Ozzy Pete Depends what music you make, what setup you use and what you’re wanting to do with the controller. I make mostly Rock music but also do synth/electronic/dance stuff too. I run Reaper and Ableton. Reaper mainly for the Rock stuff, although most stuff gets written and demoed in Ableton first anyway, as it’s Session view is amazing for composing/arranging. I use a NI Komplete M32 keyboard. Great feeling keys, plus it has transport controls - play, rec, stop, restart, metronome, tap tempo, loop, undo/redo, quantise and there’s a jog wheel plus 8 knobs that can control track faders and also pan controls. It also controls all the NI software instruments, and gives you access to chord modes, scale modes, arp modes etc through the Komplete Kontrol software. I also use a Launchpad Mini Mk2 that I picked up brand new for around £20. It essentially has 4 modes that can all be used at the same time. 1. You can use the pads to control Ableton’s session view and launch clips. 2. You can use the pads to play instruments. 3. You can set any midi mappable controls in your DAW to the pads, including faders/knobs. 4. You can arm tracks, solo tracks, control level faders, control pans, control effect send levels etc which is all separate to the controls you’ve also set up in mode number 3. I find that they work really well together, great for composing and creating new ideas, plus provide “hands on” controls and get the job done when it comes to tracking quickly! They both run off USB too and can be put into a bag with my Laptop and so the whole setup is totally portable!
This really interests me. I started on a portastudio in the 80’s & this ultimately led me to a 24 year career as a studio owner. I’m retired from music production now - everything from 2 studio locations is sold - but this looks like a fun way to return to my roots and putz around at home, just like when I first started out.
I'm SO happy to see Tascam do this. As much as I love DAWs and all that stuff these are great for recording a band practice or recording with limitations... and that can be cool as you can't overthink stuff. I'd highly recommend these if you love the hands on aspect too. I really hated how the old digital portable studios evolved as everything was hidden in menus. This is the complete opposite, everything on a knob right where you'd expect it to be! I'll be buying one!!! 👌
Wow Pete brilliantly demonstrated, this is home multi-tracking 101, great explanations of EQ and effects, and your guitar tones are impeccable. Way better than a typical sales pitch product demo! As a prolific Portastudio user through the 80s and 90s I totally appreciate this machine, I think I need it!
I have this and love it. Using this as a standalone recorder is a blast, and you can do so completely free from a laptop if you wish. Bouncing tracks any way you wish is dirt simple once you understand how to record a mix to the Main stereo tracks (11/12) and then move that wherever you wish. The workflow is different from your old 4 track but the result is the same. I haven't been able to sync it with Logic using MIDI, if anyone has that figured out I'd love to see a video! Currently I am bypassing the internal recording and using Logic as my tape and drum machine and feeding the tracks output back into the Tascam. I prefer this over using the Tascam as a controller for Logic, which has always felt gimicky to me with other hardware in the past. This is the songwriting solution I was looking for to keep me looking at a DAW as little as possible and listening more. All the flexibility of the DAW is there when I need it, but in the creative phase it's just a tape machine and everything goes through the Tascam for EQ, compression and reverb. I can also easily record the Logic tracks to multiple tracks (or a stereo mix or any combination of the 2) of the Tascam to have a completely self contained working mix of the song to work with on the Tascam alone. Easy! Two headphone jacks is great and they are both powerful enough output wise to let you play drums or anything else while monitoring the mix through the headphones as loud as you need. Likewise, for internal recording on the Tascam, the onboard click is also plenty loud enough, which was a major drawback on some of their older multitracks where you just couldn't get much volume in the headphones. Bluetooth is a game changer, so useful in too many ways to describe (jamming with Napster, using an iPhone drum machine, importing old ideas from your Dropbox -- with no y adapters or anything, just pair it up and there it is on tracks 9/10). Just about everything that's important to me, audio wise, the Tascam makes easier and more fun, and something I can do without the endless distractions of fiddling with just a laptop. Just wanted to share some thoughts. All in all I love it, and recommend it highly!
I first used this with a very old 2GB sd card and the write time after recording was quite slow. After upgrading to a 21st century card, it works awesome as a standalone and records almost instantaneously. This thing rules!
@@kentwood9821 If you record with a metronome (bluetooth from phone) or with a drum pedal or something you can get a tight BPM which'll work with MIDI. I'm sure you've figured it out by now. :) A fast SD card is key!
You have certain advantages using this: A: You have hands-on control instead of grabbing your mouse and move the cursor to click a button and, B: You can record your ideas when they strike you instead having to turn on your computer, start your DAW and setup etc. Plus, the portability as you mentioned. And if you want more detailed editing you can upload everything to your computer and tweak as much as you like. Nice piece of gear!
A refurbished £150 laptop absolutely wipes the floor with this. So does an iPad. Both are up and running and ready to record in seconds and both of them fit in a bag, so are highly portable. Just buy a cheap midi controller (also highly portable) for hands on controls. Job done.
I can see the advantages - but ever since I switched from Avid to Focusrite life has been a bliss. No hardware issues, no driver issues, no CPU stress, no crashes, super transparent mic amps. This seems like a lot of hardware for the money which worries me for departments mentioned above.
George Kollaros You didn’t mention that in your original post, which is obviously what I was responding to! But yeah, if you want to record 12 pieces of external gear simultaneously to individual tracks then, this would do the job, However, you’d still be far better off using a CPU and investing in higher quality outboard gear. One of the other problems with an “all in one” bit of kit like this is that, if one part of it breaks then the whole thing becomes useless.
These are great bits of kit. One thing you can also do is that once you've recorded something you can import the WAV files straight from the SD card into Logic tracks for later tweaking/mixing, or set up a loop in the DAW and then play it back through the Tascam whilst recording other tracks. It's enormously versatile in this regard.
