Tascam Portastudio 488

The Tascam 488 is a Portastudio designed to record 8 tracks onto a standard cassette. It features a built in mixer with high and low EQ on each channel, XLR inputs on channels 1 and 2, and 1/4” inputs for the other inputs. It can record on up to 4 tracks simultaneously. The manual is very easy to follow, and although it is not as easy to use as a standard 4 track Portastudio, like the Tascam 424, it is very easy to master after running through the operations a few times.

The 488 has a pitch wheel to change the speed/pitch, two computer controlled memory locations with auto-punch in, a return to zero locate button, two loops for effect and auxiliary, an option to record a SMPTE track on track 8, and dbx Type II noise reduction. For the best recordings, high quality Type II cassettes 60 minutes or shorter in length should be used.

This was my first 8 track recorder. It is a pretty solid machine for a cassette Portastudio, and sonically is similar to the Tascam 488 mkII, but lacks some of the mkII's features. Some of the missing features that would be nice to have are additional XLR inputs, the ability to record on more than 4 tracks simultaneously, phantom power, and more EQ options. Most of these features made it into mkII and the higher-end 688. However, for a solo recordist with a small project studio the Tascam 488 (mkI) is a great machine, capable of producing some excellent demos, particularly if the user is able to bouncing tracks. I kept mine for about a year or two, eventually replacing it with a Tascam 388. On occasion I miss having the ability to to truck around such a small, easy to use 8 track recorder that is capable of producing decent analog recordings while being able to stay “hands-on” with EQ (not having to drag through the menus of a modern 8 track DAW), but I'm again to get along without it and have no plans to replace it. That being said, this is an excellent first machine, and I would personally recommend starting with an 8 track cassette Portastudio over a 4 track Portastudio as the difference in sound quality is negligible, if one is going to make the foray into cassette multitrack recording.

I sold mine in 2003 for a system that Creamware ..
Before I had the opportunity to record a yamaha MT4X sru (correct no more), and Aka on a 4-track EQ with 2 semi-paramtrique per (fabulous, the best recording I test K7 : clear sound and dynamic, it is Dolby NR is transparent and does not include).

The particularity of the tascam is the DBX noise rducteur: Unlike Dolby, it is single channel, and gives a warm grain trs recordings. If one knows how to use this signature sound can be trs INTERESTED. (The DBX compresses the sound recording, and playing an expander restores the dynamic signal).
And instruments ncessitant compression can be registered trs fort, beyond the recommended level for the peak of the cups are dynamic DBX.
For atmosphere and cons for the more subtle instruments ncessitent record below the recommended level for that avoid their attacks are so affected.
So well suited to a recorder amplified music, but it will soon reach the limits of the music quieter, in which case the DBX is less effective than Dolby, and peroit a little breath (which is not the case with music batteries).

Fully flexible routing and monitoring section complte enough, in a UEO make it complex for beginners, who ncessitera time to adapt: ​​as a small Mackie, we can do many things inconceivable with their competitors, but you have to dig a little brains ... it is not enough to press a button, as on high-end devices. Nanmoins, functions well Submitted research, and it is the most!

Locators are effective and apprciables trs.

The MK2 version brings to 488: 2 pramplis micro supplmentaires EQ and a semi-paramtrique missing on the version and Premire ncessitaient to invest in external devices.

I have never regretted my choice, it made me Fidler of dedicated service, and all my clients the quality lou records raliss. When I prt of musician friends, the extreme simplicity of the 2-band shelving EQ allowed users inexpriments to do a good job without errors that EQ is meant when newbies are facing an EQ parameter.

magnto this is part of the high-end Portastudios any smarques combined. Number of albums with mythical raliss t (Rita Mitsouko, Katerine, Dominique A. ..).

My first multitrack !!!!!
Bought used in 1995 for 750 euros.

Magneto-integrated studio tape cassettes.
8 tracks with repeat function, rehearse.
One big flaw, not the ability to record more than 4 tracks simultaneous ...
and no XLR input (no 48V or phase inversion ...)

Great machine for those who can use it, very nice opportunities.
It's the little sister of the Portastudio 688 that was worth a fortune at the time (more than 3000 euros!) The 688, however, was more flexible in terms of EQ, effect sends.

An integrated dbx.

Desu today, with systems of records on computer, that said the sound was more ... "analog" on this machine. I recently listen to with DAT mixes dating back there 5 / 7 years and yet the game is very basic EQ (high and low) and of the sound "sounds". But hey, in return, there is a little out of breath (minime. ..)

I spent hours on it, yes I would do this choice.