Korg D888 8-Track Hard Disk Recorder
Eight inputs, eight outputs, eight tracks of recording. Includes Cubase LE 4
Overall User Ratings (based on 50 ratings)
Submitted February 12, 2007 by a customer from yahoo.com
"A good effort but not the best work Korg could have done"
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I really wish I'd known how bad the pre's are in these boxes, and if I'd known I might probably have continued looking. Korgs refusal to fix this issue is mystifying. Not that it makes them unusable or anything, but if I hadn't already owned some gear with decent pre's in it to beef up the signal path I'd probably have sent it back. Things are changing fast in this arena and while the D888 is a good niche product for those of us who will put with 44khZ and want more than 2 channels of recording at a time, that alone isn't going to keep this product selling. I predict within two years someone will say to me, 'You've got a Korg -what- for sale?' because nobody will remember this thing.
Sound
I like this device better than another reviewer but he's right about the trim pots; they are horrible, definitely the weakest part of this device. I've had it for a few months and been using the pre's on my old Mackie 1202. Now I'm looking for a tube pre to warm things up a bit. Other than that it's mostly a good product; the USB interface is wide open, allowing you to see the whole drive in Win XP or Linux. The user interface is pretty good. Team this up with Ardour on your Linux box and you've got a hell of a DAW. The fact you can only go 44khz is a flaw but personally I find it adequate for my needs.
Features
No accessories came with it, there really should be at least a short USB cable.
Jumping to mark points is instant and easy. On the down side, the silk screened lettering is unfortunately much too small for my old eyes. There's no real reason for it, they had plenty of room and chose to use a small font and a dull white. Some attention to ease of use would have paid off here.
Ease of Use
The manual is great, downloadable online and for the most part, if you understand an analog mixer you can get results from this box. But here again, the pre's are the problem. Wether plugging in an SM57 or a Rhodes NT or a AKG C1000, they are just pure clunky junk that responds not at all until they come live at the end of their travel and peg the VU. You'll need to find a ballpark setting and do the real work with an external pre on each track you use. On the other hand, how many DAW's in this price range can handle 8 simultaneous inputs?
Quality
Solid enough but again, the pre's are junk. Live recording can be a problem due to long pauses after recording tracks, to rebuild files. The longer the track, the longer it goes offline when you shut down. I think if I ever tried to use it live I might just leave it on for all 4 sets. You could convievably use this thing for your only mixer, live, recording while you perform. I would NOT want to try it.
Value
I'm still pretty happy with it, despite its flaws. It should be about $200 cheaper due to the bad pre's, which add to the real cost of setting up a decent system centered around this thing. For those without a DAW or external effects, the onboard affects are decent.
Manufacturer Support
Haven't needed to call.
The Wow Factor
Nothing with a display as small as this is going to get much of a rating for 'sex appeal' It just looks like a pretty ordinary mixer with a few cute red green and yellow lites and an LCD display.
Musical Background:
ex-pro annoying the neighbors
Musical Style:
Acoustic and electric folk and blues. Much angst and crying in beer.
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Submitted November 15, 2006 by a customer from yahoo.com
"Nice concept -- poor execution"
Disappointed !! If they would fix the trim controls, this could be a nice unit.
Sound
Big problem with the trim controls. Hard to control mic levels.
Quality
Trim controls are ridiculous !!
Manufacturer Support
They know about the problem but aren't doing anything about it!!
The Wow Factor
Great concept -- poor execution
Musical Background:
active musician
Musical Style:
country, folk, jazz
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Submitted May 23, 2007 by a customer from norins.com
"Almost perfect mixer / digital recorder combo."
Love you long time!
Sound
Digital sound in 44.1 kHz - CD quality - flawless. Only trouble is making it there with the the input gain problem futher described below.
Features
Excellent concept. Really like the analog track controls that have the classic / retro mixer intuitive ease of use. Some controls and even the sliders clearly are not directly linked in analog, but control digital signal levels beneath - a REALLY good thing! Transport controls and file management is efficient enough. Rated 9 'cause the display is teeny and does not display enough info at all times. Preamps are marginal. Input gain is horrific! The last hair-thin turn of the gain knob represents the last 90% of gain. If the knob was 8" in diameter, I'm still not sure you would have adequate fine control. Resorted to a PreSonus Blue Tube preamp and have been completely happy since.
