A (Personal) History of DAWless Recording Devices
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2024
- A few years into my DAWless journey, I reflect on the cassette and digital portastudios that I have used… and the reasons why I just bought a Tascam Model 12.
Featuring my takes on the following devices:
- Tascam DP-006
- Tascam DP-03SD
- Tascam Portastudio 424 mkii
- Unidentified “antique” Panasonic cassette player/recorder
Listen to my music at:
jordanseal.bandcamp.com/
/ jordanseal
#dawless #recording #tascam #portastudio #songwriter #songwriting #424 #dp006 #dp03sd #model12 - เพลง
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A few days later, I did some recording with the Tascam Model 12, and this video includes my first impressions of that device. th-cam.com/video/Hwhd27XWwhM/w-d-xo.html
I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one that has difficulty with DAWs. I’ve tried… but by the time I get everything set correctly, my creative juices are gone! I just want to hit the record button & go!
Thanks Jordan for telling us about your Dawless journey. I will be looking forward on the Tascam Model 12!!!
Big thanks! Very informative and extremely entertaining 😃
You have really made my day with this video. I have gained alot of information regarding recording options, which I plan to experiment with. Thanks
Love your review. Inspires me to break out my Boss BR-900. I'm so glad that I still have it. Everyone old is new again!
I keep coming back to this video 👍
Good news. When u finally decide being DAWless is not the solution, the Model 12 is one of the best DAW control surfaces on the planet
Yeah dawless is a retro fad.
@@jmiller08nah. I have a gorgeous Cubase setup. I use dawless as a sketching tool and a way to get my brain off of screens. Limitations can spark creativity.
@@StopWars420I prefer hands on vs feeling like I’m doing data entry in a dead end job
@@showbread9366 just use midi controllers. It's the same.
I was going to suggest watching Mike’s 424 channel and then you mentioned him near the end. Good luck with the Model 12!
I just picked up a Tascam 488 and honestly wish that I had picked up the Model 12.
Looking forward to more videos!
I love your content and this was a fantastic watch. Big up . If you say "Tascm" like that one more time my eyes are going to burst into flames and I'm going to collapse into a pool of blood which cannot be cleaned nor touched, as it is a portal to hell and it will continue to grow until it reaches you
🤣 Have you been talking to my wife? Apparently I started dropping vowels after my oldest kid was born... and it's getting worse. My south Mississippi ancestors must be speaking through me.
Thanks so much for watching!
@@JordanSealThanks for the great content! 🥳That's how it goes, you either become your parents, or I open one of my six mouths and sing the song that ends the earth (please give me money so I can buy more gear)
Tascm !
I had the same reaction! “tascm?” What is he talking about? Oh…. TasCAM! 😂
Congratulations on your Tascam model 12. Your old ”dawless” video inspired me to ger sh*t done. Saw your video, bought me a Tascam model 12 and one month later I had recorded an album with 11 songs. Just trying to figure out how ro master them outside the Tascam and then I’ll put it out there. Thanks for your inspiring videos. Now I’ll enjoy fillowing yourjourney with your Tascam model 12. And BTW. I really enjoy this device so today I starten recording my second album. Good luck and have fun // State
Amazing video man, I got a tascam dp03sd last weekend I really like it, making my first real ep on it over the next months.
Very cool journey
Looking forward to your further Model 12 adventures, hope you enjoy it. I got a Tascam Model 12 June 2021 and after no small learning curve can use about half of the features, about a fourth of the others I don't need. I play mostly guitar and mostly alone and it allows me to sing and play with lots of tracks and have great flexibility and sound quality. I still do some editing and mixing with Audacity on a pc but it is easy to transfer files back and forth with a 64G SD card. I was hoping for a low cost and easy to use setup and it has worked out great for me. I went from cassette to TEAC A3440 to this after 40 some years.
Great Video - I went thru the same jagged path - including going back from a Digital unit to a Tascam Cassette unit - because it was simpler and easier to use!! Like you, I have a new Tascam Model 12 I just bought...can't wait to start using it!
Glad to see someone serious about music. So much so to use a Playschool tape recorder. That's commitment! lol
Very helpful information
appreciate your knowledge
thanks alot!
Agree 100%. I use iPhone voice memo all the time to record ideas. Great video Jordan!
