Tascam PORTASTUDIO 488 MKII User Manual

488 MKII
PORTASTUDIO
page 1 of 4
When 4 Tracks Are Not Enough
You’ve got an 8-track mind. You need the perfect
creative tool – TASCAM’s 488 MKII Portastudio – it
works like a giant electronic notebook. It not only
offers capacity, this new Portastudio provides versa-
tile capability and intuitive operation for easy captur-
ing and manipulating of your ideas. The 488 MKII has
incredible performance and features, that only a few
years ago was only found in much higher-priced
equipment. It’s what any serious musician or upcom-
ing producer/engineer always dreams of – quality
recording and great sound. With the 488 MKII, you
get all this and more.
The Portastudio is the culmination of an extremely
progressive line of high-performance 8-track cas-
sette multitrack machines. This next-generation
Portastudio gives you more tracks, easy operation
and enhanced recording and mixing features.
Whether recording acoustic or electronic instruments
or vocals, the 488 MKII offers maximum creative
freedom to produce your best work. Of course it
comes with TASCAM quality and reliability – the
company that invented the first 8-track cassette. It’s
built tough, “It always works”– it’s what musicians
have come to rely on from TASCAM.
Powered by the Finest Transport in its Class
It’s because of what you do with the Portastudio
488 MKII, that this equipment isn’t superseded by
an ever larger and growing studio. You’ll come to
depend on it as a creative tool and use it for a long
time, so you’ll want to carefully consider those
aspects that only become visible after you use
something for a while!
At the heart of the 488 MKII is a high-performance
Hysteresis Tension Servo Controlled (HTSC) tape
transport. The 488 MKII is the only 8-track cassette
that offers a servo controlled transport complete with
electronic braking. HTSC maintains precise and
consistent tape tension from the beginning until the
end of the tape. It actually dynamically adjusts the
back tension on the tape as it moves from one end to
the other, allowing precise locating capability. That’s
how the 488 MKII offers the best audio quality, a
direct result of the lowest Wow and Flutter of any
8-track cassette. Plus, this reduces tape slippage
20 13/16" (528.4 mm)
5 1/16" (128 mm)
17 3/16" (437 mm)
17 1/8" (434.7 mm)

Tascam PORTASTUDIO 488 MKII Specifications

General

Type	Analog Multitrack Recorder
Tracks	8
Tape Width	1/4 inch
Input Channels	8
Tape Speed	9.5 cm/s (3.75 ips)
Cassette Format	Compact Cassette
Output Channels	2
EQ	3-band EQ
Phantom Power	Yes

Summary

TASCAM 488 MKII Overview

When 4 Tracks Are Not Enough

Highlights the 8-track capability and creative tool aspect of the Portastudio.

Powered by the Finest Transport in its Class

Details the high-performance HTSC tape transport and its benefits.

Top Panel Controls and Features

The Functionality of a Pro Studio

Covers flexibility, 3-band EQ, mixer capabilities, and input options.

Inputs A Plenty – Including XLR with Phantom Power

Describes input types, including XLR and phantom power for condenser mics.

Get Started in Minutes

Explains the straightforward setup and operation of the 488 MKII.

Recording Features and Advanced Operation

Recording Features Make for Quick and Easy Operation

Details auto punch-in/out, rehearsal function, and auxiliary sends.

MIDI Musicians Take Note

Explains MIDI synchronization capabilities for virtual tracking.

Comprehensive Equalization for Sweetening Your Sound

Covers the 3-band EQ with sweepable mids for sound shaping.

A Transportable Power Studio

Highlights the unit's compact and rugged design for portability.

Specifications and Technical Details

Flexible, Versatile and High-Performance

Lists key features like 8-track format, double speed, and dbx noise reduction.

SPECIFICATIONS

Provides detailed technical specifications for mixer and recorder sections.

GENERAL

Lists general specifications like power consumption, dimensions, and weight.