Tascam Digital Portastudio 2488 User Guide

							1 – Setting up and introduction
 TASCAM 2488 User’s Guide 9
Copyright
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tive holders.
An overview of the 2488
The “road map” above can help you find your way 
around the 2488. At first, the array of keys and con-
trols may seem a little daunting, but we are sure that with a little time, you will become familiar with the 
layout and operation of the 2488.
Shift key
Home key 
						

							1 – Setting up and introduction
10 TASCAM 2488 User’s Guide
Setting up the 2488
First, find a flat level surface for the 2488 which is 
stable and can’t be jogged or jolted easily.
This should be a hard surface. Don’t put the 2488 on 
a carpet or furnishings, as this will block the airflow 
and possibly cause overheating.
You should avoid moving the 2488 while it is 
switched on. Especially, you should never move it 
while the HD indicator by the display is lit or 
flashing.
Leave a little space at the back of the 2488 to plug 
and unplug microphones, etc.
Before switching on the 2488, you should connect 
the monitoring system (this term refers to the ampli-
fier and speakers and headphones that you will use to 
listen to your recordings).
TIP
When you are recording electric guitars and basses, etc., 
you can listen through speakers. When you are record-
ing using a microphone, this may cause acoustic feed-
back, so you should use headphones at this time.
Most sound professionals recommend that you do not 
use headphones for monitoring all the time, even 
though they are very convenient and useful in some cir-
cumstances.
Connect the MONITOR OUTPUT jacks on the rear 
panel to your amplifier’s AU X inputs (or any inputs 
except those designed for a record turntable). You 
will probably need a pair of 1/4-to-RCA cables for 
this.
NOTE
The 2488 outputs balanced signals from the monitor 
outputs. If you are lucky enough to have an amplifier 
with balanced inputs, use balanced cables rather than 
unbalanced connections here.
Plug a standard pair of headphones into the 1/4 
PHONES jack at the front left of the 2488.
Plug in and turn on the 2488. The power switch is on 
the rear, by the power cord.
The display shows the “loading” screen.
After about 10 seconds, the 2488 will be ready and 
the 
HD (hard disk) indicator stops flashing.
Adjust the display so that it is comfortable for you to 
read, using the contrast control. 
						

							1 – Setting up and introduction
 TASCAM 2488 User’s Guide 11
Shutting down the 2488
It may seem odd to talk about turning off the 2488 
before you’ve even started to use it, but there is a rea-
son for this. The 2488 contains a hard disk which is 
used to store your song data. If you simply turn off 
the unit using the power switch, there may be some 
data in the 2488’s memory which hasn’t been written 
to disk and you will therefore lose that data when you 
turn off the unit.
You should always use the 
SHUT DOWN key before 
turning off the 2488.
1Press and hold down the SHUT DOWN key for 
a second or two. The red indicator lights, and 
the display shows an 
Are you sure? message.
2Press the YES key. The HD indicator (orange) 
flashes as data is written to the hard disk (the 
display also shows this process).
3When all data is written to the hard disk, the 
SHUT DOWN indicator flashes red. The dis-
play shows 
SHUT DOWN COMPLETE.
4Use the power switch at the rear of the 2488 to 
turn off the unit.
Some general notes on using the 2488
NOTE
When transporting the unit, always use the original packing 
materials. For this reason, we strongly recommend that you 
save all the packing materials that came with the 2488, in 
case you need to transport it in the future.
In addition, when transporting the unit, you should tape the 
disc tray closed, using an adhesive tape that will not spoil 
the finish of the unit.
The HD indicator This indicator, located by the 
display, shows when data is being read from the 
internal hard disk or written to it. You should avoid 
moving the 2488 when it is switched on, in any case, 
but you should never move or jolt the 2488 when the 
HD indicator is lit, as there is a (small) risk of your 
losing your data.
Saving songs To be sure that all your data is safe, 
you should save songs manually at intervals (just in 
case the power goes off unexpectedly). 
NOTE
A “song” consists of not only the audio material that 
you have recorded, but the mixer and recorder settings, 
editing, etc. that you have made.
1Press the MENU key, move to the SONG icon, 
and press 
ENTER.
2Move the cursor to highlight the SAVE option, 
and press 
ENTER. The song is saved, the HD 
indicator lights, and when the song is saved 
(progress is shown by an on-screen indicator), 
the display shows the home screen again.
Navigation To navigate inside the 2488 screens, 
use the cursor keys to move the cursor. 
						

