Tascam Portastudio 414 Mk II | Review, Comparison & Features Overview

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4 жыл бұрын

Here is a review of the features and specifications of the Tascam Portastudio 414 Mk II.
This 4 track cassette recorder tends to be more expensive in the second-hand market than most models, and I suspect that popular KZfaq videos featuring Alessandro Cortini of Nine Inch Nails using one of these as an instrument in his NIN live rig have something to do with that!
I'll be comparing the unit to equivalents which you might be able to get your hands on for less cash, and to models with higher specifications which can be had for about the same money
If you'd like to see repair and demo videos on this four-track as well as other models made by Tascam, Yamaha, Fostex and others, please subscribe to my where I upload this sort of content pretty regularly.
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...covering every cassette multitrack recorder ever made!*
*(eventually)
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Tools and equipment I use when repairing portastudios;-
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Пікірлер: 98

@phillipdugas8250 4 жыл бұрын

THANK YOU I was looking into getting a 4-track for playing purposes, very nice overview of all the features, now I feel like I know what I'm looking for in similar models/brands.

@saggygnaw 4 ай бұрын

Coming here 3 years later to echo this sentiment.

@Bewar3them00n 3 жыл бұрын

Just been given one by my Dad, I had a Fostex 26 back in the 90s which died, which had a similar feature set, so I’m looking forward to getting back to using one of these again

@MadeOnTape 4 жыл бұрын

yes! i remember that video with the NIN keyboardist: very cool and unorthodox use of the portastudio, and i don’t see folks using them live too much like him 😂

@johntammaro 2 жыл бұрын

Just got one for £120, minimal effort to clean pots required only. Arrives tomorrow so looking forward to it. Great video.

@BlaineO Жыл бұрын

I bought one of these about 10 years ago from a pawn shop that a friend of mine owns for $25. I’m just now learning ANYTHING about it but you guys have me stoked.

@bobbythompson4268 9 ай бұрын

Jimmy stroke me

@GhostShipPartIV 3 жыл бұрын

Super helpful vid, thinking about grabbing one this weekend.

@michaelscottcutler3627 3 жыл бұрын

I just found one in the trash tonight (6/16/21). Good thing I decided to keep it. Can't believe the prices these fetch on eBay. Thanks for the vid.

@davidmac42 4 жыл бұрын

Like you, I’m amazed the prices all the Tascam portastudios go for now. I paid £70 for my 424 mk3 about 5 years ago now see them going for £300 plus. Staggering for old tech but they do sound great. Would love a good 246 but prices for a good one are silly. I love my 238 (8 track) but it has wow and flutter issues. Nothing like these machines. Great channel!

@IThinkYouLookLarvely Жыл бұрын

Mine was only just over £300 new (although that was 1997!)

@spookypen 3 жыл бұрын

This looks perfect for my acoustic bongo falsetto singing needs.

@Ascsoms 3 жыл бұрын

Fantastic overview...bought my 414 Mk ll back in the early 00's new from Turnkey, used to be on Tottenham Court Rd in London. (It replaced my Yamhaha MT 120, my first 4-track, which cost me £250 second hand in 1992, awesome machine, nick named it Knight Rider cause of its colour, low profile and LED's ha ha) People used to take the piss when I gigged with my Tascam cause they were all on Laptops. Funny how things change.

@nepntzerZer 2 жыл бұрын

wealth of knowledge and straight shooting through overinflated price hype

@EasyHeat 2 жыл бұрын

This was my first 4 track back in the day.

@bigsby19 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for posting up this excellent video.

@taylorh4480 2 жыл бұрын

I bought one of these so that my band could record demos at home back in the summer of 1998. To this day I still prefer recording demos on it.

@genericman423 4 жыл бұрын

Track 1, channel fader up, panned hard left, taken from the left side of the main stereo out Track 2, channel fader up, panned hard right, taken from the right side of the main stereo out Track 3, channel fader down, this is the only track taken from the tape cue out, which is a prefader 4x1 submixer Track 4, channel fader down, this track is present on the sync out connector

@jebbylawless 4 ай бұрын

I bought one of these a year ago expecting t to be similar to a very basic Fostex I had as a kid. It's so complicated that I still haven't used it... I'm sure that I could learn to use the most basic features for my purposes though. I want to do the speed adjustment mod though so I can play my old tapes.

