Tascam shrinks the Portastudio with the DP-03 and iPad

One of the most famous names in home recording, the Portastudio now boasts features including EQ and multiband compression mastering effects. The DP-03 records two tracks simultaneously to SD/SDHC cards, using XLR microphone preamps or a pair of built-in condenser microphones. Reverb and EQ mixing features are accessed using knobs designed for simple operation, and when a production is finished, it can be transferred to a computer over USB 2.0 or burned to a CD using an internal drive.

The company has also released a Portastudio application for the Apple iPad based on the nostalgia-inducing Porta One four-track cassette recorder.

The app can record four tracks, presenting the user with virtual VU meters and a representation of a cassette transport. When a production is complete, the app can mix the recording to a stereo track that appears in iTunes. Audio can be recorded from the iPad's built-in microphone or a microphone plugged into the headset jack. Pan, level, high and low EQ are available for mixing, and mixes are saved as CD-quality WAV files. 

Finally, the manufacturer has launched the budget-friendly US-200 and US-600 USB 2.0 audio/MIDI interfaces.

Suited for mobile musicians and home recording enthusiasts, each lightweight unit has a MIDI input and output, and uses USB 2.0 for high-speed, low-latency conversion. Both interfaces have a ¼-inch stereo headphone output with zero-latency direct monitoring, switchable in either mono or stereo.

The bus powered US-200 two-in/four-out interface features a pair of XLR/TRS combo jacks feeding microphone preamps with phantom power, and four RCA outputs. The US-600 six-in/four-out interface includes four XLR/TRS combo mic inputs, and S/PDIF digital in and out are available for direct digital connection to external preamps, drum machines and processors. Both interfaces include a copy of Cubase LE5, plug-in support and dynamic automation for polished mixes.

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Web: www.tascam.com