All user reviews of 3/5 for the Tascam FW-1884

I bought from Sweetwater; paid approx. 1300 USD. Its purpose was to replace an old audio/MIDI interface (US428).

Overall sound quality is good; preamps seem reasonably transparent with sufficient gain. A/D/A is equally good. Surface controls are well-thought out. Build quality seems good.

Does not map to Cubase SX except via Mackie Control Emulation, which is counter-productive at best. In use, the most important and useful control features of the 1884 are not mapped at all to SX (the EQ section for example), and the ones that ARE mapped via MCE are confusing to use.

Neither Tascam nor Steinberg seem motivated to do anything about this. Both the FW-1884 and Steinberg's SX are fine products, but trying to use them together has proved to be a bad choice compared to other options available in the marketplace.

Overall quality seems quite solid.

Really good unit for the money, but don't try to use with Steinberg. As long as Tascam and Steinberg ignore the need for native support, consider that currently there are better products out there for this specific purpose.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

The console is expandable Submitted (ending for at least ..) it possde lanes between 18 and 16 output (with a rack adat) for more information: website constructor. All connectors are implanted ncessaire (XLR, coax optical ..) There is no correction (eq fx paramtrique or dynamic) of each channel possde to INSERT a row add this type of correction. There is no section or effects loop either hlas for external effects. It works natively 24-bit and can go up to 96 Khtz RESOLUTION. The fader's motoriss of 100 mm. The compatibility with the software's professional time is not fully insured. The types of media sync are: SPDIF / MIDI / WORD CLOCK / ADAT.
Only regret on my part: the addition of at least one loop effects have one more non ngligeable t, the addition of a small LCD to display useful information like queleques "But what is this track on which I have fun?) SONAR 3 .... select the tool is inficace the rglages of eq is not possible from the console.

UTILIZATION

The config is very simple but powerful trs both audio ports for 4 midi in and out! All functions technique are clear and well-Retailer
The manual is provided on the CD ROM in PDF format and must be printed (unless it is English as usual!)
What is this soft balls 2 Giga Studio 24? I have more windows 3.11 (see the graphic inteface ....)

SOUNDS

So the good is that! There's nothing to say about the converters, I have never been better in my hands (well I did not have much either ...) Compared it is well over a home Hoontech ADDA 2000, the r solution of the converters is thinner and above seems more dynamic.
No effects, no filter, dynamic correct.
The lack of effects loop drang me more ...

OVERALL OPINION

It is the verdict, cruel, fateful APRS three weeks of studio! I have to start to change the machine to take full advantage of the console and my soft. Reduces latency + stability = more bandwidth and faster processor (before: P4 2GHtz Ram: 512 / Bus: 266 / OS: W2k now: P4 3.2 Hyper Treading GHTZ / 1 GB of ram / 800 Bus MHtz / XP Pro. The machine can not be put into default (graphics card Matrox G450 Dual Screen base!) Of course the machine is tested through my software: SONAR 3 Producer Ed
Setup of the song selected:
9 MIDI tracks driving two hardware synth.
15 audio tracks at 24 bits 96 Khtz
On each track 1 3 effects.
Latency for stability of the mini table 8 ms (only 16% CPU is used the disc does not Exceeds 3%)
Difficulty: Although processor power (no more that day) the Decent buffer 32 is irralisble. below 8 ms, and displays the table dcroche more information SONAR (loss of control of faders and seeing that remain on or do not s'alument)
These problems are all that your exact quality of the drivers in version 1.00 As I said rcemment this console was released too quickly, oddly APRS just announced the release of Yamaha's 01X (which is the same crneau) by saying that the party has soft t dveloppe a hurry .... SONAR 3 do not t taken into account any Manir in SONAR 2.2 we encounter the same problem does not exist select the track (we're still trying to decide on which track it occurs) only roughly qualisation fontion s good. Go even a little effort at the dveloppement and this product will become a standard trust me! For now it is a ferrari with moped tires o my bill.

I test this card right now + remote that first struck me as very ergonomic and very classy.
But it takes a little time to adapt to the console.
Did not like the records, gnralement, it still took me some time to understand the logic of the complete console

UTILIZATION

The use in itself, after having understood the logic of the console, is not so complicated
the only thing missing I will say is a small display showing the name of each audio track .. I am a bit difficult, but I assure you mix a project of 40 audio and MIDI tracks, and you end up with eight pages of a fader switch, c not evident,

However the main strength is that all connectors are XLR ... class.

SOUNDS

Well overall, I found it relatively soft, the preamps are not bad but not great either ...

OVERALL OPINION

I think the price justifies the quality of the faders and engines, but good overall, the table on this edition's still complex,

and above the table does not have any shortcuts to abandon the famous combo of mouse and keyboard ...