My 688 Rocks!

  • Thread starter Thread starter Sexy Heather
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Sexy Heather

Sexy Heather

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I paid nearly $3,000 for my 688 new back in 1990, and it has served me incredibly well ever since. I have other Tascam recorders, including a new DP-01FX/CD, a Tascam MD PortaStudio 564 and a PortaStudio 424, all of which I have enjoyed using. However, I have enjoyed using my 688 more than anything else. Yes, it's cassette-based, and has inherent limitations due to that format, but I always find using it to be inspirational. I'm old school, I guess, but I have gotten some really nice sounds with the 688. I dabbled with software-based recording, but with my 20 year PortaStudio background, which began in 1988 with a Tascam PortaOne, I found that method of recording was not for me. I take advantage of my computers for mastering, CD burning and mp3 creation, but apart from that, I much prefer the PortaStudio concept. I vividly recall being excited beyond belief when I got my 688, a feeling that has never left me. Of course, it's an antique by modern standards, but it's also a work of art from another time. The 688 was the best cassette-based multi-tracker ever made, and it's packed with a lot of advanced features, that at the time of it's introduction (1990) had never been featured in a PortaStudio-type recorder. But really, it all comes down to what you like and what inspires you to create. I could get a "better" sound with something else, but I might not enjoy using it nearly as much. My 688 has also never broken down, which is amazing for a machine that has been used extensively for nearly 17 years!
 
hey sexy,
how about making this a 688 thread. I bet there are a few more around still using this old beast. We should benefit from that and share our recording tips! I always use tdk sa's from the late 80's. I like to believe they sound the best with the 688. How about you?

Can I listen to some of your recordings somewhere?
 
Love the 688!

I'm on board with that!

The 688 is a pinnacle of sorts in Portastudio design. I was also thrilled when I got mine, used/mint & $460/delivered in original box/packing with manual & works perfectly. Mine is apparently low use and as clean and like-new as can be! I've not done any recording projects with it yet, due to having an otherwise enormous collection of gear to work with and precious little time to record, but I will do some 688 recording, someday soon! Based on what I know I'm capable of with a cassette 4-track, I know intuitively that the 688 rocks! (I've only done simple test recordings with the 688, & they sounded great! Check: 1, 2, 3!!!):eek: :rolleyes:

8-tracks on cassette isn't as dreadful as the words put together might read to the average person. It's actually a great format. It's not limiting, but on the contrary, for someone (me) who's solidly based in cassette 4-track, it's liberating!:eek: ;)

The only thing I see out there that's maybe a cut above the 688 is the 388, but that's an entirely different thread! SH & I have already discussed this point once or twice. :eek: ;)

For cassette based Portastudios, the 688 is the bomb. It's the top of the heap, no doubt! :eek: ;)
 
Yeah, the 688 is truly inspiring and an amazing piece of technology even now. When I first got the 688 in 1990, it was quite an upgrade from my PortaOne. The newer machines I gave gotten since (564, DP-01FX/CD) are great and digital, but I really still favor cassettes, as odd as that may sound. I recorded more on my Tascam 424 than anything, it's been a total workhorse, so I feel very similarly about my 688, even though I haven't used it as much.
 
2488: The Modern 688

As I mentioned, I have a Tascam DP-01FX/CD, which is a nice digital multi-tracker, with a built-in CD burner. About it's only real drawback is the lack of inputs, which I have rectified with a Behringer 1204 mixer. The DP-01 reminds me very much of my PortaOne, sort of a PortaOne for the 2000s. In that vein, I suppose the 2488/2488 mkII would be the 688 of the 2000s. I have been tempted by the 2488 mkII, but I'm more than good with what I've got. Again, the 688 remains my fave. I think it was a pinnacle of PortaStudio design, absoutely. The 2488 seems to carry on that tradition.
 
