Tascam DP-02CF Portastudio Compact Flash Multitrack Recorder

by Tascam

Product Features

• Two XLR mic/line inputs with phantom power for condenser microphones
• Eight-track recording at uncompressed 44.1k/16-bit audio quality
• Portastudio-based interface with volume fader, pan, effect send, high and low EQ controls per channel
• EQ frequency button to access high and low EQ shelf frequencies
• USB 2.0 interface for transferring tracks, mixes and backup files to a computer

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 20.2 x 16 x 6 inches ; 12.8 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 15.9 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0011V4AEY
• Item model number: TAS DP02CF
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,015 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #2 in Musical Instruments > DJ, Electronic Music & Karaoke > Electronic Music > Sound Modules
  • #58 in Electronics > Computers & Add-Ons > External Components > Optical Drives > Disc Duplicators

Product Description

Tascam DP02CF 8 track CD quality recording

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Everything is not as it appears..., February 16, 2009

By 

T. Bailey "LiveAndLearn" (Southern California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tascam DP-02CF Portastudio Compact Flash Multitrack Recorder (Electronics)

I purchased the DP-02CF expecting a Multi-Track Recorder, much like the 10 or so Recorders I've owned over the past 25 years past from Tascam. However, even though the new Digital technology is wonderful, things here are not quite what they appear to be in this case...

First, even though you are using a CF Card and you can use up to an 8 gig card [which is great] you are limited to .wav format in FAT 32 which burns 1/2 a gig of space off the top, and limits the length/size of your files per song. Plus the usual FAT 32 file corruption issues which can sneak up on you in a hurry, trust me. Also, be careful, very very careful when buying a card for this deck. The approved media list has a big list of cards that made me cringe, several of the 8 gig options cost lest than $30 on Amazon, Gasp! I mean, you get what you pay for and if you're using ANYTHING less than a Sandisk Extreme 3, you're going to end up cussing out the unit and tascam within 2 weeks! Trust me on this one...

Second, where do I begin?

When you setup a recording and start adding tracks, each time you playback and listen to what you recorded, you are required to go back and reassign everything from scratch, including track sends! Nice huh... This doesn't sound like much at first, but after you use the unit for a while it becomes a time consuming adventure in frustration.

Next, the Deal Killer...

This unit should be described as a very limited Mixer, with a 2 track recorder with bounce down capabilities slapped on the top. This is not a multi-track recorder like any I've ever owned before or even a decent mixer, since NO EFFECT SEND is available during recording! You heard me right, you can't even add compression to a vocal as you record, but more on this later.

So, I was expecting PRE and POST eq [as almost every other deck I've owned from Tascam in the past] but alas even though there is nice eq, effect sends and controls, they are all POST. In fact in Record mode you only have 2 tracks, dry to the card that's it. Only in POST final mix-down to a DVD, or whatever you make your master on [No bounce-down eq/effect capabilities either since EVERYTHING IS POST HERE!] Like I said, this makes this unit a mixer with a recorder slapped on, not a full featured recorder as it appears to be. I mean if your 15 and this is your first recorder for band demos, great! Otherwise you will be sadly disappointed.

This means if you plan on using the eq, and effecting your signals during bouncing down, NONE of the adjustments you make during mixdown will record to the track, it's just a mixer kids! So, if your vocal stack of 4 tracks needs a little hi end added during bounce, or if the bass guitar/guitar/keyboard mixdown needs a little extra push, or you need to do anything during the mix-down process getting to your final 8 tracks, tough luck! Only in the final mixdown to another device, can you use any of the eq/effects. This is why the unit is so inexpensive, and why it's useless for anything other than live 2 track demos and practicing bounce down, so that later when you buy a real recorder you'll know what to do.

This is the reason why I was in shock when my unit arrived. Just remember when looking for a multi-track, always ask up front if your deck has PRE and POST options for eq/effects. I should have asked, oh well...

Here's another example of the frustration.... Let's say your recording live and you want to add in some compression to the vocal track as it's live going into the deck. Tough luck! You can't use the effect send to add your $1000 compresser/limiter and Exciter. How about adding a little eq to the bass guitar from the line in, same deal tough luck! NOTHING can be added to the instruments as they go in, or as they are bounced down, it is ONLY during final mix-down TO ANOTHER DEVICE that you can you add anything!

One last time, everything on this mixer [aka multi-track] is post. You might as well buy a nice mixer, and a zoom, you'll have more options and a better final mix. Plus, you won't have to worry about your CF card corrupting from the Fat32 formatting after spending 3 days recording and bouncing down tracks.

If they had only been honest in the description of this unit [and it's NOT Amazon's fault, they just list the factory description which is totally misleading] then I could have avoided wasting a week trying to find out why I couldn't save any of my mixdown settings.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars COMPACT, POWERFUL, & SIMPLE, April 22, 2008

By 

Anton Tobias (The vast cornfields of the Midwest) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tascam DP-02CF Portastudio Compact Flash Multitrack Recorder (Electronics)

After having the fortunate opportunity to play with both the Tascam DP-02CF and the Fostex MR-8 MKII in a local music supply store I was very impressed at how much easier the Tascam DP-02CF was to operate than the Fostex MR-8MKII. For roughly the same price (and the advice of the sales clerk) I opted for the Tascam over the Fostex.

