For discussion about setting up your studio and advice on the gear and equipment within it.
By mofongo Thu Apr 04, 2013 4:50 pm
hello

i've been thinking of buying a Tascam DP 004
but have a question for ya'll..

my setup is:

mpc1000
Yamaha MG102C mixer
2 Technics and stanton dj mixer
yamaha reciever

i would like to track out of the MPC into the Yamaha mixer for EQ and then move that into the DP-004.....is this possible? i know if i use inserts as direct outs i lose my ability to EQ the channel being sent out

can i get around this?

then from there i want to connect my mac using usb and drag and drop individual tracks onto Samplitude

any help is appreciated
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By Ill-Green Thu Apr 04, 2013 7:08 pm
Ok, I can help you out for I have an OG DP-008. But I'm not clear on why would you need a DP-004 if its all going to the Mac anyway. I would just recommend an audio-interface instead so the sound can go from the MPC to Mixer to interface to Mac.
By mofongo Thu Apr 04, 2013 8:48 pm
Two reasons why i want the Tascam:

1) I have to share the mac...so its not always in my posession..so an interface with no
computer is pointless

2) i HATE dealing with computers...and really all i would use the Mac for is mastering


any help is appreciated...thanks
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By Ill-Green Fri Apr 05, 2013 1:01 pm
Good answer.

Its simple bro. The Main Output of your mixer can go into the two Inputs on the DP004. On your mixer, the output should read L and R. Connect the L output into Input 1 of the DP004 and then connect the R output into Input 2. That connection is to maintain the stereo dynamic, and on the Tascam, you have to assign those inputs to two tracks. Input 1 can be assigned to Track 1 and Input 2 to Track 2. Of course, if you want a mono sound, you'll need a Y cable which connects to the mixer's L and R outputs but only connects to one of the Tascam's inputs leaving one Input available to connect a mic or keyboard or DJ rig.

Believe me, the manual has a diagram to show how much stuff you can hook up to the DP004,

Only thing about these little recorders in connection with a computer is that you have to load the wave files into its FAT32 folder in order to be read by your Mac. Kinda weird Tascam did it like that, because its double the time of exporting tracks. It takes a minute or two to load into the folder then another minute to transfer over to your Mac. But thats the only thing. They're great little boxes and the internal mics are superb, identical to a Shure SM58.

You know, Tascam just released the DP006 and DP008EX. So the original DP008 is at $149 which has EQ, reverb and RCA outputs. The EX is the same but with 100 effects and few extras for $299.

Good Luck

PS. I prefer mangù. :mrgreen:
You boricua right?
By mofongo Fri Apr 05, 2013 2:30 pm
im Dominican...mangu is good too!

PR's and dominicans are basically cousins though...you know that

thanks for your help, i knew it was something easy...last question for you:

if i record say my drums onto tracks 1 & 2
but then bounce that onto say track 4...
will that keep the stereo imaging intact?
i'm thinking that when i'm about to bounce
i have to pan trk 1 left and 2 right...
is that correct?

the only DP 008 that I find new are at $299
like at guitar center or musicians friend...

but i might try to find one on craigslist

thanks again
User avatar
By Ill-Green Fri Apr 05, 2013 4:32 pm
mofongo wrote:im Dominican...mangu is good too!

PR's and dominicans are basically cousins though...you know that

thanks for your help, i knew it was something easy...last question for you:

if i record say my drums onto tracks 1 & 2
but then bounce that onto say track 4...
will that keep the stereo imaging intact?
i'm thinking that when i'm about to bounce
i have to pan trk 1 left and 2 right...
is that correct?

the only DP 008 that I find new are at $299
like at guitar center or musicians friend...

but i might try to find one on craigslist

thanks again

Ah, brother from across the sea :D

Well to maintain the stereo image, you'll have to keep the drums on two tracks until you export to your mac. Bouncing two tracks into one will only make it into a mono track. Mono is not bad for kicks but maybe you want the hi hats to dance around the left and right speakers like a whirl effect, so keep it on two tracks.

Check www.bandh.com, there's two versions of the DP008, the old one is $149 but the new DP008EX is the $299 one. They carry both. Also check the DP006, its basically a DP004 but with 6 tracks.
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By crossings Sat Apr 06, 2013 9:24 pm
look into getting a used KORG D-888... it's like an 8 track mixer with a builtin multitrack recorder [40gb hard drive]... records each separate track as a WAV file internally, so later you can just drag and drop your tracks into your DAW via USB... and it serves as a standalone mixer even when not recording... so it may be right up your alley.