Tascam DP-004 recorder - nice 'n simple

AlanRatcliffe

A question I've long hated answering is "if I just want to record simply, what recorder do I get?". The thing is, while there are many small recorders like the Boss models, they often have too many features for a lot of technophobes and the singer songwriter who just wants to plug in and push record and play or sing. To these folk, it's not the features that something has that is important - it's the simplicity.

I don't know when we'll see them here, but I just saw the new Tascam recorder and it looks like someone finally got it right.
http://www.tascam.com/products/dp-004;9,16,3707,14.html. Retails at $279 in the US, so should be under R3K here.

What I like about it is, instead of trying to cram as many "value added" features into a small recorder as they can, like effects and multiple tracks, the focus seems to be more on usability. As such it looks ideal for the guys who want simplicity and the ability to lay down a few tracks (up to four) quickly without needing to have any arcane recording knowledge. Hell, I've only seen a pic and I could probably operate it already. Nice.

* (2) 1/4" mic inputs
* Switchable guitar input
* Headphone/Line output
* USB 2.0 connector
* Records to SD Card media
* 1GB SD Card included
* Powered through AA Batteries or optional power adapter
* CD-quality 44.1kHz/16-bit WAV recording

andrewjbryson

NICE!!!

looks easy to operate...

so i guess you simply select "Input A/B/"

then select Track 1/4 and hit record?

nifty....

If its under 3K its a good price...

Ray

Been reading in the Guitarist issue 310 (December I think), reviews on portable stereo digital recorders. Anyone got any background on these. They seem simple enough to just switch on and go, or am I not getting the picture? How would they rate against the Tascam mentioned earlier in this thread? What impresses me is the size and portability. Int Guitarist they review Tascam DR-1, Yamaha Pocketrak 2G, Edirol R-09HR and M-Audio microtrack II. Any of these around? I see the Edirol R-09HR is available for about 4.5K at muz.co.za.

AlanRatcliffe

There is a difference - stereo recorder vs. multitrack recorder. The same kind of difference you get between a stereo tape machine and a multitrack - the ability to layer tracks on top of those you have already recorded.

The stereo recorder is great if you want to capture a performance as it is, one take, all the instruments together, but doesn't allow you to add any tracks after that. The multitrack lets you record one instrument at a time like the bigger studio type recorders.

Ray

Thank you Alan. That helps. Seems that the Multitrack would be more useful as I am not doing any performances. This DP-004 could be quite a good happy Valentines' to myself. I see it goes for 4149-04 on click2buyIT (dunno where the 04 comes from).

Riaan-Combrink

Be sure to post your review/impressions if you do take the Valentines' plunge, Ray! Would love to know how they go (ease of use for someone with little recording chops, etc).

Ray

Ya, I will definitely do that. You know, when I came across this thread, the first paragraph that alan had written hit me right between the eyes. I dont know if I will ever want to record any more than he describes. Maybe, maybe not. But for now, I want to turn the key and drive. so I've been doing some scouting around on the internet. there are Boss Micro BR models, there is this Tascam, there are Zoom models, and a whole bunch more. Problem is the stores dont seem to keep them in stock (dont move quick enough) so you have to take a look and check out the pictures and online demos on manufacturer's sites. that's alright I guess because some of the stores say before you buy give us a call and we'll see if we can give you a better deal.

You know what really burns me is that a couple of months ago I played a game of golf with a guy from mainland China and he is into the import/export thing. Particularly electronics and recording gear. at that stage I hadnt been bitten yet and had no idea how useful this guy could possibly be. so when he said I should contact him with any requirements and he could probably sort me out, I said "ya, ya" and tossed his bus card in the bin along with my scorecard as I left. Thinking back it could have been quite a good contact to maintain.

Anyway, maybe not. At this stage the Tascam described right at the begiing here seems to be aout my best option. Less features than some of the others but real simple and straightforward. Also someone gave the Boss Micro BR-600 such a stinking review on Harmony-Central you just gotto wonder.

Riaan-Combrink

Ray:

Just saw that Bothners is running a "back to school" sale (go figure ???) where the Micro Br is selling at a MUCH REDUCED price. I have no affiliation to Bothner, but I'm not sure whether I'm allowed to quote the price on the Forum, so have a look here:

http://bothner.co.za/specials/b2s.shtml

Riaan-Combrink

Sorry!!!

Just finished reading their home page ( :-[), and the also highlight a new Boss BR900-CD product that looks really cool:

http://bothner.co.za/products/boss_br900cd.shtml

They don't quote a price on their page (which we've moaned about before here at GFSA >☹), but retail appears to be approx R 9 000.
http://www.muz.co.za/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1106

One on Gumtree for R 8 000:
http://johannesburg.gumtree.co.za/c-Stuff-for-Sale-musical-instruments-Boss-BR900-CD-W0QQAdIdZ90394010

Pricey, but seemsto have very convenient specs.

AlanRatcliffe

Retail is R9,9995, but it's also on the back to school thing at R7,495...

dyllels

I have a BR-864. Which was discontinued and replaced by the BR-900-CD as far as i know.

If you can find a second hand BR-864 i highly recommend them. I'm Sure they are much cheaper beacuse they dont have the CD burning capabilities. But there is a Free program on the boss website which allows you to download your tracks very easily to the PC via a usb cable.

For me this seems easier than actually burning the CD on the unit, cos it opens up more possiblilies to do some post-production in Cubase or something.

Riaan-Combrink

dylan wrote: For me this seems easier than actually burning the CD on the unit, cos it opens up more possiblilies to do some post-production in Cubase or something.

Good point!

