Tascam 2488 Integrated 24-Track Recording Workstation Product Sheet

							 
01/15/04
Page 1 of 42488                  Applications Guide
˘ 24-track recording at 44.1kHz/
24-bit
˘ 36-channel mixer 
˘ 3-band EQ on 24 channels, 8 
inputs and tone generator with 
high and low sweepable shelving 
bands and full parametric mid 
band 
˘ Three aux sends on all input, track 
and tone generator channels 
˘ Loop effect provides reverb, delay, 
chorus and more 
˘ Up to eight assignable dynamics 
processors for compression during 
recording or mixdown
˘ Assignable Guitar multieffects 
processor for distortion, fl ange 
and more
˘ Dedicated Stereo Compressor on 
the stereo output
˘ Eight inputs: 4 XLR with phantom 
power, four 1/4” mic/line inputs 
˘ Twenty 45mm faders including 
master fader
˘ Large LCD display for viewing 
meters and edit parameters
˘ CD-RW drive to record mixdown, 
import/export WAV fi les  and 
backup hard drive
˘ 64-voice General MIDI sound 
module
˘ Standard MIDI File player
˘ High-speed USB 2.0 jack connects 
to PC for data backup and SMF/
WAV  fi le transfer
2488 Integrated 24-Track Recording Workstation
drums to your arrangements. A MIDI 
sequence player is also included  so you 
can import Standard MIDI Files.
The extensive 36-channel mixer 
allows you to mixdown all 24 tracks, 
the tone generator, the effects, and the 
eight inputs. A 3-band EQ and three aux 
sends are available on all input, track 
and tone generator channels. The inter-
nal processor adds effects like reverb, 
delay, chorus and more to polish your 
tracks. Up to eight dynamics insert ef-
fects are provided to add compression 
while recording or mixing, and guitar 
FX and stereo mix compression are also 
available.
When your mix is complete, the built-
in CD-RW drive writes your mix to a CD. 
Premastering and fi  nalize functions help 
you to ensure that your mixes sound 
their best before burning. The 2488’s  
high-speed USB 2.0 port – backwards 
compatible with standard USB 1.1 – can 
also be used to import and export WAV 
fi  les or transfer your tracks and mixes to 
a computer without using a CD, so that 
your fi nal mixes can be mastered on 
computer or uploaded for distribution. 
T
he TASCAM 2488 brings the hit-
making power of 24-track record-
ing and mixing home to musicians 
everywhere. With an incredible 24 
tracks of recording – the same format 
used by professional studios and big-
name rock bands – artists can create 
the full arrangements listeners are 
used to hearing. And with its built-in 
36-channel mixing console, MIDI tone 
generator, great-sounding effects and 
built-in CD-RW, the 2488 provides all 
of the tools you need to 
create pro-quality CDs. 
For many artists, 8 or 
16 tracks isn’t enough. 
Popular music these days 
is layered with dozens of 
loops, guitar overdubs, 
synths and effects. The 
2488’s 24 recording 
tracks give you the fl ex-
ibility to layer guitars or 
experiment with new 
sounds. And since all 24 
tracks record at full 24-bit resolution, 
you don’t need to trade off your track 
count for the best sound quality. 
The 2488 can record 8 inputs simul-
taneously to its 40GB* hard disk. The 
four XLR jacks with phantom power 
welcome high-quality condenser mi-
crophones, and four additional 1/4" TRS 
mic/line inputs are also provided. The 
2488 also has a pair of digital inputs 
and outputs for connecting to comput-
ers and digital effects. 
When even 24 tracks isn’t enough, 
like when you want to try a vocal per-
formance over and over, the 2488 has 
250 virtual tracks so you don’t need to 
record over previous takes. 
A 16-part, 64-voice MIDI tone genera-
tor is provided for adding synths and 
* HD Size subject to change 
						

							Mic
Inputs
1-6Inputs
7-8
HeadphonesPA Monitor
PA Mixer Microphones
Line or
Aux Out
Microphones
GuitarMonitors
Mic
Inputs
1-2
Monitor Outs
Instrument-Level Input 8
 
01/15/04
Page 2 of 42488                  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.  
						

