Got the Tascam DP-02CF "Portastud" !!!

[A Reel Person]

Yeah,...

I got the DP-02CF "Portastud" (mislabelled Portastudio) from MF the other day, after coming thru tax time smelling nearly like a rose. As well, I popped for a huge bin full of other musical stuff for the family. See other thread for details.

I got the DP-02CF because I was previously hooked into CF recording as a concept with the Tascam Pocketstudio 5. I've discussed that previously at the PS5UG and also here with Oancient1 and other HRcom members.

I was motivated to buy the DP-02CF because of the type of product it is, which IMO is a basic 8-track, w/2-inputs and 2-track/simul, that's kinda stripped (shelving EQ and no Efx), and simple. I also wanted something with easy transition of wav compatible files to and from the PC thru USB2.0. I guess that's the latest/greatest thing, but it also points to the lack of transportability of files that other more vintage digital units had as limitations. Anyway, the stars aligned and I popped on music for 2008. I'd previously been budgeted practically to nothing for gear the last year or so.

On review of the DP-02CF unit itself,... I think it's design form factor is tight and functional. Just simple, flat and rectangular. I'd never liked the wedge shape of the DP-01's. The features are there, and 2-input/2-simul is best geared for the soloist recording alone, (not full band recording). The sound quality itself is really good,... accurate and flat on playback as sounded live while recording. The preamps have plenty of gain and are quiet. Tascam resurrected the OL LEDs for this unit, which are a super handy feature. The LCD bar graph meters seem to have a lot of headroom before topping out at "0".

I've not done any formal productions on the DP-02CF yet, but that's TBA/TBD. I like 8-tracks as a production medium. I think it enables good mid level fleshing out of parts and song ideas.

The DP-02CF seems simple and functional enough to use very quickly whenever ideas strike. It's small and easy to use. I'd have preferred either an attached AC power cord or a module + battery opt., but it's fine like it is. I also wish Tascam would have tagged the SMF midi file TG player in this unit, as on the PS5 ad 2488. BTW, I figured the 2488 was overkill for my gear buying purposes this time around. I have analog 16 and 24 trackers, and this time around I wanted another 8-track. Never mind it's digital! Aaagghhh!!!

I'll keep the DP-02CF handy for tracking along with my bigger production gear.

The DP-02CF's a really cool piece of gear, and for some odd reason I've preferred the CF recording medium over the 40Gb hard drive on the DP-02(std), but both models are out there if u want 'em. I got mine! 1Gb CF card included and sale priced!!

Most of all, the DP-02CF adheres very well to what I consider a well equipped "Portastudio" should be, it's small, sleek and sounds good,... not to mention is fun to use.

 

[Oancient1]

Hiya Dave,

Lucky you with a new toy. I'll be interested in seeing what you do with the 2CF. I have been thinking about getting one myself as an alternative to a used DP01, as an interim step before going further to 16+ tracks. I'm interested in knowing how much you can store on the 1GB card and ease of importing WAVs from others for collaborations.

Regards,
Tom

 

[A Reel Person]

Yeah, thanx.

I'll likely be using a front end mixer with this unit, for the most part, per our previous discussions. I'm also interested in how I can do a production in "native" mode of whatever the 2-inputs will give you (less mixer).

Both avenues will be used when the time comes. I always lamented that the PS5 was only 4 tracks, not 8 and wav compatible, but that's where the DP-01/02 enters the market.

I'm really not a gear junky any more, for the record, (heh: pun),... but I think the DP-02CF is a really strategic buy for me that's a solid production tool & will last a long time.

CF doesn't bother me. It's plenty of space & there are no moving parts. No-Efx onboard doesn't bother me, as I have efx units galore and I never bought into all the onboard efx sections on gear. 2-simul doesn't bother me, 'cause if I need more tracks simul I have a 788 and plenty of premium analog gear.

Given my gear needs and budget, the "Portastud" DP-02CF was the perfect buy for me at this time. Exciting DP-02CF productions yet forthcoming, TBD.

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

 

[cjacek]

I got the DP-02CF "Portastud" (mislabelled Portastudio)

Ahh, the wonders of Chinese quality control!

Obviously, you got a discount as the result of this 'mislabeling'?

Still, looks pretty cool, for a digital portastudio.

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[A Reel Person]

It was discounted!

Yeah, it's a cool little box with a few minor limitations that aren't show stoppers & come along with the entire class of devices.

It looks nice & sounds good. It's small, portable and easy to use. You would've killed 25 years ago for such power in a self contained unit at such a rock bottom price, or so I think.

 

[cjacek]

Dave, I'm a little worried about your recent obsession with digital. Say it ain't so my brotha!

I'm still looking to the day that you finally mount a 1" tape on your MS16 and really go to town with it!

