No MIDI!
That's my main gripe with this machine. Can you believe that? My two-decade old first-generation DP-01 Tascam 8-track has MIDI and intuitive controls. This model certainly doesn't. It took me about a month of continual usage to familiarize myself with its controls.
And no CD burner either! I would have expected that at this price point, which I believe the older model of this line had.
The sound of the recorded tracks is fine.
However the guitar effects that come with this model are inferior in every way to the preset effects that were included in my older DP-01. Disappointing. The amp modeling is considerably noisy with audible hiss.
I still haven't quite figured out how, or even if, the compressor facility that's included as a mastering utility is useable without degrading the overall sound. I decided to omit that from the mastering process.
The pros would be 24 tracks of good quality recording ability and a certain TASCAM familiarity coupled with some level of perceived quality.
The cons, well, all of the above.
This was my first recording gear purchase after a 15-year hiatus and I have mixed feelings about it. I really don't understand how TASCAM can put out a digital recording WITHOUT MIDI after all those years.
Frankly, I continue to use my trusty old DP-01 more than this guy. But if you need to record a large band live and you require simultaneous recording ability on a large number of tracks, you'll find this digital recorder quite useful.
