Tascam 2488mkII / Boss BR1200 cd

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clevodrummer

Tascammer
I am contemplating adding either the Tascam 2488mkII (the new one) or the Boss BR1200 cd digital recorders to my home studio.

This is for HOME studio recording, not live playing out gigs. I posted this in the Roland forum as well.

They are both excellent recorders. I currently have a Tascam 424mkIII and a Tascam Portastudio mkII. I use a Yamaha MG16/6fx mixer which suits my needs.

I have decided instead of going either the analog route or digital route I will simply go with both. Kind of like how I registered as an Independent voter as opposed to Democrat or Republican.

Any thoughts on the pros and cons and how they match up (Tscm2488/Boss1200) would be great information to help me make up my mind. First I need the money, so I have a lot of time to think about it.
 
If you can afford the MKII, then you can afford to build a screamin computer and buy some semi-pro software and semi-pro sound card. Plus you get more personalized quality control, something that will be 50/50 at best with the 2488. Their track record with the 2488 consistency is not exactly sterling.

A year ago I swore I would never turn to computers, but here I am learning one right now, and I sold my 2488 a week ago and I have no regrets at all. The software and plugins are so much more powerful, it's not even a close contest.....not even close.
 
:D Yo Clevo-drummer:

If you research the Boss unit you mentioned, you will find it not an exceptional box; however, it probably does a nice job.

I've read negative and some positive about the Tascam unit. If you are going to go in that direction, you might as well evaluate the Yamaha AW16 as well.

Whatever unit you look at, remember some will only record two tracks at once and that may not suit your purposes. I like the 4 or 5 track, or more, record-at-once although I seldom am doing 4 live tracks at a time--depends on your needs.

I see that Korg is offering some really reduced prices on their multi-trackers; you might want to look at them too. I suspect Korg will be coming out with a new unit and they want to sell-off as many of the old as possible; however, I'm not sure about that.

I'd like to someday go the PC way but that old "learning-curve" kind of scares me. Well, maybe I'll start looking at PC units. Who gnus?

Happy Easter
Green Hornet
 
The Green Hornet said:
I'd like to someday go the PC way but that old "learning-curve" kind of scares me.
Click to expand...

It's not as steep as you think... and tech support for the computer based stuff is a lot better than any tech support you'll ever get from Tascam. I've had my computer stuff running for about 2 weeks now, and I'm doing more and better sound on the computer than I ever did with my 7 foot rack and my 24 channel mixer. I can record and mix a whole song now and I dont even turn on the mixer.
 
I will never have another computer based unit. I have the Tascam here in question (2488) and feel that it is the BEST unit on the market. PERIOD! TRUST ME...I have owned the Boss recorder as well. If ya want, pm me and I'll give ya some good details! A couple of us over at the Kramer guitars forum have these and ALL love them!

Eric
 
GLMrScary said:
I will never have another computer based unit. I have the Tascam here in question (2488) and feel that it is the BEST unit on the market. PERIOD! TRUST ME...I have owned the Boss recorder as well. If ya want, pm me and I'll give ya some good details! A couple of us over at the Kramer guitars forum have these and ALL love them!
Click to expand...

How do you like those inserts the 2488 has? Got enough direct outs for ya?

Wait til it needs service, then see if you still love the thing.... :(

I'm glad I got rid of mine before it puked. This pc setup is light years beyond where I was with the 2488, and believe me I was pushing that 2488 to its limits. No offense, it's just that for me I grew out of it as easily as I grew into it....

Whatever works for ya....you'll just have to pick something to try and try it and see if it meets yer needs, Clevo.....
 
reply to me and youse

"Youse" more of a Youngstown,Oh word than a "Clevo" word.

I am glad I asked this question.Thanks to all. From Soundchasers thoughts, I really started thinking. I dont know why but I think so anti-computer when it comes to recording. I mean I use my computer constantly for my business, home bills, communication ( finally can tell ATT to kiss my Irish ass as far as long distance).

And all this gear is really turning into computers anyway. I think its just being 50 years old, and from the school of playing out with lots of cables, big mixers, Voice of the Theatres, Marshall Twin Stacks, Fender reverbs, miked drums,etc.,etc., , and when I look at a computer and try to envision recording with it, i think "too small" cant really do the job.

I am totally affixed to cool looking stand alones like the 2488, the Bosses,etc.

I spend a good time on the road and my thoughts ( besides poontang, Im not that old) are of racks , and building my own to hold my cool shiny gear.

I have a drum student right next door who is 18 and from the computer world. Hes got a small inexpensive digital that runs into his computer that Im going to borrow, and test those waters. He can fly through that thing (damn good player,too) like nobodys business. He can show me the ropes.

So these responses are priceless as they get one thinking of a non predjudicial attitude to the art of recording. So thanks all, I REALLY appreciate it.

