TascamDP-006 6-Track Digital Pocketstudio Multi-Track Audio Recorder, Built-in Mics, Songwriting, Battery Operated

First off, I appreciate that Tascam still bothers to make Hardware multitrack recorders at all! They can be immensely helpful for a songwriting and demo production workflow.In researching which multi track system to buy, I looked extensively into the portable Tascam line, as well as the zoom line of portable multi track recorders. I already have a Tascam dr-40 which I feel very happy having for recording live performances and notes and ideas. It has fantastic mix of quality and options, but it's multitrack ability amounts to basically a two-track recorder, with one track record and one playback. This requires a mixdown (aka, "bounce") for each new track. For my actual song demo workflow, I find it much easier to have more than two tracks of simultaneous playback! Secondly, in the course of putting together a demo song, it is much easier to be able to queue and record on a different track at a specific point in a song. On the dr-40, however, you must play each take all the way through from the beginning. This has its benefits, don't get me wrong. It really forces you to get your stuff together, and really know your song inside and out. But it can also make putting together a quality demo much more tedious and stressful. If the dr-40 allowed me to separate out the two stereo tracks into two mono tracks or even one mono and one stereo track, and it allowed me to record from a queued position, then it would fit all of my needs. But it doesn't so here I am...While I appreciate zooms transparent WAV file recording, in studying their user manuals, I have found them incredibly tedious and confusing to operate due to a lack of dedicated controls. I record only with real instruments, so the extra features of the zoom and boss recorders do not appeal to me, and quite frankly they give the units a complexity that leaves me feeling anxious. That basically left me with the Tascam units as the most Hardware Direct option.In looking at the Tascam line, I considered this unit, the dp-006 as well as its larger siblings, the dp-008ex and the dp-03sd. I ended up going with the dp-006 for the following reasons:First, all three recorders have microphones based on the portable Dr recorder line of microphones, who's sound quality is actually very good. However, microphone placement is one of the most important factors in getting a good recording. More important than the type of mic and the quality of the preamps, Etc. The only things more important are the environment, and the Sound Source itself, which basically amounts to a quality performance and composition. Confusingly, neither the dp-008ex nor the dp-03sd have a tripod mounting option like the dp-006! This sabotages our capacity to maximize recording quality through appropriate mic placement. The dp-008ex and the dp-03sd each have built-in microphone preamps, which you will need to make use of in order to get anything in the way of decent microphone placement. While the dp-006 does not have a built-in microphone preamp, you can use its internal microphones to maximum effect. More microphones means more gear and more complexity in the setup, which creates more inhibition in the workflow. If needed, we can always add an outboard mixer feeding the dp-006 to use external mics.Second, the dp-006 gets much better battery life then its larger sibling. It has a much more portable footprint. This means I am more likely to keep it with me and to actually use it to its fullest potential! The dp-03sd requires AC power, which drastically limits it's use as a portable device and further limits the potential to use its internal microphones fully. The dp-03sd is honestly probably too large to consider any serious placement of its internal microphones by providing a tripod mounting option, and so internal mics do not make sense for it. The dp-008ex badly needs the same tripod thread mount that the dp-006 has!Third, when recording solo I like having the option of remote control. Interestingly, the dp-008ex and the dp-03sd use different footswitch options. The former uses a standard quarter-inch Jack single-function footswitch, while the latter uses Tascams RC 3F footswitch, which I already have. In the end, however, I decided that no footswitch and better mic placement was far more important. On that note, good mic placement usually leaves the recorder within relatively easy working distance for me, practically eliminating the need for a foot switch in the first place.Fourth, and Final, the dp-006 does not have any effects or EQ on board. It has only level and pan controls, which are easily the most important controls we need to determine the potential of a good mix. After that, we have EQ, and then after that we have effects. It confuses me that the dp-008ex and the dp-03sd dedicate a precious Hardware control to a Reverb send! Their EQ section while admirable for a few rough tweaks, does not provide sufficient options for doing any serious mixing. I feel it provides a dangerous distraction. The dp008ex and the dp03sd would be much better served by replacing the dedicated Reverb knob with a dedicated assignable EQ knob for a flexible EQ section, with an easy reverb or effects and even EQ bypass switch to hear the all-important dry signal. The dp-006, in foregoing both EQ and Reverb or other effects such as compression, really requires and allows us to focus on getting good quality recording takes from the start, focusing on mic placement, recording environment which we have much more flexibility over due to the portability of the DP-006, and in the end, more focus on the performance and the composition. We can then export all the finished tracks to a digital audio Workstation for much more powerful EQ and other effects processing. Although ironically, really good takes need a lot less in the way of complex post production work!Although having only six tracks versus eight seems Limited, it is actually even more limited than that, because it is basically a four track recorder with two stereo tracks that can be assigned as mono tracks. This gives the possible configurations of four mono tracks, 3 mono tracks and one stereo track, or two Mono tracks and two stereo tracks. This provides a huge upgrade to me over the extremely limited two track recording of the otherwise fantastic dr-40 portable recorder.If anyone thinks that this unit is too limited, I strongly recommend that they read the "applications" section on the Tascam dp-006 product website. It provides a fantastic example of a usage scenario and workflow that captures the full potential of this little portable recording studio! If Tascam ever made an 8-track version of this device that also allowed control with their rc3f footswitch then I would pounce on it like Tigger from Winnie the Pooh!This could be an incredible unit if they also allowed 24-bit recording and had dedicated left/mono and right line outs for outboard effects and/or EQ.

