Before the desktop digital audio studio there was the Portastudio. Originally recording to cassette tapes, the system ushered in the era of “everyone can do it.” Over three decades later the concept still lives on, but now the fragile tapes and hard drives have been replaced with solid state SD cards as the recording medium. The Tascam DP-24 is a multi-track Digital Portastudio that records up to eight tracks and plays back twenty-four tracks simultaneously using SD/SDHC cards.
A color LCD, nineteen linear faders, and a dozen channel strip encoders make the process of recording simple without impeding creativity. The recorded tracks can be mixed down to a stereo file using dedicated controls for the per channel three-band EQ, pan and effect sends provided on each input and playback track, and the resulting master file burned to a CD using the built-in CD-RW drive, or off-loaded to a computer via the USB connection for further processing.
Eight XLR/TRS combo jacks provide microphone/line input to the recorder with one of the connectors switchable to a guitar or bass input. Phantom power is available in groups of four. Input processing like compression and limiting, as well as guitar amp simulation and multi-effects for use with the instrument-level input can be used during recording. Two “Mixdown” effects, including reverb and chorus are also available, as well as a mastering effect to add the final polish to the master file.
A built-in chromatic tuner and metronome provide additional functionality to help with the recording process, while MIDI input and output deliver clocking and further control of the unit’s functions. Auto punch in/out can be initiated with an optional footswitch. Virtual tracks are available for trying out alternate takes. Dedicated monitor outputs, effect-send outs and a headphone output round out a very well-equipped personal recording studio that is very much in line with the original concept.
| Recording Media | SD card (512MB to 2GB), SDHC card (4GB to 32GB) |
| File System | FAT16 (SD card), FAT32 (SDHC card) |
| Sampling Frequency | 44.1/48kHz |
| Bit Rate | 16-/24-bit |
| Audio Inputs | 8 x XLR/TRS combo Mic/Line |
| Audio Outputs | 2 x RCA phono |
| 2 x 1/4" TRS phone Monitor | |
| 1 x 1/4" TRS phone Headphone | |
| 2 x 1/4" TS phone Effect Send | |
| Control I/O | USB 4-pin mini B-type (USB 2.0) |
| 1 x 5-pin DIN MIDI In | |
| 1 x 5-pin DIN MIDI Out | |
| 1 x 2.5mm TRS phone Remote | |
| Input Impedance | Microphone: 2.4kΩ Line: 22kΩ Guitar: 1MΩ (input H set to Guitar) |
| Rated Input Level | Microphone: -14dBu, Line: +4dBu |
| Maximum Input Level | Microphone: +2dBu, Line: +20dBu |
| Output Impedance | 200Ω |
| Rated Output Level | Stereo Out: -10dBV, Effect Sends: -10dBV, Monitor Out: -2dBu |
| Maximum Output Level | Stereo Out: +6dBV, Effect Sends: +6dBV, Monitor Out: +14dBu, Headphones: 70mW + 70mW or more |
| Frequency Response | 20 Hz to 20 kHz, +1/-1dB |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | 90dB or more |
| THD | 0.01% or less |
| Power Requirements | Via included external power supply |
| Power Consumption | 12W phantom (power on) |
| System Requirements | Windows Pentium 300 MHz or faster Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 128MB or more RAM Intel chipset USB host controller recommended Mac PowerPC, iMac, G3, G4 266 MHz or faster Mac OS X 10.2 or later 64MB or more RAM USB 2.0 port recommended |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 21.3 x 13.4 x 4.1" (540 x 340 x 104mm) |
| Weight | 13.7 lb (6.2 kg) |
| Operating Temperature | 41 to 95°F (5 to 35°C) |