Ray

Now, there is a website called click2buyit.com and on that site they are advertising the Tascam dp-004 at just over 4K. Seems a lot less thatn anywhere else. Some of the stores are even tellling me it is not available here yet. You know, just lookingat the Tascam, it seems like such a simple thing to operate.
Also the thing just looks quality and I read good things about tascam on the internet.

Wizard

I bought the Micro BR on the Bothners-silly-sale.
I have no experience of anything else so am just rating it for what it is.
It's tiny - so portability is a big plus.
Means you have to work through menu's rather than external dials - so takes a few days to learn.
But its so well supported on the net that no problem remains unsolved very long.
Battery life is short, so you buy the power supply which works fine.
Best part is that it has many effects built in so is wonderful when you want to jam into headphones without worrying the family or neighbours.
Also has a built in tuner.
And many built in drum effects (although all in 4/4 time)

Have had fun with it in laying down multiple tracks ala Mike Oldfield.
Gives you someone to jam with - you record a backing track then spend the rest of the night jamming with yourself.
Somewhat incestuous, but great fun.

Also has a more than decent built in mike, so is great for portable gig recordings ... and it fits into your pocket.

In support of Alan's recommendation ... it would be nice to have dials you can just twiddle rather than work through menu's.
Life is full of trade-off's.

i-n

Hi all,
...if I may just add my 2c here...

I've gust arrived back from the USA and this little recorder was one thing that caught my eye!
The Tascam DP-004! I landed up getting it (from Guitar Centre - USA) for only $175+TAX = ±$200 = ±R1500!!!
Unfortunately here in South Africa it goes for round the R4000 mark! (Thanks to Wild & Marr - the Importers!)

As you can tell by the pics the layout is very basic, simple & functions like the Tascam recorders of old - with the additional functionality of Digital! Jog wheel is used for all data and to allow frame accurate editing, in's and out's!
One thing I must caution however is that it Records when you tell it to record! No warnings that you may be overwriting something! Fortunately you do have an Undo/Redo button but this is just for the last operation!
Another great thing is the addition of a USB2 port on the side where you can export tracks (or songs) to or from the PC (USB cable included!? - but on the down-side you have to create a partition on your SD card for MEDIA (.WAV files) and it does take a bit of time for the files to be exported!

Quality of the onboard mics (A-B / L-R) is excellent! (even better than some good external mics - as some reviews admit!)
This is why I bought this machine - I needed a good field recorder and this works well! (altho not it's design purpose!)

Otherwise operation is simple...you select your source (internal mic/external input), mono/stereo and to which track you wish to record..the track lights flash and you press REC/Play! ...and it records! (Routing is completely selectable!)
...then you select next track(s) to record or mix (bounce) tracks and use the track level and pan controls to create your mix! As easy as that!
One plus is that it has 2 input level controls as well as a master out control so volumes can be controlled at all points!

Other: Metronome & Tuner functions - basic but both do the job!
Power: Batteries (4xAA) last ±8hours!!! or you can buy the optional AC adaptor!
Memory: Comes with 1Gb SD card (but can take up to 32Gb - & maybe greater!?)

On the down side...
No preset drum tracks - just the metronome! (with variable timing & volume!)
No XLR or Phantom Power!
No "virtual" tracks!
Only 16bit 44.1khz recording! (but then again this does simplify things!)
Display is not backlit!

Otherwise a great little package in a solid very compact form!
The only other oposition I believe it has is of course the Boss Micro-BR which of course has preset drum tracks and virtual tracks, but then again no easy to use knobs! (& I don't believe the Micro-BR's mics are half as good!?)
Next option of course is the Boss BR-600! (8tracks, sliders, pads...) Gr8 unit but of course costs a little more!

DonovanB

i@n wrote: The only other oposition I believe it has is of course the Boss Micro-BR which of course has preset drum tracks and virtual tracks, but then again no easy to use knobs! (& I don't believe the Micro-BR's mics are half as good!?)
Next option of course is the Boss BR-600! (8tracks, sliders, pads...) Gr8 unit but of course costs a little more!

I tried the Micro Br, it is very cool but not the simplest. It work swell with a little effort butthe drum patterns are all 4/4

I have the BR600. I should write a review soon. I got it from musicmadness.co.za and I haven't looked back. I am still getting the hang of it but pretty soon there will be a sample for all to listen to.

Garth-S

I also have a BR-600.. had it for over 2 years now. I am really impressed with it. I've become quite a wizz on it ? . If it were me I'd spend the little bit extra on the BR-600 as, you simply hit record and it does so, but if yu want to dive deeper you can, and the possibilities are endless. The built in mics are incredible too, and in stereo.

Howzit I@n!! It was cool to see you again over the weekend.

Wizard

The Micro BR works really well.
However, the "micro" bit means its tiny ... which has its own unavoidable consequences:
- it has to use a few keys with menu's
- it is very easy to pull off the table with the guitar cable

If portability is required, it is absolutely brilliant.
If not, it seems a pity to pay the penalties mentioned above ... and may be easier to use a larger machine with explicit buttons and sliders (like the BR-600)

I sold mine to a professional photographer who wanted to be able to record singing parts as they spontaneously came to him while he was in the field.
It slotted neatly into a small pocket of his camera bag !!

guitarboy2828

To add some info onto this page.. i got the DP-004.. It's actually the coolest little gadget. ? For someone who just wants to plug in and record, it's awesome.

One does need to read the manual if you've never used a 4 track, me in this instance. But once I read the quick start guide it was very simple to use.

GREAT tone.. I'm really enjoying it. Can't say I've ever used another 4 track, so really have nothing to compare it too.. But like Alan's review, it's simple and straight forward.. The reason I bought it was because of Alan's review of it's simplicity.

ezietsman

Take2 has a special it seems...

http://more.take2.co.za/moreusa-tascam-dp-004-pocketstudio-digital-recorder-b001jjfr8q.html