Steinway Virtual Concert Grand Professional Version - C Review

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(More customer reviews)(Note: I wrote this about the Pro Version in the Basic product review but I noticed there is the Pro version on Amazon, so I am going to repeat it with slight editing.)
I noticed this product last year. I recently purchased the Pro version and it is a real hoot! I remember being frustrated last year as it was announced and months later there was still no release. I then really forgot about it.
It came to my attention recently and found it was available so I purchased this full version that has the 24 bit samples. I have ran both 24 bit and the Pro version "high quality" 16 bit versions and I am not sure after listening the short amount that I have it IF there is any material difference. BOTH are quite impressive.
I was going to buy a 10,000 RPM hard drive for my Icy Dock Sata, Firewire 800 enclosure (these are VERY sweet because they, different hard drives, just slide and snap-in, taking seconds and you just buy accessary trays that you can use as many hard drives you have as long as they are compatible like SATA) but I found my 7200 external quite nice and effective, a Western Digital, for the 24 bit samples going USBII into my 2.2GHz, Macbook Pro.
Earlier, I changed my Macbook Pro (laptop) hard drive to one of those Momentus 7200 RPM drives so the minimum requirements of the Garritan Steinway to run on a 7200 RPM are there actually, *inside* the laptop without an external.
So I tried it. I ran the laptop having the samples on the *internal* using a Firewire 800 connection to an RME Fireface 800 rack acting as my sound-card. Worked GREAT! right from my laptop!!! (with no external drive). HOWEVER, after playing for about an hour or so, the program crashed. (not the laptop, obviously it's a MAC!!). I suspect that it was system file interference, OR one would have to disconnect Airport temporarily to run the Steinway samples direct from the Macbook Pro. I will play with that later, while in the meantime, I am running the 24 bit samples from the Icy Dock with no issues.
The first thing I noticed with playing the Garritan Steinway is the 'singing' capability of the 'instrument'. I am currently using a Yamaha graded action (P80). I should add that the touch of 'hard' 'soft' etc work on the actual P80 and surely other digital pianos to the Garritan for different players' choices since it is adjusting the midi-out velocities though obviously, this can be controlled via the software. Singing notes of the strings or selected tones that are struck harder just stand out with it's dynamic range, something I only perceived at this level by playing a actual acoustic grand. The tone is sweet and not artificial. It is warm and addicting to play and if you intend to play for only a few minutes you will likely get up an hour later.
This software will get you back practicing. You will not tire of the quality like another version of your hardware, digital piano comes out 3 to 6 months later that you wish you waited to buy. The instrument if you look up on the forums is worked on profusely for upgrades by the developer(s). It IS a sampled piano but offers the versatility of having some DSP programming to add and tweak to your desired sound the peripheral tones of the instrument. Hammond actually did this with organ to bring out a new B3. They combined samples with modeling as a hybrid to get just about the EXACT sound in the recent model vintages but tweakable. This was called VASEIII though surely not on the same model parameters as the Garritan but the concept is the same.
The Pro version has 5 perspectives. You need to try them all to find out which one is 'you', having the ability to change to another perspective (mic positions with 5 sets of samples) for a change-up or for a targeting sound for a certain tune or location where you are playing.
For *loud* bands that want to use this: the dynamic range may be a problem for cut. The solution has been to use on the 'loud band' stage a compressor, it would seem. The best compressor methods, imo, have been the upward compression available with some compression software that does not effect the attack or the envelope of the struck string. Using compression, the tone with a lower dynamic range can hang longer, cut through the mix, before it decays (not as realistic but can improve the piano-cut with loud music, as I said, where you really cannot hear the fine nuances of an accurate emulation and sympathetic sounds).
For my playing, I see no need for this. Can't see that compression would be necessary for moderate band volumes either.
This software is really a great gift to the digital piano world, in my view. Garritan should be congratulated as I suspect this has been and still is, quite a 'life event' struggle to get this right from start to finish. These Garritan Authorized Steinway packages are a phenomenal deal to get the REAL sound to those of us who cannot affort the real-deal. Does it replace the real Model D Steinway? No. But it is sure fun to play something this close.

