Tascam 488 help needed – hardly any sound coming through!

[twisty]

hi not sure if anyone can help me with this.
but i bought a tascam 488 tape 8 track. good machine. the problem is i was expecting it to have to normal outputs so i can play it through the stereo and record straight to cd like i used to do.
this machine has a 4 group output L1 R1 3 & 4. makes no sence to me. ive tried the left and right and 34 etc different combinations to the stereo but there's hardly any sound coming through ,
This is becoming a nitemare. just want something i can record one and quickly transfer to cd etc, bought a mr8 digital thats useless as well as can only record two things at once. now i have 2 recording units that i cant use.
does anyone have the tascam 488 can you help me please. thanks

 

[A Reel Person]

If...

If you've managed to record program material to the 8 tape tracks,...

then for "Mixdown":

~ select each mixer channel Input Select (1-8) to "Tape", and

~ assign each channel (1-8) to Group (1/L~2/R), and

~ hook your output cable between the (1/L~2/R) RCA jacks and your stereo playback/monitor inputs.

~ Control the track (1-8) playback levels with the channel faders.

~ Vary the L/R stereo spread of the mix with the Pan control on each channel,...

~ & the Master fader 1/2 controls the overall level of the mix.

*... I think you have to select "Grp 1/2" in the Monitor section to hear it on the phones, w/accompanying Monitor Level control to feed the headphones and Mon Out RCA jacks.* ... but this is just for monitoring and has no effect on the L/R (1/2) Group Output signal on RCA jacks.

NOTE: You could also do a mixdown to Group 3/4 by assigning the channels (1-8) to Group 3/4 and cable your monitor/stereo up accordingly to the 3/4 output jacks, with the Master 3/4 fader used for overall level control.


... not too complicated, eh?
Hope that's clear and not too confusing!

 

[up-fiddler]

.....NOTE: You could also do a mixdown to Group 3/4 by assigning the channels (1-8) to Group 3/4 and cable your monitor/stereo up accordingly to the 3/4 output jacks, with the Master 3/4 fader used for overall level control......

Very true. In fact, after my 1/2 stereo outs went kaput I used the 3/4 channels for mixdown for a couple of years until I bought a different system. I still use the 488 now and again. It gives good sound and is quick and easy to use. Best of luck with yours. You will likely have MANY hours of joy from this machine.

 

[twisty]

hi thanks i,ll try that, sounds complcated though, bit confused by what you mean by mixdown but i,ll give it a go. many thanks
i have a feeling i will be back lol

 

[thunderstation]

you're right it's too complicated! You should get rid if it, send it to me and I'll get rid of it for you (sneaky smile). The 488 is a lot of fun and you can get some pretty good recordings from them. Truthfully if you follow Dave's instructions point by point in sequence you should get the hang of it in no time.
The word "mixdown" is just the term used to identify the process from sending the signal from your 4 or 8 trac recorder to your 2 trac unit - (another cassette deck or cd deck.)
488 is 8 tracs and it records at a much faster speed than a normal cassete or cd deck
you need to send the signal to a 2 trac unit of some type -
if you take the 488 tape and place it in a cassette deck it will only play 2 of the tracks
and it will playback abnormally slow

 

[junplugged]

i think you pm'd me a while back, but i'm not on here as much as i used to be. I still have mine in the box. I need to break it out and see if it still works.

I wonder if the rollers are dented from no use or if parts are dry or cracked.

i got back to you too late i guess....

was it a good deal?

remember to demagnatize the heads - j

 

[dodgeaspen]

hi thanks i,ll try that, sounds complcated though, bit confused by what you mean by mixdown but i,ll give it a go. many thanks
i have a feeling i will be back lol

Mixdown is taking all the tracks you recorded and leveling eqing ETC down to left and right channels.