A Reel Person said:
I'm on board with that! :eek: ;)
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Hey Reel...how's this for the minimalist approach. No power lines, no cables, no hassles. Just pick it up, hit the record button and lay down 4 tracks, complete with effects, and a USB connection for shooting the files into Sonar. Plus a mic, a tuner, virtual tracks, speed changing, editing, drum beats and a built in mp3 player. :D
 

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Dp-01

The thing I don't like about the DP-01 line, is that it's A-in/B-in architecture assigned to 2-tracks. There's no front end mixer in this design. Sometimes setups demand front end mixing to the recorder, and so DP-01 and similar unit's owners get an outboard mixer, which solves the problem, but it's no longer a self-contained solution, (i.e., Portastudio). In these units, mixing is seen as something you only do when you play back the tracks. I think that's wrong. Designs like this generally get the thumbs down from me, 'cept if you're going ultra-low end like with the Porta 02. :eek: ;)

The DP-01's moving design towards knob functions was good, but it's still menu driven at heart, and the knob section is hardly what I'd call a mixer. It's a great idea, but isn't fully implemented. It's a playback mixer only. I generally give a thumbs down to a menu driven system, anyway. YMMV.:eek: ;)

On the other hand, (f/i), the Fostex FD-8 has an 8x2 analog mixer section that records to a 16/44.1k digital hard disc, up to 2-tracks simul (or 8-simul with ADAT I/O). With this design, you may do input-side mixing down to disc while recording, and output-side mixing at mixdown. It's an older but worthy design, & internal hard disc is optional. It's menu driven, but it's tolerable because the mixer section is fully implemented, (in that cheapie Fostex way). :eek: ;)

Units that record only up to 2-tracks simultaneously are inherently limiting. Put that together with a straight A/B raw input, and what do you have? The DP-01 and the Porta 02. :eek: ;)

When the DP-01 does flexible 8-input mixing to 8-simul recording,... call me. :eek: ;)

Of course, the 688 has a fully implemented 8x8 recording mixer, with smart digital driven menu settings for patching and routing. You have a lot with the 688. :rolleyes: :cool:
 
All of this talk has made me want to blow the dust off the 688 and have some more discovery fun.... :D

I've got the lEGI/TYPEI high output tapes.
 
Hey True eurt,
Dust it off already! But i would advise against the lEGI/TYPEI tapes you mentioned. Plain old type II is the right tape for the 688. I'm really not to fond bout those micro thingies too. Allright for a sketchbook but not for album making...not for me anyway
 
Bobby Darko said:
Hey True eurt,
Dust it off already! But i would advise against the lEGI/TYPEI tapes you mentioned. Plain old type II is the right tape for the 688. I'm really not to fond bout those micro thingies too. Allright for a sketchbook but not for album making...not for me anyway
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Could you please be more specific as why Bobby?
 
Starzz said:
No you don't! :mad: You want to go out and buy a Micro-BR! :mad:
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DON'T take THAT tone with me Mr Starzz!!!! :mad:








A trip to spankyland is in order!!



Hey...that is one of those recorders you attached to your guitar.... :D :eek:
 
true-eurt said:
DON'T take THAT tone with me Mr Starzz!!!! :mad:
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Oh ya!!! :mad: What are you gonna do about it!? :mad: Get Gorty to come over and beat me up!? :mad: Bring it on!!! :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: Grrrrrrrrrrrrr... :mad:
 
Starzz said:
Oh ya!!! :mad: What are you gonna do about it!? :mad: Get Gorty to come over and beat me up!? :mad: Bring it on!!! :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: Grrrrrrrrrrrrr... :mad:
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I just did it !! I took you to the SHED !!! :D





And yah...I will get the r00 to post his p00 pic in your rep box!!!! :p :D :eek:
 
true-eurt said:
I just did it !! I took you to the SHED !!! :D

And yah...I will get the r00 to post his p00 pic in your rep box!!!! :p :D :eek:
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:eek: NOOOOOOOOOOOOO :eek:
 
The tascam heads are designed to work with type II (chrome) tapes as is (almost?) every other 4/8 cassette tracker. Type I will sound very poorly compared to the better type II tapes.
 
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