PORTASTUDIO meets THE FUTURE! Tascam Model 12 review, by Pete Thorn for Guitar World 

This really interests me. I started on a portastudio in the 80’s & this ultimately led me to a 24 year career as a studio owner. I’m retired from music production now - everything from 2 studio locations is sold - but this looks like a fun way to return to my roots and putz around at home, just like when I first started out.

My parents wouldn’t buy me one of those old ones, so I used to use to tape players and fake a 2-track recorder. Now I have my own studio!

Just got a model 12 (yesterday) and really enjoyed this excellent video, great demo, thank you so much!

There still is nothing like having a physical interface with sliders and knobs. I hate trying to do that with a mouse.

I'm SO happy to see Tascam do this. As much as I love DAWs and all that stuff these are great for recording a band practice or recording with limitations... and that can be cool as you can't overthink stuff. I'd highly recommend these if you love the hands on aspect too. I really hated how the old digital portable studios evolved as everything was hidden in menus. This is the complete opposite, everything on a knob right where you'd expect it to be! I'll be buying one!!! 👌

Wow Pete brilliantly demonstrated, this is home multi-tracking 101, great explanations of EQ and effects, and your guitar tones are impeccable. Way better than a typical sales pitch product demo! As a prolific Portastudio user through the 80s and 90s I totally appreciate this machine, I think I need it!

Great demo. That was awesome. This is going on my wish list. Looks like a lot of fun!

Finally ! I have been waiting for a classic old school digital board !!! For 20 years!!!

What a great video. Just ordered the Tascam Model 24 - i'm also of the generation that remembers the old tape portastudios and kind of yearn back for the simplicity and hands on real knobs and sliders. But videos like this really help folks like me ensure the product is going to live up to my expectations. Thanks

Portastudios made allot of famous artists great in the early days.

Great review Pete! Took me way back to the Port-a-Studio days. Really enjoy your work and your channel. Take care!

Just bought a Tascam Model 12. This video was just what I needed. Thank you.

Thank you for the review. Thats amazing work!

Hey Pete, just wanted to say I love your channel and appreciate the vids you make for us and the knowledge you share! Thanks!

Still have my old Portastudio 4 track from the 80’s. Those were my first experiences recording tracks and mixing.

GREAT video Pete cannot wait to hear more !!

Nice to see Tascam still relevant - cool!

Congratulations! Wonderful job!!! Love it

I have two 488's (mk 1 and 2) and am so stoked to see this Model 12. I now have a 32 ch board from the 80's going into PT. This unit is perfect also as a way to introduce more recent generations to the fluidity of having faders and knobs available and how recording was done (and still done in pro studios). Thanks Pete!

Thanks for this Pete. This definitely pushed me to pick up this unit. Great demo!

Yup. Had a Porta Studio 4track recorded my first demos on it. Ping Ponging Tracks etc... Old school for sure.

Great video and great playing. I had an old tascam 4 track from the 80's that took a cassette. It was a lot of fun.

These are great bits of kit. One thing you can also do is that once you've recorded something you can import the WAV files straight from the SD card into Logic tracks for later tweaking/mixing, or set up a loop in the DAW and then play it back through the Tascam whilst recording other tracks. It's enormously versatile in this regard.

Your guitar tones are incredible.

I have this and love it. Using this as a standalone recorder is a blast, and you can do so completely free from a laptop if you wish. Bouncing tracks any way you wish is dirt simple once you understand how to record a mix to the Main stereo tracks (11/12) and then move that wherever you wish. The workflow is different from your old 4 track but the result is the same. I haven't been able to sync it with Logic using MIDI, if anyone has that figured out I'd love to see a video! Currently I am bypassing the internal recording and using Logic as my tape and drum machine and feeding the tracks output back into the Tascam. I prefer this over using the Tascam as a controller for Logic, which has always felt gimicky to me with other hardware in the past. This is the songwriting solution I was looking for to keep me looking at a DAW as little as possible and listening more. All the flexibility of the DAW is there when I need it, but in the creative phase it's just a tape machine and everything goes through the Tascam for EQ, compression and reverb. I can also easily record the Logic tracks to multiple tracks (or a stereo mix or any combination of the 2) of the Tascam to have a completely self contained working mix of the song to work with on the Tascam alone. Easy! Two headphone jacks is great and they are both powerful enough output wise to let you play drums or anything else while monitoring the mix through the headphones as loud as you need. Likewise, for internal recording on the Tascam, the onboard click is also plenty loud enough, which was a major drawback on some of their older multitracks where you just couldn't get much volume in the headphones. Bluetooth is a game changer, so useful in too many ways to describe (jamming with Napster, using an iPhone drum machine, importing old ideas from your Dropbox -- with no y adapters or anything, just pair it up and there it is on tracks 9/10). Just about everything that's important to me, audio wise, the Tascam makes easier and more fun, and something I can do without the endless distractions of fiddling with just a laptop. Just wanted to share some thoughts. All in all I love it, and recommend it highly!

