Feature:
I like the four XLR mike inputs. I wish it had six, but hey, it / they work.

Quality:
I think the older Porta-Studios had better knobs. They were more sturdy. These new ones are a little wiggly, but I have had no problems with them functionally. Actually, maybe they are better 'cause they might take a little more abuse, if you are so inclined. The rest of the machine is very well put together, very sturdy and appears it will last a long time.

Value:
Worth it! Oh yayass. I might even buy another one "jus for fuh."

Desirability:
I would rather see it more box-like, like the older ones. It is somewhat difficult to grab with one hand, so you gotta use two, which is probably a good idea anyway. It is a neat-looking item though.

Sound:
The 424 sounds as good as one might expect from a tape recorder. I use it to record miked drums and am very pleased with the results. I use the 424 in conjunction with Tascam's CDRW 700 recorder, Alesis' QS 8.1 Keyboard, AKG studio and drum mikes, Sennheiser 580 headphones, and I get better than industry standard recordings. Really!

Support:
I spoke with Tascam techs on the phone before I bought their products and had good results. They were able to answer all my brainy questions without delay.

Overall:
I will use this recorder 'til it quits, which in my experience, will be a long while. I am always looking at the new stuff just in case. I was not able to find, in my opinion, any comparable recorders when I got this one. Tascam is a solid name with solid products.

I record rhythmn tracks from my digital keyboards directly onto one track of the Tascam. After that, I add guitars and vocals to the remaining three tracks. I rarely bounce but I can if need be. I mix it on the MK III and burn to CD. Its great! People pay a lot of money for poor quality demo's that can't touch mine using the Tascam MK III.

Since having some experience with older Tascam Porta-Studios, and not wanting to spend the next four years of my life figurin' how to work a Digital unit, I decided to get the 424.
It has more features than I bargained for; many more. It has easily twice the features I thought it would have.
DBX works well; very quiet bounces. I tried three in a row with little noise.
Well worth the bucks, though the knobs (potentiometers) aren't as high quality as Tascam once used on the older machines.
All in all, I must say it's a respectable recorder, and best of all, I am able to actually record with it, rather than feel like I am studying brain surgery!

My review of this product is in comparison to other 4-track cassette recorders, not DAW's and computer-based recording. It has a lot of great features for the money. I use it with a stand-alone CD burner and I get great results. With proper recording techniques, you can get expert results with this machine. Take time to learn all that it can do.

This machine is an excellent machine to do home recording with. With all the imputs and the ease of opperation, recording is a breeze. Bouncing tracks is a little iffy with this machine, but for the money, this things rocks.

I do all of my own instruments and vocals. I need a quality machine that is easy to use, this one fits the bill. I also own a Tascam 8 track cassette and a Tascam 8 track 1/2" reel to reel but this is the one that I use the most.

I have just got into home recording and the Tascam is my first machine. I am very impressed. I record my sons band and have produced a demo mixed down onto CD, the quality was excellent. I dont envisage going digital as I think analogue does everything I need.

I was in digital recording, but I missed the warm of analog. Tascam is the best in 4-track machines (price, features, quality, etc.). I'm producing my second demo with it and the sound is... so sweeet!!

I think this unit is great. It's totally easy to use. I'm running mine with a lexicon MPX110 f/x processor for mixdown purposes, but even dry it sounds good. Listened to Springsteen's "Nebraska" (recorded with a Tascam 4-track)on CD through the same speakers I mix-down through, and couldn't hear a difference in quality.

Mine is nearly two years old, never a problem.
Fully functional, low learning curve, plenty of handy features. Transport is noisy...don't expect to put a hot mic near this thing without having the sound come out on tape.
Still..I like it a lot.