DAW is really the best for pro results and editing and recording. Many things you can do on the DAW that you cannot do on digital recorders like the "Tasc'm". That said, it's good to invest in external hardware, such as analogue mixers and a good tape recorder, such as the cassette tasc'm which runs at double speed I believe, or the multitracker 160 by fostex. This is because most of the software you get in DAW is inferior sounding to a good analogue mixer, and running certain elements of your mix through tape can also add mojo (I especially love it on drums, vocals and orchestral elements), as well as allow you to do tricks with the tape that cannot really be done with software, like ADT, and slowing down the tape for lofi/nasty quality, or even pitching it down. You can also blend the "wet" analogue and the "dry" digital sound for a unique blend.
However when it comes to doing most of your work, the DAW is better for working on, due to its superior recording and editing capabilities as well as the amount of tracks that are available.
I would love that you keep us updated on your narrative regarding the model 12 👍
Very good video BTW. I love your dynamic delivery.
@@Gear-Tube Thanks! I've made a video about my first experiences with the Model 12, and you can find that here if you're interested: th-cam.com/video/Hwhd27XWwhM/w-d-xo.html
I still have a lot to explore and learn, and I'll continue to make videos about that over the coming weeks. Stay tuned!
Really well-done, explanative video. You should be a TH-cam star!
This was really cool. I can totally see how you ended up with the unit you did. I'm going to follow your experience with it. I started out with an old tascam tape based unit, it wasn't a 424, it was smaller and white. I have fond memories of that time and I still have the tapes. Years later I got a boss br-864 which I used for quite a while and enjoyed. It had built in guitar sounds, effects, mastering and usb connectivity to copy the file to your computer. I got a lot of joy out of that unit. I've since transitioned to using a daw called Mixbus and I'm getting good results and enjoy it but I always feel a little pull to go back to dawless now and again.
This brought back some memories. My band used to record demos on a four track Yamaha MT120 portastudio in the mid- to late 90s, and I still remember all the careful planning needed to make good sounding bounces to free up tracks for more recording, as every bounce introduced more tape hiss and a general drop in sound quality. It was obviously very primitive by todays' standards, but that machine made more ambitious demos possible without having to pay for studio time, and we had a lot of fun experimenting and learning how to get the best results from it. Today I have an old Yamaha MT50 four track gathering dust under my bed. Some day I'll start going through all the tapes (I haven't recorded with it for over 20 years - god knows what I'll find), but I plan to get my proper laptop based home studio up and running first. Hopefully it'll work as intended, but if not I might consider a DAWless digital solution in the end. I have been tempted by the simplicity many times over the years, but never quite felt brave enough to say no to all the bells and whistles available in a DAW solution.
I remember doing a lot of albums with the Zoom R8. That was a nice unit! Kinda wish i still had it lol
Great video!
I had a Panasonic cassette player very similar to that. I also had the early TASCAM (lol) porta-studio. They were great tools for music.
Would definitely love to hear what you think of the Model 12! The Model 24 was high on my list but I pulled the trigger on an old Zoom R24. The R24 has a lot of the features you mentioned and its been pretty fun to work on it so far. Just doesn't have the best preamps so I had to buy a small xlr pre amp to boost the signal. Im sure there will be a few Model 12's or 24's around if this unit doesnt hold up but until then it's at least got plenty of tracks and effects to keep me busy for awhile. All the best!
Get to work. I use DAWless as well. Love to see how you mix down vocals.
I picked up a DP-006 during the pandemic but have never gotten around to recording anything on it. Maybe I should finally use the thing. Thanks for the vid.
Greating from Motown Jordan. Just stumbled on your video as I watch all kinds of TascAAm 😂 videos. I still have my original Porta One with a broken motor, my 424mk1 still works great, the DP-03 that you have, and I just got the DP-24 early last year. Boy, what a learning curve that beast has. I wanted to take a sledgehammer to it!!! Now, my workflow is getting faster and I'm starting to have fun with it. I do like the mastering feature on it, but youre right on, that Model 12 will be more user friendly, then you'll have to master inside the box.
I got the DP-24 used for a nice price of $250. The guy that sold it to me told me he upgraded to a Model 24. Hope you enjoy yours man. Looking forward to your upcoming videos.
