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Tascam DP02 8-Track Hard Disk Recorder with CDRW

Tacam's DP02 makes recording simple by matching 8-track CD-quality recording with a Portastudio interface - so you can ditch the menus and concentrate on the music. A pair of record-quality Tascam mic pres feature XLR inputs with phantom power for condenser mics and a guitar in for direct recording. Learn More...

    • New $499.00
  • Installment Plan:4 payments of $124.75
    • free ground shipping
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Overall User Ratings

Overall:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Individual User Ratings

Overall:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10

Feature:
I love the thin profile and metal construction. The ability to burn CDs as data files, wave files, and regular CDs at this price is impressive. I wish it had more tracks, but acknowledge that this would drive the price up as well. It makes you think out your arrangement and record efficiently, which can be a good thing. I may get one because of this built-in limitation/paradigm. If the effects were better, it would get a higher number than 7 for features.

Quality:
The quality is a step up from the plastic units. Although many of the features are the same as the older ones, this model has a cool vibe and handsome, sleek appearance. With an "under $500" price you may imagine that it feels like a toy. It does not.

Value:
This is a great value. To think that many of us paid the same price, or more, for cassette recorders a few years back. This model has its limits, the effects are average, some even just poor, but for the money it is remarkable. Songwriters would be smart to look at this unit. Personally, I like dedicated recorders better than computers.

Desirability:
This is a great looking piece of hardware. The design is much better than the older models that Tascam makes. It would be very interesting to see the same design in a 16 (or even 24 track) unit.

Sound:
I give it an overall score of 8 in the sound department. The actual fidelity is quite good, perhaps even great. It's the effects that drag the number back down. Skipping the effects gave me the best overall final product, very clean and robust. I recommend using an outside effect unit if you are recording something more ambitious than a demo. Guitarists, don't throw away your pre-amps and effects just yet. These will do for daily practice and for demos, but that's about it.

Ease of Use:
This was the easiest recorder I have ever used. I recorded two songs on it right away with little fuss. The recorder midi-synched a Triton sequencer keyboard, track by track, after a quick look-through both manuals. It is intuitive, but you may have to check a few settings in the manual from time to time. Beginners should not be intimidated by this machine.

Support:
I have not used support.

Overall:
I'm still keeping my Roland 1680. It has better effects, virtual tracks, and it can mix sixteen tracks. Having said that, It was also much higher in price. I will purchase the DP02 for it's ease of use, portability, and 40 gig hard drive. Sometimes I just want a professional recording on a few tracks. The songs can get lost when there are too many choices and options, switching from right brain to left brain and back again. Convenience and ease of use are big factor.

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Feature:
has everything you need built in and more

Quality:
built strong and very sturdy

Value:
compared to buying a computer, software and all the other little things its a great value

Sound:
digital quality, great sound

Ease of Use:
if you have done some recording it will be very easy but if you are new to all this it might take a little work

Support:
havent needed it

Overall:
everything you need!

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