Tascam DP-02CF Portastudio Compact Flash Multitrack Recorder Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased the DP-02CF expecting a Multi-Track Recorder, much like the 10 or so Recorders I've owned over the past 25 years past from Tascam. However, even though the new Digital technology is wonderful, things here are not quite what they appear to be in this case...
First, even though you are using a CF Card and you can use up to an 8 gig card [which is great] you are limited to .wav format in FAT 32 which burns 1/2 a gig of space off the top, and limits the length/size of your files per song. Plus the usual FAT 32 file corruption issues which can sneak up on you in a hurry, trust me. Also, be careful, very very careful when buying a card for this deck. The approved media list has a big list of cards that made me cringe, several of the 8 gig options cost lest than $30 on Amazon, Gasp! I mean, you get what you pay for and if you're using ANYTHING less than a Sandisk Extreme 3, you're going to end up cussing out the unit and tascam within 2 weeks! Trust me on this one...
Second, where do I begin?
When you setup a recording and start adding tracks, each time you playback and listen to what you recorded, you are required to go back and reassign everything from scratch, including track sends! Nice huh... This doesn't sound like much at first, but after you use the unit for a while it becomes a time consuming adventure in frustration.
Next, the Deal Killer...
This unit should be described as a very limited Mixer, with a 2 track recorder with bounce down capabilities slapped on the top. This is not a multi-track recorder like any I've ever owned before or even a decent mixer, since NO EFFECT SEND is available during recording! You heard me right, you can't even add compression to a vocal as you record, but more on this later.
So, I was expecting PRE and POST eq [as almost every other deck I've owned from Tascam in the past] but alas even though there is nice eq, effect sends and controls, they are all POST. In fact in Record mode you only have 2 tracks, dry to the card that's it. Only in POST final mix-down to a DVD, or whatever you make your master on [No bounce-down eq/effect capabilities either since EVERYTHING IS POST HERE!] Like I said, this makes this unit a mixer with a recorder slapped on, not a full featured recorder as it appears to be. I mean if your 15 and this is your first recorder for band demos, great! Otherwise you will be sadly disappointed.
This means if you plan on using the eq, and effecting your signals during bouncing down, NONE of the adjustments you make during mixdown will record to the track, it's just a mixer kids! So, if your vocal stack of 4 tracks needs a little hi end added during bounce, or if the bass guitar/guitar/keyboard mixdown needs a little extra push, or you need to do anything during the mix-down process getting to your final 8 tracks, tough luck! Only in the final mixdown to another device, can you use any of the eq/effects. This is why the unit is so inexpensive, and why it's useless for anything other than live 2 track demos and practicing bounce down, so that later when you buy a real recorder you'll know what to do.
This is the reason why I was in shock when my unit arrived. Just remember when looking for a multi-track, always ask up front if your deck has PRE and POST options for eq/effects. I should have asked, oh well...
Here's another example of the frustration.... Let's say your recording live and you want to add in some compression to the vocal track as it's live going into the deck. Tough luck! You can't use the effect send to add your $1000 compresser/limiter and Exciter. How about adding a little eq to the bass guitar from the line in, same deal tough luck! NOTHING can be added to the instruments as they go in, or as they are bounced down, it is ONLY during final mix-down TO ANOTHER DEVICE that you can you add anything!
One last time, everything on this mixer [aka multi-track] is post. You might as well buy a nice mixer, and a zoom, you'll have more options and a better final mix. Plus, you won't have to worry about your CF card corrupting from the Fat32 formatting after spending 3 days recording and bouncing down tracks.
If they had only been honest in the description of this unit [and it's NOT Amazon's fault, they just list the factory description which is totally misleading] then I could have avoided wasting a week trying to find out why I couldn't save any of my mixdown settings.

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