Y'all have uncovered my dark secret: that I have no idea how to pronounce Tasc'm. But now, there's no turning back 😂
I'm glad to hear your experience with the DP-24. After good experiences with the smaller DP units, I debated for months about whether to go with a bigger one... and I was mainly deterred by sense that it relies on the digital screen and menus. I much prefer the physical knobs, even though there's a trade-off. (That physical space could be given to more processing power.) And honestly, I would have gotten over it if I'd found one for $250: what a deal!
Do you still use the 424? If so, what role does it play in your workflow?
@@JordanSeal I am playing around with the 424. I've got all kinds of tunes I need to get off the master cassettes to preserve. Since I don't have a daw, I'm planning on importing the 4 tracks onto tracks 1 thru 8 on the DP-24. Like track 1 from the 424 onto tracks 1-2 on the 24trk, the track 2 onto 3&4, and so on. Then I plan on adding any eq, panning, and compression adjustments when mixing and mastering. I've got it all set up but need to clean the heads and de-mag, then start dumping the tunes into the DP-24. That's my plan anyway. I haven't found anyone doing it this way, but I'm going to give it a go.
Good luck with your Model 12. That thing is beautiful!!! In the DP units, when mixing if you want to change panning on the fly for some creative panning tricks, you have to open the damn screen, and pan the individual track. On your Model 12, you have a knob!!! I know what you mean about menu diving. Take care man. ✌
I just listened to 'Long Goodbye' on your Bandcamp page, heheh, Nicely Done! I have one of those tiny Tascam recorders, fun! I will be interested in what you have to say about the Model 12.
I'm a big fan of the Roland VS2400 and 2480 all in one digital recorders. It's the closest thing to a DAW without being one, yet still gives you the ability to produce professional results and you can even use professional plug ins made for the Roland VS. I did my first demo "album" back in 1995 on a Tascam 4 track cassette recorder and it was fun and simple to use, but sooooo frustrating with the limited tracks and having to bounce all the time to free up two more tracks. Lol.......
The creative decisions you have to make when confined to limited track counts and the process of bouncing are really important and integral, I think, to making good music.
I started by playing one cassette machine into another while playing an instrument along with it, swapping cassettes and repeating. Very low audio quality but fun, out of desperation lol...
@@yodab.at1746 - Same here. I also started recording going from one cassette machine into another before getting my first Tascam 4 track. Lol
Yes, having to bounce tracks definitely makes you think about what's important for the song, though I still like not having to worry about that anymore.
@@IKARIANOFFICIAL 👍 true
It was your previous DAW-less video that brought me here, hope you're going to give us a rundown on the Model 12 when you've had a play with it. Still perfectly happy with my DP-008ex, but, always interesting to see what tech I might consider buying five years down the line. 👍
Definitely! I still haven't even opened the box because... you know... life. But I'm eager to test it, and I'll certainly report back. Thanks!
I started in 1983 when you didn't have a choice and loved my Porta studios and 8 / 16 trkers, now I use a daw and portable.....love em both
Hey, nice video about the ways you can multitrack without a computer! Interesting to see how different your workflow is from mine. While you record one part at a time, I record everything at once, mixed down to a single stereo channel using an old 6-channel mixer. Technically, this allows me to use any old recorder, but usually I just use Audacity as a virtual tape machine. I do have a tape deck I can use, but no tapes for it.
Also worth mentioning is the No-Fi program for Windows and Mac. It emulates a tape loop based workflow and has a great tape emulation.
really nice
I used the 424 mk II for quite a while back in the day. My setup currently is an MPC for drums and synth sequencing and then(usually) recording that out for a Tascam Model 16. I do sometimes do everything in the MPC, however, if there's not a lot live instruments or vocals.
Great video. Handsome kid there- got good hair like his Dad.👍
The Tascam lines of dual mixer and recorder to a sd card are a pretty cool line of mixers. And like you it is nice to be able to record to a sd card without needing an interface for your computer because not all interfaces are the same, and can get expensive. Plus, the Tascam has really good sound quality from its recordings. In fact, I was impressed. It exceeded my expectations.
Fun, I subscribed.
