Tascam DP01 FX - What do you think ?

  • Thread starter Thread starter .sooper.
  • Start date Start date
.sooper. said:
I know this is a failry new unit. I was curoius as to what some of your overall reviews are on the product. Knowlagable reviews appreciated ! Is this good bang for your buck ? good qaulity sound Vs similiar priced units - etc. I picked one up two weeks ago. Im slow learner
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I haven't read all of the replies to this thread but I thought I'd give my 2 cents .... First, I'm an ex-digital guy who went Analog .. Second, I have never used the DP01FX ... HOWEVER, the 2 features which struck my eye immediately, based solely on the unit's specs and info online, were the 40 GIG UNcompressed wav recording capability (with usb transfer to your pc for mixing) and, yet more important, LESS reliance on the dreaded and hideous menu driven systems = the whole recording process is MUCH easier and fun (for digital that is). Based on that alone, the DP01FX is a winner. The price, of course, is very attractive for what you get. If I were shopping for a brand new digital multitracker I'd get this thing. Still, this isn't saying much. I'd rather work with something like a Yamaha MD4 (or MD8) if I were tracking to digital. Sadly, these are not available new anymore. These days I track to cassette and open reel tape and anything else would just be a bad downgrade.

~Daniel
 
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I am going to offer a veteran analog user's perspective from a somewhat different standpoint than that of some of my peers. I have used and own a Tascam 564, a Tascam 688 and a Tascam 424. I began with a Tascam Porta One in 1988. I am extremely well-versed in using my 688 and 424. The 688 is probably the best Portastudio that Tascam (or anyone else for that matter) has ever made, period. It is also my own personal fave. That said, I have just picked up my Tascam DP-01FXCD. I am aware it's limitations, but I disagree with those who don't consider it a Portastudio. I think that it will prove to be a great tool for those who give it a chance within it's context. There a some things other types of multitrackers can do that it cannot, however, the same can be said for this machine. For example, my 688 will never be able to burn CDs in a standalone fashion. Does that mean it's not a useful tool since it lacks that capability? The point is there are pros and cons to everything, and any limitations posed by a piece of gear can actually be a good thing, if one is creative. I am keeping an open mind and plan on enjoying my DP-01FXCD. I also plan on continuing to enjoy my 688, 564 and 424, as well. Just my thoughts.
:)"Heather"
 
Sexy Heather said:
any limitations posed by a piece of gear can actually be a good thing, if one is creative.
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That's what I think too.
 
I have the DP-01, not the FX model but I gather they are essentially the same unit, just added features. Essential recording ability unchanged.
I bought mine cheap. CHEAP. Like clearance brand-new-in-the-box but better-than-used-prices-on-ebay cheap. So I'm pretty happy with mine value wise.
As far as ease of use- I was recording direct from my rack in under 5 minutes, only had to glance at the manual, and I have no digital recording experience. I used to have a cassete based yamaha 4-track and it was always a struggle not to have everything distort and sound horrible. Recorded with early version of Cakewalk as well and it always sounded bland to my ears. I haven't delved into the editing features yet but my intial stages with this unit have been pain-free.
As far as sound- I was amazed at how decent the sound was from this Tascam...... I mean what I'm hearing through my crappy headphones on playback sounds almost EXACTLY like what my rack unit (I recorded direct) sounds like amplified. No funky changes in the eq that made me scratch my head like with my old 4-track cassete yamaha, no distortion, no harshness. After repeated listenings it started to sound a bit flat to my ears even with reverb and touch of delay (from my preset) so I panned the inputs about 50% to the left and right, and it widened to "image" significantly.
I can't wait to get my drum tracks going and experiment with ambient mic'ing to see how this unit tracks what I'm gonna throw it.
I really wish it had greater simultaneous recording capability but I can live with only 2 inputs for the price. Just about every other unit in this price range is no different. Doesn't affect the sound so I can work around. (no elaborate mic set-ups or close-mic'ed drums w/o using a mixer first)
 
Agree completely on the value for the money. I have the DP-01FXCD, and it's awesome to have everything in one compact unit. I'm really enjoying it!
:) Heather
 
hey i just got the fostex mr9 h8 and i took it back the next day-- i was very disappointed to find out that its not a 'real' 8 track-- tracks 5/6 and tracks 7/8 are basically just tracks 5 and tracks six but you can record two channels to each at once.

is the d-01 a real 8 track? i too am just doing solo stuff mostly so i only need 2 inputs at once, but i really need all 8 tracks that i can work with on the fly at once.

i'd rather just upgrade my cassette 4 track to a cassette 8 track as i love the analog part of it and the linear editing of cassette tapes versus the korg pxr4. but i dont think they make cassette 8 tracks so i was thinking either the fostex or tascam hd (i HATE the flashcard media thing with the pxr4-- i love filling cheap cassettes with hours and hours to go back and layer over)
 
I am getting more of the hang of working with the DP-01FX, I have had it about six months and you can get some excellent results if you use it with a Focusrite Trackmaster, I find the Trackmaster with the unbalanced or Balanced choice of connection really great for working with.