Ease of Use
Have not figured out every control, and the manual is not completely helpful. There is no 'system clock' so the .wav files are not date and time stamped - bummer.
Quality
Great looking machine. Markings are inadequate. Can't see them in low light. Ended up making label tapes for key controls.
Value
Very much in the running with other digital recorders and completely unique in design.
Manufacturer Support
Practical support is by email. When I wrote about the preamp and gain issue, I received a very defensive response about the excellent quality of the amp design - same as other mixers - and the outstanding quality of the gain pots. No apparent plans to address the problem.
The Wow Factor
I saw, I wanted, I bought, I covet!
Musical Background:
Active musician
Musical Style:
Choral and solo vocal
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Submitted April 18, 2008 by a customer from freenet.de
"Waste of money"
I wish all the reviewers of the magazines out there would have tested the d888 more preciseley and had written about the pumpin preamps.
There was no word about it - everywhere except in the korg-forums.
I cant understand that it still available on the market in that condition (after Korg knew about this insuffiancy for at least over one year)
Sound
using condenser-mics, the gain-section produces an artificial pumpin (caused by the harddrive) that is hearable on your recording!!! So the Pre-Amps are really a waste ("Made in China") - i have no use for it.
effect quality is poor, dynamics are missing completely.
Features
nice concept of using it as a mixer too. i really appreciated all inputs being on the surface of the d888.
Undo-function causes long (!) saving-time. Had to wait about half a minute for just a few minutes of recorded material - imagine if you record one hour... - inacceptable when working with clients.
Ease of Use
pretty intuitive, you can figure out all functions without consulting the manual, but i missed a jog-dial. so it's quite circular to move for- and backwards within a song.
Quality
obviously there was no factory quality control, regarding the catastrophic preamp-section.
Value
if you don't need the pre amps, it's at least useful as a mixer. in fact, you can get a cheaper one here.
Manufacturer Support
i told them about the problem with the preamps. they immediatley answered via mail and already knew about it but regretted not being able to give a solution. they said, they already reported it to the korg main office - but it seems as they don't care.
The Wow Factor
no I send it back.
Musical Background:
Hobbyist
Musical Style:
etc.
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Submitted December 31, 2008 by a customer from gmail.com
"For those who has good computer music skills (knowing DAW) this product may be saving time option,becous the setup for recording"
Sound
The sound is excellent realistic,what you put inside pass thru without any losses.EQ's are good,and you can operate them easy (analog feel!)For my needs this machine is preaty well.I have Nuendo 3 and with USB it is possible very easy to change recorded sounds and back them again to D888.
Features
Analog feel is particulary what impressed me (retro).Easy operating system is another quality of this machine.You can instantly capture the sound and modify it later.
Ease of Use
Yes, realy easy.
Quality
It looks like good hardware in my home studio.
Value
It is worth of money which I pay (about 690$)
Manufacturer Support
Manual is clear.Upgrade software is easy and from KORG web page, upgrade improves quality of effects section.
The Wow Factor
I want bigger machine then this, but for now is OK.
Musical Background:
Pro composer, and producer
Musical Style:
New age,vocal music, ambient
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Submitted March 23, 2013 by ROGER HERRON in MARYVILLE, TN
"korg d888 recorder"
Verified Customer
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Pre amps are not up to par. you will need to use outboard tub pre to get the level you need. I'm looking in to the presonus recording gear. Love there tub pre.
Musical Background:
SOUND MAN FOR 25 YEARS
Musical Style:
COUNTRY - BLUEGRASS-CHRISTIAN
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Submitted April 28, 2010 by a customer from aol.com
"Multi-Junker"
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its a Multi-Junker, not multi-tracker, maybe thats why the previous owner sold it
Sound
when it works, it sounds great
Features
user friendly
Ease of Use
almost no need to read manual
Quality
i went back to remix my previous tracks, it wont let me edit, controls dont work, they just playback but no control at all to edit
Value
since it does not last long, its junk
Manufacturer Support
i have not tried
The Wow Factor
looks good, but junk inside, no wonder its so lightweight
Musical Background:
hobbyist
Musical Style:
rock
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