TASCAM FW-1884

As for some of the reviews here that say this unit is hard to get going, I totally disagree. I've used my 1884 for years and have installed the software on multiple DAW setups many times over. Basically, before you condemn, do the research. There are issues with Fire Wire interfaces that many of the FW audio interfaces crap out on. The problems can range from BSOD to intermittent crashing to audio drop outs. Also, make sure you have the latest drivers and also the latest version of the 1884 software written to interface with your particular sequencing program.

The bottom line is that once they had the driver issues (32 bit only) stabilized, the only issue a person should see is from the hardware side. Do the research and replace your firewire card with the recommended Adaptec card and you will most likely see your system and the Tascam live in harmony. But, also realize that any PC running Microsoft windows can have countless issues with audio and video work. The driver programmers have been shooting at a moving target for quite sometime and nobody's hardware/software setup is identical.
Microsoft has put pro audio at close to the bottom of their priority list. Most important! Don't expect any device to be 100% on Vista yet.
XP Pro, service pack 2 is still the only recommended pc platform for audio work. Search the web for optimizing tips to tune your OS for audio work. Don't have the pc connected to a network and shut off all the startup junk you don't need to make music!

Very acceptable for the cost per channel and feature set. For those condemning the costs, go buy anything comparable and see if you get boutique quality preamps. Remember, this unit is not designed (or priced) for commercial studios. It's designed for home and small project studios and provides 3 main functions: Multichannel audio interface, 4 channel in and out programmable MIDI interface, and complete DAW controller with motorized, touch sensitive faders.

Here's what bothers me about some of the negative reviews:
For features, there is nothing out there that compares. I was able to get rid of several separate components when I purchased this unit. Every feature a home studio needs is there, including things found only on much more expensive systems such as word clock in and out, Adat interfacing, programmable Midi ports, ect.

You have to make a choice. Either stacked components or self contained units. This is by far the most feature laden,cost effective, self contained unit out there and has been since it came out.

Built very well for what it was designed for. Made by Frontier Design Group, NOT Tascam. It was not made to put under your arm and carry to and from gigs. Use a well designed, padded case for transport if you plan on using it as a portable unit. Using it as a desktop DAW interface, keep it covered to protect from dust, don't abuse it and it will last for many years.

This is where I must be cruel. I agree with the negative reviewers out there on this. The bad tech support and parts people at Tascam far out number the good ones. They have done nothing but dismiss anything I've called about. Even on known issues, they will say they haven't heard of the issue even though it's plastered all over the web with people in forums saying that Tascam support told them the same thing. And although I don't believe that tech support should be replaced by forums, the tascam forum out there is not associated with the company (as of June of 2008). On top of that, it's a pay to register forum. Tascam support does not monitor that forum (at least the last I knew).

Forget using this unit for 64 bit OS systems. The drivers WILL NOT WORK and will distort with anything higher than 2 gig of ram.
Maybe it's Frontier Design Group's job to maintain the drivers and Tascam has to cover for them. I don't know but all the other FDG's hardware and drivers that don't have the Tascam name on it seems to work great on all platforms. (Tascam will tell you they never heard of a problem with the drivers. Everyone who's tried to go to 64bit with this unit will tell you different)

Basically... absolutely horrid Customer support!

I've been playing, recording, mixing and working with audio for 30 years. Won't go on about the fact that buying something that does every thing the 1884 does a few years ago would cost more than a very nice house instead of only $1,200 bucks... but it's true!

The unit is very easy to use, very good quality for the price and intended use it was designed for. It's main negative is that most people want to use it on a PC running Microsoft OS's! ;)

I purchased the 1884 in 2004 and there was not much in the way of documentation to guide me through the setup process. If you follow the basic setup philosophy for a high performance DAW, disable everything that is not absolutely necessary on your computer, then the installation is not that bad. Go in blind without properly preparing your workstation and you are in for a very frustrating experience. It is not intuitive but I am not sure I expected it to be either. My advice, prep your workstation, read the forums for all of the pitfalls, Look at the driver installation as a 3 step process:
1.The firmware in the 1884.
2.The windows driver
3.The plug in driver for the software you are using. I used Sonar producer 3. Had very few issues.

