Tascam 1804 a deal @ $210?

AgentSmith · 30th December 2007, 09:57 AM

So I thought I had decided on a Firebox as a cheap Firewire interface for recording drums, but then realized the drivers for Vista haven't been released yet. However, I do have the option of a floor model Tascam FW1804 for $210. Good price, but all I get is the unit -- no disc (drivers, Cubase LE) or manual. I've got another budget DAW and the drivers and manual can be gotten off the net, though.

Not exactly made of money over here, so I like the price, but I don't want to make a mistake. Is there any reason I shouldn't take the deal?

**DrDeltaM** · 30th December 2007, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AgentSmith

So I thought I had decided on a Firebox as a cheap Firewire interface for recording drums, but then realized the drivers for Vista haven't been released yet. However, I do have the option of a floor model Tascam FW1804 for $210. Good price, but all I get is the unit -- no disc (drivers, Cubase LE) or manual. I've got another budget DAW and the drivers and manual can be gotten off the net, though.

Not exactly made of money over here, so I like the price, but I don't want to make a mistake. Is there any reason I shouldn't take the deal?

I'm not sure if they can sell it 'without' the CD. Contact Tascam to have them send you a CD maybe?. At whatever price the store sells it to you, you have right on getting Cubase LE, it's part of the package.

FWIW, it's a discontinued product, but $210 is cheap

AgentSmith · 30th December 2007, 06:25 PM

^ Well, I see your point about it being my right, but the guys at Guitar Center weren't exactly in a hurry to sell it to me. It was more like, "You guys don't have a manual or a disc for it? Hmm . . . well then I ought to get a smokin' deal on this, right?" So they agreed. But if I agree to buy it without the disc, I can't exactly say, "Hey, you guys have to give me a disc with this."

You're probably right -- I should just call Tascam for the disc. Although that sounds like two hours on the phone, trying to find someone who knows a way to do something that's not in their usual regimen of tasks, all ending with "I'm sorry sir. I sure wish I could help you . . ."

juan162 · 30th December 2007, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AgentSmith

^
You're probably right -- I should just call Tascam for the disc. Although that sounds like two hours on the phone, trying to find someone who knows a way to do something that's not in their usual regimen of tasks, all ending with "I'm sorry sir. I sure wish I could help you . . ."

You might be surprised. My bro-in-law purchased an M-audio product with a couple cracked knobs. He emailed them asking for some replacement knobs and they promptly sent him some new ones. I know, different company, but it's definitely worth a shot,

Juan

jikkyboy11 · 31st December 2007, 09:28 PM

I have a tascam 1082. U should be able to get the drivers off the net. Try the tascam forum. The 1804 at that price would be a steal. The had a blowout at 299 for a while and the price jumped back up to $600 after vista drivers were released.

piano · 31st December 2007, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AgentSmith

So I thought I had decided on a Firebox as a cheap Firewire interface for recording drums, but then realized the drivers for Vista haven't been released yet. However, I do have the option of a floor model Tascam FW1804 for $210. Good price, but all I get is the unit -- no disc (drivers, Cubase LE) or manual. I've got another budget DAW and the drivers and manual can be gotten off the net, though.

Not exactly made of money over here, so I like the price, but I don't want to make a mistake. Is there any reason I shouldn't take the deal?

You would be a dumb ass not to take that deal.

AgentSmith · 31st December 2007, 11:25 PM

Haha, thanks guys. I appreciate the feedback.

Off to GC I go.

Edit: Hmm . . . hold on a sec. Just realized the unit is 6-pin FW and my laptop is 4 pin. I can just buy a 6-to-4 adapter, but I found one post where someone said Tascam doesn't recommend using it with a 4-pin PC. Neither the post nor Tascam specifically say that it won't work, but I'm a little concerned.

Anybody have any experience with this?

murilix · 1st January 2008, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AgentSmith

Edit: Hmm . . . hold on a sec. Just realized the unit is 6-pin FW and my laptop is 4 pin. I can just buy a 6-to-4 adapter, but I found one post where someone said Tascam doesn't recommend using it with a 4-pin PC. Neither the post nor Tascam specifically say that it won't work, but I'm a little concerned.