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The Authorized Steinway Virtual Concert Grand Piano accurately captures the distinctive sound of the hallmark Steinway & Sons concert grand piano with unprecedented authenticity and musicality. The Professional version offers the superb Steinway Model D p

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Casio LK110 Electronic Keyboard Key Lighting / Midi Review

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(More customer reviews)This exact Casio LK 110 can be purchased new for $69.00 at Guitar Center, Musician's Friend---just to name a few.


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The LK-110 is a perfect starter-keyboard for any player at any age. The key lighting feature helps players develop timing and accuracy, highlighting areas of concern so you can direct your practice for more efficient learning. With 100 songs, an interactive lesson function and a wide variety of tones and rhythms, you will be able to play a host of different musical styles and time signatures in no time

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Gemini 200lb Capacity Tripod Speaker Stands Review

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(More customer reviews)Stands worked good. I was asked to DJ my Sister-in-laws wedding. I wanted to get my old heavy PA speakers off the ground and get better sound. These tripods got the job done. They held heavy speakers and were stable. They look good too (better than my speakers) and came with the external mount. I plan to switch to internally mounted newer speakers, but will still keep these stand, as I like them.

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* For use w/internal or external speaker mounts* External bracket included * Hand adjustable bolt tightens shaft in any location from 44-80 * Insert attached safety pin in any of the 6 preset locations to prevent accidental damage * 120 tri-pod leg design * Housing effortlessly slides along lower shaft to open & close the legs * 200lb Load capacity * Base spread: 32-48 * Non-slip rubber feet * Black powder coat finish * Base spread should be at twice the width of your speaker cabinet * Tube diameter: 38 milimeters iPod friendly Cable included in package Screw-less bottom panel for unobstructed mixing User-replaceable RailGlide Crossfader Crossfader Curve and reverse controls Ergonomically designed to be flush with turntable Ultra bright VU meters Fader with Master/Cue option Rotary Cue/PGM Fader 1/4Mic input 1/4headphone output RCA Master and Record outputs Unit Dimensions - 10 x 3.3 x 12 (254 x 84 x 304mm); Weight - 6.5lbs

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Yamaha EZ-250i Portatone Lighted Musical Keyboard Review

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(More customer reviews)We got this keyboard just before Christmas 2003. Due to the pace of daily life, I haven't gotten too deeply into it. But since it has been several months and no one else has reviewed it, I'll start the ball rolling. The reason why I purchased THIS keyboard because it has a touch sensitive (velocity) and lighted keyboard. The only other model that fit this description was the Casio LK-55. I just thought the Yamaha sounded a bit better and was made a bit better. It is also more expensive. The sounds are quite good. There is an XG lite implementation as well as the standard General Midi soundset. The lighted keys make it easy to learn.
I have been too busy to hook it up to my computer yet to try out the downloading of General Midi sequences, but I am looking forward to it. The supplied USB cable is too short unless your keyboard is right up against your computer.
I was disappointed to find out that the only MIDI implementation is through a USB interface. There are no midi in and out jacks, so I couldn't hook this up directly to my other MIDI keyboard.
I'd love for Yamaha to come out with a version that had regular Midi jacks, pitch and mod wheels and an audio input (with reverb) for sing alongs. I'd pay double the price for those additions. For what you pay, I'd say you get your money's worth and then some.
UPDATE DECEMBER 2004
We've now had this keyboard about a year. Since my initial review, I've solved the computer problems that kept me from loading the software that came with the computer. (The problem was in my computer, and not in the Yamaha keyboard.)
I love the sound-filer software. This software allows you to load general midi files from the computer to the keyboard. The built-in flash memory on the keyboard will hold about 10 new songs, give or take. You can remove them and replace them at will with the songfiler software. Once loaded into the Ez-250i, the sequences play back just as the built-in songs do, lights and all, but with one exception, you can choose which instrument sounds are assigned to the left and right hand regions of the keyboard. This allows you to learn any of the orchestral parts of the song, and to see any of the parts assigned to the lighted area of the keyboard.
The software also allows you to use the EZ-250i as a midi slave instrument to play back sequences played by your computer's midi player or sequencer. This means the EZ-250i will play back any of the midi files you have stored on the computer without having those files actually loaded into the flash memory of the EZ-250i. In my experience, most songs sound better played by the Yamaha keyboard than the computer's Microsoft general midi instruments.
I'm not that thrilled with the Konami game that came with the computer. It seems like a Japanese home market game that doesn't translate well to American audiences. My kids aren't even that interested in it. I had no problems getting it going though.
Since my earlier review, I've explored the depths of the sound engine. There is a lot of synthesis horsepower under the surface. There is dynamic digital filtering on the voices, something you don't see on el-cheapo keyboards. In addition, the keyboard can split and layer voices, giving you up to four distinct sounds playable from the keyboard at any given time. The sound engine responds well over midi to pitch-bend and even portamento (gliding from note to note). It's a shame there's no pitch-bend wheel or portamento switch for live playing.
Since my earlier review, Casio has come out with a new lighted keyboard, the LK-90TV, that competes directly with the Yamaha EZ-250i. I haven't seen this personally, but it has some interesting features. It has a TV output to display Karaoke lyrics from sounds loaded by the user. It also accepts smartmedia cards for user-loaded sounds, though, as I understand it, this is a read-only slot. In other words, you can't load the card with sounds while hooked up to your keyboard. The card must be loaded from a reader attached to the computer. Though I haven't heard it live, it appears the sound-engine is the same as the LK-55, which, to my ears, sounded distinctly inferior to the Yamaha's.
In summary, a year after my purchase, I'm happy with my purchase, and I'd make the same choice today. I think Yamaha should add the lighted keyboard feature to its upmarket products, including keyboards with microphone inputs, pitch & mod wheels and sound editing features.

