Equipment Review
Product Reviewed:
Tascam 564 4-track minidisc recorder
Made by: Tascam
Cost: $1000
Submitted by Brent
Rating: 
Features:
This 4-track is loaded with cool features... some of which can NOT be found on a cassette based 4-track. It has 4 XLR inputs (the Yamaha MD8 only has two), two channel inserts on channels one and two, two aux sends and returns, parametric EQ with sweepable mids, many insert points per song, digital bouncing capability, auto/manual punch in/out, digital out, headphone/cue section, rca connections for monitors, tape decks, cd players/writers, etc.
Technical Specifications:
N/A
What I liked:
This unit totally destroys cassette based 4-tracks in overall sonic fidelity. I use a Behringer compressor for the channel inserts and a Lexicon MPX-100 effects processor through the Aux sends and returns. The quality of the final product that I produce on this unit is AMAZING, to say the least. I love the bouncing capability and the fact that it has FOUR XLR inputs. This allows me to track drums using 4 different microphones (kick, snare, overhead, lo toms)... and then bounce them to a mono track or stereo tracks on the next MINIDISC song. I can keep the original drum tracks until I'm absolutely happy with my BOUNCE. Recording and Overdubbing guitars, bass and vocals are a breeze on the Tascam 564. The punch in pedal is smooth as silk... even though it is made out of cheap plastic. After I have tracked all instruments... I simply run a RCA to 1/8" from the Tascam 564 into the soundcard of my computer, so I can get get them into .WAV format. From there... I go to my CD-writer using Adaptec software. For the money I paid for this unit.... it has performed OVER and BEYOND the call of duty. I didn't have the money to spend on an ADAT, Mackie mixing board along with all of the necessary effects and dynamics processors OR a Pro Tools DAW. I don't like the Roland digital multi-tracks... because you must have a separate mixer in order to get a good quality balanced signal into the Roland. The Tascam 564 provided me with a good quality mixer and recorder in one package. It WILL NOT, by any means, give you the AWESOME sound quality of an ADAT or Pro Tools DAW... but for the price.... the Tascam 564 can NOT be matched.
What I didn't:
No phantom power. I had to purchase a separate phantom power box for my Audio Technica condenser mic. Occasional REC ERROR messages.
User Tips:
If you get a REC ERROR message while tracking.... simply hit the UNDO button. Everything is OK after you do this. If you can use a cassette based 4- track... this unit is EVEN easier to use... thanks to the minidisc technology. Use compressors to enhance a bounced drum track (all drums).... minimal compression while boosting the overall signal with the output level on the compressor
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