I think of it, the Tascam 238 has 8 individual outs, so it too would be usable.