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A great starter and advanced instrument, Yamaha's EZ-250i touch-sensitive keyboard features the Yamaha Educational Suite and lighted keys to help you learn, and quality sound topped by a stereo-sampled piano voice with dynamic filtering--technology previously reserved for much more expensive, professional keyboards. In addition, you'll find that playing piano is fast and easy with Yamaha's Portable Grand function. One dedicated button brings up a great sounding piano, stunningly rich and authentic in its sound and exceptionally responsive to your playing touch.The 32-note polyphonic EZ-250i comes equipped with 480 voices that include all the sounds of the orchestra, synthesizer patches, 10 drum kits, and 2 sound-effects kits. It is both General MIDI (GM) and XG Lite voices, making it compatible with pretty much every MIDI file available anywhere.The EZ-250i also has many state-of-the-art features to make connecting as quick and easy as possible. These features include a dedicated PC button, which takes a snapshot of your MIDI settings so you can instantly return to them at the press of a button, and a USB port for transferring song data to and from your computer. In addition, the USB port acts as a MIDI interface, freeing you from having to purchase other MIDI peripherals like cables and adapters.Once you're done practicing, challenge yourself to a multi-level game against the computer using Konami Keyboard Mania software (PC only). Post your scores online and see and how well others are doing. And without even knowing it, you'll still be learning to play music. The software challenges you to find notes on the keyboard before they disappear from the computer screen. There are different levels and different tasks, such as practicing your timing as the notes drop or finding the actual pitch of the notes. In addition, there are variations that stop and wait for you to find the notes before continuing. You can choose any tracks of the music that you like (even the drum track) and load in new General MIDI songs that you download online with your computer.And no matter what your level of playing, you'll appreciate being able to build combinations of your favorite sounds. Pressing the "split" button divides the keyboard into 2 parts, allowing you to have 2 different sounds on the keyboard at the same time, such as piano on the right and bass on the left. "Layer" mode allows you to combine 2 sounds across the keyboard range. For example, you could layer piano and strings and play both sounds at the same time. With 480 voices to choose from, the combinations are only limited by your imagination. The EZ-250i comes with 80 built-in songs. But if you've never played before, where do you start?The Yamaha Education Suite, a set of music training functions. Seven types of lessons are included, as well as a convenient chord dictionary. You get 3 keyboard lessons for each hand, timing mode (you can play the melody or chord by pressing any key using the correct timing), waiting mode (playback pauses until you find and play the correct chord or melody note; keys illuminate to guide you to the correct notes), minus-one mode (mute the left-hand, right-hand, or both parts of a song and play along nonstop). Lesson grading monitors your progress as you practice each lesson, and the chord dictionary shows you how to play chords by lighting the keys.The EZ-250i comes with 100 built-in styles--it's like having a built-in band. Call up your favorite style of music like rock, big band, or country, press a chord or play single-finger mode, and the 250i will follow you through a piece of music, providing all of the drums, bass, piano, guitar, horn, and string parts.What's in the Box Keyboard, music rest, song book, CD-ROM, USB cable, a user's manual, and warranty information. Batteries and PA-C3 power supply not included.