Oh dude I’m subscriber number 915 😎
I started with a Tascam 4 track cassette way back when. Few years ago got the zoom R24 and it’s a killer little machine!
i dont know why there isnt more content on these little devices. i guess most people stick with a daw. thanks for these vids. i myself have used only a boss br-80 to do multitrack recording
I love my little BR-80. I'd love it an awful lot more if there was some way of outputting midi sync from it. That's the thing that is missing from most 21st century multitrack devices. It's the same with the Zoom R24 - no midi syncing. There is a complicated way of doing cv syncing using the headphones out on the Zoom R24, but wouldn't it be wonderful if these devices could send class compliant midi sync via their USB outs?
Man I remember recording my friends band in the college radio station audio booths on a Roland Digital Audio Workstation. No computer we mixed and mastered it on there then played it to the computer DAW to burn to a CD. What a fun time.
Nice shirt big bro...glad you're finally embracing my Hawaiian shirt lifestyle
Brudda!! What are you doing here?!
Honestly, it goes deeper than the Hawaiian shirt... I have several videos in the Power Ranger shirt, and even a few in your old A&M shirt. I guess I'm forcing you to be a fashion influencer.
I use an old Boss BR16 to do all my recording/ song writing. Mix it down to a stereo master, then move it to old Sony ACID software. Then to cd disc
I have a M12. It's incredible! I use it as a daw interface and daw-less recorder mainly. But it's also the live mixer for jams and gigs and I've even dabbled with its daw controller abilities. I think you're gonna stick with it for a long time.
That's good to hear... and I hope I feel the same way! Thanks!
Very good presentation.
Grew up always wanting a tascam multi cassette recorder but got some reasonable multi tracking by recording to my stereo boom box type unit and a stereo tape recorder and playing along with the recorded tracks.
What are your thoughts on the Zoom series of units and the Roland CD2U stereo units?
Best regards from the Caribbean
I don't have experience with either of them! But I've heard good things, including in the comments section to this video. I don't need any more devices, but it's good to know there are options out there.
I have and really like the Tascam DP-006, but i never could figure out how to sync audio to video with mine. I could not figure how to add a clap or a snap to sync the video to. Nice history on these devices and glad they worked for you.
I have a DAW, but I recently acquired a Roland CD-2e, it's 15 years old and it saves music to a CD and or to a SD card. Came with a nice Roland mic, gonna see what I come up with. I have had many setups over the years, an Audigy sound card was great, but only works with windows XP. Fun videos.
One of the best demos I ever did was on a Korg D1200. I have tried DAW over and over again and by the time I'm ready I'm exhausted. No energy to lay down my drums and guitars.
Rick Beato just released a video on AI generated songs and I'll be damned if they sounded more like great "DAW" stuff.
So essentially if we, as musicians, just give a quick listen to some of our favorite older tracks...like ZZtop's LaGrange or Aerosmith's Sweet Emotion you realize that this DAW stuff doesn't matter. I'll prove it.
You know how guitar gear heads collect pedals? I do. I had over 150. Well my daw friends have thousands and thousands invested not just in the computers and midi controllers and gear but in virtual instruments! Pack after pack of millions of sounds that like the pedals I had you couldn't use in a lifetime. And not one great song to show for it.
You can be as big a collector with DAW and Virtual instruments as you can with amps and pedals. And if you love sitting in front of screens all day more power to you. I can't do it.
I gotta be on my set or guitar during that time. I'll die DAWless but let a DAWhead mix and master if I ever made something i needed to pay an engineer to record.
Great series man!
Funny, I have been doing the same, recorder after recorder, trying to stay away from DAWS and computers. I also used retro porta studios, And the Tascan model 12 still does not satisfy me. You see, the thing is that in order to record more tracks you have to do a lot of summing and then the mixes are kind of uneven. I might buy the Model Tascam 24, but still that one only has two inserts and no direct outs. I have been thinking of buying an Allen and heath mixer, but then I will need an external recorder or an interface which will lead me to the computer once again. I just ended up my research for the Alesis HD24 after learning it is not suitable for overdubbing. Not without some struggle. So here I am, still on this journey. I hope you can find your ideal gear !
Back in the day i had a Yamaha MT4X i believe it was called. I loved it. Wish i still had it.
I've used one those. It was a great machine!
