Tascam DP-24 SD

We have tried a few recording devices but this is definitely the best so far (BR1600CD, US1800). In fact, we will be sticking with this one as it offers all we need; multiple-simultaneous inputs for transferring to a computer and simple mixing facilities for rough mixing on the desk.

It has more features than we need but some of the controls have left us searching through the manual as they are not overly intuitive - adding compression on a particular input channel for example - but these would probably be easily remembered if we used it more often. The large-ish display is a nice touch and the menus are simple enough to navigate. The displays show all you need.

The tracks are easily moved to a computer, but can be brought back once mixed for the mastering features which, we think, are better than in our software.

It is robust enough but we did get a decent Thomann case for it - just in case.

Using SD-cards is handy too as these are very inexpensive and a new one can be used for each song. As we used inexpensive SD cards recording at 32-bit we didn't have any of the reported issues associated with the higher sampling rate using cheap SD cards.

Value for money is outstanding. We paid more than this for our first BR-532 (which we still use).

After having worked with DAW-software for a long time now, I thought it was about time to add this machine to my setup. I like the way it looks, I like the functions and I like the way it sounds. It is easy to use, just allow yourself the patience to work your way through the manual and you'll be fine. Working with a DAW has its pros and cons, the cons for me being spending way too much time editing, tweaking and what not, which was sometimes almost sucking the human feel right out of things. The Tascam is a great recording device to indeed have that 'live feel' to your recording sessions. For me, it brought about fresher ways of approaching the arrangement of a song. Great value for the money, so go for it!

Build quality

Robustly built, very clearly laid out.
As far as build is concerned, the only thing I'm not crazy about is the power adapter which seems a bit flimsy (the plug is replaceable and not very sturdy).

Usability

Workflow is as I expected having, in ancient times, worked with a Yamaha MT4X portastudio, and a great relief compared to the inspiration-killing sadness that is a mouse and keyboard and having to wrestle with drivers, windows updates and popups. Do read the well written user manual before use though - this machine does have relatively many options and you shouldn't expect to be able to work with it without any reading.

Sound

The 24 bit DACs should provide enough headroom to avoid ugly digital clipping with a clear margin.
Compared to my Focusrite Sapphire 2i2, the input sensitivity on the Hi-Z (guitar) input is actually sensible, meaning a P-90 singlecoil cannot overload the preamp with the input gain turned all the way down.
The built-in guitar amp simulator sounds weedy and is only good for hearing something resembling an electric guitar while recording a DI signal. I wouldn't use it for any serious recording, ever.

In summary, a good sounding, well built machine which, after just a bit of time studying how it works, is great fun to use and does not get in your way.

I am very happy with this machine - it is quite simple to use - once over the features and I am rolling with recording. The sound quality is excellent, everything else works like it is supposed to - it's not complex at all - so, it's exactly what I was looking for. Having a tuner built in is very convenient.

The only point that I would recommend Tascam look at is putting in midi control - I come from having used a Roland VS1620 years ago and if I had to redo the drum track (drum machine), I could just sync it up and redo them. I never got more midi sophisticated than that, but it was very helpful. Overall, this is a good recording studio at a very good price.

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.

My band used this in our studio to record our first record and we're starting the second with it as well.

The attraction is the ease of workflow- we simply don't want to deal with a non-dedicated laptop, the delays caused by endless clicking to get things set up.

The sound is good, though we have had a few problems recently preventing clipping on the snare, even with compression and the gain all the way down.

One reliability issue concerns the SD card- at a certain point we ran into some trouble with a "writing timeout" error. It's a Tascam-approved SD card, which is frustrating. It hasn't happened on the 3 other cards (also Tascam-approved) that we've used with it.

The unit is solidly built. If lost or stolen i'd definitely buy another. I may even buy another one anyway.