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The Tascam DP-02 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 features XLR inputs with phantom power for condenser mics and a guitar in for direct recording. Each channel gives you dedicated controls for instant access to fader level, record arm/track mute, pan, effect send, high and low EQ. There's also an EQ frequency button for finer control over the mix. Two effects processors are included in the DP-02. A multieffects processor on the input provides great-sounding overdrive, flange, delay and more for your guitar, vocal, drum and bass tracks. In addition, there's a reverb processor on a send and return for adding hall, room, plate or chamber reverb to your mix. The DP-02 is loaded with great Tascam extras like a chromatic tuner, metronome, and bar-and-beat display for getting around your song. The DP-02 records two channels at a time to a built-in 40GB hard drive. When you're satisfied with your production, arm the dedicated master track for your stereo mixdown. You can transfer your tracks and mixes or backup your song to a computer through a speedy USB 2.0 connection or burn it to a CD with the slot-loading drive. No other workstation makes recording so simple, affordable and fun as the Tascam DP-02.
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Technical Details
- Two XLR mic/line inputs with phantom power for condenser microphones^Eight-track recording at uncompressed 44.1k/16-bit audio quality^Portastudio-based interface with volume fader, pan, effect send, high and low EQ controls per channel^EQ frequency button to access high and low EQ shelf frequencies^USB 2.0 interface for transferring tracks, mixes and backup files to a computerSee more technical details
By Johnny Dee (San Francisco)
It took me awhile to learn to use this, and I think they could write a much better manual and make a more logical set of controls. I went on line and learned from others much more than the manual could explain clearly. It is going to be frustrating for a novice, period. Sound is great with good mics (essential--expect to pay $85-150 for a minimally decent mic).
No, you can't mix in effects ahead of the recording--only when you play back. This is made pretty clear if you do a bit of research. You can use effects as you play it into your computer or wherever. I just pull out the card and put it in a card reader connected to my computer. I then load it into Garageband and add effects there. PC users can get Audacity free, and I believe it has similar abilities to Garageband, and has a good rep. Don't know about the guy's card complaint, but I think I read some other complaints about card type compatabilty. Maybe check with Tascam. I use a Sandisk Extreme 3 an it works. Cheap to buy on Amazon.
Note: Inputs aren't very well amplified. I use 2 condenser mics that run off the "phantom power" provided by the recorder, and with acoustic guitar and voice at normal levels I have the gain set at almost full to get the meters where they should be. There are others out there who have the same problem. You can use a dynamic mic but you want an efficient one (puts out more power--I'm blanking on the technical name for it).
Do some research. I learned a lot when I did, and believe this is one of the best recorders for the money, despite the issues.
By M. Williams
I had been using the Tascam 414 cassette based Portastudio and decided it was time to upgrade to digital. I was able to get the DP-02CF for $250 and am quite happy with it. Mine came with a 1G CF card and this lets me record 8 tracks total for a 3-4 minute song. I will be purchasing a larger CF card but the one that comes with it allowed me to get my feet wet and play around with it. I was concerned about the need for a pre-amp as many have indicated but I have 3 different inexpensive condenser mics, MXL V63M,MXL 991,and one my son gave me with no brand name on it and a contact mic for percussions and never had to run the trim control any where near it's max settings. I play alot of acoustic guitar both 6 and 12 string (Martin D-28's) as well as a Gibson-ES335 and was pleased with the recordings. I use headphones when recording/mixing and didn't detect any digital artifacts or noise in any of the recordings. You do need to read the manual, but I was recording, mixing and bouncing tracks after my first couple of hours. I see there was also a mention that you can't EQ on your input signal. I didn't find this an issue as I'd rather have the raw sound and then manipulate it when I do a final mix down. For an inexpensive device I was very pleased with the final results. BTW the CF model doesn't come with all the effects like the HD based unit. I have a Digitech GNX4 and I'll be trying to use it as an effects send unit to the DP-02CF as soon as I make some more patch cables. For the money, I found the DP-02CF to be very capable and would recommend it.
By Scott Kerr
The DP-02CF does have a few limitations (can only record from 2 sources at a time, and need to crank the level on the microphone in order to get enough power), but it's way better than my old cassette-based 4-track recorder. Having a great time playing around with it, and can't beat it for the price.
By T. Bailey (Southern California)
I purchased the DP-02CF expecting a Multi-Track Recorder, much like the 10 or so Recorders I've owned over the past 25 years past from Tascam. However, even though the new Digital technology is wonderful, things here are not quite what they appear to be in this case...