I used a Tascam 688 throughout the 90s for my home studio. It did a decent job. No internal effects. It was able to remotely mute channels which helped a lot with the noise buildup. No phantom power so I had to use some mics with batteries built in. I was able to use track 8 for syncing an external sequencer. I stepped into the DAW world and lent it out to a friend. Now I’m trying to get it back and fix it up.

Man! What a beautiful memories, looking forward to buy one 😉

Great video!!! I’m getting mine today!!

Pete, thanks for doing such a thorough video for us at TASCAM. It looks like you were actually having fun.

Great Vid Pete, proper throw back to the good old days...... this did the job

I've got massive trust issues with computers; this looks like a much more trustworthy format!

Great vid! That song demo you made is fantastic. Great explanation. I too am Gen-X and remember my first Tascam MiniStudio 4! I made a gazillion songs on that thing and have been looking to get out of DAW mode (for initial songwriting) and back to the basics. I love it. I spent years making synth songs with various DAWs over the years and can do the DAW thing when I'm ready to nerd out and finalize production, but that's a totally different headspace for me. Getting back to basics has been amazing now that a few of these mixers can record separate tracks all on the mixer itself. Brill. I picked up a Model 24 myself. Thanks again! You've got some killer chops!

Just picked up the model 12 primarily for an accompaniment to the MPC One. Finding out there's so much more you can do with the MTR tools. Great explanation video!! Thanks Pete!

Pete,Pete,Pete!!!! I love everything you do and I got my entire setup through Uad 2 vids back in 2014. Every once in a while a song, riff or tone will lend itself to a feeling or a memory. This made my hairs stand and I know that this is what we all strive for. I think you`ve stepped your game up ten fold ever since The Rock Show tour before Covid 19 hit. This already added to your stellar playing that is.

Pete...great job, love the sound you got from this...the playing was supurb man ....thanks

Hey congrats on working with GuitarWorld mate!!! I’ve been a fan since your Eruption lesson. Great channel!

Thanks for your demonstration! I am brand new to this unit and also not tech savvy, so this was helpful to get me oriented.

Pete, very cool as always. Would love to see a higher end all in one of something like this.

This is a awesome idea. I've always used things like the porta studio and Korg models. I currently have a Korg D3200 and love it. The nice thing about this is that it can be both an independent use or a control surface. Best of both worlds!

I can’t even imagine how many hours my friends and I used a PortaStudio in the 80’s and 90’s. It’s a great looking unit and could see it being an amazing tool to take live loopers to another level. In a band setting the ability to just plug in and hit record will no doubt keep the inspiration there just like Tascam PortaStudio used to. Annnnd it’s a huuuge bang for the buck! Killer piece of gear. Thanks for the demo!

Great Review Thank you I just picked mine up.

Great video: this an exceptional piece of gear..your instrumental demo song is also very nice

You have certain advantages using this: A: You have hands-on control instead of grabbing your mouse and move the cursor to click a button and, B: You can record your ideas when they strike you instead having to turn on your computer, start your DAW and setup etc. Plus, the portability as you mentioned. And if you want more detailed editing you can upload everything to your computer and tweak as much as you like. Nice piece of gear!

Thank you 🙏 Awesome vid and very informative. Gonna buy one.😊

Great idea Pete. Guitar World is a great magazine.

Dammit man why you gotta make me want more gear.

Way fun. Thanks for bringing back memories.

That was a gorgeous piece of music Pete. 🎸

Such an excellent review...thank you!

I just love your phrasing. Keep doing what you do!

Well done thanks for sharing!

Really great demo of this mixer. Playing is great too, also some nice tips on mixing (taking out low mids for clarity).

One of the best demos ever! Go Pete!

I LIKED this video before you started the review, lol. It sounds amazing. Love your playing. You really know how to demo a product. Great presentation! Thanks.

That sounded great Pete. Good job sir.

Great video, Pete! We're worlds apart in terms of musical styles, but really enjoyed your jam, as well the detail you went into. Reminder of days past indeed! Looks like a nice piece of kit

Great vid Pete!

What a nice sounding unit! Seriously, it sounds great.

I love the tascam 12, nice video, man!

Goooooood memories! I've recorded walls full of tapes on my old 4 track recorder. ❤️

Brilliant vid, have a Model 12 in hand today, setting it all up, just can't beat the tactile feeling, thanks Tascam, thanks Pete, no more mouse clicking for me.

Thanks Pete for this great demo! I think the main advantage is to get fast results. Greetings from berlin.

