Why I won't buy the Tascam 2488

[BMWerks]

They should have injected the mold with colored plastic of the correct tone, and then called it a day! Painted plastic is not a good solution. I don't know of any other painted plastic products or parts from Tascam. The results are obvious.

Sometimes I wonder where Tascam's head is at.

/DA

Reel, you of all reel persons have the right to wonder! Still your thread.

 

[BMWerks]

"alot to learn..but it's fantastic."

I've bin learning and discovering that the more I look into the EQ screens and fiddle around in there bringing forth something for each of the tracks, the less I need to issue dynamics when it comes down to the mastering.

In other words, I'm more or less "mastering" as I go. When the project is finished, separation and distinction between tracks have I.

My next investment will be a pair of monitors. Anybody have any suggestions? Preferences?

 

[CoolCat]

quality

They should have injected the mold with colored plastic of the correct tone, and then called it a day! Painted plastic is not a good solution. I don't know of any other painted plastic products or parts from Tascam. The results are obvious.

Sometimes I wonder where Tascam's head is at.

/DA

I bought the 144. I can remember it like yesterday.
Even the magazine my friend had when he showed
me this "wierd cassette deck ad...TEAC 144". $1200.
Most my buddies just didn't get what the??? a cassette deck???
$1200...that was a car! man....

It has literally been thru hell and back....and it still frkn works!!!
ok, one channel is blown out because, someone hooked a
speaker out into track 3, years later...but you can bounce to
Track 3.

there is no paint peeling. and never had to replace the heads!!
thats Quality with a BIG Q.

BMWerks... I didn't buy 'em but I liked the Events for some reason
on acoustic, KRK's on electric guitar/thumpin' loud stuff.
I will be no help on speakers as I want a pair of all of 'em!!!
and no expieirence with "real" studio monitors. 6.5" woofer for up close monitoring...I agreed, 8's were too BIG for me.
I went cheap-good -stuff Tascam amp and B&W303 added my ol' JBL sub,
and some ol' Paradigm3se for Stereo, and plan to get some small ones to simulate pc/mp3 speakers (my old Optimus 7's died a woofer)
...had plans to get another set for Tracking....Event 20/20, Dynaudio,
but I got to chill out a bit$$$ and think.
its easy to get caught up in the "gear whore addiction".....
when your a gearhead at heart, and I wasn't planning on upgrading
my mic and channel strip so that was $$$.... but it's coming together,
no complain-o.

you have to really know what your final tune is to sound like to be
EQing during Tracking!! daaannng....
i'm just gettin the hang of dry tracking (minor comp and eq..just a touch).
no more ECHOOOOO and REEEVVVVVEEERRRRBBBB during Tracking.

one engineer said he puts the compression and sht on the outgoing to the speakers, so if he DOES need to go back his stuff is clean.

.

 

[BMWerks]

you have to really know what your final tune is to sound like to be
EQing during Tracking!! daaannng....


Thanks for responding Cool,

Yea, I guess.,


It must be comming from all those sessions where we wanted to get more bang for our recording/mixing bucks. I'm still thinking that way. Pre=production, Pre-production = not having to go back and reengineer. A very costly whim when you're putting down thousands in sessions. Never had the luxury of going back and tweaking EQ's, FX, dynamics etc..

When I think about it, those were some pretty good production habits and you learned to at least have a pretty fair idea of what was going down to tape ahead of real tracking time. Of course, the masters could always be remixed and whatever.

So, the skills were developed out of neccesity. I'm still thinking about how I would like the end result to be. But now, thanks to Tascam's 2488, I can go back and tweak to my heart's content. Forever. For free! This could mean that, you never really "finish your song". Like, why bother? Maybe someone outside your studio (like some A&R guy or RC company rep.) wants it changed in some way, tweak it for production purposes or whatever. It's a double edged sword, a blessing and a curse.

Heard a lot of positive things about the Events. Like my TSR-8, the M-2516 board, and all the outboard gear that went along with them, my JBL 4408's are beginning to show their lacking in brightness. They're old technology now and weren't made for the kind of frequencies that alot of today's 24 and 32 bit digital signals are putting out. However, they still do kick but!!

 

[A Reel Person]

I used to gaze at the 144 ads in the mags, when it appeared.

I'd just dream of the huge productions I could do with it!

By the time I could afford anything, the 244 was just released, and I got that. I've never regretted it. The 244 gave me my basis in true multitracking, mixing & producing. I still have it, and it runs fine, 'cept a little bit of a faulty connection on channel 3,... which is fixable, when I get a chance.

Back in the late 90's, I had to replace the 244's belts and pinchwheel,... which was minor maintenance. I still have the many dozens of tapes I recorded on the 244. I have e'thing I've ever bought. I hang onto e'thing.

 

[CoolCat]

let it ride...

When I think about it, those were some pretty good production habits and you learned to at least have a pretty fair idea of what was going down to tape ahead of real tracking time. Of course, the masters could always be remixed and whatever.

So, the skills were developed out of neccesity. :

I read about that skills from neccesity. sounds like a good habit!