The user-interface is as friendly as Mr. Rogers on laughing gas, after using the device for ten minutes I was recording vocals and guitar tracks. The unit has a recording limit of two tracks at a time so this might not be the appropriate tool for professional use. However, for small-time/home use it is perfect.

It is very apparent that Tascam has designed this unit with the outmost simplicity in mind. I can tell after using other high-end 8-track recorders the DP-02CF was made recording tracks quickly and with no technical hassles. This is really convenient for amateur musicians who are just getting started in recording and editing music.

For a limited time (so I'm told) Tascam is including a 1GB flash card with the unit so buyers can start recording as soon as the recorder is plugged in. One thing I will mention is the lack of USB cable. In order to drag and drop music files from the unit to your PC or Mac you will need to purchase a separate USB cable (like the kind that printers use) because it is not included with the DP-02CF. Something to keep in mind if you are buying online or in stores.

The quality of the sound is as close to CD-like as I've ever heard with using an digital 8-track recorder of this caliber and in this price range.

Note: For a limited time some units have been mislabeled with the Tascam "Portastudio" logo reading "Portastud" (sounds like a blow-up doll for women) and some websites are offering discounts because of this misspelling. I am one of the proud owners of the "Portastud" models!

TASCAM DP-02CF Digital Portastudio Specifications:

Recording:

- Recording Medium: Compact Flash memory card

- Recording Resolution: 44.1 kHz/16-bit

- Number of Recording Tracks: 8 tracks plus Stereo Master track

- Number of Simultaneous Recording Tracks: 2 tracks

- Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz (+1/-3dB)

- Signal to Noise Ratio: >85dB (A-weighting, 22kHz LPF)

- T.H.D.: 0.02% (1kHz, 10dBV, 22kHz LPF, master fader at nominal)

I/O:

- Analog In (INPUT A/B)

- Connector: XLR-3-31 type (Pin2:hot) and 1/4" TRS phone

- Nominal/Max Input Level: -8 dBu/+8 dBu

- Input Impedance: 2.4k ohms, >10k ohms on guitar input

- Phantom Power: 48V (on/off selectable)

Line Output:

- Connector: 2x unbalanced RCA jacks

- Nominal/Max Output Level: -10dBV/+6 dBV

- Output Impedance: 1k ohm

Effect Send:

- Connector: 1/4" phone (unbalanced)

- Nominal/Max Output Level: -10dBV/+6 dBV

- Output Impedance: 1k ohm

Digital Out:

- Connector: Optical (TOSLINK) digital audio output

- Data format: S/PDIF

Headphones (PHONE 1, 2)

- Connector: 1/4" stereo phone jack

- Max. Output: 25mW + 25mW (@32 ohm)

Physical:

- Dimensions (w x h x d): 16.4" x 2.6" x 11.8"

- Weight: 4.1 lbs.

- Power Requirement: 12V, 2.5A (TASCAM PS-1225 power adaptor)

TASCAM DP-02CF Digital Portastudio Features:

- Two XLR mic/line inputs with phantom power for condenser microphones

- Eight-track recording at uncompressed 44.1k/16-bit audio quality

- Portastudio-based interface with volume fader, pan, effect send, high and low EQ controls per channel

- EQ frequency button to access high and low EQ shelf frequencies

- USB 2.0 interface for transferring tracks, mixes, and backup files to a computer

- Dedicated stereo master track for mixdown

- Internal metronome and bar/beat display for song position

- Headphone output

- Stereo line outputs on RCA analog and S/PDIF optical digital connectors

- 1GB Compact Flash card included with enough room for a dozen songs or more

- 1GB Compact Flash card included as a launch promotion

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Cool, but has one very, very annoying trait, November 2, 2008

By 

Oliver Towne (CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tascam DP-02CF Portastudio Compact Flash Multitrack Recorder (Electronics)

Yep, this recorder is pretty easy to use, and handy, and fun and all that, but it has one bug that drives me nuts. In the heat of recording, when you are doing multiple takes, it's easy to hit the stop and play keys too quickly in succession. When that happens, the unit freezes up and you cannot play back, or record, or save data, or do anything at all. Your only option is to pull out the power cord and start over. You will have lost everything that wasn't saved before the freeze.

This is a piss off, and probably something the Tascam engineers can't or won't fix anytime soon. Caveat emptor, fellow artistes. Other than that, it is a pretty nifty unit.

Also, make sure you clear editing history fairly often (you'll see what I mean), or the unit thinks you've run out of storage space. I think this is a RAM and not a flash card problem, but the 1GB compact flash card won't hold that much in any case. Get a bigger one (or three.) They're getting cheaper all the time.