I can’t even imagine how many hours my friends and I used a PortaStudio in the 80’s and 90’s. It’s a great looking unit and could see it being an amazing tool to take live loopers to another level. In a band setting the ability to just plug in and hit record will no doubt keep the inspiration there just like Tascam PortaStudio used to. Annnnd it’s a huuuge bang for the buck! Killer piece of gear. Thanks for the demo!
I used a Tascam 688 throughout the 90s for my home studio. It did a decent job. No internal effects. It was able to remotely mute channels which helped a lot with the noise buildup. No phantom power so I had to use some mics with batteries built in. I was able to use track 8 for syncing an external sequencer. I stepped into the DAW world and lent it out to a friend. Now I’m trying to get it back and fix it up.
I have two 488's (mk 1 and 2) and am so stoked to see this Model 12. I now have a 32 ch board from the 80's going into PT. This unit is perfect also as a way to introduce more recent generations to the fluidity of having faders and knobs available and how recording was done (and still done in pro studios). Thanks Pete!
What a great video. Just ordered the Tascam Model 24 - i'm also of the generation that remembers the old tape portastudios and kind of yearn back for the simplicity and hands on real knobs and sliders. But videos like this really help folks like me ensure the product is going to live up to my expectations. Thanks
Brilliant vid, have a Model 12 in hand today, setting it all up, just can't beat the tactile feeling, thanks Tascam, thanks Pete, no more mouse clicking for me.
Grew up (in terms of learning mixing!) with TASCAM portastudios. Still find myself wanting to go back to that format because (a) my brain just prefers thinking of music as a linear song and (b) tactile control kicks ass in most ways because you aren't limited to tweaking one parameter at a time.
Great vid! That song demo you made is fantastic. Great explanation. I too am Gen-X and remember my first Tascam MiniStudio 4! I made a gazillion songs on that thing and have been looking to get out of DAW mode (for initial songwriting) and back to the basics. I love it. I spent years making synth songs with various DAWs over the years and can do the DAW thing when I'm ready to nerd out and finalize production, but that's a totally different headspace for me. Getting back to basics has been amazing now that a few of these mixers can record separate tracks all on the mixer itself. Brill. I picked up a Model 24 myself. Thanks again! You've got some killer chops!
My Tascam 246 Portastudio still sits in the "museum" section of my studio lol! Still works and I still have cassettes haha! Cool Demo TASCAM always makes great gear.
My trusty original Tascam 144 still works. I ran into a female vocalist I had produced in the 80's, she had forgotten the she recorded the song and never received a copy. I searched my ton of 4trk cassettes and found the recording, loaded it into my Teac 144 bounced it down into the computer just to make an mp3 and emailed her a copy for her birthday. She was floored on how great the recording sounded after over 40 years ago. This process reminded me of how fat and luscious recordings sounded using tape. Now i am considering purchasing an reel to reel recorder to track through then upload to the computer for mixing.
Just picked up the model 12 primarily for an accompaniment to the MPC One. Finding out there's so much more you can do with the MTR tools. Great explanation video!! Thanks Pete!
Great overview and demo! Tascam's line is really good right now - they've got everything covered. I think the Model 12 at $600 is very fairly priced, and I like how they have the 12, the 16, and the 24. I went the other route and bought the Tascam US 16x8 which has 16 channels for recording for only $300. I like the Model line for input capture, but I have to admit I'd much rather mix in the box.
Hi, Pete! And to think I was considering selling off my BOSS BR1600, a similar stand alone recorder; your video talked me out of it! The Tascam unit is proof that there are many ways to create/record songs. Thanks for that killer demo and good luck with the Guitar World collaboration; look forward to it.
Great demo! I’ve been on the fence with this thing. I never got into computer recording and prefer a simpler on board set up like the old 4 track I used to use. This keeps looking better and better with different people demoing it. This is probably the most straightforward into to basic recording with this. Thanks! 🙏
Great video, Pete! We're worlds apart in terms of musical styles, but really enjoyed your jam, as well the detail you went into. Reminder of days past indeed! Looks like a nice piece of kit
Excellent video, the best ive seen yet on Master 12 not to mention your chops..The Tascam Porta Studio 4 track didn't come out until I was 25...I jumped on it & a Yamaha DX-7 & Boss Drum machine & I eventually opened a nice demo studio in South Nashville by 88 ..Danny & Frankie Toler wouod play on my ideas & id give them allxthe time they wanted for free..What an experience they were truly gifted players, even Gregg showed up a time or two & we hung out at my studio on the night of the Allman Brothers reunion in 87.( my studio was less than 5 miles from venue) Starwood amphitheater at Charlie Daniels volunteer jam..It was quit a night to remember..We were hoping Frakie would get a chance to play drums but we already knew that Jaimo was back ( and better than ever) so we hung out & walked all over the place & picked up some " party favors" with legs & it was all in good fun.. I sold everything in 95 I believe & got a real job but now I'm retired & play bass & keyboards everyday.Im strictly an analog guy but this looks amazingly simple & I may pull it off ..It could also be used to dictate a book I'm rewriting..I'm rambling..Thanks
Excellent demo…just bought a Model 12 and looking forward to use it…little intimidating at first but should be ok! Thanks for sharing.. be safe.. Cheers
Man i sold my Tascam DP40 last year amd i miss it bad. So productive. Simple. This thing has all the bells. Built in click, compression on each channel, looping, mid sweep. Wonder if it has the same amazing mastering feature as the DP40 did. BTW i learned more about mixing in this 5 min vid than most mixing tutorial...lol
Wow! I used one of these for years 10 years ago! Never thought I’d see a comeback to hard track recorders! Must admit I found it easier to record with actual faders and knobs rather than digital ones which drive me crazy if I hit the wrong shortcut!
