WTF! Tascam DP-24SD Digital Portastudio

[Fade]

Ok so I guess I've been out of the loop for the past while, but Tascam is still making Portastudios??? That's crazy.

The last time I used a Portastudio was in 1998 and it was a 4 track with a cassette. But with everything being done on computers nowadays, I'm really surprised that they're still doing these.

I think it's great though because with controllers like Maschine and Renaissance (and many others), more beatmakers and producers are looking to get away from the PC and focus on the music with their ears. Having a Portastudio too would be great.

What I think is great about this is the price - $399 for a 24-track board, wtf!

But here's the question I'm asking myself: is this good for Hip Hop production? I can totally see live instruments being recorded on this unit, but for electronic-based production? I don't know.

Take for example, Maschine. Obviously, everything is done in the software, so how can something like that integrate into the Tascam Portastudio? Because for only $399, it seems like a steal, but I'm just curious if this can actually break into the electronic music market.

• Here's the Tascam DP-24SD on Amazon
• I can only find the 32-track on the Tascam site

What do you think?

 

[NaturalStateMus]

Peace, yes the 24 is getting harder to find. I'm thinking about selling my Fostex VF-16 to get the 32. But can it be used? Yes it can! My setup consists of a PCI soundcard running the light pipe I/O of the Fostex. So using the mixer side I have hardware gear plugged into it. Keyboards, MPC, Sampler. Now I can use effects from the Fostex if I choose. I have the Fostex synchronized to my DAW so I can go back and forth easily. So, in essence, if I choose not to turn on the PC, I can still come back and track it later. Portability, I can take it to a friends house, record, and track it out. On the fly scratch pad, alot of times I would just record ideas, mixes, or the whole beat. Nothing like turning it on and hitting play and you got beat after beat after beat. I believe Kev Brown still uses one. But with these new units, to be able to leave the unit and just take the sd card is good.

 

[Fade]

See, that's good for a setup that you have with the MPC, keyboard, sampler, etc. However, if someone is solely focused on PC production (like using Maschine) then how can this mixer integrate?

 

[NaturalStateMus]

You could compose live using the built in metronome making loops, and copy/paste to build arrangements. (Old School) Lol...Or sync the parts to separate tracks. Then you could add vocals, drops, instruments or whatever once you get it going. Again...it's an old way to work, but people still like to do it. But the main thing about it is the portability, and working without a computer. One other thing, I feel that professional engineers would seem to prefer tracking a Unit versus loading up into a DAW because of compatibility issues. You could do a OMF file...but I think it's easier to just sync the unit. I'm definitely not a professional though. (smile)

 

[Fade]

That's the thing - I know about the old way of doing it but I think that's the only way for someone that's computer-based to be able to use it.

For example, I could record myself playing stuff on Maschine, one track/group at a time. Something like that.

But having it integrate into a computer-based setup, I don't see it. Maybe I'll check the manual and see if there's some info on it.

 

[NaturalStateMus]

I feel you. Besides synchronization, using the onboard effects, and transfers with the sd card, that's about it. But I realized the other day there's no digital outs. I see RCA, but no digital. I guess if someone was in the market for a mixer, it would be useful too.

 

[Fade]

I just think that it's great because I remember using a 4-track portastudio, but I can only see it being used for those using lots of instruments.

 

[OriginalNoGuru]

I've thought a couple of times about getting another multitracker and an MPC 1000/2500 and getting rid of the computer altogether...
There's a lot of time spent (I imagine by a few of us) resolving computer issues that could be better served in a hardware setup....
I've had a few portastudios; tape from Yamaha & Tascam as well as a HDR Akai DPS12i and I do kinda miss the workflow...

You could compose live using the built in metronome making loops, and copy/paste to build arrangements. (Old School) Lol...

This is kinda how I work on Maschine anyway due to its lack of linear sequencer...
I recently started mixing drumgroup and then copying that group (with fx/eq) to another group then I can edit the patterns and switching the groups in and out for fills/dropouts etc.

Quite a weird way of working... Wouldn't do it that way with a linear sequencer for sure!