Tascam 1884 - Is It Good?, how well does Tascam 1884 work? Options

[Markiewicz]

I am thinking of getting a Tascam 1884, but I'm not sure how it rates against something like the Motu 828 or 896 combined with a Mackie Control Universal... has anyone been using one with OS X for a while? Is it reliable? Does it sound great?

[Nels]

Markiewicz,

..Just in case you might reconsider the O1X, ..DON'T! On one hand, it really is a very cool audio/midi interface - Control Surface, with many attributes that the 1884 doesn't have, but the most important attribute of all, simply put, doesn't work well in Mac OS X and with most DAWs. I've read that the O1X is now working with Cubase, but that there are noted problems still.

..The idea was/is mLAN networking..... The ability to hook up a Yamaha keyboard(MOTIF ES), the O1X, and other mLAN compatible ..all up together with just a few Firewire cables. No other cables at all would be needed, except for a mic, guitar or bass cable in the HI Z. Great idea, but as it is a common practice these days for companies to release their unfinished products/software/drivers ..well, let's just say, ..this is the mother of them all. Don't take my word for it though. Just read(if they haven't screened by now) all the unhappy owners of a great in theory product that fell from grace. ..I was one of those very disappointed owners. Luckily, I was able to get a full refund.

The only thing Tascam left out when creating the FW1884 was the LED read out. Would have been nice! Other than that, it's an excellent unit. Wish there were more choices in the way of an all in one audio/midi/Control Surface/interface, but it'll be tough to beat the FW1884, I'm sure. ...And if for no other reason, ...cause it actually works. ...I don't own, but have tested the FW1884 and it's most definitely a unit anyone would be happy to own.

Good luck and have fun with which ever new toy(s) -