Tascam 2488 vs. fostex vf160ex?

[quadrajet]

Hello,
I posted this in the Fostex forum too because I want feedback from both sides of the aisle.....
I am interested in buying either a fostex vf160ex or a Tascam 2488 in the VERY near future and wanted some feedback on the machines from other owners. The VF160EX has plenty of what I need (wont ever use more than 16 tracks anyway), but I am concerned because I've heard about problems with the hard drives. Am I better off forking over an extra $400 for the tascam because it may be a more reliable machine?

Also, can you back up data from your 2488's hard drive onto CD's to reload the songs later if you do have a hard drive issue?

Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

 

[philboyd studge]

Though I've seen complaints about the 2488 I haven't had any problems with it other than I don't like the display......it's too small and not bright enough.

Your questions can be answered here:

http://www.tascamforums.com/

 

[lar]

Try the Yamaha aw16g

Take a serious look at the Yamaha aw16g. I was debating between the Fostex, Tascam and Yamaha and am very glad I got the Yamaha

 

[Projbalance]

Quad, you have to look at each of these units and determine what you can live without as they will all have different drawbacks. I have used Fostex units (VF-08) and I currently use the Tascam 2488. I was happy with the Fostex for what it was, and I am more than happy with the 2488. I haven't run into any user problems or errors, and it is flexible enough for a one man recording operation. The only real problem is the screen, it is a pain to see sometimes, but you can get used to it. The Fostex is half the price of the 2488, but it's biggest shortcoming is that it is only a 16-bit machine. It will all come down to what you want to do. With the 248 and good equipment, you can produce some very pro sounding material. With the VF160EX, you may come up a bit short in that department, but hey, Cody Chesnutt recorded his breakthrough album on a Tascam 4 track and the record company released it without a re-record. It's the ear, not the gear.

 

[CoolCat]

Quad, you have to look at each of these units and determine what you can live without as they will all have different drawbacks. I have used Fostex units (VF-08) and I currently use the Tascam 2488. I was happy with the Fostex for what it was, and I am more than happy with the 2488. I haven't run into any user problems or errors, and it is flexible enough for a one man recording operation. The only real problem is the screen, it is a pain to see sometimes, but you can get used to it. The Fostex is half the price of the 2488, but it's biggest shortcoming is that it is only a 16-bit machine. It will all come down to what you want to do. With the 248 and good equipment, you can produce some very pro sounding material. With the VF160EX, you may come up a bit short in that department, but hey, Cody Chesnutt recorded his breakthrough album on a Tascam 4 track and the record company released it without a re-record. It's the ear, not the gear.

2488 is on my reading list, but a lot of bad press at the Tascam board?
Maybe the happy owners are too busy recording?

So do you use this mainly as a recording unit or
do you "mixdown/mastering" too?
whats the CDR like?
can you burn to it like a standalone, quickly?

watched the demo, it looked alright laying down tracks.
the mixdown looked kinda funky and I guess
thats where the tiny screen pisses everyone off.

24tracks/24bits for $1,000 cool....i paid $1200 for 4-track cassette,way back then.

i just got a flyin' pc for $569, and downloaded Studio software, but the family has chosen this as a family gift. doh! thinking maybe a standalone..would be
less useful?