The sound quality was good but moving from a Aardvark 20/20 sound card it was a step backwards. For this price point and considering the other features it was not a huge difference but a noticeable one. I think they could have used better preamps.

I have had it for 3 years and I am losing a channel due to the fragile nature of the preamps. Sometimes when I turn the fader up on this channel it sounds like the Atlantic ocean. I know it doesn't have long. I am debating if I should get the preamp mod kits or the Behringer light pipe interface. Let it be know these preamps are junk.

I have actually spoken with people at Tascam that were helpful. It is not as easy to communicate with them as it was 20 years ago. This is a product that they purchase from another company and driver support seems to be contractual year to year. I am going to try and call them again about the preamp issue. When speaking with them try and keep your emotions in check. The poor guy on the phone is not the one responsible for their less than steller tech support. He does however have access to information that the rest of us do not.

For my project studio it works and works well. Not being one to through good money after bad if this preamp problem consumes more than 2 or 3 hours of my time and or several hundred dollars, I may cut my losses.

How easy is it to get a good sound out of it?
Very easy to use. Back in 2004 / 2005 there were a great many persons not using Cakewalk Sonar. I have to say that I have had plenty praise for the Mixer from my customers whom have recorded in my studio. Some of the works are posted on sites today for download.

How about Editing patches? Not bad at all, find that most persons would be better and faster with the Tascam 1884 if they just took the time to learn to use it properly. There is good documentation. Soon they will have Vista x64 drivers. By they way - did you know that MAC OS is not actually x64 yet... :). So as a point Sonar is the world leader, and making ground on all competitors.

How is the manual for it (if there is one)? Manuals are all good reading. Again, for those whom claim to be computer experts. RTFM!! I did and from Sonar 3 to Sonar 6 - no issues - and all this time I have been on Windows XP, Single Processor 1.6 GIG, 1 Gig Ram and a 7200 RPM HD (DELL LAPTOP TOO!) (no too big either - I backup to external drives)

Do you know the firmware revision number? Has your unit been upgraded? 183 Now - but was able to work with the others - there were issues with MIDI ports and dropouts, but that was fixed in the lastest versions of the Firmware.

Can you get the sound of your favorite artists? Who are they? Well I get great sounds out of the gear I have in the studio. This is down to good Mic's their placement and the AMPs CABs and all round hardware I use. Avoid the really cheap and you do well.

Are certain effects (distortion, chorus, ...) very good? Very bad?
Distortion is relative to the gear again, VAMPs are the worst. Recommend to anyone that does bring those into the studio - to get a POD - or in fact - JUST BUY A REAL AMP! (Something with lots of tubes :))
The Mixer does not add anything to the sound, these pre-amps are very clean and work very very well. I'm sure with the fast systems out today (which I plan to buy this year) making full use of the surround will be a synch.

What setup (i.e. what guitars and amps) are you using this with? Fender / Gibson and Marshall / Randall, and some tube Pre's for the Bass, with Di Signals. Don't forget to mic the guitar too, you'll be very surprised to hear the difference. Yes, mic your Fender strat as you play. Not just the amp. (if you have two rooms - one for the cab the separation is avoided) try it!!

Is it noisy? On what settings?
Only with dumb ass users!!

Are the effects weak or do they always sound great? No Effects - I use the Sonar Plug-ins - they work great.

What amp are you using it with? Servo

Can you depend on it? Yes very much so - have taken it on the road to record live sessions. All those (some 30 bands) have had radio play... that is right - all live recording on the TASCAM 1884!! All got Radio play, and they were recorded with Sonar 3!!

Would you use it on a gig without a backup? Yes, I do it all the time.

If you've dealt with the company, how helpful/friendly were they?
Never had to call them. I know how to RTFM!

Ever get an upgrade, or try and get it repaired? No need - had it since August 2004. Recorded over 50 bands.