							1 – Setting up and introduction
12 TASCAM 2488 User’s Guide
Confirming Press the YES/ENTER key to do an 
action, to enter a sub-menu or to answer “yes” to a 
question. We’ll often refer to this as just the 
YES key 
or the 
ENTER key.
Escaping Press the NO/EXIT key to do the opposite 
of confirming (that is, to “escape” from a screen 
without performing an action, to go up a menu level, 
or to answer “no” to a question). We’ll often refer to 
this as just the 
NO key or the EXIT key.
SHIFT key Many keys have two functions: the first 
is written in normal (black) type, and the second is 
written under this in white on a blue background (the 
exception is the 
HOME key, which works in shifted 
or unshifted mode). 
To access these second shifted functions:
1Press the SHIFT key so that the indicator 
lights.
2Press the key whose second function you want 
to use.
The 
SHIFT indicator goes out.
NOTE
As the 2488 is shipped from the factory, if you press the 
SHIFT key and do not press another key within a sec-
ond or so, the 
SHIFT indicator goes out. This prevents 
you from accessing unwanted functions by accident. If 
you hold down the 
SHIFT key while you are looking 
for the next key, it will stay on.
You can change this behavior so that the 
SHIFT key 
becomes a non-latching key—that is, you have to press and hold it while you are pressing the other key, or a 
latching key that stays on until the other key is pressed. 
See “Shift key behavior” on page 84 for details of how 
to make this change.
Changing values Use the JOG/DATA wheel 
(we’ll just call it “the wheel” from now on) to 
increase or decrease values shown on the screen.
Titling An important feature of the 2488 is the abil-
ity to give real names to songs, virtual tracks, effect 
settings and so on. 
Press and hold the 
SHIFT key and press the TITLE 
key to set or edit the title of one of these objects. A 
popup appears allowing you to edit the title:
Use the left and right cursor keys to move around 
inside the title, and the wheel to select a character at 
the cursor position.
Use the 
INSERT and DELETE keys to insert and 
delete characters at the cursor position.
You can also use the up and down cursor keys as 
“shift” keys, allowing you to select between:

CAPS—uppercase CAPITAL LETTERS

small—lowercase small letters

NUM—numbers

WORD—you can use the wheel to select from a 
range of preset words (
VERSE, CHORUS, etc.)
The preset words can be edited to meet your needs, 
as described in “User word” on page 85. 
						

							1 – Setting up and introduction
 TASCAM 2488 User’s Guide 13
Main menu This is the “control center” for the 
2488’s setup, maintenance and preference setting, 
etc. operations.
Press the 
MENU key to enter the main menu screen:
Use the cursor keys to move around the screen, and 
press 
ENTER when the function you want to use is 
highlighted.
NOTE
When the menu screen is active, you may not be able to 
perform some operations on the 2488 (including trans-
port operations). 
Home screen This shows the track levels, current 
position in the song, the current song and the total 
number of minutes remaining on the disk for record-
ing further material. Press the 
HOME key to see this 
screen:
Some notes on CD-R media
The 2488 incorporates a CD-RW drive. To obtain the 
best results when using this, please take the trouble to 
read these notes.
About CD-R and CD-RW discs
The 2488 uses CD-R and CD-RW media, and can 
also use CD-R and CD-RW Digital Audio media. 
In this manual, when we refer to “CD-R” and CD-
RW” discs, we always include “CD-R Digital Audio” 
and “CD-RW Digital Audio”, even when this is not 
explicitly stated.
CD-R discs can be recorded once only. Once they 
have been used for recording, they cannot be erased 
or re-recorded. However, if space is available on the 
disc, additional material can be recorded. The pack-
aging of CD-R discs will include one of the follow-
ing logos:
By contrast, a CD-RW disc can be used in much the 
same way as a CD-R disc, but the last track or tracks recorded can be erased before the disc has been 
“finalized”, and the space on the disc can be re- used 
for other recordings. The packaging of CD-RW discs 
will include one of the following logos:
However, you should note that an audio CD created 
using a CD-RW disc may not play back satisfactorily 
on every audio CD player. It will, naturally, be play-
able on the 2488. This is in no way a limitation of the 
2488 itself, but of the difference between the differ-
ent types of media and the methods used to read 
them.
CD-R discs created on the 2488, by contrast, may be 
played satisfactorily on the majority of audio CD 
players. 
						

