Tascam Portastudio 414 MkII

I purchased the 414 mkII portastudio with cash at Wrays house of music in Lemoyne Pa. to record my personal guitar music and graduate to burning CD's on my newly procured computer. Purchase price I believe was $249.

I enjoy this unit thoroughly because it allows me to record rythym and play along as well as record lead and bass licks with the ability to start over and over until I reach the desired effects. With this ability I also can practice with accompanyment if there are no friends around to jam with. The practice is vital to any musician to explore different avenues and to hone their skills. The Unit can be jacked in directly without the need for an amp, or preamped with your equipment, while implementing effects from other accessories,ie. effects pedals. I have not begun to explore the possibilities acheivable with this unit mostly due to the lack of experience on my part with electronic equipment, but the manufacturers instuction booklet explains many of the features and operations possible in detail in a language even someone as inexperienced as myself can understand. It is a very good starter tool for someone who wishes to record at a beginner level with professional results. The sound reproduced is a quality recording. The ability to transfer the recordings to another medium such as a CD or cassettes is a plus for listening and sharing my music with friends and family. I will probably in the future have a lot more to say about this unit since I have only begun to explore it's process.

I have nothing bad to say about this unit except that it picks up every bad note I hit, but on the other hand it is capable of dubbing over so I can make mistakes it allows me to correct them.

The constuction and quality both seem to be top notch, it is a very portable unit and seems to hold up to every day bumps and bruises. I have yet to drop it accidently or damage it in anyway, time will tell how the recording heads hold up, but so far I am pleased with it's durability.

In summary I would recomend this unit to anyone who desires to do some personal recording as well as group recordings. It can handle multiple instruments at the same time. Garage bands will have a ball with this unit.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

The features are pretty good. I havent used the effects channels yet, but it has a nice 'mini mixing board' with treble and bass. Four 1/4" jacks at the front, and two XLR's in the back. It can be tricky to work with, but understanding it isn't that hard once you get the hang of things.

$68.00 USD

I bought my first four-track recorder off of ebay, 76.00 with shipping. I recieved it, and had only one mic. I started to fiddle around with it, and it sounds pretty good to my surprise. I can record three tracks, and bounce it to one, then record two more, bounce it to one and then record two more on top of it. This is going to sound great with my mixer and drum mic package i am buying. SHop EBAY! It's great. This was in NEW condition, with a carrying case!

It's easy to use. Record your first track, mix it, move on to your second, and etc... The only bad thing is getting the right channel on. Sometimes when you use the XLR inputs, it's not divided up by 1 and 2. The first XLR is for tracks 1 and 3, and the other is for 2 and 4. And trying to record without bouncing your track is kind of hard. Buy a lot of tape. It can be quite useful, especially when testing.

Very durable! I have beat this things to peaces so far and it still looks new to me and the rest of my friends and family.

I love this thing. It is my first analog recording studio, and I can't wait to get bigger and better equipment. I hope to hook up an 8 channel mixer for the drums alone all on one track when I purchase a drum mic package. This is great for all recording musicians!

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Kenny_viper2 (January 0-, 2005)

Tascam Portastudio 414 MkII

CATEGORY: Studios all-in-one Analog
Manufacturer: Tascam [www]
Distributor: Tascam France [www]
Average new price: 290
Argus: 147.5

Global opinion:





Recording Your Feedback (Red fields are required!)

1) Overall Opinion:
- How long have you use it?
I've had 4 years and never had a problem (maintenance readings heads)
Very easy to use sounds are perfectly restitus / single BMOL band background noise? but
after several tricks have arrived eliminate this noise with Dynamic EQ.
This recorder and everything dsign for a beginner qualitprix report more cassettes (60min) are not chres.
Purchasing this hardware DIFFERENT following the advice of musicians who made their debut recording
Yes, if the device consisted more of.

- How long have you use it?
I grew i15 years I have had 3 years ago .... ben ke since I was 12! (Basically since I made the ke zik)
- What is the particular feature you like best and least?
Most: the K7 stokage good way to cheap. Very little breath and good sound ... I like everything! especially compared prices and quality 4 simultaneous input!
- How do you report qualitprix?
For me it's just too bine tt you start you do shit and now I like his stuff
http://lords.unity.free.fr/drumnbass.mp3
http://lords.unity.free.fr/mellow% 20mood.mp3
- With the exprience, you do again this choice? ...
Be nla I end up with a mank track so I change if c v of the ball!

Cractristik: tt ki what takes to make good things lil fun and funny and certainly not something useless!
http://www.lords.ue.st