Everyone who creates, distributes, and sells music should Master their products. The DP-24’s Mastering features make is easier for users to get a polished finished recording. If you struggle with Mastering in your recordings, I hope this video serves useful.
Actually, the MOST confusing thing is how you send effects, and WHEN they can actually be recorded to the track...same question about the dynamics.... thanks
Excellent video! We have recorded both our albums (so far) on a pair of DP-32's and have yet use the on-board mastering. We've been mixing the DP-32 straight to a vintage Philips DCC900 (Digital Compact Cassette) recorder. The DCC's compression ratio of around 3.68:1, and smooth (to us) analog to digital converters create a really nice sound we're happy with. So far we just upload our albums to RUclips, (and give CD's to friends). After watching this video, we may have to try the mastering function and compare the audio quality. Thanks!
Great information dude, thanks for putting this together. I have a DP 24 and get a kick out of using it, but I still prefer mastering and editing in the DAW, etc. Which is cool, just takes a little more time to line up the tracks in the DAW. I use the standard version of Ozone for mastering. The Tascam mastering isn't bad though. Thankfully, I bought one of the last Tascam Models that has midi in and out. If you set your DAW to the metronome setting of the Tascam BEFORE you import from the Tascam, it generally lines up really well. If you import the tracks before setting the tempo in the DAW, it's doesn't match up. At least, that's what has worked for me. For drums, when I'm using the Tascam, I use a Roland DR880 drum machine. Not as good as EZdrummer, / drum software, but not bad. A little "drum machini sounding.' lol! Don't know why Tascam removed the Midi 5 pins. Probably something to do with cost. Honestly, I wish they made the unit larger, like a DP 24 that actually has 24 physical tracks running across it without having to reassign tracks. How awesome would that be. I'll pay the extra $$$$$ for the extra metal. Granted it would be pretty big.
I love to hear all the different ways people are recording and mastering in their home studios. It’s so interesting to hear about the gear and processes used, and how people make things work for in their environments. It just goes to show how important it is to find what works for your situation because once you do the sky’s the limit, right? I like that with recording, one size does not fit all. It keeps us creative and makes recording more challenging and fun. Thanks so much for watching and sharing! 👍🏿
Great video. Makes me wonder if I need to send my WAV files to the studio for Mastering. The volume levels were always a problem as I could never get them high enough wthout distortion to match industry standards. Can the DP24 do that?
Always great information from you....I may have missed this explanation OR maybe it cannot be done? BUT can you "master" a whole album of , say, 10 songs? Having ten songs recorded, mixed, and mastered, can they be put together into an "Album" format and mastered that way?.......
Hi, Powercoat Music , i have one question for you : on the DP 008 to find the desired sound of mastering, to reach the icon " Dance" i remember i had to use the jog wheel, in the DP 32 does it work the same way? I mean, once i am on the " screen" or " icon" compressor, is on THAT where i should search for " Dance" with the Jog wheel ? Thanx so much for your informations, but the 32 has a different system compared to the 008 . Greetings from Italy, Patrick
Hi Patrick, Mastering on the DP-24 is a bit different. There is a Mixdown/Mastering button under the knobs on the right side of the unit that puts it into that mode. Thanks for watching.
Yes, it's possible. For details on how to do that watch my presentation "Tascam DP24/DP32 Digital Portastudio: Importing and Exporting Tracks", on this channel.
It's since been discontinued, but it was a great machine. Newer and cheaper competition may have added to it's demise, but all in all it should work very well. Enjoy and thanks for watching!
Great video. I do have a question. When importing a daw project to the dp24 for mastering, do you import a mixed down file or each individual track. Thanks so much in advance. Tom
Great question. Technically you could do both. We already know how a track to track import works. For more on that watch my presentation "Tascam DP24/DP32 Digital Portastudio: Importing and Exporting Tracks", on this channel. For a mixed-down file, you could import that or record it to 2-stereo tracks and then master it. Various ways you could do something like that Which ever works best for you. Thanks for watching.