What style of music do you play? Is this a good match?
How long have you been playing? What other gear do you own?
If it were stolen or lost, would you buy it again or get something else? Customers have had may styles. Metal - Jazz - to 4 string Quintet

what do you love about it? What do you hate? What is your favorite feature?
Automation - Automation - Automation!! Then the I/O there is tremedous I/O on the mixer - it is a real life saver, you have have so much routing through it. Surround is another thing - I have only tapped into this recently and can tell you it is very good.

Did you compare it to other products? Which ones? Why did you choose this one?
Better then my old Fostex VM200. But that is old technology. have to say that The yamaha 01x is great - but you'd be better off with Mac and DP or Pro Tools on that. With Windows and Sonar - The Tascam 1884 is best!

Anything you wish it had?
yes, wish it had come with a free FE8 expansion faders :). Yes I would have liked there to have been read outs and deplays and DSP onboard. But Systems are so fast today - that little now touches this thing. So to be fair to yourselves, 2004 to 2007 - this was a little ahead of its time - but man with the added I/O and 4in 4 out MIDI's - it controls a load of SH1t!

Does it help you make music, or does it get in the way? YEs it is a huge help to recording ideas. It does not get in the way at all.

Anything else you'd like to share?
If you see one second hand - buy it. Hopefully one of these sods sells his.

After reading some of the negative responses on here, I felt that I had to respond and I've never responded to one of these things before in my life.... LOOK, there is a learning curve, BIG TIME, when you get into a product that is handling your digital audio as well as your control surface duties in one package. Many times, your problems will turn out to be "OM" problems (Operator Malfunction) problems. I know, because I've experienced them myself. The manuals are very clear but you have to read them carefully. I must agree that the website for getting your updates is confusing but you'll eventually get the right ones. The sound can be as good as you are. I've acheived amazing sounds sometimes and average sounds other times...(choose the right mics, take the time to really listen and place the mics correctly, set the gain accurately, etc.)... I hate to hear people saying it sucks...no, my friend, you suck because you didn't put the effort into the recording (because you were fustrated with the machine). As a producer/engineer, I've worked with Otari MTR-24 Analog recorders, Radar (digital) right down to the old Tascam 40-4 4 track recorder (and bouncing tracks on it to boot). I have a Neotek Elan II console now but right beside it is my Tascam FW-1884 and it does a fine job when I do a fine job. I'm not trying to insult anybody here but in the pro world blaming equipment is just a quick way to get any or all of the producers, engineers and "people in the know" to quickly exchange knowing glances at each other. In other words, those kind of quotes basically get you nowhere except a possible lower opinion from the people who originall thought you were really sharp. Just a word to the wise.

As I've stated, the FW-1884 is right beside my Neotek Elan II and it sounds great. I also have a Hammerfall Digi9636/52 Card (with 3 ADAT lite pipes) and it is great also. I could name gear for hours but I had a guy bring me a CD the other day that just killed and when he told me that he recorded it on a Fostex digital 8 track with his only outboard gear being an Alesis Wedge Reverb and a Behringer Compressor of some kind...well, I just had to find a chair. It was incredible. I believe that the sound of a recording that comes through on equipment is in this order: Performance - Tune - Recording... There just seems to be something in us that equates a great tune and performer to great sound (even when it isn't). So, when the sound is great; it's amazing. Don't ask me why. Just call it "The Psychology of Music".
Is the FW-1884 noisy? Well, did you crank it wide open to find out? If so, then yes. Do you set all the levels correctly by gain-structuring from the mic, the input trim through your DAW to make a perfectly accurate recording? Then NO. Get over what noisy is... Listen to hit records. I hear noise on them all the time from loops that were stacked or double/trippled tracked vocals...Noise is part of our enviroment so don't be so tough on your recordings. Your listeners sure aren't. Unless, you think that producers, engineers and your competetive musicians are planning on buying a million of your CDs...