Very Cool! Great Demo Pete!! Tasty licks!!!

your really good actually putting it though its paces thank you

Excellent video, the best ive seen yet on Master 12 not to mention your chops..The Tascam Porta Studio 4 track didn't come out until I was 25...I jumped on it & a Yamaha DX-7 & Boss Drum machine & I eventually opened a nice demo studio in South Nashville by 88 ..Danny & Frankie Toler wouod play on my ideas & id give them allxthe time they wanted for free..What an experience they were truly gifted players, even Gregg showed up a time or two & we hung out at my studio on the night of the Allman Brothers reunion in 87.( my studio was less than 5 miles from venue) Starwood amphitheater at Charlie Daniels volunteer jam..It was quit a night to remember..We were hoping Frakie would get a chance to play drums but we already knew that Jaimo was back ( and better than ever) so we hung out & walked all over the place & picked up some " party favors" with legs & it was all in good fun.. I sold everything in 95 I believe & got a real job but now I'm retired & play bass & keyboards everyday.Im strictly an analog guy but this looks amazingly simple & I may pull it off ..It could also be used to dictate a book I'm rewriting..I'm rambling..Thanks

Hi, Pete! And to think I was considering selling off my BOSS BR1600, a similar stand alone recorder; your video talked me out of it! The Tascam unit is proof that there are many ways to create/record songs. Thanks for that killer demo and good luck with the Guitar World collaboration; look forward to it.

This bought back memories for me too. What a nice piece of gear, very reasonably priced too.

Nice job Pete. Got mine last week. Still waiting to dig in.

Pete ure amazing, thanks for sharing this Tascam, I've used the Tascam 244 back in the mid 90's Love cheers 💚🙏☯️

Maestro Pete kills it yet again!!!

Thanks Pete, watched your facial expressions and instantly that creativity seemed apparent. Analog lives on I personally hate menu diving but love autimation presets. Once you get your routing right it's quick and simple. When doing home recordings I just love the phyical approach of turning dials on channel strips and using my ear to balance the sound. Incerts are still needed in my setup. I don't mind having extra external hardware to connect into the signal chain. It's like being a painter they have more than one brush and always have a pallet of colours to work with. Guitars players are just the same your ears hear something different everytime you setup. Great for retail no so good for the wallet.

Nice review! I use a Tascam Model 24, similar to this, and really like it.

Great review, Pete, and nice little history/memory lane rundown! 👏 The TASACAM Portastudio legendary legacy is one huge honour & burden, and they seem to fully realize it. 👍 BTW, when is Part 2 of the B.Clearmountain video coming up? Part 1 was a true gem!!! 💎

Thanks! Great walkthrough

Really enjoyed your review thanks. Subbed!

Pete, Great review and demo.

Great job as always Pete! I'm also looking to revamp recording my old original etc. And yes I remember the good ole Tascam 4 Tracks back in the day in the San Fernando Valley 🎵🎶😎🤙

Grew up (in terms of learning mixing!) with TASCAM portastudios. Still find myself wanting to go back to that format because (a) my brain just prefers thinking of music as a linear song and (b) tactile control kicks ass in most ways because you aren't limited to tweaking one parameter at a time.

Pete you rock! Thanks for your videos!

You just sold me. Great demo video. This is way above any Porta-Studio I ever owned or used. I graduated from Porta-Studios to 1/2" TASCAM 38 back in the late 80s, and then to the DA-88 in the 90s, but this blows both of them away in terms of audio quality...and it doesn't weigh 80 pounds. I've been waiting years for TASCAM to come up with something like this. Being old-school, I need knobs and faders and a minimum of menus, but still wanted an all-in-one. This is the machine I've been waiting for. Thanks.

Beautiful and distinctive melodic music

Man first Pete you rock 🎸 and second you make the model 12 sound better...💯

I've always enjoyed the simplicity and speed of a portastudio back in the day and this new one sounds great!

Gotta say ive never really got on with any DAW and ive tried many and i do like the idea of an old school porta studio, you got me thinking now.

Great demo! I’ve been on the fence with this thing. I never got into computer recording and prefer a simpler on board set up like the old 4 track I used to use. This keeps looking better and better with different people demoing it. This is probably the most straightforward into to basic recording with this. Thanks! 🙏

Thanks... Great video !!!

I just got one of these and it seems very promising. It even controlled Ableton on my old ass 2010 laptop running 8.5. It also works well with my Akai Force and MPC Live. It's super flexible - able to be used in so many unique ways. Thanks for this video, Pete!

I still have my 244. Great review! Thanks

perfect. i miss old analogue style desks, which i still use live. but for recording, i really like this set up. i have done live recordings of my band at rehearsals to put up on net so we can have an honest example to show potential people offering gigs. one take raw recordings, with post eq and work but no overdubs. i like your method of finding frequencies, that's how i eq all the time foh, fb graphics etc, it works for me .

That red Suhr strat again, and it sounds as good as it looks. Love that guitar.

great job Pete!

Thank you. Take me back.

Great review thanks! 😃

i just picked this up today this exactly why i wanted it...great for drum tracks into your daw

Great vid!

I love it! Great review👍🏻

Awesome video Pete, one of the best video's explaining what you can do with the Tascam model 12 unit, plus your a awesome guitar player....thanks for sharing....but you need to tell the people that the unit does not come with a SD card you have to buy it separate.

I absolutely love this ... WOW! I have a Yamaha Montage 7 WH 2020 model and this will work brilliantly for just recording some tracks and sing to them I suppose. Thanks a million Pete

Love it! Very cool demo. Nice price, too!

Can’t wait! I’ve been contemplating getting one of these.