Follow the instructions in the "Tascam DP24/DP32 Digital Portastudio: Importing and Exporting Tracks" video to get the .WAV files from that machine. Connect your NEO to your PC via USB and copy the files saved there from the DP24SD. Hope that helps and thanks for watching.
What is the right time to use normalization? The manual is a little confusing and this video doesn't address it. I've been assuming turn on compression (using library), then normalize, then press record. Is this correct? PS. Your videos about the DP-24 are very helpful - thanks!
@@PowercoatMusic I did download it, but the app to open it, the service agreement says they can access all my files at anytime, (hell no)! So I just ordered a physical copy, ..(that I prefer) anyways, also got tired to being up for hours, and getting no where, but thanks anyways!
If I'm understanding your question, you could connect your 8-track directly to the DP-24 and record all the tracks to the DP at once for transfer. Thanks for watching.
If you have the 1st GEN unit then I would strongly suggest updating your firmware to ensure you have all the software updates. If you have the 2nd GEN unit then that device does not have all 3 of the Mastering options the 1st GEN unit does. Thanks for watching. 👍🏿
a. Set the IN & OUT Points for the song b. Press Mixdown\Mastering button, then RECORD button to Master file (blinking). Adjust your settings. c. Press Mixdown\Mastering button again to MASTER the file. Thanks for watching.
You should update your firmware to the latest version, that should help. If you have done that already, you may need to get your unit serviced. Thanks for watching and sharing. 👍🏿
@@PowercoatMusic, just checked and the firmware is up to date. The manual also makes no mention of this feature and just has the EQ, Compression, Normalize features in Mastering. Hmmmm.
hi, thank you for this videos ,i have i quick question? if im not satisfied with the master file for some reason ,can i overwrite the master file even if is normalized going back to mixdown ?
Yes. You can re-record a Master at any time. When Recorder Mode is in Mastering Mode, press the record button. This action will record over the existing master file with whatever new effects you have previously chosen. I hope this information helps. Thanks for watching.
Sir...can I take a song from the SD card from a model 12, 16, or 24 and insert it into the dp-24sd and master a song (recorded on the Tascam model series) that way? Thank you for your time.
Theoretically the MODEL series uses the Portastudio firmware base. However, I believe you would need to export and import your files from one device to the other to be sure. It may work, but I cannot confirm. I can confirm that the file importing and exporting processes work well. Thanks for watching. 👍🏿
@@PowercoatMusic thank you for your response it is helpful. I may try that once I get my DP 24 up and running and get familiar with it. It just came in yesterday thanks again.
Do you think their is much a difference in the end product sound between the newer SD version having to export and burn to cd on a computer vs the on board burn to cd of the older units?
Theoretically, mixing down and producing your music on the DP-24 should be the best way to go. Once you move it to another platform such as a MAC or PC, it then depends on that system’s hardware and software strengths and weaknesses. The DP-24s hardware and software was designed specifically to record, process, and produce audio recordings. The unit has been tested extensively for that purpose for years and passed with flying colors. Once you move your music from that realm to a MAC or PC platform you lose that safety net, and then YOU must ensure that your music does not suffer as a result.
@@PowercoatMusic Thx...its what I figured that keeping all in the machine would result in a better outcome, being that its just the burn to disc end part I didn't know how much diff. it could make....Thx for the vids.
To master a recording, when "Recorder mode" is "Mixdown mode", press the "MIXDOWN/MASTERING" button to open the MASTERING screen. To start, press the "Record" button. Thanks for watching. 👍🏿
How do you burn cd's with a 8 track tascam I'm thinking maybe you can attach a external cd burner to it just like they do with Tablets iPad or androids. It's youtube videos that shows how to do that ???
You could use a stand-alone hardware CD burner like the Tascam CD-RW900MKII CD Recorder/Player. You connect the stereo outs of any model DP-24 to the stereo ins of a unit like that, and then mix down to it like a mastering deck. Then burn your CD with the Tascam CD-RW900MKII CD. You could do the same using a PC with the right software.
