PORTASTUDIO

page 1 of 4

488 MKII
20 13/16" (528.4 mm) 5 1/16" (128 mm)

When 4 Tracks Are Not Enough

Youve got an 8-track mind. You need the perfect creative tool TASCAMs 488 MKII Portastudio it works like a giant electronic notebook. It not only offers capacity, this new Portastudio provides versatile capability and intuitive operation for easy capturing 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. Its what any serious musician or upcoming 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 cassette 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. Its built tough, It always works its what musicians have come to rely on from TASCAM.

Powered by the Finest Transport in its Class

Its because of what you do with the Portastudio 488 MKII, that this equipment isnt superseded by an ever larger and growing studio. Youll come to depend on it as a creative tool and use it for a long time, so youll 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. Thats 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

17 1/8" (434.7 mm)

17 3/16" (437 mm)

488 MKII
Top Panel-488 MKII

PORTASTUDIO
page 2 of 4

1 2 MIC/LINE INPUTS

1 2 EFFECT SENDS

L R L R CUE LINE OUTPUT MONITOR OUTPUT OUTPUT

L R 2TR INPUT

L R SUB INPUT

10

12

3 2 MIC/LINE INPUTS

6 LINE INPUTS

9/MONO 11/MONO STEREO OUTPUTS

1
TRIM
I I I

2
TRIM
I I I

3
TRIM
I I I

4
TRIM
I I I

5
I I I

8
LEVEL
I I I

LEVEL
I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

INPUT ASSIGN
MIC/ MULTI LINE TAPE MIX

INPUT ASSIGN
MIC/ MULTI LINE TAPE MIX

INPUT ASSIGN
MIC/ MULTI LINE TAPE MIX

INPUT ASSIGN
MIC/ MULTI LINE TAPE MIX

INPUT ASSIGN
MIC/ MULTI LINE TAPE MIX

INPUT ASSIGN
MIC/ MULTI LINE TAPE MIX

INPUT ASSIGN
MIC/ MULTI LINE TAPE MIX

INPUT ASSIGN
MIC/ MULTI LINE TAPE MIX

ASSIGN
1/L-2/R

ASSIGN
1/L-2/R

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

EQ
I I I

I I I

EQ
I I I

I I I

EQ
I I I

I I I

EQ
I I I

I I I

EQ
I I I

I I I

EQ
I I I

I I I

EQ
I I I

I I I

I I I

TAPE I I CUE I

TAPE I I CUE I

TAPE I I CUE I

TAPE I I CUE I

TAPE I I CUE I

TAPE I I CUE I

TAPE I I CUE I

TAPE I I CUE I

3-4

EQ HIGH MID
I I I
I I I I I I

I I I

TAPE CUE MASTER

MONITOR
GRP 1-2

HIGH MID

HIGH MID

HIGH MID

HIGH MID

HIGH MID

HIGH MID

HIGH MID

I I I

+
I I I

I I I

+
I I I
I I I

I I I

+
I I I

I I I

+
I I I

I I I

+
I I I

I I I

+
I I I

I I I

I I I

+
I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

dbx NOISE REDUCTION SYSTEM

3-4

250 5k I I I
I I I
I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I I I I

250 5k I I I
I I I

I I I I I I

250 5k I I I
I I I

I I I I I I

250 5k I I I
I I I

I I I I I I

250 5k I I I
I I I

I I I I I I

250 5k I I I
I I I

I I I I I I

250 5k I I I
I I I

I I I I I I

250 5k I I I
I I I

I I I I I I I I I

I I I

GRP 3-4

PUSH OPEN

TAPE CUE

ST 9-10

I I I

+
I I I

I I I

+
I I I
I I I

I I I

+
I I I

I I I

+
I I I

I I I

+
I I I

I I I

+
I I I

I I I

+
I I I

I I I

+ EFFECT SEND MASTERS

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

LOW

LOW

LOW

LOW

LOW

LOW

LOW

LOW

+ I I I EFFECT
I I I
I I I

+ I I I EFFECT
I I I
I I I

+ I I I EFFECT
I I I
I I I

+ I I I EFFECT
I I I
I I I

+ I I I EFFECT
I I I
I I I

+ I I I EFFECT
I I I
I I I

+ I I I EFFECT
I I I
I I I

+ I I I EFFECT
I I I
I I I

I I I

ST 11-12

2TR IN

I I I

PORTASTUDIO 488 MKII

RTZ LEVEL
I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

LOC 1

LOC 2

PAN
I I I

I I I

PAN
I I I

I I I

PAN I I I
I I I

PAN
I I I

I I I

PAN
I I I

I I I

PAN
I I I

I I I

PAN
I I I

I I I

PAN
I I I

I I I

MEMO IN

REPEAT

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