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Yamaha Clavinova Connection Starlights Series "Light the Way (A Collection of Beloved Hymns)" Book/Diskette Pack Review

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(More customer reviews)This Is A Great Title For Beginners Learning The Piano. Along With Any Of The Other Yamaha Clavinova Starlight Series .

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Contains 10 Songs Including: Amazing Grace + Ave Maria + Awesome God + Blessed Assurance + Crown Him With Many Crowns + Holy, Holy, Holy + I Will Be Here + Rock Of Ages + Were You There? + What A Friend We Have In Jesus

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Casio WK-3800AD 76-Key Electronic Keyboard with Power Supply Review

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(More customer reviews)The Casio WK3800 is a fun and very versatile keyboard with good quality onboard speakers. My previous keyboard, which I still have, is an older Yamaha PSR series. The WK3800 gives you a good deal of control and "fine tuning" for each of the preset digital voices/tones (e.g., attack/release, touch response, reverb, vibratto, resonance, octave, pan, equalizer, and other effects, which can be saved as new user tones ... and then mixed (using layer and split) onto the keyboard and saved as an entry in the register. You can monitor/record on several separate tracks of and, later, put them all together for a rich composition playback. The only downside with recording to the separate tracks is that you lose the layer/split functions during recording (a small hassle that I hope the next series of Casio keyboards will rectify). If you would like to have a layered and split recording (four tone settings used), you have to record each of the four tones separately (i.e., record yourself playing your song four times). This limitation of the record function is the only reason I did not give the Casio WK3800 4 stars out of 5, instead of a perfect 5.


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The WK-3800 76 Key Keyboard with touch response, allows you to select up to 894 tones that include orchestral sounds, synthesized sounds, and more. Three Auto Accompaniment modes allow you to simply play a chord and the corresponding rhythms, bass and chord parts play automatically. A big LCD screen graphically shows you fingerings, keyboard keys to be pressed, and notes, making keyboard play more informative and enjoyable than ever before.The WK-3800 has 76 full-size keys with 400 DSP programmed advanced tones like stereo piano and Tremolo Electric Piano for a total of 620 tones including 50 drawbar organ tones. This powerful instrument features an on-board sequencer and a mixer, for unmatched creative possibilities, plus powerful 2-way bass reflex speakers to take your performance to the next level. With an SD memory card slot and USB port coupled with advanced sequencing plus MIDI capabilities, the WK-3800 makes an ideal first workstation for the aspiring music arranger. Casio's included Music Data Management Software lets you download music data from the web and save your creations to your PC's hard drive via the USB port, making storage of your projects practically limitless. The MDM Software (PC only) allows you to dial up a tone on your computer, edit it to your liking, add effects, and save it as a user preset via USB. The software also allows you to import and map wave files from your computer to any key, then save them as presets. The SD card slot makes it easy to take your projects with you and collaborate with other musicians.The WK-3800 is ideal for home/project studio use, open-mic performance, education/classroom applications, or simply for pure musical enjoyment. AD-12 AC adapter included.Also includes an AD-12 AC adapter, music stand, and song book.

