4-track recorder audio cassette type II (CrO2) with integrated mixer 8 / 1 departure of integrated effects (return of the external effect normally provided on inputs 5-6 or 7-8)

Key features:
<ul>

Speed ​​of tape: 9.5, 4.75 and 2375 cm / s, rare !!!!!!! ^__________^

Reduction system breath dbx type II Perman (that is to say indésactivable) that allows Tascam announced a S / N ratio around 95 dB ^________________^

Buttons settings by 1-4, in the order of treatment:
<ul>

Input Sensitivity

Signal Routing

Treble

Bass Adjustment

Setting postfader sending the signal to the output for an effects processor

Setting pan

Volume fader

Lanes 5-6 and 7-8: Volume and signal assignment

</ul>



Connectors: unbalanced TS jack of all except the main audio output, if I remember correctly: cinch

</ul>

My opinion:

This is the first I used Ministudio there are about 10 to 15 years and I learned the principle of Ministudio. Then, as soon as the Tascam 464 with a more complete connection out, I rushed over as the choice of the connections of this 424 is really limited. Then, after faithful service, the 464 was replaced soon released by the Sony MDM-X4 for its editing capabilities, but the same principle of MD-DATA (for the version of the MiniDisc to computer), then changes technological help, it was replaced with the Fostex VF-16, same principle but 16 tracks on hard disk, and this including all-digital mixing desk. But it was not very reliable: so I changed to an Akai DPS16, same principle Portastudio hard drive. And then I bought a Korg D16 Digital mulitpiste as tiny as booster and a Roland VS-1680 Used for its sound.

Tascam deserves his legend in this type of aircraft. Small, portable, robust, never broke down and very good ergonomics, the user is one with the device. Besides the 464, then I have never been able to find such a great ergonomics. The ergonomics of the system of punch in - out, notament, is incomparable. Brands concurrent best known for such devices are Fostex (who themselves instead uses the Dolby or Dolby C S instead of dbx) and Yamaha, and I can tell you, because I had the opportunity to try a Fostex and Yamaha, that even in ministudios cassette, I never found such a great ergonomics.

Instructions ultra-well done and very educational: We learn very well the principle of multi-track recording ^____________^

With technological change (ministudios digital hard disk requires), it is virtually impossible to repeat the same choice, the cassette is a ministudios manintenant Obselete principle, although Tascam still makes his direct descendant, the Tascam 424 MKIII ^___________^ But if I had to stay in the Cathegory of multitrack tape, I would resume a Tascam willingly. )))))))

Its main advantages:
<ul>

Its slow speed 2375 cm / s, which doubles the recording capacity of a cassette tape that is already divided by two since the original uses only one face and not the two sides. And this is a unique feature that I have seen on this model, all brands.

His entry line dedicated to control the external master recorder: this input is not fed back into the bus master the final mix which enables real-time monitoring the quality of recording the final mix on external master recorder and it , when it is a tape recorder or cassette that has three heads (1 erase head, a recording head and a read head to read right away just behind the recorded tracks), it is actually a advantage: no need to have to connect the headphones to master the recorder, the control can just as easily be done on the 424 ^___________^ Besides the 464, I have found circuit monitoring of this type, even Akai DPS16 on my current D16 and Korg! ))) We see therefore that serious Tascam is a house that manufactures equipment worthy of the name ^________^

</ul>

Its main inconveignents:
<ul>

Connection a little too tight but other than that, I note no. ^____________^ Besides that the analog and the recording capacity is limited ... But hey, that's normal after all, a Ministudio on tape: comparing like with like ))

</ul>