Tascam DP-004 recorder - nice 'n simple

AlanRatcliffe · 2008-11-05T19:12:48+00:00

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 t...

Tascam DP-004 recorder - nice 'n simple

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

guitarboy2828

I had someone bring it from the states, so I ended up paying about R1500. ? Definitely worth it hey..

clinton

I just picked up a Boss br-600 for R1500, basically new. Received it about 2 mins ago (now to just get this day over with so I can play)
Gotta love Gumtree!

This unit will fill the gap I need for a take anywhere small multitrack recorder that can also double as a field recorder.

DonovanB

clinton wrote: This unit will fill the gap I need for a take anywhere small multitrack recorder that can also double as a field recorder.

Battery life and card pending...

My card is a little small for my liking. But I don't really want to try recording a whole band practice with it again. :?

Challenge entries here you come...

Wizard

Battery life and card pending...

Power supply while you're at home ... rechargeable batteries for the field ...