							LaptopMicrophones
Synthesizer
Monitors
USB 2.0MIDI MIDI
Mic
Inputs
1-2 Line
Inputs
7-8Monitor Outs
Monitors
Bass GuitarMonitor Outs
Instrument-Level Input 8Aux Send 1
Aux Send 2
 
01/15/04
Page 3 of 42488                  Applications Guide
MIDI Sequencing 
Project Studio Recording
The 2488 excels in a MIDI sequencing environ-
ment, especially when your computer and hard 
drive aren’t fast enough to record audio. Use your 
favorite sequencing program on your desktop or 
laptop computer, connecting synthesizers to the 
computer’s MIDI interface for recording. Connect 
another cable to the MIDI input of the 2488 to access 
its 64-voice, 16-part multitimbral tone generator. 
The built-in synth module features great piano, 
bass, strings, drums and more, all arranged in the 
General MIDI standard. You can even transfer your 
MIDI sequence to the built-in Standard MIDI File 
player with integrated tempo map.
It’s simple to record audio tracks on the 2488 
while staying in sync with your sequencer using 
MIDI Timecode. Powerful track editing features al-
low you to fi  x mistakes, copy and paste sections, or 
silence a track to quiet noisy sources. When you’re 
As your studio grows, the 2488 will be powerful 
and fl  exible enough to incorporate new processors 
and other studio gear. Four of the eight microphone 
inputs supply phantom power for high-quality 
microphones, and a front panel instrument in-
put is provided for direct recording of guitar or 
bass. There’s even a digital input and output for 
connecting CD players, DAT recorders or computer 
interfaces. A dedicated monitor section allows you 
to monitor a variety of sources, adjust the playback 
level and even check your mix in mono. 
The 2488 sports a powerful 36-channel mixer, 
enough for the 24 tracks of recorded audio plus 
effects returns, the MIDI tone generator and the 
eight inputs. Three-band EQ is offered on every 
input, track and tone generator channel, plus a 
loop effect and up to eight dynamics processors 
to add compression to your mixer channels. The 
high and low EQ bands are sweepable shelving 
controls, and the middle band is fully parametric 
for pinpoint control over your sound. The 2488 
offers a choice of eight dynamics processors or four dynamics plus a guitar effects insert, and 
a stereo compressor is always available for the 
master output. You also get three aux sends, one 
for the internal loop effect and two for external 
effects processors, to add the fi  nal touch to your 
mix. When your mix is fi  nished, you can burn a CD 
with the internal burner, transfer to a computer 
using USB or USB 2.0, or record it digitally to your 
favorite mixdown device. The CD drive can also be 
used for importing and exporting WAV fi les and 
for backing up the hard drive.  ready to mix, use the 36-channel mixer to sum to-
gether all 24 tracks, plus the eight inputs for your 
synthesizer tracks. The 2488 can even receive MIDI 
volume and pan commands so you can automate 
your mix. You can transfer the fi  nished mix back 
to your computer using USB or USB 2.0, or burn a 
CD with the internal CD-RW drive.  
						

							 
01/15/04
Page 4 of 42488                  Applications Guide
™7733 Telegraph Rd • Montebello, CA • 90640 • phone 323.726.0303  •  www.tascam.com
© 2004 TEAC Corporation  All trademarks are the property of their respective holders. All rights reserved. Design and specifi cations 
subject to change without notice.  Product photographs are shown only to illustrate the types of product which are compatible with 
the TASCAM 2488.  These products are not manufactured by the TASCAM Division of TEAC Corporation. 
2488 Connections
˘ (4) Combo XLR / 1/4” TRS Mic Inputs 
˘ (1) Phantom Power switches (sends +48V 
phantom power to mic inputs 1-4)
˘ (4) W" TRS Line Inputs
˘ (1) W" TS Instrument Level Input
˘ (2) W" TRS Control Room Outputs
˘ (2) RCA Stereo Outputs
˘ (1) RCA S/PDIF Stereo Digital Input
˘ (1) RCA S/PDIF Stereo Digital Output
˘ (1) W" TRS Headphone Output
˘ (2) W" TS Effect Sends
˘ (2) W" TS Footswitch jacks (Punch, Expression)
˘ USB 2.0 jack (backwards compatible with USB 
1.1)
˘ MIDI Input
˘ MIDI Output
2488 Effects
 Multi Effect
˘ Distortion-Flanger
˘ Distortion-Phaser
˘ Distortion-Chorus
˘ Distortion-Exciter
˘ Distortion-Pitch
˘ Distortion-Tremolo
˘ Distortion-Vibrato
˘ Distortion-Wah
˘ Compressor-Flanger
˘ Compressor-Phaser
˘ Compressor-Chorus
˘ Compressor-Exciter
˘ Compressor-Pitch
˘ Compressor-Tremolo
˘ Compressor-Vibrato
˘ Compressor-WahMic Effect
˘ Compression
˘ Exciter
˘ De-Esser
Single Effect 
˘ Reverb
˘ Delay
˘ Chorus
˘ Pitch Shift
˘ Flanger
˘ Phasor
˘ Gate + Reverb
˘ Compressor-Wah
Tuner
˘ Tuner