Hello Tascam folks. Feels a bit weird for me. I've spent the last 12 years in the Roland VSplanet forum.
I currently own three VS2480s (one as a backup). They have been incredible machines for me. 32 channels of simultaneous recording and 48 channels of playback. motorized faders, fader automation, scene recall etc.. Having said all that, the VS is very limited in what it can do with DAW software. So now I am looking for a replacement to use with my DAW of choice, which is Studio One Professional. I have spent months combing the Internet forums for possible solutions in my price range ($5,000.00).
I sort of like the new Midas M32 console, however recording is not it's primary purpose, so it's not what I would call a tight fit. It does however, have several nice features. I won't go into to detail on that board because the one that has impressed me the most is the DM4800. I realize it is no longer available in many locations, though there are a few still selling it new with a one year warranty. My Rolands have been in use long after the End of Life announcement, so that does not worry me.
With your indulgence, I would like to describe what I am looking for and hope that you wise and knowledgeable Tascam owners could tell me if this system would "fit the bill" so to speak. I'll describe my usage and present my questions.
Usage
========
1) Permanent installation, semi-pro studio. No portability is required.
2) DAW of choice is Studio One Professional, alternatively Pro Tools (only if I had to).
3) Computer platform: Apple Mac - OS (Yosemite)
4) Today, when I use the DAW for Post Production, I convert all of the VS files to Wave and load them into Studio One. I mostly mix in the box. I like the mastering ability of Studio One. That might change if my tools provide better options.
Questions/Requirements
====================
1) I like to have a minimum of 20 channel simultaneous recording available (rare, but it has happened.) I am assuming the DM4800 can do this with the firewire card ?
2) DAW control with more than 8 faders (the VS2480s have HUI control but only 8 faders in banks). I need to have control of 32 or more tracks at mix down from the faders. I hate using a mouse when mixing down. I would also like to be able to do fader automation as I do today on the VS2480, even if it is mixer automation and not on the DAW. I have read that the DM4800 is very good at that. Transport control of the DAW is obviously a must and it looks like the DM4800 has that covered. I would appreciate any elaboration on the DM4800's ability in this area.
3) I am used to working with the VS2480s while tracking. There was always zero latency in the headphone mix. When auto punching a part, a vocal could hear either the previous part or their live vocal until the punch occurred. That is configurable on the VS2480. Does the DM4800 have that capability?
4) What is the Latency like for musicians punching in an out on the DM4800 with a DAW using the 32 channel firewire adapter? This is extremely important to me. I have a friend who put together quite an expensive system with various components (Not an integrated console). It sounds nice, but he is always tip toing around latency issues. I never had that problem. Don't want to go there.
5) The VS2480 has 16 tracks of R-bus that can be routed to (in my case) the Behringer P16i Personal monitor interface which lets all the musicians control 16 channels for their own individual mixes. Would I be able to get a 16 channel mix out of the DM4800 (pre-fader) to a headphone system? I don't want to have to do headphone mixes for musicians in the board.
I apologize for being so wordy. I am just trying to cover my bases before committing to a brand new console and an entirely new methodology for recording. I may be missing some questions but these are certainly towards the top of my list. I appreciate any comments, questions or advise. Thank you so much.
BTW: I have to say after perusing the forum, sure seems like you have a great bunch of folks on here. I am excited to hear from this group : ) Thanks.
JK
I currently own three VS2480s (one as a backup). They have been incredible machines for me. 32 channels of simultaneous recording and 48 channels of playback. motorized faders, fader automation, scene recall etc.. Having said all that, the VS is very limited in what it can do with DAW software. So now I am looking for a replacement to use with my DAW of choice, which is Studio One Professional. I have spent months combing the Internet forums for possible solutions in my price range ($5,000.00).
I sort of like the new Midas M32 console, however recording is not it's primary purpose, so it's not what I would call a tight fit. It does however, have several nice features. I won't go into to detail on that board because the one that has impressed me the most is the DM4800. I realize it is no longer available in many locations, though there are a few still selling it new with a one year warranty. My Rolands have been in use long after the End of Life announcement, so that does not worry me.
With your indulgence, I would like to describe what I am looking for and hope that you wise and knowledgeable Tascam owners could tell me if this system would "fit the bill" so to speak. I'll describe my usage and present my questions.
Usage
========
1) Permanent installation, semi-pro studio. No portability is required.
2) DAW of choice is Studio One Professional, alternatively Pro Tools (only if I had to).
3) Computer platform: Apple Mac - OS (Yosemite)
4) Today, when I use the DAW for Post Production, I convert all of the VS files to Wave and load them into Studio One. I mostly mix in the box. I like the mastering ability of Studio One. That might change if my tools provide better options.
Questions/Requirements
====================
1) I like to have a minimum of 20 channel simultaneous recording available (rare, but it has happened.) I am assuming the DM4800 can do this with the firewire card ?
2) DAW control with more than 8 faders (the VS2480s have HUI control but only 8 faders in banks). I need to have control of 32 or more tracks at mix down from the faders. I hate using a mouse when mixing down. I would also like to be able to do fader automation as I do today on the VS2480, even if it is mixer automation and not on the DAW. I have read that the DM4800 is very good at that. Transport control of the DAW is obviously a must and it looks like the DM4800 has that covered. I would appreciate any elaboration on the DM4800's ability in this area.
3) I am used to working with the VS2480s while tracking. There was always zero latency in the headphone mix. When auto punching a part, a vocal could hear either the previous part or their live vocal until the punch occurred. That is configurable on the VS2480. Does the DM4800 have that capability?
4) What is the Latency like for musicians punching in an out on the DM4800 with a DAW using the 32 channel firewire adapter? This is extremely important to me. I have a friend who put together quite an expensive system with various components (Not an integrated console). It sounds nice, but he is always tip toing around latency issues. I never had that problem. Don't want to go there.
5) The VS2480 has 16 tracks of R-bus that can be routed to (in my case) the Behringer P16i Personal monitor interface which lets all the musicians control 16 channels for their own individual mixes. Would I be able to get a 16 channel mix out of the DM4800 (pre-fader) to a headphone system? I don't want to have to do headphone mixes for musicians in the board.
I apologize for being so wordy. I am just trying to cover my bases before committing to a brand new console and an entirely new methodology for recording. I may be missing some questions but these are certainly towards the top of my list. I appreciate any comments, questions or advise. Thank you so much.
BTW: I have to say after perusing the forum, sure seems like you have a great bunch of folks on here. I am excited to hear from this group : ) Thanks.
JK