@IThinkYouLookLarvely Жыл бұрын

Having read the comments, I wish I re-bought one of these a few years ago. Currently looking on eBay, and found one with no power supply and untested with bidding already at £42 and a whole week to go until bidding ends. I bought mine new in 1997, and sold it part ex in 2001 for a Fostex digital. Had a lot more fun with the Tascam. Still have the Maxell XLII cassettes, some of which I foolishly didn't mix down properly before selling! I guess one idea would be to transfer them from a normal tape deck and fix the speed in a DAW. I guess two of the tracks would play backwards and half-speed too, but that's also easy to fix.

@dominiccoppola2305 4 жыл бұрын

Great video. Somewhat unrelated but do you happen to know how Cortini used the effects send return in the follow up Reverb video? Trying to do something similar with my 414 but I am still having difficulty understanding the effects feature and chain for this machine.

@Tetrakan 4 жыл бұрын

Just rewatched it...seems like tracks one and two are printed with mono information, whereas tracks 3 and 4 have effected material (reverb and delay based on track 1 and 2) in a stereo field. Remember on this model and the 414 mk I you can plug either mono or stereo cables into the aux send and receive, well in the video Cortini is only using the topmost of the effects sends and the first two pedals in his effect loop (the shimmer reverb and the overdrive) are mono, so i'm guessing that the aux send cable is mono, and the signal being received by the strymon timeline from the shimmer and overdrive is going into the mono/Left input , but the output of the timeline must be stereo (ping pong delays and so on) because there are definitely two output cables plugged into it...its off screen but It must be a Y cable returning this stereo information to the aux receive. I hope that clarifies but ask on if not, and thanks for watching!

@ozzatra7447 3 жыл бұрын

thank you, great video

@igor_timofeev 3 жыл бұрын

Can't get reasonable price tag for Tascam, so I routed to Fostex X-26 this week. It costed me some $60-70 with shipping in working condition with new pinch roller and cleaned, lubed. So... don't know is it bargain or not.

@guerrilladigital 3 жыл бұрын

I recently scored one for $75, but it came with an underpowered power adapter. waiting on a replacement before I start messing with it. Love the small footprint, as compared to my 424

@fearlesssound8275 3 жыл бұрын

where did you get that

@guerrilladigital 3 жыл бұрын

@@fearlesssound8275 bought it locally from a friend.

@rolandedrummer9723 4 жыл бұрын

Good video. Lots of info. I got my 414 in 2001 or so. 170 bucks-ish. Barely used.

@XJDesigns1 3 жыл бұрын

Do you sell it?

@rolandedrummer9723 3 жыл бұрын

@@XJDesigns1 I still use it!

@RosssRoyce 4 ай бұрын

Your review is super detailed, thanks! I just can’t follow it because there is no pauses between sentences, phrases and words so listening about bouncing it slipped into another theme before I knew it 😝

@Tetrakan 4 ай бұрын

Use settings to slow my voice to 0.75 speed. Use pause.

@ZenMountain 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!!!

@saren6538 4 жыл бұрын

Legowelt uses the 414 reckons the eq is great and fattens sounds .. have you found this ? I wonder is the same eq system on the 424 as well ? Thanks

@Tetrakan 4 жыл бұрын

I like Legowelt's music and I've seen a few of the videos where his portastudio is featured. Some EQs sound nasty when you add frequencies (as opposed to cut) but in my experience you can use the EQ to boost frequencies on Tascam portastudios and it will sound good. The low shelf cutoff is 100 Hz, so thats the bass guitar, left hand of the piano, lowest strings on a guitar etc. My interpretation is that Legowelt means the preamp and nature of the tape medium fattens the sound as much as the EQ - I make this distinction because the 414 has no control over low mids, which is another frequency range I tend to associate with the adjective "fat". So if you are in the market for a portastudio to use the same way as Legowelt 424 mk III might actually be better since it will work basically the same but you can boost low mids too.

