Max Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 Review: Tascam XS-8 Mixerby DJ StickeyFadersAll three faders in the XS-8 are Ecler Pro faders. These are the same faders that are used in the Ecler HAK 320, and for the line faders in the HAK 360. With all three faders being the same, they can easily be swapped. This allows you to rotate them so that you don’t get excessive wear on any particular one. The faders themselves are slightly difficult to maintain. They have prongs on the underside of their metal casing that attach to the bottom of the base PCB, meaning that they each have to be pried back with a small screwdriver in order to open the fader. This is a laborious task, and you risk injuring the contact strips and prongs of the fader. The feel of the fader is light, but stable. Straight out of the box, it feels like a substantial Gemini fader. Well oiled, it approaches FFv1 in smoothness, but isn’t nearly as light. The cut-in time is approximately 1-2.5mm. There is a distinct click when the fader hits the side of the faceplate, but it isn’t a loud, metallic click like Vestax faders tend to have. The faders themselves are quite cheap to replace, and should last a considerable amount of time with proper maintenance. Each is reversible and curve-adjustable. There is also a “program reverse†function for reversing the channels.Transform SwitchesThe XS-8 has separate switches for line/phono and “transform,†with the transform switches located in their usual place above the line faders. They are moved to the side as opposed to being directly above the line faders so that they aren’t at risk of being hit by a hand on the fader. They are quite heavy, however, and produce considerable “popping†when transforming with them. In order to use them cleanly, they require significant modification.EQ’sThe XS-8 features a full range of +10db EQ’s (i.e. low, mid, and hi), and also kill functions when the knobs are turned all the way down. The trim is significantly powerful, but as with any trim or gain function, can produce clipping.Headphones/MonitorThe headphone amplifier is quite loud, and in any studio setting is never turned up even half-way. The mixer has both master and cue functions for the headphone/monitor output, and of course, “program†selection as all mixers do. In the master setting, the sound is slightly dampened. PansThe XS-8 has smooth, lateral panning faders for each channel.Inputs/OutputsThe mixer features an extremely wide range of connectivity options. It has standard RCA inputs for two phono channels and two line channels, as well as an auxiliary “external input.†The primary master out is a set of gold-plated RCA outputs. The secondary master out is XLR (a fantastic option for professional-sounding use of the mixer). The XS-8 has separate volume control for the primary and secondary master outputs. There is also a separate record output, an effects send output, 2 ¼†foot switch inputs, and an effects/session loop. There is a standard microphone input, with +10db low and hi eq’s and a level control. Effects/SessionThe XS-8 has a standard, but very nice effects/session loop. Effects on/off buttons are easy to use and easy to read, with a two-position button that toggles a red light when the effects are active. The effects are separate for each channel, with toggle buttons located below the eq’s on both sides of the mixer. The knob control for the effects/session goes between min/max to control the effects mix or session level.OverviewThe XS-8 is a fantastic choice for anyone seeking an affordable, yet very professional mixer. The mixer is solid, has a clean layout, and the faceplate doesn’t scratch or wear easily. Such a wide range of professional connectivity options make it ideal for a studio or live setting. This is the ideal budget mixer. They sell for approximately $150 USD.http://www.soundslive.co.uk/images/tascxs8.jpg 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sideshow Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 nice job stickey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Posted September 30, 2004 Author Share Posted September 30, 2004 Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 Top work Max. That's a great review mate. The only problem is you've made me want one of those mixers now! :angry: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Posted September 30, 2004 Author Share Posted September 30, 2004 haha thank you. I think audiolines might still have some...but you don't need another mixer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 I do! I'm gonna get rid of my Ecler soon. I need something with more features. One question - My Ecler Hak 310 has a built in power supply that switches voltage automatically so you can just plug it in wherever and use it. Does the XS-8 have that? If so, I'm gonna get one shipped over from the US and sell the Ecler on eBay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Posted September 30, 2004 Author Share Posted September 30, 2004 It appears to have a built in 250v power supply with a fuse. The plug is the same as one what you use for your computer power supply. Dunno if that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 OK. So basically, it's the same as an Ecler Hak 360 but it has a Pro Fader for the crossfader instead of the Eternal Fader. Is that right? Also, what's the deal with Audiolines? Is their stuff ex-demo or something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Posted September 30, 2004 Author Share Posted September 30, 2004 The power supply looks exactly the same as the 360. In reality, i believe the mixer is the same as the HAK 320. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Posted September 30, 2004 Author Share Posted September 30, 2004 They have them for 150 USD NIB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 That's less than £83. My Ecler is in great condition and I've got the box and instructions etc. It should easily fetch more than £83 on eBay anyway! I think I'm gonna do this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Posted September 30, 2004 Author Share Posted September 30, 2004 I really enjoy the mixer a lot, it's a very smooth piece of equipment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2ndhand Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 what does the effects session loop thingy do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Posted September 30, 2004 Author Share Posted September 30, 2004 The effects/session loop does two things: 1)It allows you to eaily daisy chain the mixer with others for sessioning. 2) It allows you to run the signal through an effects processor. The effects/session knob controls how strong the effect is, and the toggle switches on the left and right channels allow you to use effects on either or both lines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sideshow Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 why is it so cheap? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Posted September 30, 2004 Author Share Posted September 30, 2004 Because it's discontinued...except all the part are still made by Teac and Ecler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Banano Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 AFAIK The XS8s were manufactured by Ecler for Tascam. They are 320's with a Tascam badge and knobs. they're fucking amazing value for money. the faders are so cheap to replace as well - about £15 if I remember rightly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mixologist Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 They have them for 150 USD NIB.<{POST_SNAPBACK}> guitar center actually had them for like 100 bucks, because they wanted to get rid of all thier stock, it'll be hard to find them now though, they also had the tascam xs-4 for like 40 bucks and i heard that was really nice too, obviously not as nice as the xs-8 though,,, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 How much do you think I would get for my Ecler Hak 310? I'm 99% certain I'm gonna get an XS-8. The price is too good to pass up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Banano Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 for the record: Tascam XS8 = Ecler HAK320 Tascam XS4 = Ecler HAK300 Ecler Nuo5 = the mixer that pisses on all others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Banano Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 Be careful though Sigma, I'm not sure if the XS8 has the universal PSU - I'll do a bit more digging. Still, a step down transformer shouldnt cost more than about £25. in the meantime, check out this fucking amazing bargain: http://www.turnkey.co.uk/tkweb/stockdetail...ntext=CLEARANCE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 http://www.recordcase.de/lshop,showdetail,...20102273,,,.htm Even better! £246. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 http://www.djforums.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-17987 According to those guys, the Tascam is like the Ecler - it has a power supply that switches between voltages automatically. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Banano Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 cool bananas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sideshow Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 the cheapest i have seen the xs8 in the uk is £299and the xs4 for £149bloody massive difference between us and the u.s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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