Tascam 2488mkII 24-Track Recording Workstation

Feature:
It truly is an "all in one" answer to the job of recording from the bedroom to the stage. I am a "sound guy" in the "real world" and I try to record most jobs. I have used the TASCAM 'lots over the years. (today, I record everything on a usb thumb drive out of a peavy 24fx . . .that works great and many times I will reload that into the tascam for other "stuff" if I'm on the road and am just waiting for the next bus to the gig LOL)

Quality:
Others talk about crashing, I have never had a crash and have owned one since they first came out and cost $1000 net. I would suggest that quality of power is many times the issue, but, machines do crash, so, just give it a try!

Value:
This is the best deal in america. When not working, I am either in a music store, on the web, or reading catalogs . . . this is the very best value out there in my opinion.

Desirability:
It is simple, yet not confusing. It may look like it does not do much, but, in a pinch, I have even run sound with this machine & it is great for a "one man band" type of show, especially techno/ trance. You can set up an entire show that seem like loops and then play 8 live tracks @ the same time . . .it just takes being comfortable with the box.

Sound:
Having started recording on a 3m/walensak reel to reel recorder when I was 14 (1969!), I truly believe that this is the best "stand alone" multi-function recorder on the market considering the cost/feature value. I now use an ALESIS 24HD (for my personal mp3 projects), but, I always take my TASCAM on the road in my special portable suit case. This is my second machine and may buy one more because it looks like the recorder will be discontinued soon! 8 comps and effects on every pass is a great help in a motel room at 3am after a gig!! ( I have even sold cd's of the previous nights shows in the past made with the cd burner ) IT is the best high grade "sketch pad" and better than many of the last generation HD recorders (like the early roland's . .FOR THE MONEY, YOU CAN NOT BEAT THIS SYSTEM.

Ease of Use:
Once you know how to use this box, it is a joy, but others have suggested getting the DVD to start off with, DO THAT, it is much easier than reading the manual . . these things do WAY MORE than even the company knows many times, so don't be afraid to push the thing as far as it will go.

Support:
I have tried, but, it is hard to get in contact with tech people for low end products when the company also supports large commercial products in the same area . . .and most sales people are LOCKED in on every kind of software in the world . . .since I hate software based ANYTHING, I have a fond spot for this machine.

Overall:
I will use this machine until it goes away. (since I have 2, I hope to always have one that works . .I will eventually leave it @ home or loan it to my church . . .the folks @ church have ALL of the most current gear, but, in a crunch, they could do A LOT with this and I would encourage any "start up group" or small church to consider buying one instead of some (expensive) digital mixer that no one will be able to use . . .BUT YOU KINOW THEY WON'T DO THAT!!

Feature:
In an all and one package suite, you cant ask for more in the ease of use dept. The voice recording effects are outstanding and once you take it to the next level with the internal Eq and compression stations...Wow...Its you and your creative mind against the the Enginuity of the Tascam-2488!

Quality:
I do Live sound for up 16pc bands and when i do 10pc and under I like to take my Tascam-2488 and try new things. I have enough mic space to connect 3lead vocals, 3 percussionists, and 2winds a bass player and keaboardist, yet have enough back-up mics inputs to better mic up drums or the timbales.

Value:
In short I paid more for the 1st release of this product only to be sold later with more upgrades at a lower price. And since I never keep reciepts...what can I do?

Desirability:
Not only does it look good its a sturn piece of equipment. The wide screen is lit well and to carry and place it on a table you fingers grip firmly under each hand placement for a firm and reliable grip.

Sound:
In a world were computers are the key source of what to record on...I still prefer the stand-alone Tascam-2488. My Tascam-2488 has 24 tracks and just about all the unlimited virtual tracks i need to get the job done! Sound...well lets just say that I can record on my Tascam-2488 and make it sound just as good if not better than your pc-recording. And since I don't use my Tascam-2488 to connect to the internet...I won't have a problem with a slow running hard drive due to viruses and such.

Ease of Use:
Great sound is what I got from my Tascam-2488 2days after I opened it up and got it out of the packageing. I like to read and familiarize myself first before I jump into it. Since I use standalone gear I connected my synth-keyboard to a stereo track and my condenser to track one and the rest is history!!!

Support:
Till now I've had no need to contact the dealer but...Since upgrades have been implemented to the new release model...in the near future I will be talking to my Tascam dealer to see about getting my gear upgraded aswell.

Overall:
When I first bought my Tascam-2488 I liked everything but...the save and reload system. It takes too long for it to reload a song saved from cd-rw and to save to cd-rw its still a long process. I,ve seen zip-drives save and reload faster the the current setting.