
Now, even three decades after their introduction, these devices remain highly sought after as a result of this commitment. This innovation changed the game once again, making it easier than ever for amateurs to make professional-sounding recordings.Īfter countless transformations over the years, the Portastudio has always remained true to its original aim: putting the power to create in the hands of musicians via an affordable, easy-to-learn product. However, as digital processing became more affordable, Tascam began integrating onboard effects. The Portastudio line lost a bit of magic here, forcing the user to browse through menus on a tiny screen and painstakingly name files with limited controls. Various versions utilized Minidiscs, SD cards, CDs, and internal hard drives. In 1997, Tascam adapted their trusted all-in-one format to modern media with the first digital Portastudio - the Tascam 564. Though advanced for its time, this iconic, dusky-blue unit may scream “lo-fi” by today's standards but arguably remains the image most associated with the term “four-track.” This feature proved indispensable for solo artists. The 414 also added support for an optional foot pedal to be used for hands-free punch-ins. Tascam then added a pair of line-level inputs, bringing the total number of inputs to eight and allowing for two stereo effects returns.

The Tascam 414 streamlined the four-track format, ditching the VU meters in favor of simple, segmented LEDs. There are too many iterations to cover in detail here, but the most common warrant a detailed look. Throughout the '80s and '90s, a slew of other models were released as companies like Fostex and Yamaha jumped on the bandwagon with their own versions. Undoubtedly, many great (and not-so-great) songs were made on these first units in bedrooms and basements worldwide, but it took a bit more development before the four-track cassette format really came into its own. The 244 and 246 were the first to bear the “Portastudio” name and upped the ante with sweepable stacked-knob EQs and dbx noise reduction. The unit resembled a mini-version of the classic 388 with its black chassis, multicolored knobs, and analog VU meters.

It all began in 1979, when the TEAC 144 became the first four-track recorder to utilize a standard cassette tape. The magic of the Portastudio cannot be replicated. Later, after completing a recording technology program that taught me to use industry-standard DAWs, classic Trident and state of the art SSL consoles, and top-of-the-line Studer and Otari 24-track tape machines, what did I do? I found a Tascam 424 mkIII on Craigslist and snatched it up for $80.
Tascam 424 mkii 4 track review software#
The hands-on interface and all-in-one recorder + mixer configuration are the hallmarks of Tascam’s Portastudio line and allowed me to learn without being overwhelmed by the infinite options of software recording.

That machine served me well through my first few years of blundering around, trying to figure out what this “multitracking” thing was all about. It was marked down by $20 because of a factory error that left it stamped “PORTASTUD” – a blemish I would have gladly paid extra for. It was a Tascam DP-02, one of the digital incarnations of the famous Portastudio line. 2 | Old school multi tracking | The Portastudio - workflow and tutorial Pt.Back in 2009, I bought my first recording device.
Tascam 424 mkii 4 track review how to#
Tascam 4-track Cassette Tape Mixing and Mastering - TDK-SA with Technics KX580 Deck TASCAM MODEL 12 RECORDING: Headphones Using the Sub Output | Tascam 388 vs Portastudio 424 // Recording Drums to Tape Tascam 388, 424, 414 // Portastudio Shootout TASCAM 424 MKIII 4-TRACK MEGA TUTORIAL - Cassette Recorder | TASCAM 424 MKIII 4-TRACK Cassette Recorder: Inputs 5 & 6 | DAW and Portastudio Integration - Full Tutorial Making-of a tape loop based track (Tascam 424) Recording a song with the TASCAM 424 (Process) NORD DRUM 3P: Why Did I Get the Nord Drum 3p? | Best Cassette 4 Track Recorder Ever // Better than the Tascam Portastudio // Yamaha MT44 TASCAM 488MK1 MULTITRACK CASSETTE RECORDER MIXING DEMONSTRATION How I recorded an album on the four track 4-TRACK CASSETTE RECORDER: Ping Pong Bouncing | HOW TO RECORD A SONG ON A TASCAM 424 MKIII 4-TRACK PT. USING A TASCAM PORTASTUDIO 424 AS AN INSTRUMENT How oldschool multi-track recording works. If you decide to make a purchase through them, thanks for your support!ĪDDRESS (send me stuff): Mike 424 PO Box 151 New Paltz NY 12561 Видео TASCAM 424: TESTING OUT A TASCAM PORTASTUDIO 424 | канала 424 Recording The following links are affiliate links which help out the channel at no cost to you. Wondering how to test out a Tascam 424 Tascam Portastudio 424? Found a killer deal on a 4-track cassette recorder on craigslist? In this video, we take a look at a Tascam 424 Tascam Portastudio 424 and how to test out its functions to make sure it works properly.
