488 MKII
PORTASTUDIO
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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488 MKII, that this equipment isn’t superseded by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)
and provides extreme reliability, even in the most
hostile environments.
The Functionality of a Pro Studio
The 488 MKII comes standard with a wide variety of
advanced features that give you uncommon flexibility.
For example, you’ll appreciate its three band equali-
zation, complete with sweepable mids on each of the
eight main input channels for precision response
shaping that results in a great musical sound.
Inputs A Plenty – Including XLR
with Phantom Power
The 488 MKII is designed to easily accommodate
virtually any type of input including line level devices,
488 MKII
PORTASTUDIO
page 2 of 4
guitar, keyboards, stereo inputs and low impedance,
XLR-type microphones. It also includes phantom power
for use with high-quality condenser microphones.
The built-in mixer features low-noise circuitry, with
12 inputs and 2 group busses. There’s a separate
input for your stereo master recorder. Plus a unique
Multi-Mix mode with the capability of handling up to
20 inputs at mixdown.
Get Started in Minutes
Set up is no problem with the 488 MKII. The MIC and
line inputs are right on the sloped back panel. Plug in
your instrument and choose the tracks you wish to
record with the REC Function toggle switches. Use the
group ASSIGN switches to mix multiple instruments to
Top Panel-488
MK
II
NOISE REDUCTION SYSTEM
PUSH
OPEN
dbx
REW F FWD STOP PLAY PAUSE RECORD
–+
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INPUT ASSIGN
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1212
34
MIC/LINE INPUTS
TRIM
TAPE
CUE
EQ
HIGH
MID
LOW
EFFECT
PAN
ASSIGN
MIC/LINE INPUTS EFFECT SENDS
5678
9/MONO 11/MONO
LINE INPUTS STEREO OUTPUTS
LR
LINE OUTPUT
LR
CUE
OUTPUT
MONITOR OUTPUT
LR
2TR INPUT
LR
10 12
SUB INPUT
–+
–+
–+
250 5k
LR
1/L-2/R
3-4
1
2
2
TRIM
TAPE
CUE
EQ
HIGH
MID
LOW
EFFECT
PAN
ASSIGN
–+
–+
–+
250 5k
LR
1/L-2/R
3-4
1
2
3
TRIM
TAPE
CUE
EQ
HIGH
MID
LOW
EFFECT
PAN
ASSIGN
–+
–+
–+
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LR
1/L-2/R
3-4
1
2
4
TRIM
TAPE
CUE
EQ
HIGH
MID
LOW
EFFECT
PAN
ASSIGN
–+
–+
–+
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LR
1/L-2/R
3-4
1
2
5
TAPE
CUE
EQ
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MID
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EFFECT
PAN
ASSIGN
–+
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1/L-2/R
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TAPE
CUE
EQ
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MID
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EFFECT
PAN
ASSIGN
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LR
1/L-2/R
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2
7
TAPE
CUE
EQ
HIGH
MID
LOW
EFFECT
PAN
ASSIGN
–+
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LR
1/L-2/R
3-4
1
2
8
234
5 6 7 8 1/L-2/R
MASTERS
3-4
LEVEL LEVEL
TAPE
CUE
EQ
HIGH
MID
LOW
EFFECT
EFFECT SEND
MASTERS
TAPE CUE
MASTER
MONITOR
ASSIGN ASSIGN
GRP 1-2
GRP 3-4
1/L-2/R
3-4
1/L-2/R
3-4
TAPE
CUE
ST 9-10
ST 11-12
2TR IN
LEVEL
PAN
ASSIGN
–+
–+
–+
250 5k
LR
1/L-2/R
3-4
1
2
1
2
RTZ
LOC 1 LOC 2
MEMO IN REPEAT
CHECK
REHEARSAL
GROUP 1 GROUP 2 GROUP 3 GROUP 4
RECORD FUNCTION
CLEAR
AUTO
IN/OUT
COUNTER
PRESET
PITCH
CONTROL
PORTASTUDIO 488
MK
II
record the tone to tape. After striping the tape with
FSK or Song Position Pointer information, all your
MIDI instruments will faithfully follow the tape during
playback and recording, even if you slow or speed the
tape using PITCH control. The big benefit is that your
MIDI tracks don’t actually have to be recorded until
final mixdown, giving you more unused tracks to
record on!
Comprehensive Equalization for
Sweetening Your Sound.
The 488 MKII didn’t cut corners when it comes to EQ.
Each of the 8 main input channels includes individual
3-band equalizers. You not only get HI and LOW
shelving EQs, you also get a semi-parametric sweep-
able midrange EQ, and that’s where all the action is.
It’s easy to brighten keyboards and guitars, make the
bass pulse and throb and liven up drum tracks or give
the vocals the edge they need.
