TASCAM has a storied history of making portable multitrack recorders for use by musicians.

When they first released their Portastudio series for cassette tapes, multitrack recordings were limited to going to big recording studios. TASCAM continues this design philosophy of making multitrack recording hardware accessible with its current range of multitrack recorders.

The quality and clarity of its sound, its portability, and ease of use are features earn it a high rating. The built-in microphones are also worth noting for their quality.

One thing to note is that the DP-008EX does NOT function as a USB Audio interface. Tracks can however, be transferred to PC via USB.

For its price, you can't expect it to have many more features than TASCAM have already packed into it - if you need one that also works as an audio interface then look at some of the other options below.

The TASCAM DP-008EX is well suited to musicians on a budget that simply want a reliable portable device that records songs and allows for mixing down to a final stereo track.

Specifications

• Simultaneous recording tracks: 2
• Tracks playback/mix simultaneously: 8
• Virtual tracks: 6 with undo/redo history function on all tracks
• Inputs: 2 x balanced XLR with 48v phantom power & 2 x unbalanced mic/line/guitar
• Outputs: 2 x RCA line, 1 x 1/8" stereo headphone + USB
• Sample rate: 44.1kHz
• Bit rate: 16-bit
• On-board effects: 6 reverbs, 2-band shelving EQ, compressor, de-esser and exciter, mastering
• Effects send: Internal
• USB audio interface: No - USB is for transferring files only
• Storage medium: SD/SDHC card - up to 32GB
• Export tracks to computer: Yes

Demo

Following up on the success of their R series recorders, Zoom released the Livetrak series in 2017 with new features previously unseen on any of their standalone recorder lines.

While the R series is still in production today, the Livetrak series offers an upscale experience and looks more in place in studios while the R series caters more to the "prosumer" market.

It functions threefold as a digital mixer, an audio interface, and a standalone recorder. The Livetrak L-12 is a direct upgrade to the brand's previous R series thanks to its its newer preamps and converters.

The onboard effects enable better polish on tracks if used as a primary recording and mixing unit.

For the cons, the lack of dedicated solo and polarity buttons, common features on even the most basic mixers, is a critical omission. Both are essential functions for mixing. Filenames are also named similarly and can confuse when transferring the project to a computer for further mixing.

If you're looking for a jack-of-all-trades multitrack recorder that can help you keep track of rehearsals or live, small venue events, the Zoom LiveTrak L-12 is a great choice.

Specifications

• Simultaneous recording tracks: 14
• Tracks playback/mix simultaneously: 12. 4 if used as audio interface
• Virtual tracks: 0
• Inputs: 8 x XLR, 2 Stereo 1/4" TRS - Phantom power on 8 channels
• Outputs: 2 x XLR Master Out, 5 x 1/4" TRS Headphone Monitor outs, 2x 1/4" unbalanced LR Monitor out + USB
• Sample rate: 44.1khz, 48khz, 96khz (switchable)
• Bit rate: Up to 24-bit
• On-board effects: 16 onboard effects including delays and reverbs
• Effects send: Internal
• USB audio interface: 14 channels
• Storage medium: USB 2.0
• Export tracks to computer: Yes

Demo

The Tascam Model 16 expands upon the Model 12's features by adding additional inputs and outputs.

The control room outputs add flexibility for use with larger studios while the additional inputs enable miking up more tracks, especially drums or full band setups.

60mm faders, classic 3 band EQ, inline compression for select channels, and flexible aux and fx routing give a familiar feel for those used to analog mixer workflows. The HDDI Preamps ensure great quality captures with low noise.

As with all Model series mixers from Tascam, you can rout the audio from your DAW into the mixer and back into the DAW for analog mixing and summing.

The Model 16 strikes a good balance of inputs and portability compared to its 12 and 24 track siblings. One change over the model 12 is how the inputs are on top rather than behind. This makes it easier to plug XLR cables in and out.

One thing to note is that there is a slightly steep learning curve which is expected since it requires people used to digital workflows to adapt to analog workflows and vice versa. Another thing I wish it had are motorized faders so it could function as a full-fledged DAW controller.

The Tascam Model 16 has been gaining more traction as the favored "middle child" of the Model series. Get it if you feel that the Model 24 might be too much and the Model 12 might be too restricting.

Specifications

• Simultaneous recording tracks:14
• Tracks playback/mix simultaneously: 8 Mono, 3 stereo
• Virtual tracks: 0
• Inputs:2 x 1/4" (line/Hi-Z), 6 x 1/4" (line), 4 x 1/4" (2 x stereo), 1 x 1/8" (stereo), 1 x Dual RCA Stereo
• Outputs:2 x XLR (main), 2 x 1/4" (control room), 2 x 1/4" (L/R subgroup)
• Sample rate: 48kHz
• Bit rate: 24-bit
• On-board effects: 8 x Channel Compressor, Reverbs, Delay, Chorus, Flanger
• Effects send: Internal
• USB audio interface: Yes
• Storage medium: SD Card Slot, SDHC (4GB-32GB), SDXC (64GB-512GB)
• Export tracks to computer: Yes

Demo

The Zoom LiveTrak L-20 is Zoom's flagship Multitrack Recorder / Digital Mixer hybrid. It features functionality more akin to dedicated digital Mixing Consoles while balancing recording and mixing functionality.

