Tascam 788, hard drive max size?

[ejm]

I've never seen this addressed, but someone must have actually done it.

I have a 788 with all of the firmware updates. I have long ago replaced/upgraded the HD to a 40 GB. I am aware that the max size the 788 will give you for storage is 64 GB. I have a friend that many years ago used an 80 GB in his to get the max capacity.

Since that time, HDs now have much more storage space. It is difficult if not impossible to find the older "small capacity" drives. So...................

If I were to get, say, a 500 GB drive with the right physical size and electrical interface, can I put it in and format it etc and have it function? I am aware that I'd be not using a ton of HD space (in this case 500 GB - 64 GB = 436 GB).

Would it work?
Has anyone done it?

Thanks in advance.

 

[MusicallyMrM]

I've never seen this addressed, but someone must have actually done it.

I have a 788 with all of the firmware updates. I have long ago replaced/upgraded the HD to a 40 GB. I am aware that the max size the 788 will give you for storage is 64 GB. I have a friend that many years ago used an 80 GB in his to get the max capacity.

Since that time, HDs now have much more storage space. It is difficult if not impossible to find the older "small capacity" drives. So...................

If I were to get, say, a 500 GB drive with the right physical size and electrical interface, can I put it in and format it etc and have it function? I am aware that I'd be not using a ton of HD space (in this case 500 GB - 64 GB = 436 GB).

Would it work?
Has anyone done it?

Thanks in advance.

If I'm not mistaken, (and someone chime in if I'm wrong), no matter the physical size of the drive on the 788, the OS will limit the max storage to 64 GB......the max formatted disk image set by the OS. I have had as big as a 160 GB drive on one of mine running OS 2.02 but once the system formatted the drive (automatically after the install), the 788 on saw 64 gig. I've had several older laptop computers that did the same thing based on memory and OS (usually XP or Vista) and even though the 788 runs Tascam's own proprietary OS, similar results occur.

My suspicion is that even if you install a 500 GB drive ( and the OS can even cache the drive), it will only see 64 GB max. (which is really quite adequate for a 788.) If you own a 788 w/2.02 or better, you can always save your data to an external SCSI CD-R (Tascam-approved) and they are fairly easily found on Ebay as are smaller capacity drives. I have a lot of 15 80 GB and 2 160 GB drives that I got for $30.00 !!

Even in the 21st century, 2 788's slaved via midi/MTC and SCSI CD-R make for a pretty powerful standalone home recording studio ....especially with all those virtual tracks

 

[ejm]

MusicallyMrM: Thanks for the reply. It appears that a huge drive can be put in and function, since you have actually used a 160GB with success. As I said, I am aware that I'd be "throwing away" any capacity over 64GB due to the 788 limitations. That's life.

Storage/Back Up: In addition to backing up the data, I have also started backing up my work as WAV files. Why? Because if (when) the 788 dies, if I go to the DP24 then I can still use what I've done. As far as I know, the 788 DATA is only useful if you have another 788, whereas the 788 WAV files are useful almost anywhere. It would be easier all around to just upgrade to a DP24 when that day comes (when the 788 dies).

Thanks again.