Tascam DP-008 vs Zoom H4N

  • Thread starter Thread starter JoaoM.
  • Start date Start date

Which one is better?

  • Tascam DP-008

    Votes: 5 62.5%

  • Zoom H4N

    Votes: 3 37.5%

  • Other (post it...)

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    8
J

JoaoM.

New member
Which one do you think it's better and why? :)

If you have other device for the same price range (+/- 300$) feel free to suggest.

Thanks,
JoaoM.
 
That's a tough one. The Tascam, I bet, is more robust, based on the way each company has built stuff in the past. I use the H4n, and find it a very usable unit. I've handled the Tascam, but never used it. The Tascam only records 2 tracks at a time, unlike the H4n, and only records in 16bit/44.1 kHz. It gives you 8 tracks out, to the Zoom's 4. The Zoom can act as a computer controller using the included Cubase, or most other software, which should give you at least 16 total tracks out. The Zoom can record 4 tracks simultaneously, but two of them have to be the onboard mics, or an external stereo mic.

The H4n can do two track recording in higher bit depth/resolution, up to 16bit/96kHz. The X factor with the Tascam is actual EQ knobs and analog panning. It's also larger, physically, than the Zoom, which makes it easier to use and harder to transport (The Zoom fits in most guitar cases).

I think it comes down to preferences and applications. If you like your hands on a lot of dials, and you intend to use the unit mostly for band practices or small gigs, I might choose the Tascam, especially if you're not using it with a computer. If you intend to do processing in a separate computer, and you want 4 tracks for drums, I like the Zoom. Its physical dimensions and more extensive onboard FX (amp sims, compression, and more) make it a superior notepad for a traveling recording artist/guitarist. For my purposes, I prefer the Zoom, primarily for its versatility.

What I really should have said is- other- Zoom R16. Yeah, it's $400, but blows the others away. Instead of the PDA of a recording artist, it's the netbook of a recording artist. It does everything the H4n does, but adds 8 track simultaneous recording, 16 tracks out as a standalone, and real faders.-Richie
 
Richard Monroe said:
That's a tough one. The Tascam, I bet, is more robust, based on the way each company has built stuff in the past. I use the H4n, and find it a very usable unit. I've handled the Tascam, but never used it. The Tascam only records 2 tracks at a time, unlike the H4n, and only records in 16bit/44.1 kHz. It gives you 8 tracks out, to the Zoom's 4. The Zoom can act as a computer controller using the included Cubase, or most other software, which should give you at least 16 total tracks out. The Zoom can record 4 tracks simultaneously, but two of them have to be the onboard mics, or an external stereo mic.

The H4n can do two track recording in higher bit depth/resolution, up to 16bit/96kHz. The X factor with the Tascam is actual EQ knobs and analog panning. It's also larger, physically, than the Zoom, which makes it easier to use and harder to transport (The Zoom fits in most guitar cases).

I think it comes down to preferences and applications. If you like your hands on a lot of dials, and you intend to use the unit mostly for band practices or small gigs, I might choose the Tascam, especially if you're not using it with a computer. If you intend to do processing in a separate computer, and you want 4 tracks for drums, I like the Zoom. Its physical dimensions and more extensive onboard FX (amp sims, compression, and more) make it a superior notepad for a traveling recording artist/guitarist. For my purposes, I prefer the Zoom, primarily for its versatility.

What I really should have said is- other- Zoom R16. Yeah, it's $400, but blows the others away. Instead of the PDA of a recording artist, it's the netbook of a recording artist. It does everything the H4n does, but adds 8 track simultaneous recording, 16 tracks out as a standalone, and real faders.-Richie
Click to expand...

And the preamp for r16 is better than the dp008?
 
Given the prices of the components involved, the preamps are probably not that different in any of the units under discussion.-Richie
 
I have the Zoom and like it quite a bit. I haven't had a chance to record a band on it yet, but have recorded conversations, scratch ideas, and field recording with ease and great sound. www.americanmusical.com has a nice deal that comes with a rugged case, 3gb SD card and AT headphones- and you can pay in three installments. I purchased that very deal and was impressed. Good luck!
 
I have the Tascam so I can only speak for it, and it's amazing, I'm still learning new things all the time about it. Bouncing tracks, cutting, etc.
The built in mics are pretty sweet as well
 
kidkage said:
I have the Tascam so I can only speak for it, and it's amazing, I'm still learning new things all the time about it. Bouncing tracks, cutting, etc.
The built in mics are pretty sweet as well
Click to expand...

You can playback one track on the head phones and record at the same time, that would be very important so I can record voice and guitar in different times and tracks.

For 300$ (or just a little more) anyone has other suggestion in mind?
 
Yeah with the Tascam I got way more than I expected at the time.
You can indeed record a new track while others are playing back, the built in tuner, and metronome are amazing, as are the built in condensers. And on a sidenote it comes with a very detailed manual. And here it is for only $210 as opposed to musicians friend 300, so for $210 I definitely don't think it can be beat http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ..._008_DP_008_Portable_8_Track_Portastudio.html

:D

If you get it, I do suggest getting the $20 power adapter as well, batteries wont last too long in it.

Good luck on your quest
:drunk:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top