Tascam FW1884 DAW Controller/Audio/MIDI Interface

Includes Cubase LE. Comprehensive mixing, automation, editing and navigation tools for DAWs. 157 People rated this product:

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The FW-1884 is a professional DAW control surface and audio/MIDI interface that uses the FireWire high-speed data transfer protocol. With FireWires high-bandwidth capabilities, the FW-1884 provides audio and MIDI interfacing to computers as well as control of DAW parameters via 8 x 100mm motorized touch-sensitive channel faders, 1 master fader, and controls for pan, solo, mute and select functions on each channel. Tactile control for 4 bands of parametric EQ, a weighted jog wheel and a variety of shortcut keys for various popular software applications are also included.

Co-designed between TASCAM and Frontier Design Group, the FW-1884s DAW control capabilities include comprehensive mixing, automation, editing and navigation tools. In addition to its surface control capabilities, the FW-1884 provides 8 balanced XLR analog mic/line inputs with high quality mic preamps, phantom power and inserts on every channel. Using 24-bit/96kHz A/D and D/A converters, the FW-1884 offers full 96kHz operation on all analog I/O channels with compatible DAW software. In addition to its 2 FireWire (IEEE 1394) computer interfaces, the FW-1884 gives users eight channels of ADAT lightpipe as well as stereo S/PDIF inputs and outputs. Perfectly suited to multi-channel surround production as well as standard stereo mixing, the FW-1884 provides 8 analog outputs for simultaneous connection to L/R and 5.1 surround matrices. A headphone output is also provided.

Four MIDI inputs and 4 MIDI outputs on the FW-1884 allow users to connect with a wide variety of MIDI sound generation and timing tools. Its Word Clock in and out jacks allow computer systems to maintain accurate clock synchronization in digital recording environments. Also, its assignable footswitch jack can be used for tasks such as hands-free punching or MIDI control. In use, the FW-1884 allows up to 18 audio inputs to be accessed at once. As a DAW controller, the FW-1884 is compatible with a wide variety of popular applications including MOTU Digital Performer, Steinberg Cubase, Steinberg Nuendo, Cakewalk Sonar, and more.

For people who require simultaneous control of more audio channels, the FE-8 expands the FW-1884 with 8 additional channel control strips (100mm motorized faders and dedicated control buttons). Multiple FE-8's may be added to an FW-1884 system as needed for big console functionality with any DAW system.

Features:
Comprehensive mixing, automation, editing and navigation tools for DAWs

8 x 100mm motorized touch-sensitive channel faders, one master fader

Dedicated controls for pan, solo, mute and select functions on each channel; tactile control for four bands of parametric EQ

Shortcut keys for various popular audio software applications

8 balanced XLR analog mic/line inputs with high quality mic preamps

Phantom power and inserts on every channel

24-bit/96kHz A/D and D/A converters; full 96kHz operation on all analog I/O channels with compatible DAW software

8 channels of ADAT lightpipe, stereo S/PDIF inputs and outputs.

8 analog outputs, allowing connection of L/R and 5.1 surround matrices

Dedicated headphone output

4 MIDI inputs, four MIDI outputs

Word Clock in and out jacks

Assignable footswitch jack

Up to 18 simultaneous inputs

Compatible with a wide variety of popular DAW applications

Also available: FE-8 (8-channel sidecar) expands FW-1884 with 8 additional channel control strips

Includes Cubase LE zZounds is an authorized dealer of Tascam products.

Tascam Warranty

Tascam Warranty

If you have additional warranty questions, please call the manufacturer at 323-727-7617

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Customer Reviews

4.5 out of 5 (157 ratings) Rate and Review This Product

Read all 11 Tascam FW1884 DAW Controller/Audio/MIDI Interface Reviews

"Killer Product now that new drivers are out!!!"

Sound: Sounds just fine as expected. The pre-amps won't replace your tube pre's, but you wouldn't expect that. Feature: It's got so much! Just look at the list. If it's what you need, you'll know. Comparing similar gear, this was the clear choice for me. Quality: Seems solid. Value: Look at the features - there's heaps packed in here, and it was the obvious choice for me. Maybe not for everyone. There are other items in the same price range that have other features, but this one really shines in the amount of inputs. The integration with software, at least Sonar, in my experience, is great. Manufacturer Support: Tascam support pretty much stinks on this. The software was done by Frontier Designs, not Tascam, and I couldn't get anybody on the phone at Tascam who knew anything beyond the manual for the FW-1884. The Wow Factor: The choice of features are great, including the full size motorized faders, which have great appeal. It's very comfortable to use and looks great. I just wish it was a little smaller and more portable. Overall: I will use this happily for a very long time. I already expanded it with a Behringer ADA8000, to add 8 more XLR/TRS inputs via the ADAT input. Together, that's 16 analog inputs direct to the computer. I doubt many people in the small studio game would need more than that at a time.

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"Great Features, Great Price, Questionable Workmanship, Non-Existant Support"

Sound: It pretty much keeps up with what I am doing until I us Rewire clients (excepting Reason, which works quite well with it) or use Fruity Loops. Then it gets grainy and pops no matter how high I set the latency. Of course, I am talking about 20 plus tracks in Cubase and another 20 intruments in FL running multiple tracks. So I do tend to push the ability a bit. Feature: Scribble strips, why not. Sure the SoftLCD is cool, but I am sticking tape all over the mixer anyway. Quality: OK, how hard or expensive would it have been to include a protection circuit at the input. The pre-amps WILL blow out if you hot plug. Now, we all know that hot plugging is bad, but for an extra buck per unit they could have installed some sort of protection for the inexperienced or unlucky. I was working with a friend of mine one day and left him alone with it for a couple hours and when I came back inputs 4,7 and 8 were dead (and now my friend is...he he ;). Mine also has hiccups. Sometimes indicator lights work, sometimes they don't. Sometimes a control will do what it is supposed to do and other times it will become just a useless button. Value: There is nothing on the market for this price that does what it will do, even if it sometimes doesn't do it very well. But...I bought mine used for a VERY good price (if I told you how very good you would have to kill me). Manufacturer Support: Support? The Wow Factor: Shop around, you won't find a better unit for the money. Overall: Even with its inherant problems, there is nothing like it available anywhere for the price. This is it. And while Tascam may not understand the basics of support and decided to build in weaknesses (that can be worked around by a competant electrician for a few dollars and a case of beer) I am still impressed by the machine.

Style of Music: I write everything I think will sell

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Read all 11 Tascam FW1884 DAW Controller/Audio/MIDI Interface Reviews