Reminds me a lot of my Zoom HD-16 from 2007. HD recorders have grown into portable DAWs and now people are paying twice the price of a 24 track recorder to buy a mixer with built in recorder to use as a multi track recorder because of its simplicity... My Zoom HD-16 was $1000 back in 2007 and it's still doing great, 17 years later!
I just got one of these and it seems very promising. It even controlled Ableton on my old ass 2010 laptop running 8.5. It also works well with my Akai Force and MPC Live. It's super flexible - able to be used in so many unique ways. Thanks for this video, Pete!
Pete,Pete,Pete!!!! I love everything you do and I got my entire setup through Uad 2 vids back in 2014. Every once in a while a song, riff or tone will lend itself to a feeling or a memory. This made my hairs stand and I know that this is what we all strive for. I think you`ve stepped your game up ten fold ever since The Rock Show tour before Covid 19 hit. This already added to your stellar playing that is.
You just sold me. Great demo video. This is way above any Porta-Studio I ever owned or used. I graduated from Porta-Studios to 1/2" TASCAM 38 back in the late 80s, and then to the DA-88 in the 90s, but this blows both of them away in terms of audio quality...and it doesn't weigh 80 pounds. I've been waiting years for TASCAM to come up with something like this. Being old-school, I need knobs and faders and a minimum of menus, but still wanted an all-in-one. This is the machine I've been waiting for. Thanks.
Pete Thorn Those were such fun times for me! Early band stuff when I was in high school on a little Tascam 4-track cassette recorder, bouncing tracks down, putting our cabs in the bathtub, pointed at the tiles... 🤣
I use multiple instruments when recording, synths, bass, guitars. I only have a two channel USB interface, so a lot of plugging and unplugging. Would be great to leave everything plugged in. Looking forward to checking this out. Cheers.
The big selling point on the Tascams is recording sans computer - if you don't need that, make sure to check out the Soundcraft Signature MTK series. Analog mixer instead of digital (on the MTK 12 vs the Model 12) and about $100 cheaper.
I did soooooo much with The Fostex A8. I literally made my album with it. I recorded evrything in my bedroom. Unplugged it, took it down to a 24 track and finished it, mixed it and ta da!!!!😂❤
I used to record my band rehearsals on a Tascam 488. I still like those recordings better than anything we did in the studio. Just 4 mics placed well. I can't wait to get one of these.
One of the first recordings in 1990 I did was with a rented Tascam 238 Syncaset Deck 8-Track cassette deck and a small mixer from good ol' Long and Mcquade. I recently bought one of those 238's off eBay to listen to those old recordings. A lot can be said for having hardware recording devices. I love the hands-on of older gear. I even have a few Tascam DA-88s. I'm a sucker for vintage gear...lol. This unit looks like it has the best of all worlds with DAW export and controller functions. Nice touch with the wood style trim on the Model 12... very retro vibe. If it's a Tascam, I already dig it.
@@timmorris5117 Yeah-- It is surprising what those 238 Syncaset decks are going for now. Even really bashed up 238 units are pricey. The used gear sellers are marketing them as "get that analog tape sound", even though it is cassette tape and reel-to-reel. I lucked out, the 238 Syncaset deck I ended up buying off eBay was under a grand and in very decent shape for a deck that is 30 year old technology. the seller was another musician that was transferring his old recordings off his cassette tape library. To be honest, the tascam portasound and Sycraset decks still sound pretty good for getting all that sonic bandwidth on a little cassette. Tascam really knew how to get a lot out of the cassette tape media. We fooled a recording studio producer back in 1990 that thought we had tracked to a reel-to-reel machine. And Bruce Springsteen recorded his entire "Nebraska" album on a Portastudio. That says a lot for the quality of Tascam products.
Thanks Pete! I was researching a Tascam Model 24 (too many synths!) and lo and behold, a trusted reviewer is showing me the way :) I’m going to use the USB interface so I can send soft synths and superior drummer to the Tascam and set those channels to “PC” and record acoustic guitars or my OX on top of them, sending back to the pro Tools via the Tascam. It seems so versatile.
@@GuidoGautsch Guido so far I have not tried that. I have all my synths, plugged in. My Rhodes and a pedal steel guitar plug into the instrument hi-z inputs, and the stereo output of the ox is plugged in the Tascam. Then I can bring all that back,with Tascam compression if needed, on two cables to my audio interface. I haven’t tried sending from my DAW yet and recording on the Tascam. I have too many projects entered around my pedal boards (I should just hire Mason at Vertex to help me haha). Keep up your good work!
I was a little surprised when tascam came out with this new line of recorders, but I'm glad they did just to keep old school style recording available. I personally hate any kind of recording that is computer based. I use the tascam dp 24 which for now is still available for under 500 bucks. That's an insane price for what you get. You can get any tone, sound quality you want. With 8 inputs all my go to equipment is always ready to go. Great mixer and effects too. I personally dont want to loop or cut and paste anything. Once in a great while I'll punch in a mistake but rarely. Just keep doing live takes till I get the best I can do. If you dig it I'm happy cause it's real with mo tricks! If it sucks well at least I wasn't fooling ys with some midi'ed machine made trickery.
Yes , I am glad they are still developing these all in one recorders. They are more analog in style and more like using a mixing board. I prefer them to computer recording. Thanks
What a neat unit…definitely a throwback portastudio ! I still have the X55 ( first Tascam 4 track cassette recorder) from the early 80’. You sold me …I’m getting one. Looks very elegant if that matters! I like the integration with different DAWS. I have a Presonus 16.0.2 that never got use too, and is going for sale! Thanks for sharing.. Be safe. Cheers..
