TASCAM CDBT2 Portable CD Bass Trainer

With the ability to slow down CD tracks without changing the pitch, the playback from the CDBT2 makes an excellent training aide.

Overall User Ratings (based on 9 ratings)
  • Overall:
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Sound:
    3.5 out of 5 stars
  • Features:
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Ease of Use:
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Quality:
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Value:
    3.5 out of 5 stars
  • Manufacturer Support:
    3 out of 5 stars
  • The Wow Factor:
    3 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
(9) (see rating details)
Submitted April 18, 2009 by a customer from msn.com

"A recommended purchase!"

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
If the trainer was lost or broken, then I would definitely replace it. Excellent value. The price was good and the number of features and functions that the trainer offers is right on point. I find myself using it nearly everyday to work on bass lines.
Sound
I've been using an inexpensive pair of headphones with the trainer. The sound will probably be much better with quality headphones.
Features
The features are easy to use. I especially like the tempo and loop features.
Ease of Use
Extremely easy to use. Controls are well thought out.
Quality
It is not a heavy unit. I agree with a previous reviewer that one good drop on a hard floor would be the end of the trainer. That said, I would purchase this item again without hesitation.
Value
Great value!
Manufacturer Support
n/a
The Wow Factor
This is just a practial addition and not something that someone would purchase for the sheer looks of the unit.

Musical Background:

hobbyist, bass guitar

Musical Style:

alternative
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Submitted February 26, 2010 by a customer from yahoo.com

"Mast Bass"

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Purchaser zZounds has verified that this reviewer purchased this specific product from us.
Sound
I've had 2 of these and I'm really lost without it. I use it with quality head phones and the sound is very good with them a good sounding bass. All the features are very helpful the looping and tempo slow down is great.
Ease of Use
I get a very nice rich sound with this product and it is great for complicated parts and hard rock lines you may be trying to learn. It is a bit complicated but doable wit the manual and well worth the effort
Quality
As I said I've had 2 of these and handle it with CARE. They will break. The lid broke then the input broke in under a year. The power supply gave up and i had to buy another one of those. I really wish this was built with a cas made of aluminum or steel!!!!
Value
The price is fair but the two other ones I have were $40 more
Manufacturer Support
Couldn't find where to send it to be repaired so I have 2 old ones.

Musical Background:

Been playing music for 50 years

Musical Style:

rock pop jazz
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Submitted March 21, 2010 by a customer from yahoo.com

"Save your money."

Overall: 2.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
If I had it to do over again, I wouldn't buy this thing. I'd look into software to slow down or repeat tricky song parts. Again, I bought it to make bass lines in songs easier to hear, and it doesn't do that. If you want to have an array of effects in one small package, then go ahead, the effects are nice and work well. But really, it doesn't do what I bought it for.
Sound
My bass sounds OK with is, but it's noisy as hell. I've used it with a bass with active pickups and it has an annoying hiss. With my Fender Mustang, there is an irritating hum. And here's the kicker. It is no easier to hear a bass line using the bass enhance or boost than it would be with just a regular CD player. It just boosts everything in that frequency range, including the other instruments (keyboards, etc.) It just makes for a muddier sound. Also, if you like really heavy bass, forget it. You have to back the tone control toward the treble end or you get annoying distortion.
Features
It didn't come with any accessories- the power supply is sold separately. It's loaded with effects, so I guess it's nice if you use them, it would save on having to have an array of pedals or rack effects, but really, that's not what I bought it for (although the compressor did come in handy). The flash and loop features are good, it enables you to play tricky parts over and over again. I like the tempo feature too. Nice to be able to slow things down without a change in pitch.
Ease of Use
It's pretty easy to use. I haven't had any problems in that department. Mostly, it's self explanatory, and the manual is pretty easy to read on those occasions when I can't figure out what I need to do on my own. As a headphone amplifier, you could definitely do better. Like I said, it's noisy, and also you can't clip to your belt or strap, so if you want to use headphones, you're tethered to the unit.
Quality
Can't really comment on it, but I wouldn't want to drop it, it looks pretty fragile.
Value
Not worth the money. I'm not familiar with other products that do the same thing, but I wouldn't buy it if I had it to do over again.
Manufacturer Support
I've had this thing less than six months and had to send it in for repair because the thing fried on me. They only warranty labor for ninety days, though parts are warranteed for a year. If something goes wrong after ninety days, you'll have to pay for labor to get it fixed. Not much of a warrantee, really.
The Wow Factor
Not much sex appeal, and like I said, it doesn't do the main thing I bought it for, which is to make bass lines easier to hear so I can learn them by ear.

Musical Background:

I play in the shower

Musical Style:

Metal and classic rock
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Submitted May 24, 2012 by Mike A

"Tascam should have kept original outlets"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Purchaser zZounds has verified that this reviewer purchased this specific product from us.
I like the fact that the cd door isn't easily broken since it now fully opens and the flap as well. I like he battery efficiency the only issue I have is that in no longer has line in or out capabilities which I used to play my mp3 and cell phone music through there. I guess they are forcing the use of mp3 bass trainer...

Musical Background:

Professionally Bass guitar and vocalist
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Submitted October 30, 2008

"Pretty cool features at a good price"

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
I'd buy it again. It does what it claims and is easy to use. Learned 16 new songs in 2 evenings.
Sound
Sounds pretty good if the volume on the bass is turned down. Otherwise it buzzes and distorts. CD sounds good and it is easy to hear your own playing
Features
Has everything you need to learn songs from CD's. Being able to slow down the song but maintain pitch is helpful for complex parts.
Ease of Use
I haven't looked at the manual yet. Plugged it in and played.
Quality
It looks good, but doesn't appear to be robust. A short fall on a hard floor would probably end it's life.
Value
Great features at a reasonable price
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