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Tascam 2488
Digital Portastudio

 2488 image

Way way back in 1979, when Tascam introduced the first 4-track cassette tape Portastudio, we were also helping set the professional audio industry standard for recording tracks: twenty-four. Like the Portastudio, 24 recording tracks caught on, becoming the primary creative tool for artists and producers worldwide. Was then. Still is.

Twenty-five years after the first Portastudio comes the incredible 2488. It’s by far the most affordable 24-track recording and mixing workstation ever made for home studios – and the only model within three times its price range that can truly run 24 tracks at 24-bits/ 44.1kHz. Eight inputs can be simultaneously recorded into the XLR and jack inputs. Twenty physical faders control the mixdown channels; each channel has 3-band EQ and access to multi-effects, dynamics and loop effects. A 40GB internal hard disk gives you ample space for twenty to thirty 24-track songs and virtual tracks for comping. Plus the 2488 has a built-in CD-RW recorder and a USB 2.0 port for back-up via home computer.



Main Features

Recorder

24-track HDD-based multitrack recorder

44.1kHz, 24/16bit

Simultaneous playback of 24 tracks

Simultaneous recording of 8 tracks

250 assignable virtual (alternative) tracks

2 additional tracks for mastering

Powerful editing functions

Copy -> Paste/Insert, Move -> Paste/Insert, Open, Cut, Silence, Clone Track, Clean Out, Loop Paste

Flexible Undo/Redo

999-level history allows undo/redo of track editing, recording, auto punch and mastering operations

999 markers plus In/Out/To locate points per song

Return To Zero function

Manual punch in/out

Use the transport keys or an optional foot switch (Tascam RC-30P) to start/stop a recording session

Auto punch in/out

Start/stop recording automatically

Multiple take function: Record a section many times, then choose the best take to insert

Rehearsal function

Practise your takes until you’re ready for recording

Repeat playback or recording function

Practise or record a section as often as you wish

Variable pitch

Alter both playback and record speed/pitch by ±6%

Waveform view

Set playback marker or locator points precisely by scrolling through the waveform of your recording

Slow Speed Audition

Reduce the playback speed of a selected pair of tracks by 50–100% to rehearse tricky lead lines etc.

Mixer

24+8-channel digital mixer

Main: 12 mono + 6 stereo channels, Sub: 8 mono channels

20 physical faders

64-voice General MIDI sound module

Use the editable preset patterns to play drums and synths to your recordings

Import and play Standard MIDI files (SMF)

  

3-band EQ on 24 channels, 8 inputs and MIDI module

High and low sweepable shelving bands and full parametric mid band

8 analogue inputs

4 XLR/TRS balanced inputs with phantom power

4 TRS balanced inputs (one shared with additional connector on unit’s front for direct connection of a guitar or electric bass)

8 trim controls and 8 overload indicators

Three aux sends on all input, track and tone generator channels

For use with internal loop effects or external effects devices or for monitoring purposes

Internal effects and dynamics processors

Reverb, delay, chorus and others to be used as loop effect

Up to 8 assignable dynamics processors for compression/noise suppression during recording or mixdown

Assignable guitar multi-effects processor for distortion, delay, flange, amplifier simulation and more

Dedicated stereo compressor on the stereo output

Built-in chromatic tuner

Flexible on-board digital patch bay

Assign inputs and tracks to mixer channels with a few key presses

Quick setup utility

Instantly load track assignments for commonly used procedures like Recording, Track Bouncing or Mixdown

Channel link

Control two channels with one set of controls

Solo/Mute

Pre-listen and mute channels individually

Snapshot memory

Store settings of your recording session to recall them whenever you want

Digital input (SPDIF)

Analogue (RCA) and digital (SPDIF) master outputs

TRS quasi-balanced monitor output

Headphones output

On-board CD-RW drive

Burn your mixdown on CD

Import/export WAV files

Backup your hard drive

Play Audio CDs

High-speed USB 2.0 port

Connect the 2488 to your PC/Mac for data backup and SMF/WAV file transfer



Specifications

Analogue inputs and outputs
MIC/LINE inputs (A-D)   Combined XLR/6.3-mm TRS connector
   Input impedance   XLR: 2 kOhm, TRS: 8 kOhm
   Input level   XLR: -57 dBu (MIC) to -10 dBu (LINE)
TRS: -43 dBu (MIC) to +4 dBu (LINE)
   Nominal input level   XLR: -10 dBu, TRS: +4 dBu
   Maximum input level   XLR: +6 dBu, TRS: +20 dBu
MIC/LINE inputs (E-H)   6.3-mm TRS jack
   Input impedance   4 kOhm
   Input level   -43 dBu (MIC) to +4 dBu (LINE)
   Nominal input level   +4 dBu
   Maximum input level   +20 dBu
Input H (GUITAR)   6.3-mm jack (unbalanced) on front panel
   Input impedance   1 MOhm
   Input level   -55 dBu to -8 dBu
STEREO L/R outputs   RCA (unbalanced)
   Output impedance   100 Ohm
   Nominal output level   -10 dBV
   Maximum output level   +6 dBV
EFFECT SENDS 1 and 2   6.3-mm TRS jack (unbalanced)
   Output impedance   100 Ohm
   Nominal output level   -10 dBV
   Maximum output level   +6 dBV
MONITOR L/R outputs   6.3-mm TRS
   Output impedance   100 Ohm
   Nominal output level   -2 dBu
   Maximum output level   +14 dBu
PHONES ouput   Stereo 6.3-mm jack
   Maximum output level   55 mW + 55 mW (into 30 Ohm)


Digital inputs and outputs
DIGITAL input   RCA jack
   Data format   IEC60958 consumer (SPDIF)
DIGITAL output   RCA jack
   Data format   IEC60958 consumer (SPDIF)
Audio performance  
Sampling frequency   44.1 kHz
Word length   16-bit/24-bit (user-selectable, per song)
Crossfade time   10 ms
Number of tracks  
   Playback   24 simultaneously
   Recording   8 simultaneously
   Virtual   250 per song
Frequency response
   INPUTS A-H --> STEREO / EFFECT SEND / MONITOR   20 Hz - 20 kHz +1.0/-1.0 dB (trim at min.)
Noise level (inputs 150Ohm terminated, faders at nominal, 20k LPF, A-weighted)
   INPUTS A-H --> STEREO/EFFECT SEND   <90 dBV
   INPUTS A-H --> MONITOR (trim at min.)   <82 dBu
Dynamic range (faders at nominal, 20k LPF, A-weighted)
   INPUTS A-H --> STEREO/EFFECT SEND/MONITOR   >96 dB
Crosstalk (trim at minimum, 1 input at max, faders at nominal, 20k LPF, A-weighted)
   INPUTS A-H --> STEREO/EFFECT SEND/MONITOR   >80 dB @ 1 kHz
Total harmonic distortion (inputs at max, 20k LPF, trim at min.)
   INPUTS A-H --> STEREO/EFFECT SEND/MONITOR   < 0.01%


Power supply and other specifications
Power requirements  
   USA/Canada   120 V AC, 60 Hz
   International   230/240 V AC, 50/60 Hz
Power consumption   41 W
Applicable electromagnetic environment   E4
Dimensions (W x D x H)   545 mm x 355 mm x 145 mm
Weight   8 kg

Design and specifications subject to change without notice.