The Trackmaster also has a built in compression which evens the sound out nicely.

I use the unbalnced for the guitar then use a slpitter to go into two channels and then pan them left and right which gives it a slightly airy feel.


I also pan the harmonies, when mixed right you can get a lovely CD quality acoustic sound.

Dave
 
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Hi all, i have the dp01fx about three months, very easy to use its my first time to try home recording.I play lead guitar and vocals.I bought a bass and drum machine to use with it also.Already i see the limitations of the unit so iam somewhat disappointed.As for the effects, well i use my boss gt8 have tried the on board guitar effects but have used the bass effects and they leave a lot to be desired.The vocal effects are not too hot either, crap really,so i bought a lexicon mx200 only to discover that it can only be used at the mastering stage thereby the vocal effect chosen will be used on all the other track parts also. I took the lexicon back to the store and it took the guys about 1.5 hours to figure out why none of the effects were working during recording.As i said you can only use one effect during the mastering stage.All in all very disappointed with that.Thankfully i was given a refund for the lexicon.
So the only option for me now is to use a pc. to put vocal effects on thereby not touching the other tracks.Can anyone recomend a software program for matering etc with quality effects especially for the vocals.Of course now my pc will need an upgrade. Cheers Redz
 
diogo said:
fellas,

care to chim in on the other thread? i could really use some sound clips of this machine in action..

many tanx!
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I have the DP01. Upgraded from a regular 414. A Reel person is right on the limitations, but as mentioned before, it makes you be a little inventive and creative. Since the 414 only had 2 simul rec capabilities, I'm not that dissapointed, I knew it before buying it. I have to say though, the circuitry that doesn't allow the 2 inputs to be recorded in one track is what really bugs me. But, oh well, can't complain for the value. I'm a happy camper with my DP01. I didn't want the FX or CD burner included, since it can perfectly do that in my PC. For me, it's more convenient and practical, to do the burning and editing of effects with cool edit pro....and save some cash while doing it.

Diogo, here's a song I recorded recently with the DP01, edited with cool edit.
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=371758&songID=4060955

Cheers!
 
thanks a lot

anyone care to recomend a good mixing/mastering pc software progrm with quality effects especially for vocals for use with tascam dp01.Thankz
 
Have you tried Google? How much do you want to spend? Look at Sonar, ProTools, CoolEdit, etc. The DP-01 is mainly a 'capture' machine with tools like these, for people who don't want to actually record directly into their PC (or do remote recording). Then you can upload the tracks into the computer and play with them there. Altho if you get a decent program and upgrade your computer (or buy a second one just for recording, which is the preferred option), you might wonder why you need the DP-01 at all.
 
jumbosilverette said:
Good job, Nico. Keep 'em coming.
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Thanks Jumbo.
Redz, just as Trillian said, you can choose from all the ones that are out there. Personally, I use Cool Edit pro; and it works fine.
Cheers!
 
cool

hey thanks guys, as i said i'm new to home recording and discovered this site after my purchase.i went on the recomendations of my local sound store which in hind sight may not have been good advice, so i'm still a bit in the dark as to what iam looking for and how to go about doing it.
Basicaly i'm not satisfied with the vocal effects on dp01, i haven't been able to get a vocal effects processor that is compatible with the unit,had problems with send/return. i like to do my own versions of early Queen at the moment with layered operatic vocal harmonies, also into the heavier end of melodic hard rock.its just for my own challenge and enjoyment, have no big aspirations.Eventually i would like to compose and record my own music, i'm going about it this way to learn the art of reproducing first and then use the knowledge to record my own ideas.So if anyone can recomend a compatible vox, effects unit for my dp01 price range up to $300 that would be cool.Meanwhile i will look at the software sugesstions made above. Thanks a lot guys Redz.

My gear is;
Washburn X50 guitar
Boss GT8 effects processor
Ashton BAss guitar
K, Yari acc, guitar
Yamaha V50 Synth
Shure SM 58 Mic.
Alesis SA 16 drum machine
Tascam DP01
 
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