I I I

ASSIGN
1/L-2/R

ASSIGN
1/L-2/R

ASSIGN
1/L-2/R

ASSIGN
1/L-2/R

ASSIGN
1/L-2/R

ASSIGN
1/L-2/R

ASSIGN
1/L-2/R

ASSIGN
1/L-2/R

MASTERS

AUTO REHEARSAL IN/OUT

CLEAR

COUNTER PRESET

CHECK

3-4

3-4

3-4

3-4

3-4

3-4

3-4

3-4

RECORD FUNCTION GROUP 1 GROUP 2 GROUP 3 GROUP 4

PITCH CONTROL

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

1 5

2 6

3 7

4 8

+
RECORD

REW

F FWD

STOP

PLAY

PAUSE

1/L-2/R

3-4

and provides extreme reliability, even in the most hostile environments.

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. Theres 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.

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, youll appreciate its three band equalization, complete with sweepable mids on each of the eight main input channels for precision response shaping that results in a great musical sound.

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

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
Rear Panel-488 MKII

PORTASTUDIO
page 3 of 4

POWER

PHANTOM POWER +48V ON OFF

SYNC OUT IN ON OFF

DBX NR ON OFF

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 consists 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.

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 dont actually have to be recorded until final mixdown, giving you more unused tracks to record on!

Recording Features Make for Quick and Easy Operation

The 488 MKII is packed with features that make a musicians 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.

Comprehensive Equalization for Sweetening Your Sound.

The 488 MKII didnt 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 sweepable midrange EQ, and thats where all the action is. Its 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. Its sleek, compact design and rugged case means it can go wherever your guitar, drums, keyboards and other instruments go. Many Pro musicians constantly keep this creative capability with them using the 488 MKII to write and develop while theyre on the road. What you do with it and when you do it is up to you.

MIDI Musicians Take Note

If youve 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 MTS30 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
Front Panel-488 MKII

INSERT 1

INSERT 2

PHONES

REMOTE PUNCH IN/OUT

488 MKII
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 an external MIDI synchronizer (i.e. TASCAM MTS-30) SPECIFICATIONS
MIXER SECTION Mic/Line Input (1/4"): Mic/Line Input (XLR): Line Input: Stereo Input: Insert Input: Insert Output: 2TR Input: Sub Input: Line Output: Effect Sends: Monitor Output: Cue Output: Headphone Output: Frequency Response: 5.8 kohms /-50 dBv -10 dBv 2.8 kohms /-60 dBv - 20 dBv 50 kohms /-10 dBv 10 kohms /-10 dBv 10 kohms /-10 dBv 10 kohms /-10 dBv 47 kohms /-10 dBv 47 kohms /-10 dBv 100 ohms /-10 dBv 100 ohms /-10 dBv 100 ohms /-10 dBv 100 ohms /-10 dBv 100 mW + 100 mW max. 20 Hz to 22 kHz, +1/-2 dB S/N Ratio (Mic): (Line): Total Harmonic Distortion: Channel Separation:

PORTASTUDIO
page 4 of 4

65 dB 76 dB Less than 0.05% Better than 55 dB

RECORDER SECTION
Tape: Compact Cassette, 70, 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: Dimensions (W x H x D): Weight: 39 W 528.4 x 128 x 437 mm 7.1 kg

Specifications and features subject to change without notice or obligation.

For more information about other TASCAM FAXBACK literature, call 1-800-827-2268.

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 TEAC Mexico, S.A. de C.V., Priva de Colina #18, Colonia del Carmen, Coyoacan, Mexico, D.F. 04100 (525) 658-1943 FAXBACK Index# 1770 2/97