@@PowercoatMusic maybe a stupid question but i know nothing about tech, since db-32 is digital and there is those 2 rca l/r outs there so actually in which connectors i put the cables in tascam cd- rw900mk2 which you were talking about? There analog standard rca ins and digital coaxial and optical ins, i would need some weird cable if i have to use those digital ins, im planning to buy this cd recorder for my coming db32sd
Both the Tascam DPs and Commercial DAWs are professional-grade tools that have the potential to sound great. What determines which recordings sound superior or inferior rely on the person’s recording engineering skills, the sound producing devices used, and level of expertise in the overall production. Thanks for watching.
@@TheOwlHead Unfortunately it’s not obvious to everyone. In the scenario you describe it just doesn’t matter. Both would sound great and the average listener wouldn’t notice or care. Especially if they like the song. The point is that it doesn’t matter how you get a great sound as long as you do. If you prefer working with a DAW, then do it. If not, then don’t. People should work the way they like best. With these tools we past the “Which one sounds better stage years ago”. The sound either way if know what you’re doing will be PRO. There’s no argument there.
i‘d love to mix and master on a dp 24 but the problem for me are the drums. i dont have a drumset i can record so depend on samples and plug-ins wich i only get from the computer. making the drums in logic to send that back to the tascam is more complicated than doing everything in logic i think. when you record separate tracks to the daw are these pre eq?
Powercoat Music thanks for the fast reply... i might have chosen the wrong words here. let me rephrase the question. does the dp 24 allow me to record separate audio tracks into the daw with effects on them?
Yes. Your can do this either 1 of 2 ways. You can use an external effects processor or the DP-24’s built in Dynamic Effects functionality. I’m going to do a video on the DP-24’s effects soon, so stay tuned.
I seem to be getting low sound quality no matter what I'm doing. It sounds great, volume wise, while I'm mixing down and mastering, but once it's on the SD card and goes into my laptop and I burn a CD from that mix, it's coming out really low.
Try transferring your songs to your PC using the unit’s USB functionality as recommended by Tascam. Removing the sound card and copying your songs that way is not recommended or guaranteed to work effectively. Thanks for watching.
@@PowercoatMusic I'm getting ready to work on my fifth song. When I'm getting down to the mastering mode and it automatically saves after I hit the button, I will insert the USB connection and see if I can transfer the file to my computer, and let you know if it sounds better. Thanks for the advice on that by the way.
Everyone who creates, distributes, and sells music should Master their products. The DP-24’s Mastering features make is easier for users to get a polished finished recording. If you struggle with Mastering in your recordings, I hope this video serves useful.
Actually, the MOST confusing thing is how you send effects, and WHEN they can actually be recorded to the track...same question about the dynamics.... thanks
Your videos are all excellent. Well done.
Really like the way you educate without waisting time. Great channel.
Thanks so much for watching and sharing. 👍🏿
Great video. Makes me want to use mine now.
Thanks so much. The more you know about the DP-24, the more you want to use it.
Dear sir you are a great wealth of information.Thank you for all that you do.
You're most welcome. Thanks for watching. 👍🏿
Excellent video! We have recorded both our albums (so far) on a pair of DP-32's and have yet use the on-board mastering. We've been mixing the DP-32 straight to a vintage Philips DCC900 (Digital Compact Cassette) recorder. The DCC's compression ratio of around 3.68:1, and smooth (to us) analog to digital converters create a really nice sound we're happy with. So far we just upload our albums to RUclips, (and give CD's to friends). After watching this video, we may have to try the mastering function and compare the audio quality. Thanks!
i would like to see more specific lessons on how to actually access the features you talk about.
Great information dude, thanks for putting this together.
I have a DP 24 and get a kick out of using it, but I still prefer mastering and editing in the DAW, etc. Which is cool, just takes a little more time to line up the tracks in the DAW. I use the standard version of Ozone for mastering. The Tascam mastering isn't bad though.
