TASCAM DP-004 4-Track Digital Pocketstudio
With the portable, pocket-sized TASCAM DP-0004, it's like carrying a recording studio everywhere you go.
Overall User Ratings (based on 22 ratings)
Submitted December 25, 2011 by a customer from windstream.net
"SO worth the money!"
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For my needs, there will be no need to upgrade, especially when you can bounce tracks.
Sound
It's hard to imagine better sound without spending much much more for a multi-track recorder. Both my acoustic guitars sound like they sound, and isn't that what you're looking for? Same for my electric guitar. So far I've only recorded in my living room, with no attempt to "studioize" the room. I was dreading having to purchase additional mics, pre-convinced that the built-in condenser mics would be poor quality, because how could they be any good when the whole deal is $150.00? So wrong. Really good sound capture from both vocals, and my Epiphone EJ-200.
Features
The redo and return to zero are great, especially compared to my old Tascam Porta-4 from the early 90's. Wait, wait, wait for the cassette to rewind. The metronome is very useful. If the ability to export MP3 as well as wav file were added, that would be cool.
Ease of Use
There are some functions I have not used, but I was able easily to insert silence to eliminate chair squeak and repositioning my guitar before starting to record. I read the basic instructions twice before I took it out of the box, then once while looking at the controls, and boom!... I was off and recording.
Quality
Seems to be well made. I think the Tascam projection of how long the batteries last is off quite a bit, but I'm using house brand batteries and might get better results with premium batteries.
Value
I have nothing modern to compare it to, but on cyber-Sunday I paid 136.45 for what a competitor wanted $199.99 for. VERY much worth the price!
Manufacturer Support
No experience.
The Wow Factor
Until you have 4 arms and hands, it's the only good way to accompany yourself.
Musical Background:
Hobbyist, off and on for 40 years.
Musical Style:
country/rock , blues
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Submitted January 27, 2009 by a customer from comcast.net
"Great price for a 4 track recorder that does it's job with ease!!!"
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Sound
Wow!!! What a leap in technology...this recorder is top notch when it comes to a clean signal. I've used this with a ZOOM G2 and ALTO S8 mixer and the recording quality is flawless. The internal mics are amazing considering their size. The frequency / tone quality captured seems to rival some of my more expensive microphones!!!
Features
Make no mistake, this is a bare bones 4 track recorder. For the price, your getting better than cd quality recording with super ease of use at a very reasonable price. I'm sure that most people are going to use their own effects when it comes to recording and mix down. It would have been nice to have the AC adapter but for what I paid, I'm not complaining at all.
Ease of Use
What can I say, I hate anything complex. This recorder is VERY easy to use and the manual is very clear on the recorder' use.
Quality
I don't think I've ever had an issue with TASCAM products.
Value
I don't think your gonna find a 4 track like this that's this easy to use and sounds great!!!
*SUGGESTION*
Buy one before the price goes up...and stock is low.
Manufacturer Support
I haven't had to use any support from TASCAM lately but in the past, I've had great success.
The Wow Factor
It's a basic recorder...the way I like it, SIMPLE!!!
Musical Background:
Active Hobbyist Musician!!!
Musical Style:
Everything except RAP!
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Submitted January 25, 2011 by a customer from gmail.com
"I always have songs going in my head and I was just using a voice recorder on my phone to record my ideas to play back later so"
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Overall I love the recorder. Sound quality is great. Battery life could be better and the construction could be a little more solid. For the price it is a great device to capture musical ideas while they are fresh to work on them in more detail later.
Sound
Sound recording quality is great! My use is to carry it with me and be able to capture ideas on the fly, most times just with the external mics. The sound quality is much better than I expected. I am very pleased.
Features
There are really not any extra features, but I like the simplicity of the device. I have recording equipment when I want to sit down and spend hours tweaking and mixing, but just to get a quick live recording, this is great. The power adapter should be included with purchase.
Ease of Use
It is very easy to use, I briefly skimmed through the manual and it is pretty self explanatory. If a person wanted to record several instruments, with several tracks, bounce, mix and the whole nine yards it might get a little cumbersome.
Quality
So far I have not had any problems but the device itself does feel a little wimpy. Not what I would consider road ready, but if you are careful and don't drop it, should not be an issue.
Value
For the price it is great and exactly what I was looking for.
Musical Background:
Active Musician / Songwriter
Musical Style:
Rock
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Submitted March 22, 2011 by a customer from gmail.com
"Want to upgrade to digital without purchasing a computer or learning complicated software? Say "hello" to your dream come true."
This unit has the functionality and performance I've sought for over a decade. I couldn't be happier.
Sound
The sound is precise and high-quality. I agree with an earlier reviewer who noted that the internal condensor mics are a little sharp in tone, a little trebley. But that's not a complaint, just an observation. All of this can be easily addressed by using a simple mixing board and lining into the device directly.
Features
This device is a dream come true for somebody who wants to record digitally without using a computer or learning complicated software. Internal adjustable condensor mics, two lines in, built-in metronome, built-in tuner, battery power, tiny size...all attributes a songwriter would appreciate. I wish the power cord was included.