I have a Tascam Model 24 with 5 keyboards, a electric guitar, Acustic guitar, and a Casio DG20 digital guitar, several microphones, a Boss Me-80 multiple effects pedal for guitar/microphone & Harmonica or latin percussion setup, a Yamaha RX5 drum machine, yadda, yadda, yadda. BUT I DON'T DO DAW!
Iuse sd cards on my Roland FA06 work station and my Tascam Model 24 mixer. Great video..
Great content. I, like you, started with a little cassette recorder.. but then got a Yamaha 4-track cassette recorder and actually became really good at bouncing tracks, though it took a while! I've had lots of set-ups too.. including DAW's which i still use with Ableton nowadays.. but i've also had a DP-006 and then i up graded to a DP-008ex.. which is only slightly bigger than the 006 but has 8 mono tracks, eq and reverb.. For it's size i think it's a keeper for just throwing ideas into the on board microphone. I think i enjoy dawless more than daw.. so i went looking for a set-up that would give me both if i wanted to not be staring at a screen whilst being creative.. and yes, like you, i opted for the Model 12. I like the fact that you can use it in many different ways, as a DAW, stand alone recorder or mixer. I love it.. mostly.. what i didn't like was, while there are some decent enough built in FX's.. there are no Aux sends to send external FX's to the different channels.. but i've made my peace with it.. i love using it to write with!
Nice! I hadn't thought about that limitation (on applying external effects to different channels), but likely because it's been so long since I had that capability. I'm excited to be able to run a couple of channels into a single effect (like my Quadraverb) and then bring the wet sound into one of the stereo channels. That's something I love doing with my 424 and miss when I use the DP-03.
How often do you use the Model 12 as an interface (for a DAW)? Has it worked pretty well?
I@@JordanSeal I'd say i use it as an interface 40% of the time, and i think it's the best interface i've had in that it's like have a mixer connected to your computer. I'm definitly weaning myself off using it in that way though and it's going to happen less and less. Sometimes i wish that i'd kept recording in the same way i did when i was using 4 track recorders because when you use a DAW, you have to record in certain way and you lean into looping in a way that can make you very stale very lazy as a creative and, well.. it's just not as fun doing that.. least in my opinion. But i'm glad that i at least have all these options that most other interfaces don't offer.
@@spiderfingers2005 I hear you, loud and clear. Part of me loves the idea of using the Model 12 as an interface... and the other part of me is waiving its arms around, shouting, "It's a trap!"
... that would be a healthy YT video: "Jordan uses DAW, has breakdown." 😂
If you have any questions on the model 12 im positive i can help, i bought mine when it came out and ive used it wveryday since. Its a amaIng box, iT CAN definitly do whatever you want it to, just gotta constantly re patch cables, some peoplle cry at that kind of stuff but like you i grew up on limited 4 track aystems and just never stopped
I currently use the DP-24, but I used the 424 MKII for a good number of years in the 90s. I have nothing against using the computer, and I do use it, but my head wraps around a stand alone recorder much better, especially when laying down tracks.
I feel on the same page as you .I bought a Tascam 32SD second hand and I haven't looked back .
I have a Fostex I bought in Marketplace like 2 years ago. It has its limitations but also allows me to keep it simple. Although I'd like to buy a tascam (poor south-american) I found at the end it is just like another instrument or guitar pedal.
Great video, I hope your new recorder works good for your workflow.
Jordan, have you checked out the recently released Zoom R4 ? Although vastly less versatile than a Model 12, it seems to be a handy device for basic no fuss on the fly multi-track recording.
Randy Cordle has some clips on his YT channel of the R4. Sounds pretty damn good for what it is.
Model 12 is awesome. Make sure you have the current firmware because that fixes a couple issues early users were complaining about. The M12 is class compliant so I mostly use it as an audio interface to my iPad Pro. Using Logic as my DAW. I do plan on recording the band live straight to the on board recorder at some point. I keep hearing that it sounds great as a DAWless set up.
Thank you so much for this comment... almost everything you said was new for me.
1) Appreciate the firmware callout: I'll make sure to update that that when I finally open the Model 12.
2) I knew you could use this as an interface, but I did NOT know it would interface with iOS. Years ago, I bought an iPad mostly with the thought of using it to make music... only to be reminded that I don't get on well with DAWs, and to discover that iOS connectivity is a bit more complicated than via Mac/PC.