Its imaginable how with all the extra tracks
one can get "sloppy" or "lazy".... but used right positives
out-weigh the negatives.

from songwriting standpoint i can catch myself writing, re-recording,
re-writing...where it may be more productive to write it down, clean it
up, do it all before turning on the recorder....i think a better habit.

however as you said it's all FREE once it's in the house!!!

on the speakers! daaang BX8's Actives for frkn $279 at Musicians Friend!
free shipp brand new! damn...stuff has gotten great..like the
2488- 24 tracks/24bit with CD-RW for $1100...awesome.
(I tracked another tune last night, testing out a MXL990/991 $89 both!
and they sound good, go try em, the 991 for acoustic is great!
...like'the 2488...more n' more very,very sweeett)

REEL, I'm in the middle...i can tend to trade off stuff to get more
due to money-sometimes due to having a problem with things
not being used they go for trade/sell. regrets? hell yes...i don't
want to go there.

at the same time some pieces have lasted 10-20yrs,
just never felt the urge to replace.

no doubt alot was wasted due to my ignarance' about things.
i really have learned so much just from reading these posts
around here.
i've no problem admitting the ignorance of years past...it's
fhkng funny really, soundmen that didn't know ANYTHING!!
buying guitar stuff trying to get a sound but without a
fhkng clue the difference of equipment....fhkng microphones!!
geeez...i changed out sooo many mics and they all sounded
the same!!! of course i hadn't a clue what a pre-amp was?

i enjoy the engineering spec side too, been reading on speaker
designs and there really is a scientific "thought" into the
Nearfields vs Farfileds..what materials are used for the cones.
Easy to get caught up splitting hairs... +/-3db or +/- 2.5 db!!
its .5 DB better!!! but there's a lot of engineering(physics)
goes into these wonderful little boxes!!

.
Negative 2488 comment required:
2488 doesn't dispense US dollar bills.
.

 

[BMWerks]

I read about that skills from neccesity. sounds like a good habit!

Its imaginable how with all the extra tracks
one can get "sloppy" or "lazy".... but used right positives
out-weigh the negatives.

on the speakers! daaang BX8's Actives for frkn $279

.I'd have to AB the BX8's with my beloved jbl's.
Thanx Cool, I will look in to them.

 

[A Reel Person]

Okay!!!

Is TODAY the day I buy the 2488 as an impulse purchase????
I FEEL THE ITCH TO GRAB SOMETHING BRAND NEW AND COOL!!!

 

[BMWerks]

Is TODAY the day I buy the 2488 as an impulse purchase????
I FEEL THE ITCH TO GRAB SOMETHING BRAND NEW AND COOL!!!

Go for it Reel! Stop denying yourself. Why do you keep torturing yourself? you know you want it. Take the 2488 plunge!!

Guaranteed, you'll grow to love it! Even if the paint scratches off.

 

[CoolCat]

hmm???

Is TODAY the day I buy the 2488 as an impulse purchase????
I FEEL THE ITCH TO GRAB SOMETHING BRAND NEW AND COOL!!!

DO IT!!!! DO IT!!!! Think of all that "free" Table space!!!
I'll be amazed if you ain't amazed at the ease to track...and
now if we Track clean/dryer......
the menus don't get in the way until mixdown, but by then it's
not as bad as one doesn't have a guitar strapped around the neck!!

Worst case, you can still use your board and plug those out's
into the Tascam2488 (HD24 type use)
...so you'll still be technically Analog savy due to the board?

30 day refund too....
I'm seriously excited to hear your inputs during an extended
test drive.

Its' a done deal then??
Will TASCAM scratch REEL's itch once again??? only the Shadow knows!

BMWerks...
it's all relevant to what we compare the monitors too isn't it.?
in my case, it took a lot of reading and in the end...roll the dice.
but a slightly educated roll of the dice from reading...no studio years,
as yourself.
I may be bothering you soon for many in depth detailed mixing tips,
if you don't mind?

.

 

[A Reel Person]

Nah, changed my mind.

Came to my senses, that I don't need any new recording gear.

 

[CoolCat]

next itch

hey i went to listen to your tracks with my "hooked up" pc...
NWR is down?

ran a 20ft cable to my ONkyo....much nicer than 2" plastic speakers!!!


damn, REEL no 2488 itch??
...well can you at least tell me what Converter chips are in the
2488??? I asked at Tascam Forum and got ridiculous responses...
like I was trying to steal a "secret" and build my own!!!...fhkng funnygreat.
wonderin' what the Preamp chips are too?
you seemed well versed in the spec's.

am i wrong or didn't they used to include schematics with the old TEAC
stuff? i'm sure I had a schematic adn parts list with other units...
hell now i'm second guessing myself!!!!

just a gearhead curiosity on the converters 2488 and preamp chips.
make model etc.. (yes...ssshhhh...i was going to go to Radio Shack
and buy discrete components and build my own 25 / 26bit DIGITAL
RECORDER...sssshhhhhh)

maybe next gear-itch....??


.

 

[A Reel Person]

Well, still had the itch!