I WANT ONE! I have a Tascam DP-008EX and, dont get me wrong, it's great, but 12 tracks with that many XLR jacks on the back, plus full EQ onboard without running around menus. It is a MUST have on my list. Thanks for the revue and making my wallet anemic again!
It's funny the rambling on about this, that and the other. This is a great way for musicians to put down ideas, rehearse and create. Yes everyone is running pc with plugins and all that extra hardware. It seems that us older school fella's appreciate the simplicity in this because if ya grew up way back when all you had was a little tascam 4 track tape recorder that did a pretty darn good job for a practicing or low budget musician then I guess everyone with a pc and recording software has it all figured out. If you had this in the 80's sitting in your basement you would do cartwheels, backflips and be the happiest man or woman alive. Thanks Tascam for all the years of letting us be creative with your gear. Cheers!!! 😜🎸🔊🎶
While I have a much more sophisticated setup these days, I'll admit that these have me feeling nostalgic. These look like the perfect blend between classic and current features, and agree that these should be a perfect tool for band situations.
Wow, I have read the discussion about this Tascam vs a laptop etc with great interest and learned a good bit. I am looking for a way to conveniently record my trio/4 piece band at gigs. This looks perfect. Currently, I have a Soundcraft M12 which is great for a live board. The direct outs are nice but I am limited to 8 tracks at a time by my Zoom R16. Plus I have to plug it in and connect it up. To just set up the soundboard and hit record seems very attractive. I would then load the live recorded tracks into my DAW and mix down to upload on UA-cam. Thanks all for your lively discussions!
I love the idea of product. My Fostex 4 track from 1988 is still probably the best piece of gear I’ve ever owned. Used it literally everyday for 10 years! I miss those simple days...... 😩
When Def Leppard was in the early stages of producing demos for 'Hysteria', they were using Fostex X-15's which are two track recorder/mixers. They talked about how they worked around the track limit to accompany everything but the drums. The concept of a built-in recorder/player is perfect for musicians who want to record without the need for a DAW. I think it's great that it's being embraced again by other companies such as Zoom and Roland.
It seems this could be a decent solution to using backing tracks live with the band for shows, instead of risking bringing your expensive laptop and an interface on stage.
I absolutely love this ... WOW! I have a Yamaha Montage 7 WH 2020 model and this will work brilliantly for just recording some tracks and sing to them I suppose. Thanks a million Pete
I like tactile boards...I still use 1/2" analog tape for recording. I do wish Tascam would start making reel-to-reels again...I just like having the choice.
There still is nothing like having a physical interface with sliders and knobs. I hate trying to do that with a mouse.
Buy a midi controller then!
@@shininglevels5453 Which one?
Ozzy Pete Depends what music you make, what setup you use and what you’re wanting to do with the controller.
I make mostly Rock music but also do synth/electronic/dance stuff too. I run Reaper and Ableton. Reaper mainly for the Rock stuff, although most stuff gets written and demoed in Ableton first anyway, as it’s Session view is amazing for composing/arranging.
I use a NI Komplete M32 keyboard. Great feeling keys, plus it has transport controls - play, rec, stop, restart, metronome, tap tempo, loop, undo/redo, quantise and there’s a jog wheel plus 8 knobs that can control track faders and also pan controls. It also controls all the NI software instruments, and gives you access to chord modes, scale modes, arp modes etc through the Komplete Kontrol software.
I also use a Launchpad Mini Mk2 that I picked up brand new for around £20. It essentially has 4 modes that can all be used at the same time. 1. You can use the pads to control Ableton’s session view and launch clips. 2. You can use the pads to play instruments. 3. You can set any midi mappable controls in your DAW to the pads, including faders/knobs. 4. You can arm tracks, solo tracks, control level faders, control pans, control effect send levels etc which is all separate to the controls you’ve also set up in mode number 3.
I find that they work really well together, great for composing and creating new ideas, plus provide “hands on” controls and get the job done when it comes to tracking quickly! They both run off USB too and can be put into a bag with my Laptop and so the whole setup is totally portable!
I think many agree with you!!
Amen!!!!
This really interests me. I started on a portastudio in the 80’s & this ultimately led me to a 24 year career as a studio owner. I’m retired from music production now - everything from 2 studio locations is sold - but this looks like a fun way to return to my roots and putz around at home, just like when I first started out.
You must have seen some changes in your career! Sad all those studios are gone, but good for home studios with all the affordable gear available
As a mix to full master tool the 2488 neo and the DS 24 or 32 are better.
My parents wouldn’t buy me one of those old ones, so I used to use to tape players and fake a 2-track recorder. Now I have my own studio!
I'm SO happy to see Tascam do this. As much as I love DAWs and all that stuff these are great for recording a band practice or recording with limitations... and that can be cool as you can't overthink stuff. I'd highly recommend these if you love the hands on aspect too. I really hated how the old digital portable studios evolved as everything was hidden in menus. This is the complete opposite, everything on a knob right where you'd expect it to be! I'll be buying one!!! 👌
Wow Pete brilliantly demonstrated, this is home multi-tracking 101, great explanations of EQ and effects, and your guitar tones are impeccable. Way better than a typical sales pitch product demo! As a prolific Portastudio user through the 80s and 90s I totally appreciate this machine, I think I need it!
Your guitar tones are incredible.
Thanks Eric!
