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TASCAM19838-trk reelMultitrack Studio$$$Premium($800–3,000)

TASCAM 388 Studio 8

Solo producers wanting an all-in-one reel-based console upgrade from cassette Portastudios.

Calculate pitch & speed changes for the TASCAM 388 Studio 8

Free tool — see the exact pitch shift and BPM change using this deck's real supported speeds.

Strengths

  • Integrated 8-in/4-buss mixer and 8-track reel deck in a single all-in-one console
  • dbx noise reduction keeps the noise floor low across 8 narrow tracks
  • Self-contained design avoids needing a separate outboard mixer

Trade-offs

  • Narrow-track reel format is not interchangeable with standard reel decks
  • All-in-one design means a transport fault can take the whole mixing console offline

Full Specifications

Full technical specifications for the TASCAM 388 Studio 8
SpecificationValue
BrandTASCAM
Model388 Studio 8
Era1983
Typical Price TierPremium ($800–3,000)
Tape Speeds3.75 IPS / 7.5 IPS
Track Count8
Reel Size7"
Tape Width0.25"
Head Configuration3-head narrow-track multitrack format
Noise Reductiondbx
VarispeedYes
Pitch Control Range±6%

A relative used-market guide, not a live quote — real prices vary by condition, region, and timing. Check the Reverb/eBay links on any item for current listings.

Match Score Explorer

Weight what matters to your workflow. Every deck is re-scored live against your priorities, benchmarked against the TASCAM 388 Studio 8.

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This deckTASCAM 388 Studio 8
Match63
Audio Fidelity76
Flexibility80
Ease of Maintenance40
Tonal Neutrality55

Ranked against 34 other decks

  • Audio Fidelity90
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    Tonal Neutrality78
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  • Nagra IV-S
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  • TASCAM 34
    Match56
    Audio Fidelity82
    Flexibility45
    Ease of Maintenance42
    Tonal Neutrality55
  • Audio Fidelity78
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    Tonal Neutrality50
  • Audio Fidelity68
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  • Audio Fidelity72
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  • Audio Fidelity76
    Flexibility32
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  • Studer B67
    Match55
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    Flexibility30
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    Tonal Neutrality72
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    Tonal Neutrality48
  • Revox A700
    Match54
    Audio Fidelity75
    Flexibility35
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    Tonal Neutrality65
  • Audio Fidelity72
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    Ease of Maintenance42
    Tonal Neutrality60
  • Audio Fidelity78
    Flexibility30
    Ease of Maintenance42
    Tonal Neutrality65
  • Audio Fidelity75
    Flexibility32
    Ease of Maintenance45
    Tonal Neutrality62
  • Audio Fidelity68
    Flexibility40
    Ease of Maintenance55
    Tonal Neutrality48
  • Audio Fidelity82
    Flexibility30
    Ease of Maintenance50
    Tonal Neutrality48
  • Audio Fidelity85
    Flexibility32
    Ease of Maintenance40
    Tonal Neutrality50
  • Fostex R8
    Match52
    Audio Fidelity62
    Flexibility55
    Ease of Maintenance48
    Tonal Neutrality42
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    Tonal Neutrality52
  • Audio Fidelity68
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    Tonal Neutrality58
  • Audio Fidelity72
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    Tonal Neutrality62
  • Audio Fidelity65
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    Tonal Neutrality55
  • Audio Fidelity68
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    Tonal Neutrality58
  • Audio Fidelity65
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  • Teac X-10
    Match46
    Audio Fidelity55
    Flexibility35
    Ease of Maintenance52
    Tonal Neutrality42
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    Tonal Neutrality48
  • Ampex 351
    Match41
    Audio Fidelity78
    Flexibility25
    Ease of Maintenance25
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Maintenance & Supplies

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