But I went from a really HUGE itch (2488/$1100) to a really tiny itch (MF-P01/$46). Heh, heh. Did I say I didn't need any new recording gear? Heh.

Okay, okay, with as much as I've panned and trashed the MF-p01, as stripped and lofi as it must be, I also said I'd never get one unless they were absolutely giving it away! Well, at $46/delivered, I finally hit my price point!

I figure the MF-p01 will be good to teach the kids the fundamentals of multitracking, or maybe the random throwaway recording of my own, from time to time. (Maybe) Lend it to the neighbor kids, etc, etc.

=============

NWR shouldn't be down. Try again!

=============

TEAC/Tascam stuff of old used to have all the schematics, parts & service breakdown information, but not since the late 80's, I believe.

=============

 

[CoolCat]

Part V: REEL and the Guests that just wouldn't leave

I salute you REEL... a true GEARHEAD.

specially love your, change of mind honesty....all Gearheads understand
in the fullest and there's some peace of mind when someone, as yourself,
admits to the gearhead fever effects....hehehee

In Feb. I went to upgrade a recording unit and speakers.NO more/NO less.

but...GEARHEAD FEVER started early on..
1) a power amp
2) speaker selector unit
3) speakers (and still looking at other's.....)
4) 2 sets of microphones- now my SHURE SM7 arriving the 13th!!
5) Joe Meek Channel Strip I have a few days left to test drive....

the Joe Meek and SM7 are fhkng $$$$....it's like whooooaaaa?
how'd I wind up ordering this sht!!??

and I'm getting tired of hinding around the corner of the house trying to
intervene with the UPS guy before he rings the doorbell and my wife
answers!!!
heehe, hardyharhar


.

 

[CoolCat]

But I went from a really HUGE itch (2488/$1100) to a really tiny itch (MF-P01/$46). Heh, heh.
(Maybe) Lend it to the neighbor kids, etc, etc.
QUOTE]

yeah, neighbors kids...
hell start handing 'em out as Christmas gifts!! the whole neighborhood could be a recording.com.....

and you could open up your own recording/practice hall and rent space..
with your gear in each room.

get 'em hooked, man, you could hand out PO1's for FREE!!!

MUSIC is a GREAT GIFT!!

 

[BMWerks]

"BMWerks...
it's all relevant to what we compare the monitors too isn't it.?
in my case, it took a lot of reading and in the end...roll the dice.
but a slightly educated roll of the dice from reading...no studio years,
as yourself.
I may be bothering you soon for many in depth detailed mixing tips,
if you don't mind?"

I.M.O., a great set of monitors would have to accomodate/flatter most any type of audio signal, any kind of music, for a long time. I like to read the test specs before I buy any kind of expensive keeper audio gear. Problem is, lately companies don't bother publishing them anymore unless they are a reputable company and you make a special request. When was the last time you read an AES report on any Tascam gear?

I have a video tape of you by the bushes around the corner of your house sighning something from the UPS guy. What's it worth to you?

Just kidding.

Yea man I'm flattered you'd ask. But most of my studio experience is in tracking and mixing. It's all about the music to me, more than say, the tech. side of recording. Which is why I'm so big on results and end product. The performance. To me it's about the talent. Getting the "Talent" documented and recorded. I;ve done it with Scotch tape and newspaper. (no pun intended)

I'm sure you know with your intelligence, there are many ways to get there., to that perfect, once in a lifetime take. (performance) When you make someone feel like a winner, the winnings come back to you tenfold... Just a thought.... :

 

[A Reel Person]

!!!

But I went from a really HUGE itch (2488/$1100) to a really tiny itch (MF-P01/$46). Heh, heh. Did I say I didn't need any new recording gear? Heh.

Eh,... I also got a Fostex 2050 8x2 rackmount line mixer, for another $60.

So, I got 2 pieces of cool gear for $106. I didn't jump and buy the 2488, so I saved myself $1000!

 

[BMWerks]

Reel Dave, Truly a thing of beauty

 

[BMWerks]

Dave, what ever hapened to the plastic cover plate that came on this unit. I used to send out demos on recorders like this. Might have even been this one. Truly a thing of beauty!

 

[CoolCat]

FREE PO1'S C'm n get 'em!!! (4month lease required)

I'm sure you know with your intelligence, there are many ways to get there., to that perfect, once in a lifetime take. (performance) When you make someone feel like a winner, the winnings come back to you tenfold... Just a thought.... : [/QUOTE]

actually for me it's all great.... until playback!
like the old saying "playback is a m*&^%fhkr".

REEL, imagine your enjoying it, sounds like cheap prices?
I went to sell an 10yr old home stereo avg. pioneer.
(tuff sell you say? yes it was)
I went and pawn shops said "not interested". (hel;l you can buy
Brand new DVD players $30!!)

then one guy said he'd trade for this mobile rack case/30band EQ/Furman
AC strip..he siad I coukld plug my guitar into the EQ unit and play.
anyway...he traded!
I got home added some cleaning and took it to Guitar Center
they popped out a $100 check!!
::::Gearhead story #332::::