Tascam 2488 Review

The TASCAM 2488 is a 24-track / 24-bit production workstation with 36 mixer channels. 3-band EQ is provided for all 24 channels, plus the eight inputs and tone generator channel. Three aux sends — one for each mixer channel except for the effects return — send to a loop effect with effects like reverb and delay or external devices. Up to eight dynamics processors can be utilized while recording or mixing, and an additional stereo compressor is dedicated to the stereo output. When your song is mixed, the 2488 can master and burn a CD using the built-in CD-RW drive, or transfer your track to a computer using the high-speed USB 2.0 connection.

Features

• 24 tracks of 24bit/44.1KHz Audio
• (20) 45mm Faders including Master Fader
• CD-RW Drive for Mixdown, backup or file export
• (4) Combo XLR / 1/4″ TRS Mic Inputs
• Phantom Power switch (+48V to mic inputs 1-4)
• (4) 1/4″ TRS Line Inputs
• 1/4″ TS Instrument Level Input
• 1/4″ TRS Control Room Outputs
• RCA Stereo Outputs
• RCA S/PDIF Stereo Digital Input/Output
• Headphone Output
• (2) 1/4″ TS Effect Sends
• (2) 1/4″ TS Footswitch jacks (Punch, Expression)
• USB 2.0 jack (backwards compatible with USB 1.1)
• MIDI Input/Output
• Built-in General MIDI Module
• Built-In Effects/Tools: Compression, Exciter, De-Esser, Reverb, Delay, Chorus, Pitch Shift, Flanger, Phasor, Gate + Reverb, Compressor-Wah, Tuner, Multi-Effects combinations, 3-Band EQ on all 24 channels…

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