Recording Studio Equipment

I’ve only used it a couple times – but no trouble with it. All buttons
work fine. It is very convenient – saves getting up and pushing buttons
on the recorder and running back to your instrument to play… it’s
nearly a necessity.

I am very pleased with the remote control for my H4n. All the controls I need are present, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that there are LEDs on the control to indicate operating mode, one of which changes color when the record level is too high. Very nice! Also unexpected (but appreciated) was the extension cord that came with the control. My only concern with this product is its cord, which appears a bit flimsy. Time will tell if the cord is durable enough for my application.

I’ve had this thing a little over a week and I love it so far. I recorded a live show directly from the board plus a rehearsal using the on-board uni-directional condensers. I used the recording mode that triggers after a certain db threshold is reached and then stops when signal goes below that level — each event is written to a new file. I ended both sessions with a perfect series of separate files and only a small effort to find and get rid of the unintentionally triggered tracks. The quality for both sessions were excellent. I used 192k mp3s for all and was able to go home, connect the USB cable and upload the files immediately. My band-mates now have immediate review material after shows and rehearsals.

Did I say I love this thing…?

This is simply the finest portable recorder that I have used. I have used Sony, Yamaha and other Tascams. This one beats the lot, for clarity of sound, ease of use, compactness and neatness. I use it set to the highest quality with external condenser microphones and together they produce “professional” quality tracks.

I would strongly recommend this recorder to anyone looking for an easy machine to use. After using a test CD i was ready to record. We had purchased the new Sony 5 dics recorder from Best Buy but the machine just would not work correctly! BUY THIS TEAC! Brenda K.

I wanted something apart from the computer to record hundreds of tape cassettes. My first go at recording was perfect. Only one track listed for a lot of the Swing Era Time Life selections but that is Ok, I am not about to create individual tracks until I have more patience to learn how that is done.

But the Manual..oy vey. And the quick start manual oy vey and more..

Remember this fact and it is not well presented at all. Each time you shut off the power the machine goes back to factory default. I find that out today…It means if you have bought it for recording off vinyl or tape, then each time you insert a blank CD-R of the audio / music media only/ variety the machine will NOT go into record mode as one might expect ,without an additional button selection. Here is what happens.

You will get a message ” DIN UNLOCK.” Machine default thinks you are trying to record a digital source.. Go next to page 23 for error codes and you learn in somewhat fuzzy language that each time you turn on the machine you have to go to the little black button that reads “Input Select” and click it to “Analog In”. Hey, never mind that you have used RCA analog plugs in the back and not changed any input selection.
OK, got that now…each time you go from digital default to the analog button input press. You got to love the TEAC engineers or tech writers.

Now the manual is obscure on that point even after you have read it cover to cover. No, there is no illustration to show the menu face on the LCD for a little guide for the perplexed.

Yes, I got it mastered, beaten into submission though. My first recording once I got the correct media was just wonderful.

(After I ordered-yes online after fruitless local shopping, a packet of CD-R audio,called MUSIC CD-R not audio as pictured in manual, and these by Maxell and via Amazon. (I have since found that Radio Shack carries a Memorex pack of (labeled anyway) audio and not just data CD-Rs but who would guess.)

Now,since so many folk burn CDs via computer, a normative thing, if you buy this stand alone unit you must plan to to educate Best Buy sales staff,even the audio savvy ones on this detail. Bring the manual to PROVE same or you are given that vacuous stare… And Walmart, hah, they will send you home with the wrong kind even AFTER you carry the manual with the crossed out types of wrong media.

Last comment re this TEAC, since everyone wants to try the dam thing out within a week,right, so would it cost TEAC a lot to pack just one appropriate blank CD-R of the correct format type in the carton..hmm.. They do supply an optical digital cable and the usual throwaway RCA analog cable set..order a pack from Amazon along with your purchase.

I trust this mini additional review will get you off to a right start in what is essentially a FINE workable solid built piece of equipment.

I have had it for a month now, am fairly happy, bottom line. Be well.

Addition, as of couple months on. Performs flawlessly, delightful, and a great buy. Am using it a lot. Re blanks,FYI was surprised to find the correct audio format CD blanks available from local Target .Sony and Memorex carried in bulk. Who would have known?
I am glad to have this in the console next to my amp which has a good phono pre amp and other tape and CD sources. A wee curiosity I find. When one presses pause in flipping a vinyl side,the counter goes back to a default and you need to use the remote to put the time display back to time remaining,something you will want…no biggie though.

I bought one of these for practice. I’m a cellist, and recording myself has always meant getting up from my chair, putting down the instrument, using two hands to press an annoying combination of buttons to start the recording, sitting back down to record, then eventually having to get up again to listen on headphones. That’s a lot of wasted time. I snapped up one of these new boombox/recorders as soon as it came out because it promised to get rid of all that hassle.

It’s true, recording couldn’t be easier. There’s an included wireless remote. Just press record twice, then start playing. Press stop, then press play to hear yourself through the speakers built into the unit. Instant gratification!

Only problem is that the speakers are mediocre. My free Dell computer speakers sound better than the Tascam! Through the Tascam speakers the cello sounds muted. The upper harmonics don’t come through. It might be fixable if there were an EQ on the unit, but there isn’t. It isn’t the built-in microphones–those are actually pretty good. On headphones, the treble comes through fine. It’s definitely the speakers.

I’m giving the recorder three stars because everything else is perfect. But it really isn’t any use for string players without decent speakers. If you’re looking for something to use for practicing, you might as well buy a Tascam DR100 Portable Recorder (which also includes the wireless remote) and plug in a pair of computer speakers.