Thankfully, I bought one of the last Tascam Models that has midi in and out. If you set your DAW to the metronome setting of the Tascam BEFORE you import from the Tascam, it generally lines up really well. If you import the tracks before setting the tempo in the DAW, it's doesn't match up. At least, that's what has worked for me. For drums, when I'm using the Tascam, I use a Roland DR880 drum machine. Not as good as EZdrummer, / drum software, but not bad. A little "drum machini sounding.' lol!
Don't know why Tascam removed the Midi 5 pins. Probably something to do with cost. Honestly, I wish they made the unit larger, like a DP 24 that actually has 24 physical tracks running across it without having to reassign tracks. How awesome would that be. I'll pay the extra $$$$$ for the extra metal. Granted it would be pretty big.
I love to hear all the different ways people are recording and mastering in their home studios. It’s so interesting to hear about the gear and processes used, and how people make things work for in their environments. It just goes to show how important it is to find what works for your situation because once you do the sky’s the limit, right? I like that with recording, one size does not fit all. It keeps us creative and makes recording more challenging and fun. Thanks so much for watching and sharing! 👍🏿
Great video. Makes me wonder if I need to send my WAV files to the studio for Mastering. The volume levels were always a problem as I could never get them high enough wthout distortion to match industry standards. Can the DP24 do that?
Yes. I recommend using the compressor. It should bring your volume levels up significantly. Thanks for watching.
THANKS FOR THIS INFO!!
Thanks so much for watching. 👍🏿
Always great information from you....I may have missed this explanation OR maybe it cannot be done? BUT can you "master" a whole album of , say, 10 songs? Having ten songs recorded, mixed, and mastered, can they be put together into an "Album" format and mastered that way?.......
The only was to do that would be, for instance, to record all 10 songs in the same project, which is not practical in many cases. Thanks for watching.
Hi, Powercoat Music , i have one question for you : on the DP 008 to find the desired sound of mastering, to reach the icon " Dance" i remember i had to use the jog wheel, in the DP 32 does it work the same way? I mean, once i am on the " screen" or " icon" compressor, is on THAT where i should search for " Dance" with the Jog wheel ? Thanx so much for your informations, but the 32 has a different system compared to the 008 . Greetings from Italy, Patrick
Hi Patrick, Mastering on the DP-24 is a bit different. There is a Mixdown/Mastering button under the knobs on the right side of the unit that puts it into that mode. Thanks for watching.
@@PowercoatMusic thank you so much, all the best to you 👋
Great! Please, is it possible to transfer my mp3 recorded in another studio into DP 24 SD and re-master it for better quality?
Yes, it's possible. For details on how to do that watch my presentation "Tascam DP24/DP32 Digital Portastudio: Importing and Exporting Tracks", on this channel.
Hi there, greetings from London! I just bought an Akai DPS 24 Portastudio to hopefully do what you do. Any good? 😎
It's since been discontinued, but it was a great machine. Newer and cheaper competition may have added to it's demise, but all in all it should work very well. Enjoy and thanks for watching!
Great video. I do have a question. When importing a daw project to the dp24 for mastering, do you import a mixed down file or each individual track. Thanks so much in advance.
Tom
Great question. Technically you could do both. We already know how a track to track import works. For more on that watch my presentation "Tascam DP24/DP32 Digital Portastudio: Importing and Exporting Tracks", on this channel. For a mixed-down file, you could import that or record it to 2-stereo tracks and then master it. Various ways you could do something like that Which ever works best for you. Thanks for watching.
Great video!!! Keep it up!
Thanks for watching, will do! 👍
THANKS 👍 AGAIN MY TECH- WISE FRIEND
You're most welcome. Thanks for watching. 👍🏿
Good Morning, I have a question; I'd like to transfer a wave from my Tascam DP 24SD to my Tascam 2488neo, how would I do that?
Follow the instructions in the "Tascam DP24/DP32 Digital Portastudio: Importing and Exporting Tracks" video to get the .WAV files from that machine. Connect your NEO to your PC via USB and copy the files saved there from the DP24SD. Hope that helps and thanks for watching.
What is the right time to use normalization? The manual is a little confusing and this video doesn't address it. I've been assuming turn on compression (using library), then normalize, then press record. Is this correct? PS. Your videos about the DP-24 are very helpful - thanks!