I plan to do some DAWless testing in the next couple of days, and I'll likely make a video covering my initial thoughts. If you interested in that context, keep an eye out. And thanks again!
I’ve completely embraced no-DAW recording, I use a 24 track two inch Stephens 821b and a Soundcraft 2400. Almost everything in my studio is pretty much late 1970s and early 1980s. It isn’t very portable but I really like it.
I have a little Boss Micro BR that I got years ago that has 4 tracks, and works pretty well for me.
Speaking of DAWless your video unleashes your creativity potential with it being real on the fly and glad to see no talking into a big black can mic in your face like all the wannabe podcasters. Great video! kid and all you cant get any more real than that.
Wonder how do you like the M12 after 2 months? I wanted to like it but my journey was DP02>DP24>Model12 and I found that DP24 was the ultimate multi track recorder for my needs. Recording on M12 seemed like an afterthought to me as there weren’t many editing options on it and being unable to route any input to any track for recording was frustrating. I went back to DP24 and made so much music with it. I was lucky to find the old model with MIDI so it’s more future-proof than newer models which is a bit ironic. I only wish Tascam updated it so it can act as audio interface/control surface for DAW if I ever need to work within it but as a standalone machine it has been amazing and I will never get rid of it.
Hi, here is a pice of technique: You can record, mixing, make changes, loops, effects, endless possibilitys and it sounds amazing. No. I go dawless and use a 50 years old tape recorder. With 4 channels. It‘s cool 😂
I have been using Boss BR800 for last 10 years for recording scratches and live streaming and recording on the go. It is a great device and sound quality is superb. It has only one problem that it records only 44100.
I use a Mackie Mix8 for all my inputs (keyboards, guitar, drum machine, mic) and permanently have the stereo out to the two line inputs on a DP-008ex and record two-track stereo. Like you, when I need space I bounce. Using a mixer means I have gain control and 3-band eq on each line, plus stereo input to the mixer from keyboards, and whichever lines I'm using always goes to the same stereo line input on the Tascam via the mixer line out. Simple to set up and really easy to use, meaning I can concentrate on writing and playing.
Before buying the Model 12, I thought about using the 424 in the way you've used the Mackie... and I'm sure it would have worked great!
That's how I used my DP-008 for 10 years. It worked really well. Still use it, though I have a Model 12 now also.
Consider that Garage Band on an iPhone or iPad can do everything you’re talking about. Dedicated devices like these are basically DAW “Toasters”. You’re basically using a DAW with no monitor, keyboard, mouse, software fixes & updates, and no virtual instruments. A non-starter for most folks.
that model 12 isthe right one good job\
Nice, I must confess that a couple of years ago I bought the DP 006 based on watching your video and immediately regretted it and infact sold it recently unused. It is an awesome unit but, the lack of lit screen and unable to plug in a mic made it a frustrating experience. So I couldn't get into using it. I still like DAWLESS and do in fact own a zoom R8 which I don't use enough, it's just not small enough to pack into a guitar case or backpack the way I thought the Tascam would. Ultimately I traded it for a field recorder for other reasons.
Nonetheless, I love your journey and hope to see how you get on with your new DAWLESS, something a little outside of my needs and financial scope right now. Computer audio is a blessing and a crutch. Sometimes you just want to switch it on, press record and play. Computers make that a litte complicated. I own a really old boss micro BR which has 4 tracks but rocks for using when I am out and want to play around, experiment or do some on the fly composing and recording sketching.
Ah, I’m sorry it didn’t work well for you! It definitely has limitations, and isn’t for everyone… and ultimately, that’s the only question that matters: “What’s best for you?”
Curious about the field recording… captured sounds to add to music projects, or another purpose?
Interesting overview. You sell the 424 short on limitations. You can record all 4 tracks, mix to mono or stereo on your other tascam device and then take that back into 424. (We used to use vcr's back in the day for that type of submix). These days i use 424 and tascam model 12 as a hybrid rig and very happy
This is a good callout. I did a little bit of external bouncing with the 424, but when you bring it back in, you're still left with only two tracks for further work before you have to do another bounce out-and-in to record two more tracks, etc. Having been spoiled by a digital device, those steps frustrated me, but it can certainly be done!
