Tascam 2488MKII, Neo or DP24

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ck900l

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Hi everyone,
Can anyone tell me which would be a better buy:
The Tascam 2488MKII, the Neo or the new DP24?
I'm concerned with ease-of-use since I've never owned one of these types of multitrack recorders. I currently have a Tascam 4 track analog; but 4 tracks aren't enough.
Could I plug guitars directly into these units when recording or would it be better to mic the amplifiers?
Also, would I need to purchase additional equipment like mixers and so forth or can this unit be a stand-alone recording devise.
As you can probably tell, I have almost no experience with this technology but I would like to get my feet wet recording my music.
Mostly, layering guitar tracks and vocal arrangements would be what I'd be doing in the beginning.
I appreciate any help that can be given and I thank you all in advance!
 
Hi,

You can read here a lot of thinks about these great machines but I think you actually have 2 choices: Neo and DP-24. They are very similar and you can read on this forum all the likes and dislikes about then but stay calm about the judgement about DP-24. Is a new machine with some problems that I am sure TASCAM will fix then in a short time, if not they will have to stop selling it :-)

I know a few about DP-24, use it once. I own a Neo and I can tell you that there are a very few difference between then like, DP-24 is 48k while Neo 44.1, DP-24 use SD card and Neo HD, DP-24 does not have digital I/O, I didn't test it but looks like to transfer tracks and song from/to PC via USB is much much faster on DP-24, color screen and smaller screen on DP.

Lets say if you change or move from DP-24 to NEO you will not like the screen (which is not that bad), you will miss some convenient buttons on panel, will miss the 8 mic input, but you will find out that NEO has more resources, more options setting effects, super stable, better monitoring, and has the digital I/O. To be short.

If you move from NEO to DP-24 you will like the screen some convenient short cuts but will miss resources.

If you use only analog and will stay with analog, live performance, a lot of drums, may be DP-24 is the best choice mainly because all 8 are the same inputs (Neo 4 with Fanton) and it is a new machine and will be stable soon or later.

In a studio, like me (small studio) NEO is a best choice mainly because of the digital I/O. I work everything on digital domain. Guitar and Mics enter in a digital mixer and convert to digital just after the plug (btw I use only digital drums).

DP-24 unfortunately is not a choice for me. (Clear : for me) today if not NEO I have no choice because DP does not have digital I/O and any other has, mostly has just digi Out ( for my budget ), the only choice will go and do everything in a DAW, which I don't want. Just a press of a button is much more fun and friendly for my creativity. I use the computer just for some sequences and for mastering.

Today you can find a new NEO for $599 ( MF ) while DP-24 is $699 or $799, but I think this is not really the point.
 
Thank you so much for taking the time to explain those things to me; I think I have a clearer idea of what to do from here! I'm ready to take the step up to this kind of machine. If I have any further questions, I'll definately ask you!
Thanks again!
 
The DP24 is straightforward & a breeze to use. Firmware update fixed the freezing issue. Color Screen is awesome.

It is now $599.....
 
arcaxis said:
I wonder how Tascam handles DP-24's that are on a retailers shelves and don't have the firmware upgrade to correct a given problem. A user that's totally new to a deck like this, has an issue with functionality, and has little knowledge of the existence of an upgrade would likely opt for returning a unit as "broken" and then have second thoughts about another Tascam purchase. Does this create a discounted "refurbished" unit?
Click to expand...

I bought a unit the 3rd day it was out. The Tascam rep told me "there will be firmware updates to iron out any possible scenarios". He plainly stated there are always issues and upgrades with the type of units and I gotta concur.

I gotta believe it's pretty standard these days for any and all computer chip type units. My old Ensoniq keyboard had about 5 different Oerating Systems. My Korg Triton Extreme is on OS 1.06 though I am cool with OS 1.05.

You have Windows 7, Pro Tools 10, Sonar was at 8.5 and now Producer Edition. It's pretty much the "norm" now.

All I can say is the DP 24 is the best $599 I ever spent. It is perfect for my needs. just as I'm sure the NEO is perfect for others. These are just awesome boards.

I mean you can record at 24 Bit and 48 Hz. These slay the old original ADAT. Jeez I paid 2 grand for that alone. had to buy a Mackie Board, and snake cables which was like $100. Oh and when you wanted to playback you had to change your configuration....Ughh.

My whole digital studio including Microphone was around $3500. My current set-up was around $900.

AND MY RESULTS ARE BETTER

These Tascam machines are great.....
 
I have a neo - after years of fighting with PCs to get tracks recorded, the neo worked out of the box, and is very stable. I haven't used the DP-24, but I think the biggest selling point is that it uses SD cards. The neo has a mechanical hard drive inside which, if you move the unit a lot, may be damaged. Not because the drive is lower quality than any other mechanical hard disk, it just has moving parts. As for advanced features, if you were using a cassette 4-tracker before, I suspect the lack of digital I/O won't phase you on the dp-24.

As for what ypu'll need out of the box, both the neo and dp-24 have mic inputs with phantom power and line inputs. The neo has 4 mic inputs, the dp-24 has 8. To clarify though, you can still record 8 channels of audio simultaneously on the neo, but the other 4 inputs are line-in only.
 
cusebassman said:
I have a neo - after years of fighting with PCs to get tracks recorded, the neo worked out of the box, and is very stable. I haven't used the DP-24, but I think the biggest selling point is that it uses SD cards. The neo has a mechanical hard drive inside which, if you move the unit a lot, may be damaged. Not because the drive is lower quality than any other mechanical hard disk, it just has moving parts. As for advanced features, if you were using a cassette 4-tracker before, I suspect the lack of digital I/O won't phase you on the dp-24.

As for what ypu'll need out of the box, both the neo and dp-24 have mic inputs with phantom power and line inputs. The neo has 4 mic inputs, the dp-24 has 8. To clarify though, you can still record 8 channels of audio simultaneously on the neo, but the other 4 inputs are line-in only.
Click to expand...


But one thing some may forget(are never thought of) is that you can use outboard mic-pres for the other4 1/4 inch line ins ;) just go mic in to your pre's and line out to the 1/4" line ins to your NEO :D
 
I really appreciate this discussion since I'm close to pulling the trigger on a used 2488 NEO. The unit is at our local pawn shop and appears to be in relatively unused condition. The PS has a 30 day return policy, so if I buy it, there's not a whole lot of risk. I talked the PS down to $250 plus tax from $300 for the NEO. I think I'm going to go get it.

Did I understand that the DP 24 is SD Card for memory only and the NEO is, of course, a hard drive?
 
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