I know this is an old video but just some tips about the 688. DBX should always be on for this machine. The DBX unit built for it is of studio quality and greatly increases the sound quality and noise floor. The unit has 8 tape outs, this let's you connect the mixer directly to another 8 input device, like a digital interface, while simultaneously recording to tape. This also allows for the 688 to be used purely as a mixer/eq/outboard effects unit. Most importantly, when configured properly, it allows for 0 latency monitoring from the daw of your choice. This is the main reason I still have mine. It works great purely as a mixer that connects to your daw for 0 latency monitoring and still leaves you the added bonus of recording to tape if you need that kind of compression or sound. While also allowing for outboard effects and 20 combined mixed inputs plus eq. It doesn't have phantom power but that's easily fixed with outboard gear. And you will likely get a cleaner sound bypassing the preamps of the 688 and going directly into a digital unit like an old 2626 ( what I still use) but you won't get that milky warm signal you get from tape. Use it or don't use it is the question that always runs through my head. I normally don't record to tape with it but, there are instances where it can be cool to do. You can stick a microphone in input 1 and record on all 8 tracks at once, just like inside a daw. For right now, I must come clean, I don't have the 688 hooked up but it is on the mixing desk for when I decide to use it. I've been looking at digital replacements lately to take up less space and be more convenient but it's hard to give something with so much soul.

It's nice to see someone else that knows this desk is 20 channel if you know how a desk works.

Such a gorgeous machine! I had almost forgotten about meter bridges. They don't make stylish machines like that much anymore.

Thanks for this video! I just got a 688 and you've helped me figure a few things out. The manual is pretty hard to follow!

very cool, this machine is amazing, im actually looking for one. i have a 644 at the moment i.

Perfect for live album recordings wid cameras

happy 40 years of portastudios! oh so nice to have one, do you know what happen if a put a tascam 414 tape into this one? could i record more tracks? thanks

so i have this guy and tried routing the track 5 mic to track 1 with the assign section, but the recording printed on track 5, am i doing something wrong¿

okay more educated question, i followed the steps and when i set the mic input for channel 2 to to group 1 in the scene display, set the pan to even for channel one, pan for channel two even (i dont know if this matters) and i enabled record on channel 1 and two, and i got a meter reading off of group 1. however i was trying to overdub a guitar part already recorded on channel 1 via the channel 2 mic input. when i hit record, it recorded over the previous guitar part. is this a fault of 1.) my panning on the mixing section 2.) the record enables i had on channel 1 and 2, maybe it should only be 2 or only 1 but i didnt get a meter reading when only 2 was enabled 3.) an inherent flaw of the tape machine by design, meaning i cant record different mic inputs or line inputs to a track with a previous recording onto it. if i wanted to bounce an overdubbed part, id have to bounce whatever mains to an empty track, and then ping pong that track on playback to the main using the same method? 4.) im dumb and i can overdub some other way lol

You should have kept it, because a 688 in optimum condition sounds killer!!

is multitrack in fl studio?

im struggling with the 644

Still selling the 688?

Stage play nice too ask di tv girl who have 8/10 mem at play mights

So is a "group' a track? Or is it a group of inputs? Why does it say LINE group 2? none of this makes even the slightest sense to me.