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Product Review: Tascam 424MkII recorder
Reviewed by: JR#97 (Chad Badham)yatahay@hotmail.com
This user’s rating:
Common price (new/used): - $425
Product description:
FOUR XLR inputs! 6 channel mixer.. 4 mono 2 stereo 3 Band EQ with swept mids. 2 Aux sends. (stereo inputs double as stereo returns) DBX noise reduction. 2 recording speeds with variable pitch control. 2 loc. points. Other typical 4 tracker/mixer features.
What I liked:
I liked the FOUR XLR inputs. We record our band practices and the 4 XLR's allow us to use mics on our acoustics instead of those nasty piezo transducers. I also like the swept mids. Did I mention the FOUR XLR's? Also the price was right and includes FOUR XLR's. The transport is pretty good, too. I've used mine quite a bit and haven't had any problems. Can't say the same for my buddy's similar Fostex model x-whatever.
What I didn't like:
The knobs seem kinda flimsy, but for $425 and FOUR XLR's, you've got to skimp somewhere. I also don't care for the stereo ins doubling as the effect returns. Also aux#2 doubles as the tape cue, which I didn't care for. What if I want to cue WITH 2 different effects? hmm?? But that's what you get for $425 (don't forget the FOUR XLR's). Phantom power to go along with the FOUR XLR's would be nice, but then again for the price.... No real complaints other wise. Very satisfied customer here.
Tips:
I use mine for all sorts of stuff. Mostly recording the band practices as we hash out different arrangement ideas. Unlike a lot of the other 4 trackers, you can record all 4 at once.
Even if you have a digital HD, tape, or other high quality recording medium, having a good 4 tracker can still be practical. For high quality stuff, I prefer to either track to my PC, 1/2", or DAT. HD space is at a premium on my PC, so I don't like to wast HD space with arrangement ideas. 1/2" tape isn't cheap and neither is relapping heads. The DAT is only a 2 track so....
I also use my 424 to front end my PC. It has 4 tape outs for transfering stuff to PC for those times when I can't get a decent take to HD and my best take was on the 4 tracker.
I also did the audio score and soundtrack for an independent film on my 424. Don't ask me how I synced it all up. That's a 5 page article in itself. Suffice it to say that it was a last minute project with no time to rent real gear and it worked out great. (the final medium was vhs, so we weren't splitting hairs.)
Now that the 424MKIII is out, you can find close outs and "previously owned" MKII's for cheap.
Specs
For information see The Tascam Site
Chad Badham, 2000