That is because the guy can play😉👏
I have this and love it. Using this as a standalone recorder is a blast, and you can do so completely free from a laptop if you wish. Bouncing tracks any way you wish is dirt simple once you understand how to record a mix to the Main stereo tracks (11/12) and then move that wherever you wish. The workflow is different from your old 4 track but the result is the same. I haven't been able to sync it with Logic using MIDI, if anyone has that figured out I'd love to see a video! Currently I am bypassing the internal recording and using Logic as my tape and drum machine and feeding the tracks output back into the Tascam. I prefer this over using the Tascam as a controller for Logic, which has always felt gimicky to me with other hardware in the past. This is the songwriting solution I was looking for to keep me looking at a DAW as little as possible and listening more. All the flexibility of the DAW is there when I need it, but in the creative phase it's just a tape machine and everything goes through the Tascam for EQ, compression and reverb. I can also easily record the Logic tracks to multiple tracks (or a stereo mix or any combination of the 2) of the Tascam to have a completely self contained working mix of the song to work with on the Tascam alone. Easy! Two headphone jacks is great and they are both powerful enough output wise to let you play drums or anything else while monitoring the mix through the headphones as loud as you need. Likewise, for internal recording on the Tascam, the onboard click is also plenty loud enough, which was a major drawback on some of their older multitracks where you just couldn't get much volume in the headphones. Bluetooth is a game changer, so useful in too many ways to describe (jamming with Napster, using an iPhone drum machine, importing old ideas from your Dropbox -- with no y adapters or anything, just pair it up and there it is on tracks 9/10). Just about everything that's important to me, audio wise, the Tascam makes easier and more fun, and something I can do without the endless distractions of fiddling with just a laptop. Just wanted to share some thoughts. All in all I love it, and recommend it highly!
I first used this with a very old 2GB sd card and the write time after recording was quite slow. After upgrading to a 21st century card, it works awesome as a standalone and records almost instantaneously. This thing rules!
@@kentwood9821 If you record with a metronome (bluetooth from phone) or with a drum pedal or something you can get a tight BPM which'll work with MIDI. I'm sure you've figured it out by now. :) A fast SD card is key!
You have certain advantages using this: A: You have hands-on control instead of grabbing your mouse and move the cursor to click a button and, B: You can record your ideas when they strike you instead having to turn on your computer, start your DAW and setup etc. Plus, the portability as you mentioned. And if you want more detailed editing you can upload everything to your computer and tweak as much as you like. Nice piece of gear!
👍 and C: no email or social media to distract
A refurbished £150 laptop absolutely wipes the floor with this. So does an iPad. Both are up and running and ready to record in seconds and both of them fit in a bag, so are highly portable. Just buy a cheap midi controller (also highly portable) for hands on controls. Job done.
I can see the advantages - but ever since I switched from Avid to Focusrite life has been a bliss. No hardware issues, no driver issues, no CPU stress, no crashes, super transparent mic amps. This seems like a lot of hardware for the money which worries me for departments mentioned above.
@@shininglevels5453 You didn't mention that you'll also need a 12-input audio interface to match the capabilities of this unit...
George Kollaros You didn’t mention that in your original post, which is obviously what I was responding to!
But yeah, if you want to record 12 pieces of external gear simultaneously to individual tracks then, this would do the job, However, you’d still be far better off using a CPU and investing in higher quality outboard gear. One of the other problems with an “all in one” bit of kit like this is that, if one part of it breaks then the whole thing becomes useless.
Yup. Had a Porta Studio 4track recorded my first demos on it. Ping Ponging Tracks etc... Old school for sure.
‘I’m sorry, Porta who?’ said the under 40’s cohort
@@meninatym435 I'm under 40 (by not a lot granted) my first recordings were made on a tascam prota studio 4 track!
Hardware gear also gets you making more music.
Probably because it's so direct and hands-on
Just got a model 12 (yesterday) and really enjoyed this excellent video, great demo, thank you so much!
Just bought a Tascam Model 12. This video was just what I needed. Thank you.
Finally ! I have been waiting for a classic old school digital board !!! For 20 years!!!
These are great bits of kit. One thing you can also do is that once you've recorded something you can import the WAV files straight from the SD card into Logic tracks for later tweaking/mixing, or set up a loop in the DAW and then play it back through the Tascam whilst recording other tracks. It's enormously versatile in this regard.
Nice to see Tascam still relevant - cool!
Still have my old Portastudio 4 track from the 80’s. Those were my first experiences recording tracks and mixing.
I can’t even imagine how many hours my friends and I used a PortaStudio in the 80’s and 90’s.
It’s a great looking unit and could see it being an amazing tool to take live loopers to another level.
In a band setting the ability to just plug in and hit record will no doubt keep the inspiration there just like Tascam PortaStudio used to.
Annnnd it’s a huuuge bang for the buck!
Killer piece of gear. Thanks for the demo!
Would live looping be good on this one?? It seems like you can layer certain regions if you like....
I used a Tascam 688 throughout the 90s for my home studio. It did a decent job. No internal effects. It was able to remotely mute channels which helped a lot with the noise buildup. No phantom power so I had to use some mics with batteries built in. I was able to use track 8 for syncing an external sequencer. I stepped into the DAW world and lent it out to a friend. Now I’m trying to get it back and fix it up.
I have two 488's (mk 1 and 2) and am so stoked to see this Model 12. I now have a 32 ch board from the 80's going into PT. This unit is perfect also as a way to introduce more recent generations to the fluidity of having faders and knobs available and how recording was done (and still done in pro studios). Thanks Pete!
Still use a tascam 2448.
What a great video. Just ordered the Tascam Model 24 - i'm also of the generation that remembers the old tape portastudios and kind of yearn back for the simplicity and hands on real knobs and sliders. But videos like this really help folks like me ensure the product is going to live up to my expectations. Thanks
Brilliant vid, have a Model 12 in hand today, setting it all up, just can't beat the tactile feeling, thanks Tascam, thanks Pete, no more mouse clicking for me.
