TASCAM X-48 48-Track Hybrid Hard Disk Workstation

[GRO]

anybody ever used one of these? I was thinking about ditching the PC going 100% hardware and purchasing one of these babies. Are the converters in this any good how about compatibility with PC plug ins?

[midnightsun]

Originally Posted by GRO

anybody ever used one of these? I was thinking about ditching the PC going 100% hardware and purchasing one of these babies. Are the converters in this any good how about compatibility with PC plug ins?

Without a doubt dealing with TASCAM CS has been my worst gear experience. I have owned previous TASCAM products and still have my DVRA1000, which happens to be their stereo mastering printer so I presume that it has their best converters. I don't like the converters. Their support policy is very erratic. One year they tout something as their flag ship and the next thing they complete stop all support and development. I have been left hanging my them a time or two. Never mind that their equipment is basic consumer or prosumer at best. The only reason why I keep the DVRA1000 is because it's resale value is virtually zero and I have a Hedd 192 sitting in front of it for the Ad and Da converters. I am using it for nothing more than a CD burner.

I suppose that if you are picking up a X48 used for a hell of a price they it might be worth considering. If they have the basic TASCAM converters I wouldn't be happy.

In days of old I had the good ole Porta Studio that was a nice piece of equipment. TASCAM nowdays does a decent job of making cheap stuff with lots of bells and whistles that allow a person to get a taste before getting serious. If you haven't figured it out already this company is at the bottom of my gear list. I also must confess that that I have heard great music made totally on TASCAM digital gear, but in very skilled hands.

[rcb4t2]

Looks like a computer, except it can't be upgraded... pointless to me.

[GRO]

thats a disappointment big time. I was hoping that I could ditch my pc forever and go hybrid and just use a cheap notebook for internet browsing. I guess the only other option is a Neko

[rcb4t2]

Just because the word hybrid is in the name does not make it "going hybrid"... hybrid refers to incorporating analog gear into the digital domain (or vice versa!) - tell me what part of an outdated-the-day-it-was-produced glorified HD recorder is analog? Not trying to be a dick but you need to understand what you're getting yourself into...

(ps: the Neko's are basically the same thing... that kind of product has no business even existing anymore imho... that's the kind of stuff you see in the discount bin at guitar center in a few years... although to be fair the Nekos look pimpin, and seem like they're head and shoulders above the other products of that type.)

[GRO]

well i am looking to go all hard disk, but I want something with the same capabilities as a PC ONLY meaning monitor and mouse for editing. I hate PC working, because virus's and i have to admit i get side tracked by gear slutz. even when i am tracking people i have gear slutz pulled up while they are doing their recording. I want to just have a dedicated music room with no internet at all.

[Steffmo]

Back around 2000 U ran my room with a Tascam MX2424, which I still have and use for remotes, and a console.

It was fun and effective. The Tascam can like a tascam, and competed with the Radar at that time. Lotsa people were using it and the MX website was a real hot spot.

Then they just dropped the machine and stopped supporting it. Way too early to stop support.

They introduced the x48 way too early. It was at least 3 years before they really got it working. I do know some of the remote guys are using them in the trucks. Its a great solurion for that and they probably have two in each truck for redundancy. You might ask over in the remote forum, I think you will get a more informed answer.

If you rally want to look at that solution, you might also consider the JoeCo Black Box. 24 tracks in a 1 space rack, very slick. Newer design technology. Two cost about the same as an x48.

These units really shine for remote work. A lot of touring acts record all their shows to hard disk tapping the direct outs.