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Casio CTK900 61 Full-Size Key MIDI Keyboard Review

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(More customer reviews)I had the chance to play side by side the Yamaha equivalent of the Casio CTK900 Keyboard, and I own a real piano and also a Technics weighed-keys full size keyboard. Of course, the sound is not the real thing, but it is realistic enough, and very pleasant, as far as the "grand piano voice" is concerned. The stereo effect is definitively a plus.
Now as far as the ease-of-use is concerned, I really prefer the Casio. Even a poor pianist (like me) can get some amazing results, and the "arranger" functions, or "transistion" are as good as was a $ 5000 instrument five years ago. I am impressed, and I was not impressed at all with the compertitors products.
This keybord is not a toy. This is a perfect beginner piano, plus many many hours of fun. The "speed sensitive" keyboard is well balanced and will simulate the weighed keys of a real piano pretty well.

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The CTK-900 makes it possible to produce very special sound creations - with 536 tones, 160 rhythms and 232 digital effects. Thanks to the integrated song memory you will never lose a note. And very practical too: The General MIDI interface means you can transfer music data easily. Other features include Casio's excellent, expressive ZPI sound source; IDES, Casio's Internet Data Expansion System and 32MB Flash ROM; a massive selection of 232 digital effects; Drawbar Organ sounds, 5-song onboard Memory; MIDI In and Out; and battery (6xD cell) or AC operation.

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Yamaha YKT7500 Second Tier for Keyboard Stands Review

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(More customer reviews)Altough It is a yamaha product (which I believe is a very well positioned company), it is unstable after install it.

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Add depth to your music by mounting a second keyboard to the YKA7500 via the YKT7500 keyboard tier. With universal mounting attachments, this tilting tier mounts directly to the YKA7500 and other stands with round or square tubing. Inter-locking teeth allow the tier to tilt to any position without the fear of slipping. With a telescoping stabilizer bar, the width of the second tier adjusts as the width and height of the YKA7500 is adjusted.

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Musician's Gear CA-1M Multi AC/DC Adapter Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this for the Sony Shower CD/Radio which uses a 6v adapter, but for some reason this Multi Adapter did not work with it. I ended up buying a different adapter that is 6v ONLY that did work. This adapter did work for other things.

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Comes with 4 different connectors to fit any unit. Switch-adjustable for 3V, 4.5V, 6V, 7.5V,9V,and 12V. Ideal for musical instrument accessories and battery-powered units. Supplies up to 500 mA.

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Korg SPST-1W-WH White Wooden Stand for SP170WH Review

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(More customer reviews)Perfect for the keyboard. Easy to assemble. I wasn't going to buy it at first, but decided to go ahead and I am so glad I did. It is perfect and the Korg keyboard is outstanding!

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The Korg SPST-1W-WH is designed to fit the Korg SP170 Digital Piano.The Korg SPST-1W-WH is great for live and studio applications.

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Annie's Song Best of John Denver By Robert Edward Thies Pianosoft 3.5" Diskette Review

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(More customer reviews)THIS IS NOT CD CD OF JOHN DENVER. IT IS A FLOPPY DISC THAT GOES IN A CERTAIN KIND OF PIANO THAT PLAYS THE BACKING TRACKS TO JOHN DENVER SONGS

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Contains the following songs: * Annie's Song * Leaving On A Jet Plane * Rocky Mountain High * Take Me Home, Counry Roads * Thanks God I'M A Country Boy * Calypo * Fly Away * Perhaps Love * Sunshine On My Shoulders * Back Home Again * Poems, Prayers and Promises * Mr.Bojangles

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Sherwood SWH-672 Subwoofer System Review

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(More customer reviews)I disagree with the previous author as I found theses perfect for music use. I have a 4 channel set up modified to also reproduce 5.1 material. I am running these on the first notch with a preamp sourced input and the bass is tight and perfect. In fact I could go much louder and overpower the room with low frequencies which gives alot of room for a bigger or smaller stage area. I can imagine if you are looking for intestine moving Rap music reproduction or life like explosions that are not really a realistic goal in the whole scheme of what it is really about listening wise, then these are less than adequete. Overall for the price though a real bargain.

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6th order vented Subwoofer System designed by, Dr. Poh Sur Hsu, PhD MIT. 8" long excursion driver. 150 Watt RMS subwoofer amplifier. Hand rubbed piano-black trim panel. Frequency Response: 27 to 400 Hz.

