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The 424 MKIII is a direct descendant of the original 144 of 1978. A real personal recording studio with a professional mixing console and a logic-controlled cassette deck in a single easy-to-use unit.

The 424 MKIII is equipped with powerful musical EQ on all six input channels, flexible auxiliary and monitoring systems, and a comprehensive range of inputs and routing options.

With a sophisticated 4-track tape recorder using logic control to provide a range of automated functions, the 424 MKIII gives you the power to fully explore and exploit the creative possibilities of multitracking.

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Back in 2009, I bought my first recording device. It was a Tascam DP-02, one of the digital incarnations of the famous Portastudio line. It was marked down by $20 because of a factory error that left it stamped “PORTASTUD” – a blemish I would have gladly paid extra for.

That machine served me well through my first few years of blundering around, trying to figure out what this “multitracking” thing was all about. The hands-on interface and all-in-one recorder + mixer configuration are the hallmarks of Tascam’s Portastudio line and allowed me to learn without being overwhelmed by the infinite options of software recording.

Later, after completing a recording technology program that taught me to use industry-standard DAWs, classic Trident and state of the art SSL consoles, and top-of-the-line Studer and Otari 24-track tape machines, what did I do? I found a Tascam 424 mkIII on Craigslist and snatched it up for $80. The magic of the Portastudio cannot be replicated.

Home Recording Revolution

It all began in 1979, when the TEAC 144 became the first four-track recorder to utilize a standard cassette tape. The unit resembled a mini-version of the classic 388 with its black chassis, multicolored knobs, and analog VU meters. The 244 and 246 were the first to bear the “Portastudio” name and upped the ante with sweepable stacked-knob EQs and dbx noise reduction.

Undoubtedly, many great (and not-so-great) songs were made on these first units in bedrooms and basements worldwide, but it took a bit more development before the four-track cassette format really came into its own.

Growing Pains

Throughout the '80s and '90s, a slew of other models were released as companies like Fostex and Yamaha jumped on the bandwagon with their own versions. There are too many iterations to cover in detail here, but the most common warrant a detailed look.

The Tascam 414 streamlined the four-track format, ditching the VU meters in favor of simple, segmented LEDs. Tascam then added a pair of line-level inputs, bringing the total number of inputs to eight and allowing for two stereo effects returns. The 414 also added support for an optional foot pedal to be used for hands-free punch-ins. This feature proved indispensable for solo artists. Though advanced for its time, this iconic, dusky-blue unit may scream “lo-fi” by today's standards but arguably remains the image most associated with the term “four-track.”

The first model in the next generation -- the Tascam 424 -- improved upon its predecessor but wasn't without its own quirks. Notably, the unit featured the unprecedented option for three different recording speeds. While these speeds could be used creatively to produce some interesting effects (think Ween vocals), it would ultimately turn out to be overkill for most users. The transport controls were also upgraded to electronic buttons, replacing the mechanical switches of the past.

Second in the series, the Tascam 424 mkII ditched the “low” speed option. It instead saw the addition of a list of advanced transport functions: the electronic counter, two location markers, loop-rehearsal and auto-punch functions, and a display screen for controlling it all. Other improvements included a sweepable mid-band in the EQ section and greatly expanded I/O (including proper XLR inputs for microphones). The 424 mkII also reverted to the 414's iconic blue color.

The mkIII evolution, in my opinion, is the pinnacle of four-track technology. It gave channels five and six the same EQ and send options as the four main channels, allowing the user to mix six mono sources and making effects returns far more tweakable. This iteration also saw a sleeker design for the chassis in a striking teal finish.

As interest in home recording exploded, Tascam churned out myriad variations, each with a unique feature set. Many were very similar, but a few interesting ones bear mentioning.

The Tascam 488 crammed eight tracks into the cassette format (albeit with half of the fidelity), filling a niche for amateur recordists who wanted to dig into multitrack recording without digging too deep into their wallets. The 644 and 688 “MIDIstudios” incorporated MIDI technology, allowing electronic musicians to join in the fun without spending a small fortune on a full home studio's worth of equipment. Lastly, the “Ministudio” line stripped down the Portastudio features and shoved them into increasingly smaller boxes, culminating in the tiny Porta-02 before disappearing entirely from three-dimensional space.

Catching Up With the Times

In 1997, Tascam adapted their trusted all-in-one format to modern media with the first digital Portastudio -- the Tascam 564. Various versions utilized Minidiscs, SD cards, CDs, and internal hard drives. The Portastudio line lost a bit of magic here, forcing the user to browse through menus on a tiny screen and painstakingly name files with limited controls. However, as digital processing became more affordable, Tascam began integrating onboard effects. This innovation changed the game once again, making it easier than ever for amateurs to make professional-sounding recordings.

After countless transformations over the years, the Portastudio has always remained true to its original aim: putting the power to create in the hands of musicians via an affordable, easy-to-learn product. Now, even three decades after their introduction, these devices remain highly sought after as a result of this commitment. Tascam has even created an iPad app paying homage to the format, proving that even as technology advances in leaps and bounds, certain timeless gems will never lose their mojo.

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