Tascam Portastudio 2488 Application Manual - 2488

Mic

Inputs

1-6

Inputs

7-8

Headphones

PA Monitor

PA Mixer

Microphones

Line or

Aux Out

Microphones

Guitar

Monitors

Mic

Inputs

1-2

Monitor Outs

Instrument-Level Input 8

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2488                  

Applications Guide

Home Recording

Live Recording

The 

2488 

does everything you need to record, 

mix and master your own CDs. It features 8 mic 

inputs – four with phantom power – for connecting 

high-quality microphones. There’s even an instru-

ment-level input for connecting a guitar or bass. 

Since it records at 24-bit resolution, you’re sure to 

capture every detail of your performance. Even if 

you only have one or two mics, you can build up 

an arrangement, track-by-track, until you have a 

24-track arrangement. For example, use the Loop 

Paste function to automatically paste a drum loop 

through your song.  

The 

2488 

has a 36-channel mixer, which allows 

you to mix all 24 tracks plus the eight inputs and 

built-in MIDI tone generator. Each of these channels 

has three aux sends and three-band parametric 

EQ for shaping your mix. An internal loop effect 

send and return are also provided to add effects 

like reverb, delay, chorus and more. You even get 

compression and guitar effects which can be as-

signed to any mixer channel, and a dedicated ste-

reo compressor on the master output bus. When 

you’ve perfected your mix, you can capture it to 

the drive for mastering, then burn it to a CD or 

transfer it to a computer using USB or USB 2.0 for 

MP3 encoding and sharing. 

The eight low-noise mic preamps on the 

2488 

are ideal for capturing a dynamic live performance. 

For a great live mix, fi rst get a stereo output from 

the live sound board. Since drums and guitars are 

usually loud enough without going through the PA, 

the sound board mix usually doesn’t have much of 

these instruments. Take four mics and put them 

on the drums and guitar so you can mix these in 

later. Finally, put a pair of mics (or stereo mic) in 

the middle of the crowd to record the audience and 

the sound of the room. A fl exible, easy-to-use digi-

tal patchbay lets you route any input to any track 

while you monitor levels with the large, backlit LCD 

display. There’s even a loud headphone output so 

you can monitor during the gig. 

After the performance, you can mix down the 

eight tracks to create a stereo mix. Use the internal 

effects or bring in a pair of effects processors to 

polish your sound. You can even punch in over the 

live recording to replace a wrong note after the 

fact. Use the 

2488

’s eight dynamics processors to 

keep your volume levels steady and add punch to 

the bass and drums. When you have a mix you like, 

you can burn CDs to sell at your next gig, make a 

demo to get into better clubs, or transfer the mix to 

your computer for uploading to your band’s website. 

The 

2488 

is even compact enough to bring along to 

band rehearsals, so you can record every practice.