Even though Tascam have obviously designed the DA88 with audio post-pro very much in mind, it still offers the musician flexible and affordable access to digital multitrack. Also appealing is the fact that a large multitrack system can be built up in blocks of eight tracks at a time, and though the lockup time of multiple transports is mildly convenient, there are certain very definite plus points to a multimachine system. The ability to back up a tape from one machine onto another is also a very reassuring feature. When his tape comes back with seven alternative solos on it, you can digitally clone the best one to a spare track on one of the other recorders without having to worry about sync codes, drift or quality loss from bouncing. In order to enable it to function in various professional environments, you can switch the the DA88 to run from its internal clock, input Word Sync or Video. Tracks are selected as Record Ready via a switch beneath the appropriate LED meter; the record LED flashes to indicate Ready mode and then stays on when you go into Record. If the tape is running in Play mode, then you can go into record just by hitting Record; dropping out is a simple matter of hitting the Play switch.

Additional status LEDs are incorporated into the display to show Record Inhibit, Error, and Warning. The display mode may be cycled to show the locate points points, the varispeed value, drop-in/out crossfade time, machine offset, track delay, and pre-roll time. A drop-in/out footswitch socket is available on the rear panel - great for musicians working alone. Another significant difference between digital and analogue is that the locate functions and auto drop-in/out are frame-accurate. Auto-Drop works in a similar way to Tascam's analogue machines by providing Rehearsal mode to set and verify the In and Out points. Like Tascam's analogue machines, making a recording requires Record and Play to be pressed simultaneously once you have put the desired track (s) into ready mode. This system will again be familiar to most people who have used Tascam's open-reel analogue machines. Increment/decrement switches are used to change the displayed values if required. The maximum delay is 150ms which goes beyond the range required to tighten up musical feel. All Input monitors all eight inputs regardless of the record status, while Insert is linked to the record status so that you hear what's on tape prior to a drop-in point, after which you hear the input signal.

The RC808 duplicates the essential front panel controls for control of a single giới thiệu tổng quan nhà cái da88 while the more comprehensive MU8824 provides record switching for up to six DA88s, a shuttle/jog wheel and full 99 point autolocation. Pre and post-roll ensures that you get a run-in to the drop-in point and, after confirming everything is OK, you simply set Auto and go for it. Shuttle may be an unfamiliar feature to analogue tape users, though it roughly equates to moving the tape reels by hand to find a precise cue point. This contrasts with analogue tape which, with the exception of some more expensive machines, leaves a slight overlap at punch in and a gap at punch out. Not surprisingly, the DA88 sounds much like a good DAT machine, the greatest advantage over analogue - other than lower noise - being the complete absence of wow and flutter and the lack of any noise reduction system.

However, the machine doesn't feel exactly like an open-reel machine in use because the tape has to thread around the head system before it can run. Because the location points relate to the recorded subcode there's no drift, no matter how many times you go over the same part. This is accurate as it is derived from the format subcode. This type of control will be of most use to AV users, who use similar shuttle controls on their video gear. The Shuttle/Jog Wheel on the RC848 remote comprises two concentric dials; the inner one has two finger-detents and spinning this dial in one direction or another will play the audio back as a rate proportional to the rate at which you turn it. The outer wheel duplicates the front panel shuttle wheel. An audible 'shuttle' search facility is fitted, another clue as to the AV leanings of this machine, and there's a choice of two remote controllers available. There can be no doubt that the Tascam DA88 is a beautifully designed machine which inspires confidence, the only unfortunate fly in the ointment being the fact that we now have two competing formats trying to do essentially the same job.