You can depend on it completely (well, as much as any other product out there). I raised hell for about 30 minutes one morning because I couldn't get my Satellite XM Radio playing, which I constantly run through the FW-1884 to produce audio, even though I saw the green LED's working. I finally figured that it was a simple case of pressing the Monitor button and realizing that it was on "Computer" and not "Input" See? That's what people call "*hit" and it's not. Granted I would much rather have seperate buttons/LEDs for Computer, Input, & Both, because it most certainly can get confusing since you do a lot of things like checking your sample rate, etc., with this group of 4 buttons, but that's part of learning a product. I know that everybody in here has at least one device that they know like the back of their hand and that they could amaze the rest of us with their uncanny abilities to get around on a particular piece. That's because they've studied and used the hell out of it. Everyone of the guys ranting haven't done jack*hit or hardly cracked the books on the FW-1884. Don't believe me? OK MR "I'm giving this a 1": What buttons do you push to enable automation? Too hard? How about How do you set the start and end sections? Finally, did you know that you can program a LOT of your own settings into the FW-1884? Of course you didn't that (which would have allowed you to customize it to do your bidding)...You're just now thinking about checking the manual.
Gentlemen, please don't get me wrong, I'm not an expert on this machine either but I keep the manual handy and I'm learning. I use both Mac's and PC's. On the PC, I use Sonar Producer Edition 6.2 (which is a brand new update). Well, prior to this update; to enable a track, you've always held down the REC button and then pushed the SEL(s) on the channel(s) that you wanted. Guess what? It doesn't work and for 3 days I tried everything that I could think of, but last night, I hit upon something very cool. Evidentally, Sonar wanted to make a lot of selections easier. So now, you can use the up/down arrows left/right arrows along with the F7 button to make lots of changes. For example: to select a track, Click on a Sel button to select a track then click on F7 (which has always been considered "yes" or "confirm") and then immediately you'll see that you're inside the track you've selected. At that point, use the left/right arrows to step through everything available in a track (i.e. mute, solo, record, input, track name, etc.)- hit F7 when you want to change something and after you do it, you can go right back to do more. The best part is that it doesn't take 2 hands to do these operations and, for example if you wanted to record enable specific tracks; just move to the "R" button, hit F7 THEN use the DOWN ARROW and it will take you exactly to the REC button for the NEXT TRACK! You can enable just as fast as the old way. So, Sonar needs to let us know what they've changed and NO, I DON'T LIKE HAVING TO DISCOVER THIS BY MYSELF, AND I'M FINDING MANY MORE CHANGES LIKE THIS... Once again, how much time are you willing to spend to learn about the product... Get together Cakewalk and Sonar and provide this information now.

Would I use it on a gig without a backup? Honestly, probably not. To much to remember, to loud a place to think and way to far complicated for what I would most likely need in that type of situation. Tascam has much smaller versions that would easily be better choices (as do other companies.

I read about how some people called the techs stupid and so on, but this has not been my case. When I called, there definitely was a long wait of about 20 minutes but I was put onto a very knowledgable technican who completely had it all together. At that time, he didn't know anything about me either - I was just a customer. He gave me all the time in the world, we talked about solutions and he stayed with me until it my problem was resolved. At one point, when he found out how many synth modules (74) and softsynths (62) I had in my inventory; he did ask what I did and he called me "a power user". He then offered and I accepted the soon to be released version of a new update for the FW-1884, (I don't remember which one it was). Nevertheless, after that, the conversation was still about making sure that the machine was working and as I said, it was fixed within 15 minutes. It hasn't failed since that time. As far as the story about "the tech having to get the machine setup and running", I simply don't belive you. I know support departments well enough to know that one of company managements biggest complaints is that their tech departments never make money. It costs them a lot of money just to pay the guys on staff, keep parts in stock, the phone calls, and so on. The last thing that the head of tech department would do (and believe me HE REALLY WANTS TO KEEP HIS JOB!),would have a department without all gear connected and tech to tackle problems ASAP. Time is money and the technicans get graded on resolution time. To think that they wouldn't have the drivers already in a computer is absolutely insane. So, let's see, worse case: you called and the technican would have had to run a firewire cable from the FW-1884 to the port on the computer. Time: about 10 seconds max for the Firewire to recognize the FW-1884 and maybe 20 seconds to get a program up and running...Man, that's one-half of a minute. I challange you to explain to me what would have taken longer... No way am I buying this line of bullshit. If this is true you need to be on the phone to Japan right now.

