Tascam DP-008EX – 8-Track Digital Portastudio

Product Information

I bought a set of headphones to begin with for monitoring, but it is advisable to get monitor speakers as soon as you can. It makes the whole process so much more relaxed. Dynamic effects on both inputs: Apply compressor, exciter and de-esser effects to your input sources

Please note that this extended warranty is currently only available on products sold within the UK, EU or EEA, and is subject to the terms and conditions as detailed on the extended warranty certificate provided. The reverb processor also has its own button to the left of the screen, and makes use of the four 'F' keys in the same way as the EQ. The options are simply Hall 1, Hall 2, Room, Studio, Plate 1 and Plate 2, with a Time option ranging from 0.2 to 3.2 seconds and a 0-100 level range. Sound & Usability The DP-008EX comes with two high quality condenser microphones built directly in the front of the unit so you can record vocals or acoustic guitar anytime without the need for extra equipment or setup time. TASCAM held many evaluation tests to secure the best sounding microphones and structures. Modeled after the top-selling DR Series microphones, you can be assured you're receiving top-quality. Moreover the DP-008EX was designed with a tripod mount for versatile set-up and placement. The DP-006 and the DP-008EX both feature ultra light-weight designs to ensure portability. The DP-006 is 360g, and the DP-008EX is 610g. (Without AA batteries)

Warranty Info

Auto and manual mastering tools: Use one of two simple settings to master your stereo mixes automatically; use a single-band or multi-band mastering compressor and a normalizer to master your mixes manually

Another great thing about this device is its ease of use. Its interface is fairly straight-forward and user-friendly. Cons Locate features: Move to a certain time position, or return to zero or to the last recording position with one key press

Recording media: SD/SDHC card (2GB SD card included): No moving parts inside mean high reliability and no noise from internal drives etc. The ultra light weight design allows you to carry It with you everywhere in your gig bag. The DP-008EX features ultra lightweight designs to ensure portability. It weighs in at only 360g (without AA batteries). For customers in outlying areas of the country, the price of the Extended Warranty may be marginally higher, due to the potential for higher collection and redelivery transport costs.

Use a single-band or multi-band mastering compressor and a normalizer to master your mixes manually The allocation of hardware buttons for most common functions is very commendable, and the only ones I really felt were missing were a high/mid/low sensitivity switch for the input levels, and another switch to select between internal and external mics. Simple, intuitive user interface: Use real knobs and buttons for frequently-used functions or easily navigate through the menu When it comes to portability, the DP-008EX is like no other. Rather than an AC adapter, this device runs mainly on four AA batteries that last approximately six to seven hours; more if the Phantom Power function is turned off.

Features

If an item can not be repaired, a similar alternative product or cash discount (as defined in this policy) will be offered Pros: Just about everything about it. It's a great way to get ideas down and the sound quality is very good. Two Mic/Line inputs (XLR/TS combo connectors): Plug in and record from microphones, synths, guitars, drum machines etc. directly; switchable phantom power for condenser microphones Effects routing is less obvious than I expected, and the settings are sometimes not obvious at first glance because they are displayed on such a small screen. There are significant compromises on the display side of things that can sometimes be frustrating although the effects, when you get them, are limited but not bad quality. This is however a notepad, and reviewing it as a studio is somewhat missing the point.