@andresound100 3 ай бұрын

I have recently acquired the mk1. Unfortunately track 2 does not record. Where would I start looking for diagnostics? Any help would be appreciated, even if someone has posted fixing a similar problem. Internally the unit looks untouched and in good nick.

@fender1000100 3 жыл бұрын

I got a 424 MK3 for 230 quid very good conditon. A friend of mine paid 205 for this 414. In very good condition. So I think if they're in good Nick. 200--250 is an acceptable asking price.

@mackmccord3743 3 жыл бұрын

Where? Eye'm not seeing these prices for good and working units anywhere

@dja.selekta Жыл бұрын

Got one today £110 no power cable. Bought one on the way to collect, a little dusty 😂 but after a clean everything seems to work. Happy days

@TwoThreadsAhead 4 жыл бұрын

Do you by any chance do maintenance/restore these for people if they pay you/can send them to you ?

@Tetrakan 4 жыл бұрын

Maybe if you're in the EU, or even better the UK, you can message me on facebook if that applies.

@claycowartisamazing 3 жыл бұрын

The condition of that unit is so minty.

@MBinDenver Жыл бұрын

I've found my 414 has buzzing with tracks 1 and 2 - but the buzzing isn't recorded, and there is zero buzz with tracks 3 and 4, it seems to just be through the headphone / monitor. Any thoughts? We did some recording a few weeks ago and everything sounds great through playback. Great channel and videos!

@Tetrakan Жыл бұрын

The simplest explanation would be a ground wire is disconnected, it’s easy to leave the ones which attach to the that cassette player chassis via ring connectors loose when you change belts and so on, is that something which applies to you?

@hartware6155 4 жыл бұрын

Seems that you know your way around portastudios. Thx for this! Also I’m about to buy one but i’m not sure which one, it’s either this one or the original 424, because the 424 has a slow tape setting and the others don’t. Which one of the two would you recommend other than that?

@Tetrakan 4 жыл бұрын

Hartware I’d definitely go for the 424 vs this one, three speeds vs one speed is a big deal, and it has tape outs so it’s easier to integrate with digital. All other features are the same except size/ form factor ( 424 takes up slightly more desk space than a 414) and I do prefer the blue plastic.

@hartware6155 4 жыл бұрын

@@Tetrakan yes the 414 looks better imo and is slightly more compact, which is a big advantage on stage. but the speed settings is more important for me I think and of course the tape outs. Is there a difference in the eq's? Because when you boost the high band on the 414 it sounds hissy, was wondering if that's also the case on the 424.

@Tetrakan 4 жыл бұрын

@@hartware6155 yeah they're both hi low shelves at the same cutoff frequency. I can't say off the top of my head whether the exact same opamps are used but I think you'd need magic ears to distinguish between them in a blindfold test

@hartware6155 4 жыл бұрын

Tetrakan Supermonobloc thx for this! The 424 it is then :)

@deathmorphosis Жыл бұрын

I have a mate in the UK that helped me (in Northern Europe) get one back in 2009 for £19.99. Was in fully working condition and came with the OEM power adapter. Worked like a charm. It's definitely been used a lot since then, but now I need to get it serviced. Fourth track won't record whatsoever and outputs noise even in recording mode, the knobs and some buttons no longer work. Pretty sure what the issue is, although I'm not too familiar with servicing and reparing portastudios...can hopefully find someone locally to get it fixed for me.

@Tetrakan Жыл бұрын

I'm in the UK and would be able to repair that. If that is of interest, message me over Facebook or Instagram to discuss.

@dopebeatdan 2 жыл бұрын

Hello, my Tascam 414 MKII only outputs to the right side on all tracks. When I use the pan knob and move it past the half way mark to fully left the signal lowers and ultimately is mute all the way counter-clock wise. I've tries the monitor L-R through headphones and well as lineout and I only hear sound coming from the right (speaker). Can you please let me know if you have come by this type of issue and what could be the culprit? Much appreciated, Thank you.

