TASCAM DP-03 Portastudio Multitrack Recorder

Record 2 XLR inputs to SD Card media. Layer 8 tracks and mix on 8 faders. Burn a CD with the DP-03's drive, or transfer via USB. This recorder does it all!

Overall User Ratings (based on 8 ratings)
  • Overall:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Sound:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Features:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Ease of Use:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Quality:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Value:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Manufacturer Support:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • The Wow Factor:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(8) (see rating details)
Submitted January 18, 2012 by Sylvester J in Washington, DC

"More Than What I Imagined!"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I am in the midst of setting up a "starter" studio for my sons (guitar and piano) and wanted a product that wouldn't overwhelm them but meet my expectations at the same time. Well, the DP-03 "exceeds" my expectations.
Sound
The EQ and Compression features allow you to deliver "crisp" and "tight" product to disc.
Features
Most useful: EQ, Compression, metronome and punch in (I could go on) The tuner is probably the least useful but it's great if you don't have a piano, tuner or great ear with you.
Ease of Use
Simply put, if you can read, you can use this product. Additionally, if you are intuitive and have some previous experience with recorders, you will feel like a pro with this product in no time.
Quality
The product is by no stretch of the imagine rugged. However, I don't anticipate dropping it or throwing it around in the back of the car traveling either. It was purchased to be used in a small "home" studio where on a good day, 2-3 people will touch it.
Value
In short, YES!!!!
Manufacturer Support
I have not needed to deal with the manufacturer as of yet.
The Wow Factor
The design is compact but bold. It is something I'm sure my sons look forward to showing off.

Musical Background:

I've played music casually for "several" years. I play piano/keyboards but do more producing than anything.

Musical Style:

Primarily Christian and Jazz.
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Submitted June 1, 2011 by a customer from aol.com

"Right Tool For The Job"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
If I was filthy rich, I'd still use this unit to record full-band arrangements, and then turn the tracks over to my staff to do the million-copy studio work.
Sound
The sound is plenty good enough. If you want to tweak every last feature of the finished sound on every last track, you obviously need a bigger box or a computer (you can upload your tracks). If you're trying to lay down perfectly good tracks without a lot of setup knob-turning and mouse-clicking, the DP-03 is for you.
Features
Ease of use and high-quality sound and control are the most noticeable features. Has the usual reverb-by-channel, EQ-by-channel, etc.
Ease of Use
If you record at home, and you like to play and sing more than you like to navigate menus, the Tascam DP-03 is your best choice. After 2 computer-based systems, 3 or 4 digital home-recorders, a cassette-based portastudio, and a reel-to-reel-based home recording system, this is the FIRST box I actually enjoy using. The learning curve is near zero. Almost any function (assign input-to-recording-track, tuner, mixdown, metronome, bounce tracks, phantom power, save your work, not to mention track-by-track EQ and reverb) take only 2 or 3 button pushes. Plug in and record. 8 tracks to work with. If you write songs frequently, you'll be delighted with the lack of set-up time needed. And it's got enough horse-power so you can produce a presentable finished product.
Quality
I've only had it a few weeks. So far the construction seems solid. It would be foolish to guess on the unit's longevity.
Value
If other items were this easy to use in relation to their horse-power, it would be easier to rate their price compared to this one.
Manufacturer Support
Haven't needed it yet.
The Wow Factor
It depends on what you want. If you want to tweak every parameter on every track, you should rob a bank, and then get a computer, software, and an analog-to-Midi computer interface box. If you want to record your vocals, guitar, base, keyboard and drum tracks shortly after you dream them up, and be able to mix it all down to nice-sounding full-band arrangements, get the DP-03.

Musical Background:

Former pro, current hobbyist.

Musical Style:

Blend of hard-rock, gospel, big-band swing, blues, country, classical, and Zydeco
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Submitted August 30, 2012 by a customer from gmail.com

"Tascam DP-03 ( w CD burner ) is a Real Winner"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
When you have one of these little machines you have a recording studio that's far better than what many musicians had years ago. Of course you still need to have monitors, mics, talent, work etc. etc. and most importantly you really need to learn as much as you can about this little gem to get the full potential from it. And believe me, it has a lot of potential.

Musical Background:

Been playing piano & guitars for around 40+yrs.Now 61 years old, record music at home and put it online.

Musical Style:

Folk,jazz,Christian,experimental,rock,blues.
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Submitted February 10, 2012 by C J in Stafford, VA

"Quality Home Recorder"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
I purchased this recorder for my 12 and 13 year-old boys. In a matter of weeks they were rocking and rolling with this piece of gear. Setup is a breeze. Mixing, Mastering, EQ, Compression, Assign, mute and Reverb are just a few of the awesome features we've employed with this gear. The ONLY negative with the recorder for me is the copying, moving, inserting, etc. a bit of a challenge because identifying locations is about time and not bars/measures. Nonetheless, I would purchase this again as the above mentioned issue isn't much of an issue at all as I do most recording on a Korg sequencer and then drop that to the TASCAM.

Musical Background:

Been playing for several years. Keyboard and Guitar. I mostly jam with my sons.

Musical Style:

We play all types of music but Christian and Jazz is the music of choice.
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Submitted November 29, 2011 by a customer from sbcglobal.net

"Totally Awsome"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
The next purchase if there is one so they can film them doing their concerts.
Sound
I got it for my son in prison who is into music. He is totally in love with it and has been using it to record his groups music. He is in 2 music groups. C4C is Champions for Christ and DOE Discipels of Eternity. There are a total of 8 inmates in these groups and they are fantastic. I went to a concert Oct. 31st at the prison and they are awsome with their Gospel Music. A year ago I got him a beat machine which the use alot and now with the recorder they are all in heaven. My son is a ordained Minister and most of the songs they write themselves. Now with the recorder they can now burn their music. The prison music group is called Music with a purpose and it is a fantastic program. The only problem now is he is always on the recorder and don't write as much. The prison wouldn't get a recorder so that is why I got permission to purchase it for him. Next I would like to get something where they can also video their concerts to make a DVD. If you have something like that please let me know. They can't keep money they will make so they choose to donate their money to Abused Children of Ohio since they are in a Ohio prison. Also a % goes back into the music dept. Thank you so much for all the help that I received from your people on purchasing this. May God Bless all of you for your help.
Quality
My son is very pleased with it.
Value
I was very pleased with the price but the best is I can make payments so it didn't hit me hard cause I live on a fixed income.
The Wow Factor
The group says they are in heaven and very pleased.

Musical Background:

it was for my son

Musical Style:

Christian songs they write themselves
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Submitted March 21, 2013 by Mike McFadden in Valencia, CA

"mastered CD wont play"

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
When i finalize and burn a cd it will not play in my home computer or cd players, it does however play in my car. what's up with this, can anyone help.thanks, as far as suppor goes i do not know who to contact.MIke

Musical Background:

guitar, piano, writer

Musical Style:

all music
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