I work with all kinds of music but do lots of movie themes, new age-type tracks, pop tunes, rock, classical and some experimental...
I've got a degree in music (keyboards are my speciality),recording engineer and have been doing this for over 30 years.
You tend to buy products that work for you so if the FW-1884 were stolen, I would buy another one (because it works great when I work great). The thing that I hate about it is the fact that they don't update it often enough and give enough information about changes (like the Sonar 6.2 changes - I'm sure they see that as a Cakewalk announcement - but I see it as beneficial to them also). I love the fact that it runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. That's right, I never turn it off and I don't receive any glitches or problems (how do you top that???) I do wish it has even more LEDs and buttons. I love the FLIP on the faders but I wish that there was a FLIP for knobs also; In my opinion it would be easier to see where you're at vs. trying to read "the next row of words". Maybe just an LED matrix so you can easily see what you're changing or working with.
Does this thing help you make music? Damn Skippy! If you're putting your all into every step of a tune, it will be as magic as you can be. If it's not magic...then face it...just like lots of American Idols, maybe you're just not ready for the big time. Of course it can get in the way but why in the hell are you letting that happen? Do your pre-production the day before. Get your sounds, assignments, levels, DAW settings, etc. setup. The next day, start doing your music. I'm betting that you'll probably find the magic that you've been missing. You wouldn't believe how many producers I know that don't even put a compressor on a track while laying down tracks but I read all the time in mags "I use (put any $2500+ device here) with a 4 to 1 ratio just to catch the peaks. Oh man, that's why you're not there...You haven't figured out what The Beatles tried to tell the world so many years ago: "Keep It Simple Stupid"... Great Music, Good Basic Recording Techniqes, & Knowing when to stop worrying about a part; (how many of you record the same part 50-100 times to get a certain thing just right? Do you think in that 1/100th of a second that anybody appreciated or gave a damn about it? You pissed away your energy which equals losing magic).
I only want to share one more thing...Try not to hate me for saying what I've said. I'm not the final word on anything and I know it, but neither are you. People "miss the boat" because they can't see the woods because of the trees. I wish all of you the greatest of success in your musicial endeavors but you've got to put the responsibility on yourself. Forums sharing problems or issues about equipment is important but stories about morons at tech support lines, "I'll never buy from them again" and so on, doesn't speak volumes about Tascam. It speaks volumes about you and if you want to get somewhere you have to learn the simple trick of understanding how it works. Have you ever met a really famous producer, engineer or musician. If you say something that they don't agree with, they'll tell you their opinion right quickly, although they'll still try to sound charming in their response. That's because they're "walking the middle". But, more than likely, you caught the drift and thought to yourself, "hmmm, I'm not so sure that I agree with this guy". That's the difference. You've got to understand that you're not writing music for you. You're writing music for others. When they give comments; take the good and bad equally and let them know that you're going to incorporate some of their ideas. Go back and make a tiny adjustment and see if it was a good idea. If so, use it. If not, toss it out. Play it again to the person and let them know that they helped. Now they want to send it to a special contact they have..You're in the game!

I cannot get the thing working in Cubase with all functions....no native drivers, no new drivers to expect.

Pretty ok, when it doesn't crackle the sound it bright and direct.

How many years are mixers build ? How many years does phantom power exist and how many years have manuf. been able to build great mixers for on the road having protection for in and out pluggin of microphones when 48V is on ? Many, many years, but Tascam goes the cheap road and saves money on that. Too bad, three pre-amp's blown. No service manual available, they know and admit they made it crap, but in the end they want to make money again on you by only telling you to send it up and let it fixed. It's their crap design, but your problem.