@Tetrakan 2 жыл бұрын

Probably something up with the master fader. Check for these in order - dry or broken solder joints where the fader joins the circuit board; lint obstructing the brushes; corroded brushes; leaky coupling electrolytic capacitors, dry joints or faulty opamps in the pre or post fader buffers.

@dopebeatdan 2 жыл бұрын

@@Tetrakan Thank you so much! I will check those things out, much appreciated!

@Tetrakan 2 жыл бұрын

Have a look at this video, it's a porta 03 but same sort of principles apply. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/nLyjY6R93qu5fY0.html also check out the electrical troubleshooting and cleaning playlists on my channel home page, a few relevant videos re cleaning g disassembling faders there

@EARART 3 жыл бұрын

Hell yes

@betterthisway7815 2 жыл бұрын

i’m sure you’ve answered this before, but which of the portastudio models do you think is the most reliable to have?

@Tetrakan 2 жыл бұрын

Actually the 414 is a pretty good balance. Basically all of them have an Achilles heel....the 244 has the easiest cassette player to maintain but if you get something wrong with the record or playback amps, access to those circuit boards is murder; on a 464 overall electrical access is better but motor regulator chip burns out and one of the gears which raises and lowers the magnetic heads crumbles with age. And so on and so on. At least with the 414 changing belts is easy, access for everything is easy. Not the easiest cassette player to keep running but not the worst either. I'll be doing a Tascam portastudio tier list video soon with some overall recommendations and units to avoid, hopefully that'll give you a clearer idea of the relative merits if the different models, thanks for watching.

@ericseaman542 5 ай бұрын

Will recordings made on the 414 repro correctly on the 424?

@Tetrakan 5 ай бұрын

Yes, so long as you set the DBX and tape speed correctly

@americanmisfit1 Жыл бұрын

do you know if the effect send can work as an AUX send

@Tetrakan Жыл бұрын

It can.

@nintendoor1 3 жыл бұрын

i got mine for $110. i feel super lucky. it’s absolutely mint and has the power adaptor

@fender1000100 3 жыл бұрын

$110 is a bargain of a lifetime in great condtion. You did good. I'm eyeing one on ebay. And its already at £220.

@fearlesssound8275 3 жыл бұрын

@@fender1000100 wow im about to buy one for 400 so sad

@fearlesssound8275 3 жыл бұрын

where did you got that?

@ThatsJustEric 3 жыл бұрын

Lucked up

@kh8189 2 жыл бұрын

I paid about the same on eBay but this was back in 2014. Market rough now but honestly I love this machine so much I would pay 500 to replace it if I had to without crying too much

@only_the_best_stuff5706 3 жыл бұрын

because of Alessandro Cortini I want it really badly, the LOFI sound its amazing. Rumours are there that Tascam will make a new release, I guess you already heard that? I have no experience with this analogue gear. I can pick up for 250€ But not sure if I should do it..

@Tetrakan 3 жыл бұрын

Tascam had a flutter about a year ago with a social media podt saying wouldn't it be cool to make an updated one. Since then they've posted a couple if things admitting the cost of setting up the manufacturing tech for magnetic heads etc is too expensive. So unless behringer steps in, I don't think it'll happen. The price you mentioned isn't bad, I've seen higher. As I said in the video though, porta 07 is very similar and usually cheaper. Also both of those are 3&3/4ips if you go for one with lower speed of 1&7/8ips it'll sound grainier. The 424 mk 1 does a speed half if that again, do that'd be my number 1 pick for a lofi sound, good luck

@only_the_best_stuff5706 3 жыл бұрын

@@Tetrakan I think Behringer could really step in yeah, I see its the other version that I can get, the portastudio 414, in a good condition with the original box, except its not the mkII version. Really doubting if I should bull the trigger. I think I would lofff it. but yeah,, Guess I need to send it to you if it its broken then,, haha

@user-wm1cx5ez4h 2 жыл бұрын

Is this machine contain 3.3/4 &7.5 speeds?