UPDATE: I originally said the manual did not list the power consumption of this unit. That is not correct, I noticed that it does -- it lists the power consumption as 1 Watt maximum. That means the power adapter has to be 5 volts with no less than 200 milliamps. -----I have an old Tascam Porta 05 4-track tape recorder that I bought new in 1987. Yes, it still works fine after all these years. Hopefully the Tascams these days are as well made, we'll see! I bought this DP-006 to replace it, along with a 2x2 USB audio interface for use separately with at DAW. I got both of these together for a small fraction of what that old Porta 05 cost me back in the day.It's a great little machine. The manual is very good and thorough (don't lose it!). It had me up and running in no time. I started downloading and installing the DAW software for my USB audio interface, and this always takes forever -- these are multi-gigabyte downloads. Add to that the time it takes to install and update the drivers for the USB interface (which gave me trouble), and it easily can (and did) take pretty much the whole day. And then you have to learn the DAW. Meanwhile, while the downloads were going, I had plenty of time to go through the Tascam manual more than once, learn its features, and even put down a six track recording (vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass, drum machine, and ukulele). It even happened that one of the ground wires inside my electric bass had come lose, and I resoldered it -- got it all in before the DAW (mine was a 30-gigabyte monster).So, it does take a little time to learn the features of the Tascam, but when you put in perspective, it hardly seems too much to ask.The great feature of this Tascam is its extreme portability. Also, it's great to lay down basic blues, rock or jazz rhythm tracks to practice soloing and improvisation, for example. Or also to record yourself conveniently so you can listen back from the observer perspective and notice things you might not pick up on when you're concentrating on performance. It's very handy.Others have remarked about the power cord, well this is one thing that SHOULD have changed over the years. It was a bad deal back when the Porta studios cost hundreds and hundreds, but even worse when you have a $79 unit. They still price them at $40 a piece. You can get cheaper non-Tascam ones, I paid $9.99 for mine (hasn't arrived yet tho). Disappointingly the manual does not list the power requirements, but rooting around on the Internet I found the specs of Tascam's adapter.They are: 5V 2000mA 10W Max Tip Size: 2.5mm x 5.5mm (Inner diameter x Outer diameter). The pin on the connector is positive. So the adapter is capable of putting out a lot of current. I doubt the DP-006 uses the full 2 amps at any time, but as a rule you don't want to run anything under-amped. You do need a 5 Volt adapter. Having more amps available than necessary is fine, but you don't want less.That's asking for trouble, so unless anybody can say what the actual engineered current draw for the DP-006 truly is, I wouldn't recommend running any adapter on it that's not 5 Volt, 2 Amp. That's a change for the worse, my old Porta 05 4-track did list out these kinds of specifications in the manual. [UPDATE: The manual DOES list power consumption after all. It's listed as 1 Watt maximum. That means you need to have 5 volt adapter that can handle at least 200 milliamps.]This thing does put down its own filesystem on the SD cards, one that Windows or OS X can't read. So, there is a conversion step that has to happen when you export your songs or tracks to the computer. People have complained that it takes too long. I tried it with my one recorded song, and I didn't think it was too bad. But I did mix and master it on the DP-006, as we do on the old Portas from before the age of the DAW. So I only had the finished song to export, no biggie, not six separate tracks.I saw some comments where people said the onboard mikes weren't sensitive enough. You can set their level, though. They have three sensitivity levels: low, mid and high. Default is low. I had them on low, and I found them to be more than adequate. Quite nice actually. In fact, the air conditioner unit kicked on outside when I was doing my vocal track. It doesn't make a lot of noise, just a new low hum. I didn't think the DP-006's mikes were going to pick it up, but dang it they did, had to re-take it.I tried out a few additional features, the metronome and the chromatic tuner. The metronome is useful, helping you synchronize things. It will appear in your headphones, but not in the recording (unless you tell it to show up in the recordings). I couldn't get the tuner to work, but I didn't give it too much time, this is undoubtedly user-error. I don't really need it. Still operating off the trusty old 440 A tuning fork here.I think it's a great piece of equipment. Well worth it.

