Name: Tascam DP-008EX 8-Track Digital Multitrack Recorder
Brand: Tascam
SKU: TSDP008EX
Price: 299.00 USD
Availability: Discontinued
Rating: 4.57 (7 reviews)

Tascam DP-008EX 8-Track Digital Multitrack Recorder

Tascam DP-008EX Recorder

Tascam

Adorama

Audio

Audio for Video

Audio Recorders

Digital Field Recorders

Tascam Digital Field Recorders

Tascam DP-008EX Recorder 

25% Off: Tascam DP-008EX 8-Track Digital Multitrack Recorder Buy now & save $100. Built-In Microphone: Yes, Type: Multi-Track Recorder

The Tascam DP-008Ex 8-Track Digital Pocketstudio is a compact, battery-powered multitrack recorder, featuring two built-in omnidirectional condenser microphones and WAV file resolution up to 16-bit/44.1kHz. Additionally, two balanced XLR inputs and two unbalanced 1/4" TS inputs can be used to record mic, line or Hi-Z instrument signals. The XLR inputs have switchable +48V Phantom power. Designed with analog functionality and dedicated control knobs, the DP-008Ex is ideal for on-the-spot recording. A Mini USB 2.0 output facilitates high-speed file transfer to your Mac or PC. The DP-008Ex features onboard effects on all its input channels. Compressor, 2-band shelving EQ, de-esser and exciter are available on each track. Additionally, the DP-008Ex has six different types of reverb built-in. Mastering effects for the stereo mix are also included, offering 2-band EQ, multi-band compression and normalizing. An Auto Analysis Mastering tool is also included, making the process easy, just choose between Natural or Maximum. The DP-008Ex provides a line output on a stereo pair of RCA jacks, as well as an 1/8" stereo headphone output. An integrated chromatic tuner and metronome help you perfect your performance. For elongated battery life, the DP-008Ex is compatible with Tascam's BP-6AA external battery pack. It can also be powered by the PS-P520 AC adapter.

A little hard to learn how to use but once you get over that hurdle you are good.

Great and portable

very solid

I like the simplicity of the design. Everything is laid out well for a novice, just make sure you read the instructions first! It does not come with a wall power supply which I definitely needed because the battery power doesn't give enough power to the unit and I had to turn the volume up a bunch to get it to where I could hear it. With the wall power supply it works perfectly! If it came with the wall power supply would definitely give 5 stars!

Love it!

As others have mentioned, all of the extra channels are not for live input. If you need to mix multiple tracks, you'd probably want to do it on the computer in regular software. Other than the  "Getting Started" I haven't had to crack open a manual yet- seems pretty intuitive and well designed. I was disappointed that  the headset out only has a mini-jack option.

Probably overkill, but nice for the price

I like this recorder. I've had others and this one is the easiest of it's type to use and it produces quality sound reproduction. Caution: Tascam RC-3F Foot Switch is not compatible. I bought one and found out the hard way.

Nice Unit

I went to Berklee back in the 80s.  A couple of guys had cassette TASCAM PortaStudio 4-tracks.  They were close to ($).  Out of my price range, unfortunately.  I imagine I could have accomplished a lot more as a songwriter back then if I had one.

Moving forward, this thing is 8 tracks, digital, battery-capable, integrated mics, etc.  Despite the small size, it feels solid.  A good-sized hardcover book would weigh about the same.

There are two things I would wish for to improve it.  1 - The mics should be on the back of the unit, to face the performance, while  the operator looks at the front.  2 - I wish the interface existed in a Mac or iOS app so you could use a Mac or iPad to operate it.  Either that, or have it integrate with GarageBand/Logic as strips.

The 'export' capabilities are very limited, in that you either connect via USB and see it as an external disk, or just simply eject the SD Card and plug into card reader on the computer.

I bought a 32 GB Sandisk CD Card from Amazon (it was on the compatibility list that is available on the product page on TASCAM's website).  It works fine.  Apparently, the file system is limited to 8 GB partitions.


Actually, the only real complaint I have is the battery and AC adapter nonsense.  It says at least twice in the manual that the included batteries are 'for confirming operation of the unit.  For this reason, they may not last very long'.  This is really stupid.  Why ship crummy batteries with the thing?  So you can throw them into a landfill?  I guess they must have bought a truckload of marginal batteries that did not pass QC for cheap or something.  For the record, the batteries are Maxell brand, and they all 4 tested perfectly with my meter.

The AC adapter situation is also frustrating.  The designated compatible model PS-P520 is apparently discontinued by TASCAM.  You can find one on Amazon for nearly $40, which is ridiculous, all from non-Prime sellers.  Also, it is impossible to learn the specifications of the adapter through any source that I tried.  5V, 2A, by the way, as confirmed by TASCAM tech support via E-Mail.  The barrel connector on the AC plug is very small.  I had a bag full of AC adapters, and not one of them had a barrel small enough to fit it.  I found a couple of compatible ones on Amazon for around 10 bucks.  I bought the 'Super Power Supply' one from Amazon for around $10.  It is making a suspicious smell.  At least it has a barrel that I can repurpose with a better wall wart if it goes kablooey (as long as it does not burn my house down).  It is not UL Rated.

And that's it.  Overall, it's impressive, especially to someone like me who remembers what it was like to need a quarter million dollar Synclavier to do something like this.

Just Really Neat

I am stepping up from an earlier model Tascam cassette model 8 track studio mixer to this newer all digital model, so far I love what I am seeing.