@Tetrakan 2 жыл бұрын

Only 3&3/4ips. That is high speed for cassette, 2x commercial cassette. Commercial cassette is 1&7/8 ips. 7.5ips is a speed I have only seen on reel to reel machines.

@rbnjr 7 ай бұрын

Dont know if i can use this machine but one is for sale for 250.00 on facebook marketplace.

@travisraab 3 жыл бұрын

I bought one of these about 15 years ago for a i think $50. My roommate drove me cause i didn't have a car. I still have it maybe i should shoot it out against my 388.

@MyVidMix 3 жыл бұрын

Is anyone making new tape mixers?

@MyVidMix 3 жыл бұрын

If not, then come on Behringer, get on with it. Lol.

@Tetrakan 3 жыл бұрын

@@MyVidMix The answer is no. As I understand it, the main barrier is the tape heads and motors, the machinery needed to mass produce them has long since been dismantled for scrap metal. So it'd take someone with Behringers clout to get the production process up and running again, fingers crossed!

@MyVidMix 3 жыл бұрын

@@Tetrakan - Wow, awesome info to know. Thankyou 🙏. That would be so cool if they ever did. Actually, I’ll just leave one comment on one of their videos and we should have something by next week. 🤣

@travisraab 3 жыл бұрын

@@MyVidMix exactly! Haha

@alanduncan1980 3 жыл бұрын

I need this explained to me like I'm a five year old. I ain't got no learning. I don't know those fancy words you're saying.

@AmbientSky 4 жыл бұрын

would type 1 tapes work on this?

@Tetrakan 4 жыл бұрын

Ambient Sky yes but the amplitude and frequency of the bias oscillators of any portastudio is optimised for type II chrome tapes. So in addition to the fact that type one tapes respond to frequencies differently, saturate differently have a higher noise floor and leave more residue on the heads and tape path, they will perform less well in a portastudio than in your home cassette deck. This is from a technical point of view though, I’ve heard of people preferring type 1 tape in their 4track, and lets face it, it’s not exactly a high fidelity medium to begin with, so if you like how it sounds, go for it.

@igor_timofeev 2 жыл бұрын

I've got myself 414 mkII in black color for $190

@Tetrakan 2 жыл бұрын

Good price!

@oinkooink 5 ай бұрын

I sold a mint condition one of these I'd owned since the early 2000's new a couple of years ago. Regret it.

@zapatatheghost90026 3 жыл бұрын

Damn I payed 50$ for mine

@Tetrakan 3 жыл бұрын

Bargain!

@fearlesssound8275 3 жыл бұрын

where??

@JGW-im3nf 2 жыл бұрын

Anything with a Tape is overpriced. They tapping into Model 12 prices

@wheatonna Жыл бұрын

So we have Nine Inch Nails to thank for the ridiculous prices of these obsolete machines... I would have predicted that by now they'd be $5 at the thrift store. Nope!

@myfalsenamedotcome 3 жыл бұрын

These videos are positively only an excuse to show his tattooed hands.

@Tetrakan 3 жыл бұрын

For more tattooed body parts swing over to his onlyfans account 🍆😍💯

@myfalsenamedotcome 3 жыл бұрын

@@Tetrakan Ahah! No man, thanks. I'm all set.

@myfalsenamedotcome 3 жыл бұрын

@@Tetrakan Good videos, by the way ;)

@truthfinder4973 3 жыл бұрын

im stuck with tascam mf-p01 butt its all g00d i paid 0nly 40 buck f0r it in 2012. butt i g0t it 0ut the 0ther day i f0r g0t h0w fast things was lay d0wn sense then i learn things 0n daw. i 0ne day had a ideal did 4 full tracks, then rec0rd each track 0ne by 0ne in the daw it was n0t hard t0 line back in time i use fl studi0 b00m all in time .0mg it s0unds g00d in the daw s0 last week i 0rder a new cassette deck im a get back t0 the 0ld anal0g ways i miss it.