The only one I can think of is the MF-P01. It's a base line 4 track cassette with only 1 input, no eq, no dbx, fly wheels for track input volume and one master fader. I own one, but I don't use it anymore because I am too limited by it.I thought all the Tascam portastudios had dbx. Which models are you referring to that don't?
The only one I can think of is the MF-P01. It's a base line 4 track cassette with only 1 input, no eq, no dbx, fly wheels for track input volume and one master fader. I own one, but I don't use it anymore because I am too limited by it.
No it doesn't. It's basically only an idea platform. You only get the four tracks, no bouncing, no stereo tracks.Not at all familiar with this unit. Does it have discreet outs for each tape channel? Without them you won't be able to decode your dbx (or other nr) encoded tracks.
I couldn't find that one anywhere...I have the Ministudio Porta02 (mkII). I'm not sure if the absence of noise reduction is a bad thing? I think this is a newer model, released in 1998, so I don't know if the signal to noise ratio was improved by then? Or am I totally wrong with this?
Should've mentioned this earlier. Hope this makes it more clear =)
ebay is the only place left that you can still find them (unless you get lucky at a garage sale or something). Tascam is all digital now, with the exception of the MF-P01. I went on the website after I saw this post, and no 414mkii or mkiii, or any of the old cassette portastudios to be found there.Good call, Dave. He'd know.
Th 414 mkII is a really cool unit too, and you can find those on eBay CHEAP. Really feature-packed relative to the Porta 02, and similar footprint.
More practical and maybe even a cheaper optioin if you sell the Porta 02 than picking up external n/r.
Doh! I completely missed that tab...The Tascam website has a "Legacy" page with all the older/discontinued units.
The cassette Portastudios available new are down to the 02mkII and MFP01, until they're gone, then it's eBay all the way for this type of gear.
http://www.tascam.com/legacy;37,17.html
http://www.tascam.com/products/porta02mkii.html
http://www.tascam.com/products/414mkii.html
http://www.tascam.com/products/424mkiii.html
I bought the MF-P01 because of the price. And it was the only one available where I was at the time (Sasebo, Japan). They had the 414 and 424, but they were almost 3 times the price I could have gotten it in the states. I didn't trust the internet or the overseas shipping to arrive, so I went for the P01. It was nice for getting my feet wet, but I outgrew it fast. I went straight to digital after that, and while I am happy with it, I can't capture the same tone of any of my instruments or vocals on a digital machine. I don't care what anyone says, analog sounds so much sweeter.424 (mkII and mkIII) units should be fairly plentiful on ebay. 414 units are nice (except it lacks the speed option of the 424) and have dbx included. Someone mentioned it has a similar footprint to what you already have, which might be a plus for you.
I thought about getting the MF-P01 for just kicking around ideas, but not having dbx soured the idea. That and I've been spoiled by the 424. Check out the threads in this forum where someone (sorry! Forgot who at the moment.) posted up a handful of tunes recorded on the 424. There is something to be said for a higher end cassette multi-track. Give it some thought and let us know what you think.
It has 2-band fixed EQ, too, which is a middle of the road feature. Beats having none, but less than the 3-band EQ on the 424mkIII.jjones1700 said:424 (mkII and mkIII) units should be fairly plentiful on ebay. 414 units are nice (except it lacks the speed option of the 424) and have dbx included. Someone mentioned it has a similar footprint to what you already have, which might be a plus for you.
It has 2-band fixed EQ, too, which is a middle of the road feature. Beats having none, but less than the 3-band EQ on the 424mkIII.
I have the Ministudio Porta02 (mkII). I'm not sure if the absence of noise reduction is a bad thing? I think this is a newer model, released in 1998, so I don't know if the signal to noise ratio was improved by then? Or am I totally wrong with this?
Should've mentioned this earlier. Hope this makes it more clear =)
Check out the threads in this forum where someone (sorry! Forgot who at the moment.) posted up a handful of tunes recorded on the 424.