Did u like it??????
Great demo. That was awesome. This is going on my wish list. Looks like a lot of fun!
Dammit man why you gotta make me want more gear.
Hey congrats on working with GuitarWorld mate!!!
I’ve been a fan since your Eruption lesson. Great channel!
Thank u!
Gotta say ive never really got on with any DAW and ive tried many and i do like the idea of an old school porta studio, you got me thinking now.
Grew up (in terms of learning mixing!) with TASCAM portastudios. Still find myself wanting to go back to that format because (a) my brain just prefers thinking of music as a linear song and (b) tactile control kicks ass in most ways because you aren't limited to tweaking one parameter at a time.
Great vid! That song demo you made is fantastic. Great explanation. I too am Gen-X and remember my first Tascam MiniStudio 4! I made a gazillion songs on that thing and have been looking to get out of DAW mode (for initial songwriting) and back to the basics. I love it. I spent years making synth songs with various DAWs over the years and can do the DAW thing when I'm ready to nerd out and finalize production, but that's a totally different headspace for me. Getting back to basics has been amazing now that a few of these mixers can record separate tracks all on the mixer itself. Brill. I picked up a Model 24 myself.
Thanks again! You've got some killer chops!
Great video!!! I’m getting mine today!!
Man first Pete you rock 🎸 and second you make the model 12 sound better...💯
My Tascam 246 Portastudio still sits in the "museum" section of my studio lol! Still works and I still have cassettes haha! Cool Demo TASCAM always makes great gear.
My trusty original Tascam 144 still works. I ran into a female vocalist I had produced in the 80's, she had forgotten the she recorded the song and never received a copy. I searched my ton of 4trk cassettes and found the recording, loaded it into my Teac 144 bounced it down into the computer just to make an mp3 and emailed her a copy for her birthday. She was floored on how great the recording sounded after over 40 years ago. This process reminded me of how fat and luscious recordings sounded using tape. Now i am considering purchasing an reel to reel recorder to track through then upload to the computer for mixing.
@@realmusic4you That's awesome! Yeah tape just sounds goooooood!
Man! What a beautiful memories, looking forward to buy one 😉
Just picked up the model 12 primarily for an accompaniment to the MPC One. Finding out there's so much more you can do with the MTR tools. Great explanation video!! Thanks Pete!
What a nice sounding unit! Seriously, it sounds great.
Thanks Pete for this great demo! I think the main advantage is to get fast results. Greetings from berlin.
Great overview and demo! Tascam's line is really good right now - they've got everything covered. I think the Model 12 at $600 is very fairly priced, and I like how they have the 12, the 16, and the 24. I went the other route and bought the Tascam US 16x8 which has 16 channels for recording for only $300. I like the Model line for input capture, but I have to admit I'd much rather mix in the box.
Hi, Pete! And to think I was considering selling off my BOSS BR1600, a similar stand alone recorder; your video talked me out of it! The Tascam unit is proof that there are many ways to create/record songs. Thanks for that killer demo and good luck with the Guitar World collaboration; look forward to it.
Portastudios made allot of famous artists great in the early days.
Vincent Chen practice practice practice!!!! LOL
Technique and talent and production.
Thank you for the review. Thats amazing work!
I still have my 244. Great review! Thanks
Great demo! I’ve been on the fence with this thing. I never got into computer recording and prefer a simpler on board set up like the old 4 track I used to use. This keeps looking better and better with different people demoing it. This is probably the most straightforward into to basic recording with this. Thanks! 🙏
Great video, Pete! We're worlds apart in terms of musical styles, but really enjoyed your jam, as well the detail you went into. Reminder of days past indeed! Looks like a nice piece of kit
Goooooood memories! I've recorded walls full of tapes on my old 4 track recorder. ❤️
I've always enjoyed the simplicity and speed of a portastudio back in the day and this new one sounds great!
Maestro Pete kills it yet again!!!
Thank's. Getting rid of my never used Zoom L12.
Excellent video, the best ive seen yet on Master 12 not to mention your chops..The Tascam Porta Studio 4 track didn't come out until I was 25...I jumped on it & a Yamaha DX-7 & Boss Drum machine & I eventually opened a nice demo studio in South Nashville by 88 ..Danny & Frankie Toler wouod play on my ideas & id give them allxthe time they wanted for free..What an experience they were truly gifted players, even Gregg showed up a time or two & we hung out at my studio on the night of the Allman Brothers reunion in 87.( my studio was less than 5 miles from venue) Starwood amphitheater at Charlie Daniels volunteer jam..It was quit a night to remember..We were hoping Frakie would get a chance to play drums but we already knew that Jaimo was back ( and better than ever) so we hung out & walked all over the place & picked up some " party favors" with legs & it was all in good fun.. I sold everything in 95 I believe & got a real job but now I'm retired & play bass & keyboards everyday.Im strictly an analog guy but this looks amazingly simple & I may pull it off ..It could also be used to dictate a book I'm rewriting..I'm rambling..Thanks
I've got massive trust issues with computers; this looks like a much more trustworthy format!
Yeah...I grew up with the Tascsm tape recorders. I NEVER got in to DAW recording. It wasn't nearly as fun. Something about these units.
Pete is so good, man. What a great demo on this Tascam Model.
Excellent demo…just bought a Model 12 and looking forward to use it…little intimidating at first but should be ok! Thanks for sharing.. be safe.. Cheers
Great video and great playing. I had an old tascam 4 track from the 80's that took a cassette. It was a lot of fun.
