How crappy is the TASCAM porta 02?

[squirtingpus]

I havent ever bought a 4 track before and my question is quite simple. Would the TASCAM porta 02 be an adequate recorder for me to use to make demo tapes with my band? Im on a real tight budget and cant spring for anything more expensive right now.
Thank you,
Matt Miller

 

[virtual.ray]

In your shoes,I would try to find a used Tascam 424 or even a 414,because both of these machines allow you to record with the tape moving at double speed(3 and 3/4 inches per second).this makes a BIG difference in the quality of the sound.These machines cost about twice as much as the Porta 2 if you buy new,but there are a lot of people upgrading to digital gear these days and you should be able to find used ones that are in good shape.Cheers!

 

[2lim]

If you can find one used, then get a yamaha mt120 this has the double/single speed advantage, as well as being able to record all four tracks at once, and this is the only analog machine that i have seen that can be used to add effects after recording

 

[Jim Marquard]

I have the MT120 and I have to agree that it is cool to add the effects after the initial tracking. Mine is about ten years old and I don't know if they remedied this, but the EQ was only a graphic EQ instead of parametric, which is more suitable to recording. But I bet many of the newer recorders do allow to add effects after recording (at least those with mixers). I know my Fostex FD-4 allows this option.

Peace, Jim

 

[2lim]

Hey jim, they still haven't fixed it but hey it is well worth the eq trouble to get all the other advantages

 

[2lim]

Hey jim, they still haven't fixed it but hey it is well worth the eq trouble to get all the other advantages