Crap, they don't care about their customers as long as they buy stuff, don't expect to get help. No forums, no decent support, no help...just talking dollars.

I would never buy it again. It functions half and if it does function it takes a snap of a finger to crap out on you. If you don't care about reliability, it might be a nice piece of gear. It's a cool design, too bad Tascam is going too fast with other products and leave their existing customers in the cold. No new drivers, no new software, no support.

IF you manage to get this thing going, it becomes easy and pleasant to use. It is an amazing piece of gear, WHEN it all works (and that is only 80% of the time)

Sound is decent, but not awesome.

When I run the FW1884, my computer starts to act strange. I cannot be sure what the exact sequence is to replicate the problem but it is something like this. It will hang if left unatended with the 1884 turned off. If you turn off the board and the computer, and then boot up with the board off, the computer might hang on boot-up (Windows XP pro on a Dell dual core machine). It will then take several reboots to correct the problem. If I use GigaStudio (which ships with it) it will screw up Sonar's audio engine.

Tascam has non-existent customer support. They do not support you at all. They use third-party people that know nothing about the product. BASICALLY, IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG, YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN. Your best support option is online forums and your own cleverness. In fact, I do not know how this company can survive with the poor support they offer. I believe they could sell a lot more product if they decided to really support their users. But many Tascam buyers like me would think twice before buying their products again. They are good products, but they have problems and nobody there to help you with those problems.

This board offers incredible functionality for the price, and that very impressive GigaStudio that ships with it for free. When it works, it is absolutely amazing, and so is GigaStudio. BUT, you have to contend with tons of software problems, interface problems, weird behaviors and such with NO support. The software drivers are unreliable and exhibit strange problems depending on your hardware.

I've had the FW1884 going on 3 years now. I use it with Sonar in my home project studio. I deal mostly with audio, not much with midi. I've updated my software a couple of times 1.4 now, i think. Overall I'm happty with this unit. About 1 out of every 10 starts, i need to reconfigure the sonar control surface settings which takes 30 seconds, but I gues it shouldn't happen ayta ll at this point.

The sound is good overall. Not great, but good. I get very little noise unless i have to crank the preamp(s) which i rarely do. The Direct in for guitar is a nice addition. i use it way more than i thought i would. For the price of the unit , with inserts on every channel, i don't see how you could expect much more.

I've had software issues, minor glitches. most if not all have been addressd with updates. I run this on a dell P4 3.2G with 1M of RAM. It is a "music only" PC, not connected to the internet, so i don't use virus/scanning SW on the machine... until virus's find a way through the wall outlet or mic cords! (c;

I've gotten the Blue screen of death once every 6-9 months or so, but i don't know that it is the FW1884. Sometimes I have to reboot to get the fadres to move with automated faders in Sonar, but again, mostly minor stuff.

Never called them. Any help I've needed, i've found on my own on the internet. Based on the other reviews, I guess it's a good thing!

Overall, I'm glad i have it. I think it's a bit outrageous that Tascam wants another $1K to add 8 faders (not inputs, just faders), and then about another $500 for 4 XLR inputs. If you want 16 faders and 16 XLR inputs, It's 1,200 + 1,000 + 500 + 500... $3,200 for a 16 channel board/surface??! Yikes!! I'm happy with it as an 8 channel for now (without switching banks). When the time comes to upgrade, I'll be doing more research and with expandability (in addition to sound and dependability) in mind. But for what it is, for how it does it, I'd give it a 7

To use is very straightforward - the problem is that it still isn't 100% for Cubase. I wish they would have told me this before purchasing it. When configuring the controller software it has a menu selection for Cubase/Nuendo - but tech support tells me do not select cubase for cubase ?? Select Mackie emulation. OK - Afterwards some features work. Features like panning are all mixed up. Audio, at times garbled. Sounds good tho when it decides not to garble. Back to tech support. "Oh...we forgot to mention...you should be using the adaptec 4300 firewire card. So I order a new adaptec firewire card (not a cheap card) I install the new card same issues. There are other negative issues - but out of fairness until I'm sure as to what the heck is going on - I will not mention.