Man i sold my Tascam DP40 last year amd i miss it bad. So productive. Simple. This thing has all the bells. Built in click, compression on each channel, looping, mid sweep. Wonder if it has the same amazing mastering feature as the DP40 did. BTW i learned more about mixing in this 5 min vid than most mixing tutorial...lol
Its designed to integrate recording with a daw..so Mastering would be done outside of the mixer. :)
Beautiful and distinctive melodic music
Wow! I used one of these for years 10 years ago! Never thought I’d see a comeback to hard track recorders! Must admit I found it easier to record with actual faders and knobs rather than digital ones which drive me crazy if I hit the wrong shortcut!
Reminds me a lot of my Zoom HD-16 from 2007.
HD recorders have grown into portable DAWs and now people are paying twice the price of a 24 track recorder to buy a mixer with built in recorder to use as a multi track recorder because of its simplicity...
My Zoom HD-16 was $1000 back in 2007 and it's still doing great, 17 years later!
I just got one of these and it seems very promising. It even controlled Ableton on my old ass 2010 laptop running 8.5. It also works well with my Akai Force and MPC Live. It's super flexible - able to be used in so many unique ways. Thanks for this video, Pete!
Really great demo of this mixer. Playing is great too, also some nice tips on mixing (taking out low mids for clarity).
your really good actually putting it though its paces
thank you
Pete,Pete,Pete!!!! I love everything you do and I got my entire setup through Uad 2 vids back in 2014. Every once in a while a song, riff or tone will lend itself to a feeling or a memory. This made my hairs stand and I know that this is what we all strive for. I think you`ve stepped your game up ten fold ever since The Rock Show tour before Covid 19 hit. This already added to your stellar playing that is.
Thank you. Take me back.
Thanks for this Pete. This definitely pushed me to pick up this unit. Great demo!
Have some great memories of my Yamaha MT4x. Some of the best guitar tones I’ve ever recorded were on that machine.
You just sold me. Great demo video. This is way above any Porta-Studio I ever owned or used. I graduated from Porta-Studios to 1/2" TASCAM 38 back in the late 80s, and then to the DA-88 in the 90s, but this blows both of them away in terms of audio quality...and it doesn't weigh 80 pounds. I've been waiting years for TASCAM to come up with something like this. Being old-school, I need knobs and faders and a minimum of menus, but still wanted an all-in-one. This is the machine I've been waiting for. Thanks.
Can’t wait! I’ve been contemplating getting one of these.
It’s pretty cool! Really took me back to working on the early cassette machines
Pete Thorn
Those were such fun times for me! Early band stuff when I was in high school on a little Tascam 4-track cassette recorder, bouncing tracks down, putting our cabs in the bathtub, pointed at the tiles... 🤣
After just watching the video... sold LOL! The integration with Logic will do very nicely. That was the main reason I was interested with it.
Pete ure amazing, thanks for sharing this Tascam, I've used the Tascam 244 back in the mid 90's Love cheers 💚🙏☯️
I use multiple instruments when recording, synths, bass, guitars. I only have a two channel USB interface, so a lot of plugging and unplugging. Would be great to leave everything plugged in. Looking forward to checking this out. Cheers.
beware of the price point.
The big selling point on the Tascams is recording sans computer - if you don't need that, make sure to check out the Soundcraft Signature MTK series. Analog mixer instead of digital (on the MTK 12 vs the Model 12) and about $100 cheaper.
Great review Pete! Took me way back to the Port-a-Studio days. Really enjoy your work and your channel. Take care!
I did soooooo much with The Fostex A8. I literally made my album with it. I recorded evrything in my bedroom. Unplugged it, took it down to a 24 track and finished it, mixed it and ta da!!!!😂❤
Pete, very cool as always. Would love to see a higher end all in one of something like this.
I'm from the opposing team, I had a Yamaha MT8X back then, but still that's a product I want to try.
Same here and only just sold mine 3-4 years ago. Before they really skyrocketed in price...of course. Great machine.
I used to record my band rehearsals on a Tascam 488. I still like those recordings better than anything we did in the studio. Just 4 mics placed well. I can't wait to get one of these.
One of the first recordings in 1990 I did was with a rented Tascam 238 Syncaset Deck 8-Track cassette deck and a small mixer from good ol' Long and Mcquade. I recently bought one of those 238's off eBay to listen to those old recordings. A lot can be said for having hardware recording devices. I love the hands-on of older gear. I even have a few Tascam DA-88s. I'm a sucker for vintage gear...lol. This unit looks like it has the best of all worlds with DAW export and controller functions. Nice touch with the wood style trim on the Model 12... very retro vibe. If it's a Tascam, I already dig it.
I remember the 238! That was such a cool piece of gear.
I had one....still got some tapes but the machines are crazy money !
@@timmorris5117 Yeah-- It is surprising what those 238 Syncaset decks are going for now. Even really bashed up 238 units are pricey. The used gear sellers are marketing them as "get that analog tape sound", even though it is cassette tape and reel-to-reel. I lucked out, the 238 Syncaset deck I ended up buying off eBay was under a grand and in very decent shape for a deck that is 30 year old technology. the seller was another musician that was transferring his old recordings off his cassette tape library. To be honest, the tascam portasound and Sycraset decks still sound pretty good for getting all that sonic bandwidth on a little cassette. Tascam really knew how to get a lot out of the cassette tape media. We fooled a recording studio producer back in 1990 that thought we had tracked to a reel-to-reel machine. And Bruce Springsteen recorded his entire "Nebraska" album on a Portastudio. That says a lot for the quality of Tascam products.
Pete, thanks for doing such a thorough video for us at TASCAM. It looks like you were actually having fun.
Thanks! For sure I did!