							1 – Setting up and introduction
14 TASCAM 2488 User’s Guide
Handling of compact discs
Observe the following:
 Always place the compact discs in the trays with 
their label facing upward (compact discs can only 
be played on one side).
 To remove a disc from its storage case, press down 
on the center of the case, and lift the disc out, hold-
ing it carefully by the edges.
 Finger marks and dust should be carefully wiped 
off the disc’s recorded surface with a soft cloth. 
Unlike traditional vinyl records, the compact disc 
has no grooves to collect dust and microscopic 
debris, so gently wiping with a soft cloth should 
remove most particles.
 Wipe in a straight motion from the inside to the 
outside of the disc. Small dust particles and light stains will have absolutely no effect on reproduc-
tion quality.
 Never use such chemicals as record sprays, anti-
static sprays or fluid, benzine or thinner to clean 
compact discs. Such chemicals will do irreparable 
damage to the disc’s plastic surface.
 Discs should be returned to their cases after use to 
avoid serious scratches that could cause the laser 
pickup to “skip”.
 Don’t expose discs to direct sunlight or high 
humidity and temperature for extended periods. 
Long exposure to high temperature can warp the 
disc.
 Only use circular compact discs. Avoid using non-
circular promotional, etc. discs.
 To keep the laser pickups clean, don’t touch them. 
For the same reason, don’t leave the disc tray 
opened unnecessarily.
Additional notes with regard to CD-R and CD-RW discs
There are additional precautions that you should take 
when handling CD-R and CD-RW discs, that are dif-
ferent to those that you should take when handling 
ordinary CDs.
 Avoid touching the recording (non-label) side of a 
disc on which you will be recording. Recording on 
a disc requires a cleaner surface than playing back, 
and fingerprints, grease, etc. can cause errors in the 
recording process.
 CD-R discs are more sensitive to the effects of heat 
and ultraviolet rays than ordinary CDs. It is impor-
tant that they are not stored in a location where 
direct sunlight will fall on them, and which is away 
from sources of heat such as radiators or heat-gen-
erating electrical devices. Always store CD-R discs in their “jewel cases” to 
avoid dirt and dust accumulating on their surfaces.
 Do not put labels or protective sheets on the discs 
and do not use any protective coating spray.
 When labeling CD-R discs, always use a soft oil-
based felt-tipped pen to write the information. 
Never use a ball-point or hard-tipped pen, as this 
may cause damage to the recorded side.
 Dirty discs may be cleaned using a soft dry cloth 
and/or a commercial CD cleaning fluid or ethyl 
alcohol. Do not use thinner, gasoline, benzene or 
LP cleaning fluid, as these will damage the disc.
 If you are in any doubt as to the care and handling 
of a CD-R disc, read the precautions supplied with 
the disc, or contact the disc manufacturer directly. 
						

							1 – Setting up and introduction
 TASCAM 2488 User’s Guide 15
Never use a stabilizer or printable discs
Using commercially available CD stabilizers or 
printable recordable discs with this player will dam-
age the mechanism and cause it to malfunction.NOTE
Never use a disc that has had a stabilizer mounted to it. 
The residual adhesive may cause the disc to stick to the 
mechanism of the 2488. If it sticks to the mechanism, 
you will need a technician to get it out.
Setting up your first song
This first song won’t be very musical, but it will help 
you get used to finding your way around the 2488.We really suggest that you do through these proce-
dures—it will help you later when you come to do 
more complex work with the 2488.
New song
To make sure we start with a “clean slate”, we’ll cre-
ate a new song.
NOTE
The 2488 is shipped from the factory with a new song 
ready to for you to record. However, if the 2488 has been used before, it will automatically load the last 
song that was worked on, and you may need to follow 
these instructions to create a new song. Normally, 
though, this won’t be needed.
1Press the MENU key, and use the 
cursor keys to highlight the 
SONG 
item. Press 
ENTER.
2At the SONG menu, use the cursor 
keys to highlight the 
CREATE option. 
Press 
ENTER.
3In the CREATE screen, press the SHIFT 
key followed by the 
TITLE key to 
enter titling mode.
4Use the wheel and the cursor keys to 
give the song a name up to 12 char-
acters in length.
Press 
ENTER when you’re done. The 
display shows the home screen. 
						