(Damn I miss Leslies and Bogen heads, and Rogers Drums)

Clevo

Final analysis
 
soundchaser59 said:
How do you like those inserts the 2488 has? Got enough direct outs for ya?

Wait til it needs service, then see if you still love the thing.... :(

As low as the price is new and the price is used, it is still better to just buy another one if it dies.

I'm glad I got rid of mine before it puked. This pc setup is light years beyond where I was with the 2488, and believe me I was pushing that 2488 to its limits. No offense, it's just that for me I grew out of it as easily as I grew into it.... I tried three different pc setups. None even CLOSE to the sound from my 2488. What are you doing that you could not do on the 2488? Just curious.

Whatever works for ya....That is very true. No offense meant to pc guys.you'll just have to pick something to try and try it and see if it meets yer needs, Clevo.....
Click to expand...
Hey...I am only about 1hr15min from Youngstown...anyone there wanna Rip? ha ha ha
 
:D Hey Soundchaser:

Thanks for the PC encouragement regarding the "learning curve." I guess it took me about 5 years to conquer my first DX7--Now, with the Motif--I dig that synth even though I know it has "so" much stuff in it I may never learn it all--the patches are really cool--well done by Yam.

I have one large empty room in my crib and I plan to put together a PC based studio, with new monitors, etc. I'm just kind of waiting until it gets to "voice" command. :D Might be a long freeking wait! But, I know the PC systems have power and plug-ins that the SIAB systems don't have. For now, I'll have to stay with the SIAB -- looking for new and better products from the makers and I'm sure some are forthcoming.

Happy Easter,
Green Hornet :D
 
GLMrScary said:
I tried three different pc setups. None even CLOSE to the sound from my 2488. What are you doing that you could not do on the 2488? Just curious.
Click to expand...

The 2488 has 8 compressors available at once. I have 16. 2488 has 8 simultaneous inputs, I have 16. I have 8 stereo drum outputs, each with its own reverb, tuning, panning and fader, all midi controllable. I can add multiple effects to each channel in my sequencer, limited only by the power of my computer. I can have multiple fx on 16 tracks without flinching. 2488 has only 1 single-channel multi fx available at a time (unless you bounce to virtual tracks and record the fx) and 1 global fx. 2488 has 6 outputs (monitor, stereo, and eff1 eff2) I have 16.

And the cost for me to build this machine and put the sound card and software on it was less than the cost of the 2488.
 
Thanks. That means a LOT! I work VERY hard to make it sound right. You ought to hear it through my truth monitors! That stuff RIPS! It shakes the house! :D

Poor neighbors! he he he

Eric
 
PC offers tracking software for FREE, all kinds of stuff FREE...comps, reverbs,amps, ... geez...everything! a person can make a decent demo damn near for FREE if they have a pc/cdr and the outboard gear!! very strange.

I agree with Soundchaser...PC is easier than I thought too!! the pc editing is amazing.

done recording, save the wave file mix...then convert it to MP3...then send it, store it, burn it....run it thru some FREE Mastering Software....go try some FREE PLug-ins, (whch take about 10seconds to load..hundreds FREE)

how does anyone make money with all this FREE stuff literally everywhere?

its frkn bizarre, never seen so much FREE stuff in my life? :confused:

I like it, must be a blessing from the FADER GODS. :D


NIce stuff on the 2488, its a awesome deal..
 
The reverbs, amps, and comps and the like are built in to the 2488. All I have needed so far.

Eric
 
The Green Hornet said:
:D Yo Clevo-drummer:

If you research the Boss unit you mentioned, you will find it not an exceptional box; however, it probably does a nice job.

I've read negative and some positive about the Tascam unit. If you are going to go in that direction, you might as well evaluate the Yamaha AW16 as well.

Whatever unit you look at, remember some will only record two tracks at once and that may not suit your purposes. I like the 4 or 5 track, or more, record-at-once although I seldom am doing 4 live tracks at a time--depends on your needs.

I see that Korg is offering some really reduced prices on their multi-trackers; you might want to look at them too. I suspect Korg will be coming out with a new unit and they want to sell-off as many of the old as possible; however, I'm not sure about that.

I'd like to someday go the PC way but that old "learning-curve" kind of scares me. Well, maybe I'll start looking at PC units. Who gnus?

Happy Easter
Green Hornet
Click to expand...

Did you ever go down the computer route then ?. I have been using a BR600, but am going to splash out on an apple mac, I used to repair PCs for a living, but I feel apple Mac's are the ones to have for recording, I will use the Br600 as a drum machine though, I will run it through my amp and pick the drums and guitar up from a SM57 strait to a good Pre-Amp into a mac, I did some with my laptop a wile back, just used a £70 pr-amp, and it picked the bassman up really well, I have cu-base, which IMO.
 
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