Try setting the Effects 2/Tape Cue switch to Tape Cue and arm a couple tracks to their L/R buss position. I'm pretty sure that will allow you to mix the four tracks on the tape with all 8 live inputs onto the armed tracks.
Man that stuff is old, I used a four-track cassette in the 80's. If people want to not use a DAW( I don't know why) I have a Yamaha AW16g recorder I bought in 2003 and they are still awesome and on eBay-type sites for about $150 or a Portastudio DP32 hard disc Tascam. I used both but then just switched to a DAW it is so much easier to use and to see what you are doing. I use the Tascam as a mixer for my DAW and the AW16g is in the bedroom for quick ideas.
Excellent, and entertaining. I mainly use Koala Sampler on my iPhone or iPad to record onto, using the built-in mic - I don't think that counts as a DAW :) Now I've picked up a USB audio interface so I could also now spend yet more money on an XLR-cabled mic to plug into it, to record my talentless self. I also bought a cheap cassette recorder off eBay to try for some loft vibes, but it has an old 3.5mm external mic input + 2.5mm 'remote' that I've not found a way to connect to, and the built in mic on the top seems very flaky as to whether it will record anything.
I bought the tascam DP-006 for portability and to use it as a field recording device. It worked well for those situations. Later I got the idea to use it as a backing track player while I practice guitar and bass. One annoyance I found was I had to convert the audio to import it in. Other than that it's still a solid unit.
Had a Roland VS2480 since 2012, wouldn't change it for the world.
I still use a 25 yo Korg multitrack HD recorder D1600, works great, doesn't clutter up my computer. No DAW, no plug ins, no fuss.
Hey, awesome video! I just have one question. Are you able to export tracks from the DP-006 into your iPhone running GarageBand with an adaptor?
Yes, but it’s not as simple as you’d hope… using the Tascam’s interface, you have to “export” your tracks (so they’re in .wav and accessible on a separate partition of your SD card), then connect the device (or the SD) to the iPhone via connector. Then, you’ll be able to import your files just like you would pull them from a USB stick.
Not the easiest, but honestly, not that difficult. Just annoying by the standards of someone using modern devices.
Hey man, you should look into VHS bounces on 4 tracks. VHS is as HIFI as great quality digital. So you can record 4 tracks on your portastudio, then print to stereo VHS then put back on 2 tracks on your cassette 4 track. The most important thing here is that you actually get no generation loss from tape degradation! So you get the benefit of not having to keep 1 track free, but also dont lose a generation loss printing 3 tracks to cassette tape again. Short of that you could do the same thing with a digital bounce on the line in on your model 12. I had a zoom R4 and I found the funnest thing was bouncing back and forth between my 4 track and my digital recorder and not limiting my self to one device.
I have a stack of blank VHS tapes in the shed, earmarked for exactly that purpose... and I never picked up a VCR. Maybe one day!
Great video. I wish these digital recorders would come with sync options to connect up with MIDI sequencers and synths.
You can do it with the model 12
@@Urfinchannel great to know, will check that out! 🙂
Having used the Zoom L-8 for 3-4 years, I feel like the way it enables a computer-less, hands-on recording experience keeps things feeling musical and inspired. Then mixing and editing in a DAW gives all the power and flexibility I could ever want.
The L-8's pretty handy and powerful but far from perfect and a little flimsy, so I've been wondering if the Tascam Model 12 might be a good upgrade.
Check out the Zoom R4. My dream recorder.
I like the Zoom R series. I have an R16.
I am pretty seriously considering the Model 12, not neccesarily for Dawless recording though. I would use it as a DAW controler, among other things.
I have the tascam 24sd porterstudio I love it very easy
I love cassettes, but 1-7/8 IPS speed...Aye! I have a Tascam DP 24 SD. (After the DP-08) Totally DAWless. I call it authentic organic music. I do each track with a full take, no editing, I'm not about production or preparing releases. This simple method is easy and straightforward. Prior to mixdown and mastering, I'll often record the current WIP on my cassette deck for listening analysis.