First, even though you are using a CF Card and you can use up to an 8 gig card [which is great] you are limited to .wav format in FAT 32 which burns 1/2 a gig of space off the top, and limits the length/size of your files per song. Plus the usual FAT 32 file corruption issues which can sneak up on you in a hurry, trust me. Also, be careful, very very careful when buying a card for this deck. The approved media list has a big list of cards that made me cringe, several of the 8 gig options cost lest than $30 on Amazon, Gasp! I mean, you get what you pay for and if you're using ANYTHING less than a Sandisk Extreme 3, you're going to end up cussing out the unit and tascam within 2 weeks! Trust me on this one...
Second, where do I begin?
When you setup a recording and start adding tracks, each time you playback and listen to what you recorded, you are required to go back and reassign everything from scratch, including track sends! Nice huh... This doesn't sound like much at first, but after you use the unit for a while it becomes a time consuming adventure in frustration.
Next, the Deal Killer...
This unit should be described as a very limited Mixer, with a 2 track recorder with bounce down capabilities slapped on the top. This is not a multi-track recorder like any I've ever owned before or even a decent mixer, since NO EFFECT SEND is available during recording! You heard me right, you can't even add compression to a vocal as you record, but more on this later.
So, I was expecting PRE and POST eq [as almost every other deck I've owned from Tascam in the past] but alas even though there is nice eq, effect sends and controls, they are all POST. In fact in Record mode you only have 2 tracks, dry to the card that's it. Only in POST final mix-down to a DVD, or whatever you make your master on [No bounce-down eq/effect capabilities either since EVERYTHING IS POST HERE!] Like I said, this makes this unit a mixer with a recorder slapped on, not a full featured recorder as it appears to be. I mean if your 15 and this is your first recorder for band demos, great! Otherwise you will be sadly disappointed.
This means if you plan on using the eq, and effecting your signals during bouncing down, NONE of the adjustments you make during mixdown will record to the track, it's just a mixer kids! So, if your vocal stack of 4 tracks needs a little hi end added during bounce, or if the bass guitar/guitar/keyboard mixdown needs a little extra push, or you need to do anything during the mix-down process getting to your final 8 tracks, tough luck! Only in the final mixdown to another device, can you use any of the eq/effects. This is why the unit is so inexpensive, and why it's useless for anything other than live 2 track demos and practicing bounce down, so that later when you buy a real recorder you'll know what to do.
This is the reason why I was in shock when my unit arrived. Just remember when looking for a multi-track, always ask up front if your deck has PRE and POST options for eq/effects. I should have asked, oh well...
Here's another example of the frustration.... Let's say your recording live and you want to add in some compression to the vocal track as it's live going into the deck. Tough luck! You can't use the effect send to add your $1000 compresser/limiter and Exciter. How about adding a little eq to the bass guitar from the line in, same deal tough luck! NOTHING can be added to the instruments as they go in, or as they are bounced down, it is ONLY during final mix-down TO ANOTHER DEVICE that you can you add anything!
One last time, everything on this mixer [aka multi-track] is post. You might as well buy a nice mixer, and a zoom, you'll have more options and a better final mix. Plus, you won't have to worry about your CF card corrupting from the Fat32 formatting after spending 3 days recording and bouncing down tracks.
If they had only been honest in the description of this unit [and it's NOT Amazon's fault, they just list the factory description which is totally misleading] then I could have avoided wasting a week trying to find out why I couldn't save any of my mixdown settings.
By Joe B (Atlanta)
I received this a few days ago and at first was a bit beyond whelmed by the instruction booklet. After reading all the hype about how user friendly it is, I thought I was suddenly a tad less than ept.
It takes awhile to absorb all that it can do. It can do a LOT. Therefore, ya gotta read the instructions and take a step at a time to get acclimated.
I don't agree that it's user friendly right out of the box but it's pretty close. Just READ THE MANUAL and ignore the translation from Japanese to Chinese and then into English. The errors are minor and easy to figure out. The mantra here is to read the manual and take it one step at at a time. Follow the very good step by step intro instructions, plug in your guitar and a mic and don't expect to record a multi million seller mix down the first day. Play with it and get used to it. The card can be formatted over and over again.
The quality is outstanding and it's almost indestructable. It will take awhile to get comfortable with it but well worth the time. Afterall, God wasn't built in a day. Or is that Rome?
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