Tascam 4-track Portastudio multitrack recorder 414 MkII

Tascam 4-track Portastudio multitrack recorder 414 MkII review. The Tascam 4-track Portastudio multitrack recorder 414 MkII is suitable as an introduction to multitrack recording, or as a 'notepad' for professional songwriters and musicians...

The Tascam 4-track Portastudio multitrack recorder 414 MkII is suitable as an introduction to multitrack recording, or as a 'notepad' for professional songwriters and musicians.

One particular advantage of the Tascam 4-track Portastudio multitrack recorder 414 MkII is that it works like a professional recording studio in miniature. So if you learn to use this piece of equipment, all you need to do to work in a pro studio is scale up your knowledge - not re-learn everything from scratch.

Although this machine uses cassette tape rather than new-fangled computer trickery, its simplicity means it works straightaway every time you switch on. It doesn't crash and doesn't give you "Error - file not saved" messages.

The quality of the double-speed tape transport is well in advance of what you would normally expect from cassettes, particularly in terms of frequency response and low noise level.

There are two XLR inputs for microphones, and a special electric guitar input. Guitars do need these special inputs or they can sound dull.

This machine is very suitable for people who just want to get on and record, rather than endlessly mess with the equipment.

Features

• 4 track recorder with 8 input mixer
• 4 mic/line input channels
• 2 stereo inputs
• 2 XLR mic inputs
• HiZ guitar input
• 2 effect sends
• 2 band EQ on each channel
• 3 3/4 ips high tape speed
• dbx noise reduction
• Optional RC-30P punch-in pedal

User comments

• "A friend of mine had told me about using just the mixer section of it to mix my sounds because I don't have a standard mixer yet. I've bought the 414 last year and only recorded one song using it. Now, it's sitting next to my computer as a "thru box" for my sounds. Just to see if I can route "digital" audio back to and thru my Sound Blaster sound card and get "digital" sound, of course, it worked unbelievably well!! All 16 bits, 44.1 kHz of it!! So I got my synthesizer audio outs connected to it as well as audio outs of my sound card. Then re-route it back to my DAW for further processing. Plus, for vocals, it has both balanced/unbalanced connections for mics (I also got Digitech's Vocalist too). When you're strapped for cash, use what you've got already and take a different approach at using it. Believe me on this one!!"
• "I would like to use 414s or something similar for the rest of my musical career. I have no interest in studio recordings, as I can make near-studio quality analog recordings myself on my 414. I recorded nine albums with it. Although it wore out, it was dearly loved, and I will soon be the proud owner of a new one."
• "This Analog equipment is great for just recording your songs as a demo or for personal use. You get a lot of quality for the price, but a few more features should have been added...like a mid EQ. The dbx noise reduction takes you one step closer to clearing the sound to digital, but still not quite there. This product is great."