Thanks Pete! I was researching a Tascam Model 24 (too many synths!) and lo and behold, a trusted reviewer is showing me the way :)
I’m going to use the USB interface so I can send soft synths and superior drummer to the Tascam and set those channels to “PC” and record acoustic guitars or my OX on top of them, sending back to the pro Tools via the Tascam. It seems so versatile.
That is very cool! Could you also use VST FX that way?
@@GuidoGautsch Guido so far I have not tried that. I have all my synths, plugged in. My Rhodes and a pedal steel guitar plug into the instrument hi-z inputs, and the stereo output of the ox is plugged in the Tascam. Then I can bring all that back,with Tascam compression if needed, on two cables to my audio interface. I haven’t tried sending from my DAW yet and recording on the Tascam. I have too many projects entered around my pedal boards (I should just hire Mason at Vertex to help me haha).
Keep up your good work!
Nice. Always cool when some technology; which was arguably a bit obsolete; gets tweaked and becomes a serious contender again!
Finally! A piece of gear that is very "familiar" to those of us that miss the old analog mixing boards!!!!
I was a little surprised when tascam came out with this new line of recorders, but I'm glad they did just to keep old school style recording available. I personally hate any kind of recording that is computer based. I use the tascam dp 24 which for now is still available for under 500 bucks. That's an insane price for what you get. You can get any tone, sound quality you want. With 8 inputs all my go to equipment is always ready to go. Great mixer and effects too. I personally dont want to loop or cut and paste anything. Once in a great while I'll punch in a mistake but rarely. Just keep doing live takes till I get the best I can do. If you dig it I'm happy cause it's real with mo tricks! If it sucks well at least I wasn't fooling ys with some midi'ed machine made trickery.
I bought the Tascam 24. It’s very cool. Easy to use.
That part with the red classic sounded absurdly good
I thought so too! Good ol 57 on a nice cab, great amp with a great guitar. And nice pic pre!
Yes , I am glad they are still developing these all in one recorders. They are more analog in style and more like using a mixing board. I prefer them to computer recording. Thanks
What a neat unit…definitely a throwback portastudio ! I still have the X55 ( first Tascam 4 track cassette recorder) from the early 80’. You sold me …I’m getting one. Looks very elegant if that matters! I like the integration with different DAWS. I have a Presonus 16.0.2 that never got use too, and is going for sale! Thanks for sharing.. Be safe. Cheers..
I WANT ONE! I have a Tascam DP-008EX and, dont get me wrong, it's great, but 12 tracks with that many XLR jacks on the back, plus full EQ onboard without running around menus. It is a MUST have on my list. Thanks for the revue and making my wallet anemic again!
It's funny the rambling on about this, that and the other. This is a great way for musicians to put down ideas, rehearse and create. Yes everyone is running pc with plugins and all that extra hardware. It seems that us older school fella's appreciate the simplicity in this because if ya grew up way back when all you had was a little tascam 4 track tape recorder that did a pretty darn good job for a practicing or low budget musician then I guess everyone with a pc and recording software has it all figured out. If you had this in the 80's sitting in your basement you would do cartwheels, backflips and be the happiest man or woman alive. Thanks Tascam for all the years of letting us be creative with your gear. Cheers!!!
😜🎸🔊🎶
I loved Porta Studio.. Bought It at Crazy Eddies ...
While I have a much more sophisticated setup these days, I'll admit that these have me feeling nostalgic. These look like the perfect blend between classic and current features, and agree that these should be a perfect tool for band situations.
Thanks mate!
Great Vid Pete, proper throw back to the good old days...... this did the job
I use a Tascam Pocketstudio DP-004. It was made in 2001 but I still love it. Sometimes computers kill creativity.
Wow, I have read the discussion about this Tascam vs a laptop etc with great interest and learned a good bit. I am looking for a way to conveniently record my trio/4 piece band at gigs. This looks perfect. Currently, I have a Soundcraft M12 which is great for a live board. The direct outs are nice but I am limited to 8 tracks at a time by my Zoom R16. Plus I have to plug it in and connect it up. To just set up the soundboard and hit record seems very attractive. I would then load the live recorded tracks into my DAW and mix down to upload on UA-cam. Thanks all for your lively discussions!
I could never go back to recording that way, but it really is a blast from the past. I was born in the early 80s so this was my youth. lol.
Nice review! I use a Tascam Model 24, similar to this, and really like it.
GREAT video Pete cannot wait to hear more !!
I had an original Model 144 and loved it.
Thank you 🙏 Awesome vid and very informative. Gonna buy one.😊
I love the idea of product. My Fostex 4 track from 1988 is still probably the best piece of gear I’ve ever owned. Used it literally everyday for 10 years! I miss those simple days...... 😩
When Def Leppard was in the early stages of producing demos for 'Hysteria', they were using Fostex X-15's which are two track recorder/mixers. They talked about how they worked around the track limit to accompany everything but the drums. The concept of a built-in recorder/player is perfect for musicians who want to record without the need for a DAW. I think it's great that it's being embraced again by other companies such as Zoom and Roland.
Great idea Pete. Guitar World is a great magazine.
It seems this could be a decent solution to using backing tracks live with the band for shows, instead of risking bringing your expensive laptop and an interface on stage.
I absolutely love this ... WOW! I have a Yamaha Montage 7 WH 2020 model and this will work brilliantly for just recording some tracks and sing to them I suppose. Thanks a million Pete
Congratulations! Wonderful job!!! Love it
I like tactile boards...I still use 1/2" analog tape for recording. I do wish Tascam would start making reel-to-reels again...I just like having the choice.
i just picked this up today this exactly why i wanted it...great for drum tracks into your daw