							1 – Setting up and introduction
16 TASCAM 2488 User’s Guide
Setting the tempo
The 2488 has a built-in metronome. We’ll set up a 
very simple 4/4 beat which stays the same all the way through, to drive the metronome and help you stay in 
time.
Making the first recording
We assume that you’re recording the rhythm guitar to 
start with, and that you are going to be recording it on 
track 1.
Note that inputs on the 2488 are lettered from 
A 
through 
H. Tracks are numbered from 1 through 24.Input 
H is special on the 2488—it is duplicated at the 
front of the 2488 with an input for electric guitars 
and passive basses (active basses should use a 1/4 
LINE jack at the rear of the unit). Only use this front 
input jack for electric guitars (and basses) and do not 
plug these instruments into any other jacks.
1Press the MENU key, and use the 
cursor keys to highlight the 
SYNC/
MIDI
 item. Press ENTER.
2Highlight the METRONOME option in 
the 
SYNC/MIDI menu and press ENTER.
Use the cursor keys and wheel to set 
the 
OUTPUT to INTERNAL, set the mode 
to 
REC, the LEVEL to 100, and press 
ENTER.
3At the SYNC/MIDI menu, use the cursor 
keys to highlight the 
TEMPO MAP 
option. Press ENTER.
4Move the cursor to the TEMPO field, 
and use the wheel to set a value (if 
you want to tap a value, see “Tap-
ping the tempo” on page 78).
Press 
EXIT when you’re done, to 
return to the 
HOME screen.
5Press the CLICK key. The indicator 
lights orange. 
						

							1 – Setting up and introduction
 TASCAM 2488 User’s Guide 17
Recording the guitar
1Plug the guitar into the GUITAR [H] 
input on the front of the 2488.
Then plug a pair of headphones into 
the 
PHONES jack on the front 
panel.
2Play the guitar, and adjust the level 
using 
TRIM control H so that when 
you play a loud note, the 
OL indica-
tor above the 
INPUT-H key lights 
very briefly. Then turn the 
TRIM 
counterclockwise a little more.
If you want to tune the guitar using 
the 2488, see “Tuner” on page 35.
3Press and hold the INPUT-H key so 
that it starts to flash. While holding 
it down, press the 
SELECT key of 
channel 1. Now both these keys will 
flash.
Now release both keys. They will 
both be lit. This means that input H 
is now assigned to track 1.
4Press the REC key of track 1. It 
starts to flash.
5Set both fader 1 and the STEREO 
fader to the 0 position.
6Adjust your listening level by using 
the 
MONITOR level control with the 
MONITOR SOURCE set to STEREO. 
						

							1 – Setting up and introduction
18 TASCAM 2488 User’s Guide
7Adjust the tone of the guitar, by 
pressing the 
SELECT key of channel 
1, and then pressing the 
EQ key.
8Use the cursor keys and the wheel to 
move around the display and change 
values. The settings are shown as 
numbers and as a graph.
Use the on-screen 
SW on the left side 
of the display (or press and hold 
SHIFT and press EQ) to compare the 
sound with and without the equaliza-
tion.
9Press and hold down the RECORD 
key and press the 
PLAY key. The 
PLAY and RECORD indicators above 
the transport keys both light, and the 
REC key of track 1 lights solidly.
10The metronome you set up earlier 
starts to play, and you can play your 
rhythm part along with it, recording 
as you go.
Press the 
STOP key when you are 
finished.
11To return to the zero position, where 
your song began, press and hold the 
STOP key, and press the REW key 
(marked as 
RTZ—“return to zero”). 
12When you’ve finished recording, 
press channel 1’s 
REC key to safe the 
track.