I recommend sticking with the default presets for Normalization. It works well. Thanks for watching. 👍🏿
Subscribed, thank you
Thank you sir!
Hey, how do I playback my recording on the dp-24 (original not the SD)? I don't have a instructions book, and I can't figure this out!
Go to tascam.com/us/, click Support on the menu, search for your unit and download the .PDF manual. It's free. Thanks for watching.
@@PowercoatMusic I did download it, but the app to open it, the service agreement says they can access all my files at anytime, (hell no)! So I just ordered a physical copy, ..(that I prefer) anyways, also got tired to being up for hours, and getting no where, but thanks anyways!
i also have 8 track tascam that i want to down load to the /dp32 what else do i need?
If I'm understanding your question, you could connect your 8-track directly to the DP-24 and record all the tracks to the DP at once for transfer. Thanks for watching.
GREAAATTTT!
Thanks a lot...
You're most welcome. Thanks for watching.
Thanks ! Just subscribed to you. My DP-24 arrives tomorrow. I'm a veteran DP-02 guy. Love the videos!
I dont have the third mastering tool that you describe . I just have equalization, compression and normalization
If you have the 1st GEN unit then I would strongly suggest updating your firmware to ensure you have all the software updates. If you have the 2nd GEN unit then that device does not have all 3 of the Mastering options the 1st GEN unit does. Thanks for watching. 👍🏿
I'm confused. During mastering (compression/normalization) do i have to press record again to apply these options?
a. Set the IN & OUT Points for the song
b. Press Mixdown\Mastering button, then RECORD button to Master file (blinking). Adjust your settings.
c. Press Mixdown\Mastering button again to MASTER the file.
Thanks for watching.
My DP-24 is missing the dithering/sound shaping step in mastering!
You should update your firmware to the latest version, that should help. If you have done that already, you may need to get your unit serviced. Thanks for watching and sharing. 👍🏿
@@PowercoatMusic, Ah! I shall try that. It’s a brand new unit. Just out of the box
@@PowercoatMusic, just checked and the firmware is up to date. The manual also makes no mention of this feature and just has the EQ, Compression, Normalize features in Mastering. Hmmmm.
Is the dithering/sound shaper just for units with a CD burner?
@@jhutch888 That appears to be the case. The firmware is not the same for both the 1st Gen and SD units. I have the 1st Gen.
hi, thank you for this videos ,i have i quick question? if im not satisfied with the master file for some reason ,can i overwrite the master file even if is normalized going back to mixdown ?
Yes. You can re-record a Master at any time. When Recorder Mode is in Mastering Mode, press the record button. This action will record over the existing master file with whatever new effects you have previously chosen. I hope this information helps. Thanks for watching.
@@PowercoatMusic thank you very much i preciate your time,it is very helpful
thank you very much, i preciate your time , it is very helpful
Amazing
Thank s for watching. It is much appreciated!
i have a dp32, who can i use a drum mach. i also have a delta 1010
Sir...can I take a song from the SD card from a model 12, 16, or 24 and insert it into the dp-24sd and master a song (recorded on the Tascam model series) that way? Thank you for your time.
Theoretically the MODEL series uses the Portastudio firmware base. However, I believe you would need to export and import your files from one device to the other to be sure. It may work, but I cannot confirm. I can confirm that the file importing and exporting processes work well. Thanks for watching. 👍🏿
@@PowercoatMusic thank you for your response it is helpful. I may try that once I get my DP 24 up and running and get familiar with it. It just came in yesterday thanks again.
Do you think their is much a difference in the end product sound between the newer SD version having to export and burn to cd on a computer vs the on board burn to cd of the older units?
Theoretically, mixing down and producing your music on the DP-24 should be the best way to go. Once you move it to another platform such as a MAC or PC, it then depends on that system’s hardware and software strengths and weaknesses. The DP-24s hardware and software was designed specifically to record, process, and produce audio recordings. The unit has been tested extensively for that purpose for years and passed with flying colors. Once you move your music from that realm to a MAC or PC platform you lose that safety net, and then YOU must ensure that your music does not suffer as a result.