Ease of Use
I would characterize this unit's ease of use as "relatively intuitive." Previous experience with cassette-based 4-tracks would be very helpful. The user guide is excellent. DEFINITELY easier than trying to configure a soundcard and learning most digital multitracking software. Definitely!
Quality
This unit seems solidly built. I haven't had any problems. I wish the SD card slot was located elsewhere, but that's a small thing.
Value
Ten years ago, I bought my first TASCAM, a cassette PortaStudio. Analog sound, no display to speak of, few features. It cost $160. At that time, a standalone digital recorder cost at least $5000. Today, I bought this TASCAM digital unit - complete with all the features I already described - for $150. So, for less than what I paid for a bottom-of-the-line cassette 4-track TEN YEARS AGO, I got the digital precision and solid functionality of this unit. I'd say that's a great value.
Manufacturer Support
I have not used their support.
The Wow Factor
This unit has no "sex appeal" but that's exactly why I like it. I've had enough of marketing claims and just wanted something to help me capture my songs digitally. It had to be similar to my trusty old-school 4-track but a dramatic upgrade in sound quality and practical interface with my PC. It met those needs and thensome. You don't need sex appeal when you have something real and valuable to offer.
Musical Background:
hobbyist
Musical Style:
rock
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Submitted November 30, 2009 by a customer from hotmail.com
"features? um. no. but damn nice clear sound."
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Just not enough going on for it other than the nice mic. It has another version with 8 tracks that actually has reverb and Hi/Lo EQ built in. I wish it had an effect send. As a basic basic recorder it's wonderful. I just know there's other stuff out there that cost about the same but threw in more stuff.
Sound
excellent built in mic, but no ability to EQ limits you to just what you input onto it. Not so good for mixdown, just for capturing straight signals really clear like.
Features
well I guess a volume and a pan puts in at about the level of the old Porta02's but since tape is obsolete, this is the new version. you cant really do much with it other than recording, layering, and bouncing. If you have the time you can edit loops out of it. No effect send or comp or EQ makes it so you have to do it beforehand, thats my biggest gripe. It features basic track copy/paste type digital editing but thats not a big deal.
Ease of Use
This thing is so easy to just turn on and que up and do your thing. Can't mess with the sound after, you have to do all your sound tweaking on whatever gear you are running into it. It doesnt really do much internally, just records what you input to it
Quality
its a good solid little thing
Value
I guess its alright for crummy simple home recordings, but a lot of others in the same price range give you effects and mastering mixdown stuff (look at boss and zoom stuff for instance). It does have a very nice internal mic duo, but it just doesnt have anything else to make it worth that kind of money. If there's another one like it but has effects and EQ internally for the same price (and there are) I would rather use them.
Manufacturer Support
i dont know (yet, hopefully dont ever have to)
The Wow Factor
its nice and sleek. i dont really look for sex appeal in a recorder.
Musical Background:
studio musician, engineer, hobbyist, occasional performer
Musical Style:
musical
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Submitted January 27, 2011 by a customer from gmail.com
"Tascam DP004 - Excellent songwriter's tool"
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zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Perfect sound reproduction. Internal mics surprisingly good and the lo-mid-high sensitivity is very predictable once you try all three. Would like simple EQ to get rid of the usual low end mud and mid harshness in mixing. Other than that, it's a simple, exactly right songwriter's tool. Editing and other options on it that I probably won't use, because this is only for quick demos before going to Pro Tools, but it is useful to have cutting, space inserting, etc., when writing new material. Two further things to be aware of: it doesn't say it's compatible with Windows 7 (only XP, 2000, and Vista, so that's already out of date - maybe they'll update that, and we'll be able to load the update? Amybe it will work on Windows 7 anyway); the display should be brighter and whiter - it's a bit dull and green, like the displays on 1990s devices. In fact, my old Roland VS1660 display looked more "modern." Still, it's cheap, small, and solid. My only competitor was the bells and whistels, iPod sized guitar buddy from BOSS, but it just seemed to be trying to do too much. Good as a guitar trainer, probably, and easy travel companion.
Manufacturer Support
Haven't used it
The Wow Factor
It's got appeal if you like the idea of an updated mini-recorder - a bit retro.
Musical Background:
Part-time active musician
Musical Style:
Rock
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Submitted November 9, 2012 by Bryan Q in Atlanta, GA
"Tascom DP04"
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zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
This is such a great little recorder. It does have its limitations, such as no EQ, but it is very compact, easy to use, and the sound quality is great.
No problems, so I did not need to contact manufacturer support.
Musical Background:
guitar player for many years, only at home now but lots of time in church
Musical Style:
Christian, rock
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Submitted October 7, 2012 by Dennis Marshall in Albuquerque, NM
"Tascam DP-004"
I was looking for an inexpensive multitrack and found the Tascam DP-004 had the best feature to cost ratio. I received it quickly and it works well. I made some samples of a 4x12 I"m selling easily. I haven't had to contact support as yet so I can rate that. zZounds usually matches other sites prices but in this case it was significantly lower, awesome deal!
Musical Background:
Been playing guitar for 25 years, mandolin and ukulele for only a few.
Musical Style:
Blues influenced rhythms acoustic progressive folk.
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