The L-20 also adds a solo button for each channel -- a feature that I and a lot of people were missing on the L-12.

One feature that stands out is the ability to provide 6 separate personalized headphone mixes while recording. This is a boon to bands and singers that need individual mixes on their monitors. This makes it an excellent live recording mixer for venues and production studios.

Note that the EQ channel also affects the monitors. Front-of-house (FOH) mixes going out through the monitors is usually a recipe for feedback and there might be trouble from finding a compromise between having a good audience mix and a good monitor mix.

The LiveTrak L-20 is great for recording and monitoring live sessions which are increasing popular these days as YouTube content. It may not be optimal for live sound because of the linked channel EQ for both the FOH mix and monitor mix. For your rehearsal space, studio, or radio station, the LiveTrak L-20 is a handy tool for capturing performances.

Specifications

• Simultaneous recording tracks: 22
• Tracks playback/mix simultaneously: 20
• Virtual tracks: 0
• Inputs: 16 x XLR/TRS combo jacks, 2 x Stereo Line in
• Outputs: 2 x XLR Master out, 2 x TRS phone jacks Monitor speaker out, 6 x Headphone monitor mix out, 1 x Headphone out
• Sample rate: 44.1/48/96 kHz
• Bit rate: 16/24-bit, mono/stereo
• On-board effects: 20 Types of Reverb, Delay and Modulation
• Effects send: 2
• USB audio interface: 22 Channels In, 4 Channels out
• Storage medium: SDHC/SDXC
• Export tracks to computer: Yes

Demo

The TASCAM DP-24SD is designed to be a stand-alone audio workstation. While this means that it does not offer any DAW controller or USB audio interface features, the design approach allows you to do all of your music production onboard and also lets you export tracks to your computer via USB.

It also features a complete suite of internal effects, 24-track simultaneous playback, and having 8 takes on virtual tracks on the ready for compositing.

Going DAW-less usually means you have to leave behind your VST's and amp simulations. The Tascam DP-24 has them built in and they sound decent. The workflow feels like you're working between a mix of a DAW and mixing live music with a digital mixer. Familiarity with both makes the DP-24SD a lot easier to transition to.

One limitation is that you can't use more than one dynamic effect on a single track simultaneously - for example, you can't use the de-esser and compressor, or compressor and noise suppression, simultaneously on one track. The same applies to time-based effects since you can't have reverb and delay at the same time. You can work around this utilizing bouncing and virtual tracks, but it would have been better if you didn't have to. Motorized faders would be the icing on the cake but would definitely hike the price up.

Overall this is a good all-in-one recorder for live performances. It's also good for home studio use. Get it if you want to go DAW-less and want a workflow similar to mixing live with a digital mixer.

Specifications

• Simultaneous recording tracks: 8
• Tracks playback/mix simultaneously: 24
• Virtual tracks: 192 - 8 virtual track per actual track
• Inputs: 8 x Combo XLR/TRS - 1 channel switchable between line and guitar - Phantom power on all 8 inputs
• Outputs: 2 x 1/4" balanced TRS, 2 x RCA unbalanced, 1/4" TRS headphone jack, 1/4" TRS jack for effects send + USB
• Sample rate: 44.1k/48k
• Bit rate: 16/24-bit
• On-board effects: Many including 3-band EQ, reverb, compression, exciter, de-esser, noise suppression, amp models, mastering tools, and more
• Effects send: 2
• USB audio interface: No
• Storage medium: SD/SDHC card - up to 32GB
• Export tracks to computer: Yes via USB

Demo / Review

The following review by Andi Picker of the previous model provides an excellent overview of its features and functionality - note that it no longer has a CD burner - you can export to your computer to do that:

The TASCAM DP-32SD is designed to be a standalone recording workstation similar to its ancestor, the TASCAM Portastudio Tape recorders. While it does not offer USB recording and DAW control features, it was designed with people used to computerless recording workflows in mind.

The DP-32SD offers a similar experience as recording to tape or early digital recordings where outboard gear is still favored over plugins. So those familiar with that workflow will feel right at home with the DP-32SD.

However, past the nostalgia and familiarity, it is a slower overall workflow compared to recently released units that have a more optimized workflow. Even though the DP-32SD has more available tracks and can handle larger projects, the TASCAM Model series is a bit more updated in terms of spec and function.

TASCAM's reputation for offering standalone multitrack recorders goes back decades. The DP-24SD is a modern take of the old Tascam Portastudios of the past. For artists or performers that require multiple inputs that prefer having the ability to record large projects and mix without using a DAW, the DP-32SD is a perfect choice.

Specifications

• Simultaneous recording tracks: 8
• Tracks playback/mix simultaneously: 32
• Virtual tracks: 256 - 8 virtual track per actual track
• Inputs: 8 x XLR/TRS balanced combo - 1 channel switchable between line and guitar - Phantom power on all 8 inputs
• Outputs: 2x 1/4" balanced TRS, 2 x RCA unbalanced, 1/4" TRS headphone jack, 2x 1/4" unbalanced jack for effects send + USB
• Sample rate: 44.1k/48k
• Bit rate: 16/24-bit
• On-board effects: Many including 3-band EQ, reverb, compression, exciter, de-esser, noise suppression, amp models, mastering tools, and more
• Effects send: 2
• USB audio interface: No
• Storage medium: SD/SDHC card - up to 32GB
• Export tracks to computer: Yes

Demo