Simple to use. Good mics. Got me right to recording without a big hassle.

Like the reviews before me you can tell this recorder has its pros and cons.The biggest one being that you have to buy the adapter separately. And if you are doing long sessions get it when you buy this . Because if it runs out of battery you will lose everything unsaved . Also double check compatibility with SD cards the max is 32gb I believe and only takes certain brands .That being said I use this to record loops and live sessions through ableton live and my m audio 192 interface.The quality is great for line in.The mics on the product are ok condenser style ... I would use another mic though if going beyond practice sessions.And you will need to train yourself to save the tracks. Read that manual 4 times over .Overall the knobs are sturdy . The device is as light as a label maker .Good buy

Great little unit for recording guitar and other instruments.

Qualidade de gravação

So as I can take it, this is assumable the best *4* track recorder to date..You could compare it to other brands, yet they are lacking the tradition form factor and convenient layout.Some of the issues noted by other reviewers could be remedied thankfully with a bit of troubleshooting n' tests.For example, you will most likely need a stereo to mono adapter around, aka 2 contacts instead of three.It will step-down just perfect for you without interfering with quality.As for levels, this is why they give you different settings to go buy.When using my Marshall amp's audio output I set it on the standard "Line" setting, and am careful not to over-do it amp-side. A nice pre-amp helps. When using my phone as a drum machine I'll be more inclined to utilize the "Line-mid" setting with the phone at around 80% volume for the clearest sound with properly recorded levels.Another thing I would mention to you ole' timerz and new-comers.Ditch the old school 4gb drive that comes with it ASAP.The 32gb high speed micro sd's will transfer much faster to your computer.As well as load and save times cut down it seems.Those things are ancient, though I'm sure are reliable anywho.So back to the DP-006!Within a day I was getting adjusted to it's navigation and UI, figuring out the kinks to proper use of it.A week later it's still going strong and really inspiring me. Beginning to feel natural with it and do more advanced edits than I assumed I'd bother with without using a computer. I caught myself thinking "Wait woah, that was quick and I didn't even think about it.." Doing some trims on the drums here and there. Was fun.Yes, the screen isn't lit. To me this isn't an issue and I was aware of that.Pro-tip..I'm running my Tascam off of DeWALT power tool batteries.I can run it for a week straight without even caring, it's heaven.VIA' DeWALT's usb charger battery pack adapter, oh yes... (Or any USB charger!)You just need to order the cable (Well since they never included one!)May as well just get the USB one already made if you don't want to do it yourself. (Easy!)Annnnnnnnnnnd, why 4 instead of 5?They don't advertise that it can be powered (NOT BY THE USB PORT!!!) but via the power port with an adapter to USB.That is a HUGE HUGE HUGE HUGE feature that would of probably of been selling it twice as much were it utilized.And with that being said, not even including a cable when it's such a non-standard size..And the slowest speed 4gb card is.. Cool I guess..?Worthless and gives bad representation of the quality of your product otherwise.MUCH LOVE TASCAM YOU ROCK.

This little unit is awesome. If you find the instructions hard to follow there are youtube videos that explain how to use it really clearly. I use this device to record unplugged acoustic guitar as well as banjo. The sensitivity of the internal mics are fantastic. Highly recommend. Even for a beginner. Great way to track your progress. You can plug your guitar in as well if you like, or a mic. Runs on batteries but I decided to get the elec. plug for it and save Tha batteries for when I am out and about.

Use it for promo recording and ringtone recording. tiny keys and small, dark screen. You get what you pay for. Works with four AA batteries which is great for outdoor use.

I use it for my compositions work and I find it very useful for my needs. Versatile. A must. Read carefully the user manuaI to get all subtilities. I recommend it.