@@PowercoatMusic Thx...its what I figured that keeping all in the machine would result in a better outcome, being that its just the burn to disc end part I didn't know how much diff. it could make....Thx for the vids.
What button do you actually push to start your final mix??
To master a recording, when "Recorder mode" is "Mixdown mode", press the "MIXDOWN/MASTERING" button to open the MASTERING screen. To start, press the "Record" button. Thanks for watching. 👍🏿
Where can I get a Tascam just like this with a cd burner????
They come up periodically on eBay or Reverb. You just have to keep checking.
How do you burn cd's with a 8 track tascam I'm thinking maybe you can attach a external cd burner to it just like they do with Tablets iPad or androids. It's youtube videos that shows how to do that ???
You could use a stand-alone hardware CD burner like the Tascam CD-RW900MKII CD Recorder/Player. You connect the stereo outs of any model DP-24 to the stereo ins of a unit like that, and then mix down to it like a mastering deck. Then burn your CD with the Tascam CD-RW900MKII CD. You could do the same using a PC with the right software.
@@PowercoatMusic maybe a stupid question but i know nothing about tech, since db-32 is digital and there is those 2 rca l/r outs there so actually in which connectors i put the cables in tascam cd- rw900mk2 which you were talking about? There analog standard rca ins and digital coaxial and optical ins, i would need some weird cable if i have to use those digital ins, im planning to buy this cd recorder for my coming db32sd
So this will sound better than a daw?
Both the Tascam DPs and Commercial DAWs are professional-grade tools that have the potential to sound great. What determines which recordings sound superior or inferior rely on the person’s recording engineering skills, the sound producing devices used, and level of expertise in the overall production. Thanks for watching.
@@PowercoatMusic thats obvious.
With a master engineer which is more capable for a final product, your average daw setup or this?
@@TheOwlHead Unfortunately it’s not obvious to everyone. In the scenario you describe it just doesn’t matter. Both would sound great and the average listener wouldn’t notice or care. Especially if they like the song. The point is that it doesn’t matter how you get a great sound as long as you do. If you prefer working with a DAW, then do it. If not, then don’t. People should work the way they like best. With these tools we past the “Which one sounds better stage years ago”. The sound either way if know what you’re doing will be PRO. There’s no argument there.
i‘d love to mix and master on a dp 24 but the problem for me are the drums. i dont have a drumset i can record so depend on samples and plug-ins wich i only get from the computer. making the drums in logic to send that back to the tascam is more complicated than doing everything in logic i think. when you record separate tracks to the daw are these pre eq?
As a practice, yes. I would generally recommend it. If you're not getting the tone or clarity you need otherwise, consider re-recording the track.
Powercoat Music thanks for the fast reply... i might have chosen the wrong words here. let me rephrase the question. does the dp 24 allow me to record separate audio tracks into the daw with effects on them?
Yes. Your can do this either 1 of 2 ways. You can use an external effects processor or the DP-24’s built in Dynamic Effects functionality. I’m going to do a video on the DP-24’s effects soon, so stay tuned.
Powercoat Music thanks man
You convinced me like two videos ago 🤦🏾♂️
Just got my DP-24SD today.
I seem to be getting low sound quality no matter what I'm doing. It sounds great, volume wise, while I'm mixing down and mastering, but once it's on the SD card and goes into my laptop and I burn a CD from that mix, it's coming out really low.
Try transferring your songs to your PC using the unit’s USB functionality as recommended by Tascam. Removing the sound card and copying your songs that way is not recommended or guaranteed to work effectively. Thanks for watching.
@@PowercoatMusic okay, I will try that
@@PowercoatMusic I'm getting ready to work on my fifth song. When I'm getting down to the mastering mode and it automatically saves after I hit the button, I will insert the USB connection and see if I can transfer the file to my computer, and let you know if it sounds better. Thanks for the advice on that by the way.
I have the same problem but have not managed to get the USB functionality to work with my Windows 10 laptop