Anybody have any experience with this?

AFAIK, the other 2 remaining pins of the FW connector are for powering units that can be powered off the FW bus, so the 4-in should work fine, just buy an adaptor or a special cable. In case the 4-pin thing brings in some stability issues, you can always buy a 6-pim PCMCIA FW card for cheap.
Also, take a look on the Tascam forums to see if there are IRQ problems on Windows. A few soundcards present problems when connected to a PC-based laptop FW port due to the IRQ setup.
Mostly, if your laptop has the same IRQ for video and FW, it might compromise performance.
Since my laptop uses IRQ #11 for FW, video, USB and PCMCIA, I couldn't get my Mackie Onyx operating properly on it.
See if you can get a 24-hour return and test the s*** out of it.

AgentSmith · 2nd January 2008, 06:12 AM

^ Thanks for the tips, Murillo. GC has a 30-day return policy, so I'll have some time to test this thing out.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Tascam FW-1804 No Sound	OafyC	Music computers	1	29th September 2007 12:44 AM
TASCAM 1804	Anticlimactic	Low End Theory	2	5th December 2006 08:04 AM
RME Fireface or Tascam 1804?	DaveJes1979	Low End Theory	5	12th February 2005 09:15 PM

30th December 2007, 06:25 PM	#3
AgentSmith Gear interested Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 8	^ Well, I see your point about it being my right, but the guys at Guitar Center weren't exactly in a hurry to sell it to me. It was more like, "You guys don't have a manual or a disc for it? Hmm . . . well then I ought to get a smokin' deal on this, right?" So they agreed. But if I agree to buy it without the disc, I can't exactly say, "Hey, you guys have to give me a disc with this." You're probably right -- I should just call Tascam for the disc. Although that sounds like two hours on the phone, trying to find someone who knows a way to do something that's not in their usual regimen of tasks, all ending with "I'm sorry sir. I sure wish I could help you . . ." __________________ Oh, I think you'll probably squeak by, Mr. Spicoli.

31st December 2007, 11:25 PM	#7
AgentSmith Gear interested Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 8	Haha, thanks guys. I appreciate the feedback. Off to GC I go. Edit: Hmm . . . hold on a sec. Just realized the unit is 6-pin FW and my laptop is 4 pin. I can just buy a 6-to-4 adapter, but I found one post where someone said Tascam doesn't recommend using it with a 4-pin PC. Neither the post nor Tascam specifically say that it won't work, but I'm a little concerned. Anybody have any experience with this? __________________ Oh, I think you'll probably squeak by, Mr. Spicoli. Last edited by AgentSmith; 31st December 2007 at 11:52 PM.. Reason: new info

2nd January 2008, 06:12 AM	#9
AgentSmith Gear interested Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 8	^ Thanks for the tips, Murillo. GC has a 30-day return policy, so I'll have some time to test this thing out. __________________ Oh, I think you'll probably squeak by, Mr. Spicoli.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

30th December 2007, 09:57 AM	#1
AgentSmith Gear interested Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 8	Tascam 1804 a deal @ $210? So I thought I had decided on a Firebox as a cheap Firewire interface for recording drums, but then realized the drivers for Vista haven't been released yet. However, I do have the option of a floor model Tascam FW1804 for $210. Good price, but all I get is the unit -- no disc (drivers, Cubase LE) or manual. I've got another budget DAW and the drivers and manual can be gotten off the net, though. Not exactly made of money over here, so I like the price, but I don't want to make a mistake. Is there any reason I shouldn't take the deal? __________________ Oh, I think you'll probably squeak by, Mr. Spicoli.

31st December 2007, 09:28 PM	#5
jikkyboy11 Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: 44 is my HooD Posts: 530	I have a tascam 1082. U should be able to get the drivers off the net. Try the tascam forum. The 1804 at that price would be a steal. The had a blowout at 299 for a while and the price jumped back up to $600 after vista drivers were released.