The manual...well it's not a manual IT'S A DICTIONARY. Just lists the features and what they are. Would be nice to get a step by step for the more popular software.

When it works properly the sound is OK. Not to much of a diference from middle of the road soundcards tho.

I do notice that compared to my old set-up (pre-tascam)there is a weak but audible hiss that I have not experienced before.

Can not comment fully comment nor rate here since I have had this for 1 month now and have not been able to fully use it yet.

Customer support is quick to respond through e-mail. But beware their responses are just little generic pre-written responses (quick fixes) which have nothing to do with the problem you are describing. When I urge them for help or answers their response is "send it in for repair" The music store where I purchased it has sent me 3 already with the same issues - and the retailer famous for their customer support tells me "check with tascam, we have limited knowledge of these problem issues with the 1884.

You name the gear and more than likely I've owned it. I can usually figure out new equipment with lame manuals and crappy tech support. But here I am at a loss. I've been told that if I were to switch to Sonar (God forbid!) The tascam would respond better.

They should mention in their ads
1. Needs an Adaptec 4300 firewire card only.
2. Prefers Sonar.
3. Works best with a dedicated computer, as stated by tech support. No ant-virus - Windows media etc. etc. etc.

So far I have no favorite feature - only that it looks cool.
Before it is lost or stolen, I am certainly getting something else.
Deep regrets here (first time since the '80)

Sadly, I am quite certain that with an interested tech support agent, from tascam , most of these issues could probably be resolved.

Before purchasing one, check out the tascam forums and check out all that are posting similar problems which all remain unanswered.

Fairly easy to set up and get going if you read the manuals, although it can be confusing because there are so many functions. Everything worked straight away. No complaints about quality only problem is routing is very basic. This machine has so much potential with 8 analogue in and outs, why doesnt the software control panel make full use of it by offering the routing capabilities of say the MOTU 828 mk2? Probably because it would make it even more complicated? Easy to use, but hard to remember all the functions.

Sound quality was good enough, didnt expect any better for the price range. Only complaint on that score is that there doesnt appear to be any way of altering the buffer size. When I heard a few clicks and pops, that was going to be my first port of call, but I couldnt find it.

Unfortunately this was the one thing that tipped it for me, I work to a fairly strict daily regime in between looking after kids, etc. My normally quite stable desktop computer crashed twice in the space of a couple of hours, thats twice too many times for me.

Have heard its bad, dont have time to try.

As a concept this is a great machine, and excellent value for money even at the price I paid. Given the time I am sure i could work out why my computer crashed and maybe sort it, plus learn all the various controls and modes. However the time needed coupled with the lack of routing options means I will spend a little more money and opt for a MOTU 828 mk2 and a Mackie Control (which the TASCAM emulates) for about ?400 more.

I had absolutely NO problems setting it up, but I already went thru hell with a Roland Studio Package Pro, so this was a piece of cake. Digital audio is not for the novice PC user, so if you had problems setting this up, that's why! Shortcut keys make working with it a snap. The manual could be better in terms of explaining what things do and how they work in a real-world setting. I found myself wishing there was more information. Got marked down from a 10 because of the manual.

Vocals sounds great and clear when combined with my Behringer tube mic preamp and Alesis compressor, recorded at 24bit/44.1khz.

This thing is HUGE and HEAVY, so can't imagine there would be problems with it.

Haven't needed support, it works great. Bought a refurbished model with full warranty. Didn't rate for this reason.

I play Rock/Pop. Sounds great for what I do. It is almost too big for my desk, but after a horrible experience with a Roland Studio Package Pro/SI-24, this unit is HEAVEN! The channel inserts and dedicated shortcut keys are worth the price of admission. The monitoring features are icing on the cake! I wanted to buy this the first time around, but I made the wrong choice because I was being a cheapskate. Save your money and buy this instead--you won't regret it!