A Transportable Power Studio
The 488 MKII is as good on the road as it is in the
studio. It’s sleek, compact design and rugged case
means it can go wherever your guitar, drums, key-
boards and other instruments go. Many Pro musi-
cians constantly keep this creative capability with
them using the 488 MKII to write and develop while
they’re on the road. What you do with it and when
you do it is up to you.
one group, which is linked to one master fader. On
each mono input, set your optimum levels with the
TRIM controls.
Push RECORD and PLAY and the tape is rolling. The
bright, easy-to-read fluorescent meter display con-
sists of 10 bar-type segment display meters (8 tracks
and L/R). It also contains information displays for
Rehearsal, Auto Punch, In and Out Points and Tape
Position.
Recording Features
Make for Quick and Easy Operation
The 488 MKII is packed with features that make a
musician’s life easier. Such as an automatic Punch
In/Out complete with a rehearsal function, enabling
you to practice before committing to tape.
You get two independent Auxiliary sends with stereo
returns so you can bring in multiple effects and signal
processing equipment. The stereo returns can also be
used as two additional stereo input channels.
MIDI Musicians Take Note
If you’ve got MIDI keyboards, drum machines and
sound modules in your set-up, you can exploit the
power of “virtual tracking” with the TASCAM 488 MKII.
You can use a MIDI synchronizer (such as the MTS-
30 MIDI-Tape Synchronizer) to record (stripe) a code
onto track 8. Just turn SYNC mode on with the back
panel switch, connect to and from the SYNC unit, and
488 MKII
PORTASTUDIO
page 3 of 4
Rear Panel-488
MK
II
POWER
OUT IN
SYNCPHANTOM POWER
+48V
DBX NR
OFFON
ON OFF
ON OFF
INSERT 1 INSERT 2 PHONES
REMOTE
PUNCH IN/OUT
Front Panel-488
MK
II
S/N Ratio (Mic): 65 dB
(Line): 76 dB
Total Harmonic Distortion: Less than 0.05%
Channel Separation: Better than 55 dB
RECORDER SECTION
Tape: Compact Cassette, 70µ,
Hi-bias Type II)
Track Format: 8-track, 8-channel
Tape Speed: 9.5 cm/sec
Pitch Control: ±12%
Fast Wind Time: Approx. 80 sec for C-60
Wow and Flutter: 0.04%
Frequency Response: 40 Hz-14 kHz, ±3dB
(dbx NR out)
S/N Ratio: Better than 95 dB (IHF “A”
WTD, dbx NR in)
Total Harmonic Distortion: Less than 1.3% (400 Hz, 0 dB)
Channel Separation: 70 dB (1 kHz, 0 dB, dbx NR in)
Erasure: 85 dB (1 kHz, +10 dB)
GENERAL
Power Consumption: 39 W
Dimensions (W x H x D): 528.4 x 128 x 437 mm
Weight: 7.1 kg
Specifications and features subject to change without
notice or obligation.
Flexible, Versatile and High-Performance
• TASCAM 8-track format (fully compatible with 238,
488 and 688)
• Double Tape Speed (9.6 cm/sec)
• dbx noise reduction for extended dynamic range
and superior audio quality
• ±12% Pitch Control
• Simultaneous Recording of 4-tracks
• 2 Auto Locate Points plus Return to Zero (RTZ)
• Repeat between Locate 1 and Locate 2
• Monitor Output with Independent Level Control
• CUE Master Level Control
• MONO Switch
• Monitor Select Switch from Group 1-2, Group 3-4,
Tape CUE, stereo input 9-10, stereo input 11-12,
and 2-track IN
• Sync In/Out jacks allow track 8 to be connected
to anexternal MIDI synchronizer (i.e. TASCAM
MTS-30)
SPECIFICATIONS
MIXER SECTION
Mic/Line Input (1/4"): 5.8 kohms /-50 dBv – -10 dBv
Mic/Line Input (XLR): 2.8 kohms /-60 dBv – - 20 dBv
Line Input: 50 kohms /-10 dBv
Stereo Input: 10 kohms /-10 dBv
Insert Input: 10 kohms /-10 dBv
Insert Output: 10 kohms /-10 dBv
2TR Input: 47 kohms /-10 dBv
Sub Input: 47 kohms /-10 dBv
Line Output: 100 ohms /-10 dBv
Effect Sends: 100 ohms /-10 dBv
Monitor Output: 100 ohms /-10 dBv
Cue Output: 100 ohms /-10 dBv
Headphone Output: 100 mW + 100 mW max.
Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 22 kHz, +1/-2 dB
488 MKII
PORTASTUDIO
page 4 of 4
For more information about other TASCAM
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©1997 TEAC America, Inc. All rights reserved. 7733 Telegraph Road, Montebello, CA 90640 (213) 726-0303
TEAC Canada Ltd., 5939 Wallace Street, Mississauga, Ontario L4Z 1Z8 Canada (905) 890-8008
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FAXBACK Index# 1770 2/97
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