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[clevodrummer]

Digital Dave??? OH NO!!! (confession time)

Well Dave, I have a confession . Last month I scored a Korg D888 8 track digital and am totally blown away with the simplicity. I sold my 488 to swing the deal. The GC guy knocked 100 bucks off, so for 599, it was easily my best small studio investment.

I wanted it because it has 8 direct outs for mixdown,etc. That was always my biggest hangup with the 488. I kept the 424mkIII because I always liked it better than the 488 as far as its total karma re sound...

but the d888 is the bomb....best thing is not looking for tapes...

but my intention is to keep the hybrid rig going.... I parted with the 488 because my next score when biz gets better is a reel to reel 8 track.

I scored a Tascam M-35 mixer a few months back for 80 bucks. it works like its brand spankning new. right now im just using it for the channel strips . the back panel is perfect for direct ins and outs and inserts for effects.

but I cant wait to set it up right with an 8 track r2r.



well Dave, now that I know you took the plunge, I had to confess as well.


have fun,looking forward to hearing some recordings. its a great looking piece of gear man. i never liked the wedge shapes of the dps either. they look "silly"


clevo

 

[mrmoe]

....no reason to give up analog completely....I have a teac 3340s that I still record on and mix to a tascam dp01fx-cd....get that analog acoustic guitar sound and get to use those nice old teac preamps - then mix to 2 tracks on the tascam and have 6 empty ones remaining....a mackie 1402-vlze works perfectly for mixing to the digital recorder - it also works well as a front end mixer (directly to digital) when more than 2 inputs are needed......

 

[A Reel Person]

Yeah, sure.

Nowhere did I say or imply I'd "gone" digital. I'd been mastering from analog to PC since y2K, & I did my first full digital production in 2002 on the Fostex FD-4. Got the FD-8 and Tascam 564 too, but haven't done any serious production work on them, as yet TBD. Got the Tascam Pocketstudio 5 and 788 in 2006, & managed to knock out one production on the PS5, to date. The DP-02CF fills out all the "niche" areas for me that the other digi's I own cover in part, with only the 788 being a bit more complex and high end than all of 'em. It came down to the time to score a new recorder that I could live within it's limitation and yet find a useful addition to the rest of the line.

Nowhere did I say or imply I'd given up on analog. The DP-02CF being slight wizardry in a box still can't touch most of my other premium analog gear, period. No discussion. I'll surely bring any of a number of high quality mixers to bear on the DP-02CF as a front end mixer,... a point I bemoaningly covered in previous posts. Point in fact: all of my analog gear either equals or stomps the DP-02CF technically, so it's a moot point to compare the 488mkII, 688, 238, 388, M30/38, M312/38, M520/MS-16 systems to the DP-02CF at this point in time.

My friends, I'm still well placed in the analog world of home recording, more than most people you'll meet. I didn't even have to sell my highly regarded 488 to swing the DP-02CF deal. It was sale priced, so get yours now!!!

I have more media and analog recorders than you can shake a stick at, with more songs in my head yet to produce, as yet TBA/TBD. I've been able to knock out a few schwacksterpieces every couple of months. I hope to crank up the volume too, so stand by for fun!

PS: I'd not fret that my latest recorder is a brand new digital unit. Rest assured that I feel comfortable about my skills and technique of being able to get a satisfactory sound quality out of any recorder I own, whether it's analog or digital,... so the difference should be transparent to the listener.

 

[A Reel Person]

Dave, I'm still looking to the day that you finally mount a 1" tape on your MS16 and really go to town with it!

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This salient point has been well taken & not forgotten!

PS: Q: Do you know how much raw wiring is required to setup a 16 & 24 track system?

A: It's a heckuvalot of wires, man, wires! Wires galore. Give me snakes! Give me looms! Give me more wires!!! Cables!!! Anything! All the setup of my bigger systems is still a work in progress, but it's coming together! You'll get that 1" 16 and 1" 24 track production, this year for sure!

 

[cjacek]

You'll get that 1" 16 and 1" 24 track production, this year for sure!

YAY!!

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[A Reel Person]

Upon further reflection, the DP-02CF was a key buy, because...

I think I've already bought every piece of premium analog gear already, so there's practically no more market in analog gear for me when it comes to buying-day. Haha, it's so ironic. That's also why it's been so easy NOT to buy anything on eBay for the last 18 months, save for a few mics or small techy items. Heck, I have at least two of e'thing in analog, of the cream of the crop too.

New toys are inevitable in this field, once in a while. You're talking to a much scaled-back non-gearslutty Dave, who's just bought something that fills a niche pretty widely, but may be my most significant recorder purchase for another year or two, minimum.

Did you catch the post where I blew the bank on band instruments? Yeah, that rocks, for sure! The kids & I wanna rock!