Too bad you couldn't try the Boss BR 80. A recorder even smaller than the Tascam but with considerably more options. 8 tracks, actually 10 because the drum tracks have their own 2 tracks, so the 8 tracks remain available. There are a ton of separately adjustable effects available. My advice, whenever you have the chance, just try it out. I have one and am amazed at what can be done with it!
Beautiful boy!
I’ve used hard disc recording over the years having started out on reel to reel. I flirted with Cubasis VST in the late 90s but processing power wasn’t up to it…..Up to 3 years ago I was using a Tascam 32……then I discovered Logic Audio on an Apple MacBook Air…..it’s perfect and I sold my Tascam 32 within weeks. I would never go back…..Logic Audio is amazing. I still have a hand held Tascam for remote recording…..but Logic is it for me.
The Tascam Model12 is my best choice too.
Very happy with my Roland VS1824
I’ve heard a lot of good things about the Roland devices in comments to this video… One day, I’ll check one out!
I've been using the Tascam Model 24 for about a year now. My hope is that it lasts until my demise, best purchase I've ever made.
I used to have a Tascam 424. Was fun and easy to use, but sounded kinda crappy in the high end and bass. You can live bounce all you want, try it. But always safer to bounce 3. The limitation is a feature. Keep it simple, you don't need 64 tracks. I remember adjusting the tape head was important before recording or you need to misalign it to play the tapes you recorded before fixing it.
I just upgraded from a dp-008ex to a model 12 and im so stoked to get started on it. But ill tell ya man, i got some pretty damn good recording out of that lil portastudio
That’s how I feel about some stuff I made with the DP-006 😊 Which partly explains my belief that the “quality“ of a recording isn’t determined by the value or sophistication of the gear that you use.
@JordanSeal absolutely. Plus the limitations kinda make it more fun
Not to self promote but if you look up antpark "stunted progression" all those songs were recorded in the dp008ex, the quality varies because I was still figuring it out, but I got some newer stuff that came out awesome that's yet to be released
I am trying to find a 424 for a decent price - but I would use it more as an instrument that has tape saturation and wow and flutter within rather than a dedicated recording or recording hub - it’s really nice for pads and the like to go in the background of electronic compositions
I have to believe the market will slowly improve... I bought my 424 in 2022, and I know I overpaid. (Though I could say the same thing about every piece of gear I've bought since the pandemic began.) Have you looked at any other brands, like Yamaha? I spent some time with a MT4X, and it seemed like a solid device. And I think the MT8X (with more tracks) runs about the same price as a 424.
@@JordanSeal not too much - but honestly since I’m using it for pads or ambient background sounds I honestly believe that a 4 track is more than adequate. See a lot of videos by amulets or NINs keyboards about the 4 tracks they use (I think the NIN video is why they are honestly through the roof price wise right now) and I just lost my job so I probably won’t be grabbing one anytime soon TBb
@@JordanSeal checking Reverb really quick shows one at 130 plus shipping from Japan a 250 non working as is and a bunch around 500. I think my brother in laws bio brother has one but I’m not sure he wants to part with it thouugh
I recorded 10 amazing sounding albums and more on a Roland 2480 with some high end outboard mic pres and compressors The mic pres in the 2480 actually sound wonderful and fat for clean tracks as well). I used it til it would not work anymore and am now stuck in protools, Logic, and Reaper. None of which will ever replace the convenience and quality of plugging directly into a unit specifically designed for making music. Remember DAWs are designed by engineers who believe it's a good idea to have as many options as they can possibly think of. We as musicians need the computer to stay out of the way of the flow of actual music making. DAWs are incredibly unstable and will stop working at the most inopportune times. Computer updates,latency, interfaces, cpu, freezes, crashes, constant google searches to figure out how to do things that should be one simple move..it's a creator's purgatory. I work full time in music production and I really miss my 2480. 24 bit, up to 96k, up to 64 tracks- If Roland re released the 2480, I'd be first in line. Unfortunately The Tascam is 44.1 and I prefer at least 48k.
yes, agree with the eq on the tascam dp03 not being convenient. My dp008 is similar. For me, it's much easier to export files and mix in reaper. I use the dp08 strictly as a recorder ,not for mixing.
How do I do my multi track recording
One stereo and 6 mono tracks one at a time. From there you need to mix some down in order to make more.
DAWless👊