Tascam DM-4800 (potential buyer)

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Cion761

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Hello guys,

I hate to sound or post a redundant post/topic, but I'm just not satisfied with the my searches and thought I'd post a thread.

I know the DM-4800 is a few years old. I've wanted it since it came out, and NOW finally have the resources to get one. The problem that I'm having is not being able to find ANY videos on this thing barely longer than 2 mins (most less than 60 seconds) and most videos that are out, people believe viewers only concern is to see the automation dance. It's sad.

I can barely find any literature on this thing anywhere (other then manuals on the Tascam site), reviews, DVD's, even the owners seem non-existent. The few post I can find here and other forums are old from 2007-08, and people talk about how difficult it is to use.

Overall, I want one (I think), just curious if this thing is still good, relevant, has any major issues etc. I'm curious if any one of you own one, used one extensively, and don't mind telling me personally your thoughts, experience, as of date.

Thank you!
cooge

PS: Any board I get would be an upgrade from what I'm using. (2 Behringer MX-9000)
 
I bought a DM4800 when they first came out and it's still the center of my studio. I usually track through the DM to an HD24 via light pipe using very little of the internal processing on the DM. Then I dump the tracks to logic and use the DM as a controller for the software via Firewire. The DM4800 is a great controller for both the HD24 and logic; the work flow aspect could not be better. There is a very obvious "Tascam" sonic footprint when you use the internal processing (EQ,Compressor, Gate,etc.). That can be either good or bad depending on your preference. At this point, I don't view this a a problem, it's just something that you need to consider as you're mixing. When I mix using just the DM, the final product seems to sound more Analog then when I use logic. This actually works out pretty well because it allows me to be more accommodating to what the artist needs. The routing and flexibility of the board are tremendous and I think that this is what makes this unit a "pro" piece of gear. I don't use the internal effects very much, they sound a little muddy to me and it's just easier and quicker to use my other external effects boxes that I'm more familiar with. That being said, the few times that I've put the effort in to editing the internal effects presets, I've been able to get acceptable quality out of them. I use the board almost everyday and it's never had a breakdown. I recommend having the meter bridge. It's a little redundant given the that you can view the meters thru your computer, but again, it really improves the work flow. Oh, and search youtube for my video of the flying faders.....it rocks!
 
Thanks for the reply. May I ask, why haven't you made other videos other than flying faders, and do you plan to?

I think I'm going to pick one up. I'm going to wait for a couple more replies (if I get them), and get it in Nov. or so.
 
I got the DM4800 in 2008 and I'm still using it as my main mixer. When I bought it I got rid of a lot of external hardware because of the internal processors. For many recording situations the preamps, eq, compressors etc are superb to use. For example when I'm recording drums, then I most of the time just wire up my microphones directly to the mixer without need of external preamps. There are times when I prefer a more expensive preamp to be connected to it, for example on vocals in demanding recordings. But I've used the dm's preamps for that too, with really good results. When mixing I use a combination of the internal effects, dynamic processors etc and software plugins. You can make perfectly good mixes only using the dm4800 but there are times when you probably will consider other plugins or other hardware. I would say that if you have skills in recording (and great room and all that) you won't think the dm4800 is limiting your way to pro-sounding albums in any way. It is, as mentioned before, extremly flexible and transparent. Prepare to spend some time setting it up (routing) as you get it and also prepare to spend some weeks to get the workflow right for you. I have no considers overall except for the automation (have a thread here on that subject). But maybe that is a computer-related problem in my case. I recommend you to buy the dm4800.
 
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