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Casio CS43 Stand for CDP-100 Review

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(More customer reviews)I am very happy with this stand. It is built for the Casio CDP-100 keyboard and therefore, is a perfect fit. The stand was very easy to put together. Since the keyboard is fixed on the stand with screws, there is no fear of it slipping off, which was my biggest worry when I was using a X-stand. It was worth the investment (although I wish it was a little cheaper!)

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This wooden piano stand was designed to be used in conjunction with the CDP-100 Digital Piano.

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DBX Driverack RTA Condenser Microphone Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm doing research on car audio noise due to subwoofer excitation. I am not 100% sure if this microphone is giving me adequate response for my study, but so far I am pretty impressed considering this is only $100. I'm able to easily quantify noise below 1kHz to at least 110 dB without any doubts. My only complaint so far is that I wish the technical information provided was more detailed but that's because I am doing research, which is more demanding than most applications.

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The DBX Driverack RTA Condenser Microphone is a omni-directional, flat frequency, measurement microphone designed for use with DBX's Driverack systems. By using the Driverack RTA microphone and a DriveRack you can Pink any room set up for live or studio performance. You simply connect the microphone to the DriveRack, generate your pink noise and optimize the EQ settings of any room through the use of the Auto EQ in the Driverack Wizard setup assistant.Even though the Driverack RTA Condenser Microphone is designed to be used with the Driverack systems, this is still a condenser microphone and works great on acoustic guitars, pianos, drums or just as a room microphone.

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Korg SPST-1W-BK Black Wooden Stand for SP170BK Review

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(More customer reviews)Perfect for the keyboard. Easy to assemble. I wasn't going to buy it at first, but decided to go ahead and I am so glad I did. It is perfect and the Korg keyboard is outstanding!

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Matching Black Stand built by Korg specifically for the SP170BK.

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Nord Lead 2X 49-Key Virtual Analog Modeling Synthesizer (AMS-NL2X) Review

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(More customer reviews)I am a professional musician and music teacher with a graduate degree in Music. I have owned numerous synths over 3 decades and my Nord 2X is by far the best synth I have ever owned. If you are looking for a great synth for solo work, this is the one to get.

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The original Nord Lead 2 is among the most popular synthesizers ever built. Debuting in 1995, the first Nord Lead virtual analog synthesizer took the music world by storm. It instantly became an industry standard and takes a place among the most revered classic synthesizers. Its warm analog sound coupled with cutting-edge digital technology moved the Nord Lead into a 'leading" position in the synthesizer community. Musicians from all over the world loved its simplicity, intuitive design, and its musicality and expression offered with the virtual analog concept.The Nord Lead 2 improved upon the original Nord Lead, including expanded polyphony. A decade later, the Nord Lead, and its descendant the Nord Lead 2, are still among the most popular synths ever built. The Nord Lead 2X features all the characteristics of its predecessor, and incorporates many new features as well. The 'in your face" sound of the Nord Lead 2X has been enhanced with 24-bit D/A converters. The preset memory houses 7 x 99 factory Programs, 3 x 100 factory performances, and 7 x 10 Percussion Kits. Additionally, the user banks give you room to store your own sounds - 3 x 99 Programs, 3 x 100 Performances, and 3 x 10 Percussion Kits. The polyphony has been upgraded to 20 voices as well.The Nord Lead 2X is compatible with the Nord Lead 2, so you can transfer your custom sounds directly via MIDI. The Nord Lead 2X preserves all the essential parts of the Nord Lead 2, including the user fast and easy interface and its characteristic sound. The Nord Lead 2X continues the tradition of Nord's unique method of sound generation. Mathematical simulations of the signals generated by analog oscillators are the basis for the incredible sound that speaks for itself. People know Nord by its sound, and the Nord Lead 2X gives you that certain quality that is unmistakable!The compact and smart design of the Nord Lead 2X makes it equally perfect for live performance and for production studio work. With 26 knobs and 27 buttons - all sending MIDI controller data - the Nord Lead 2X communicates with every piece of MIDI gear in your setup.Virtual analog brings the technology and physical control together, recreating the warm, thick sound of analog synths without the overheating or tuning deficiencies. Modern technology allows the knobs to not only digitally manipulate the internal sound, but also send MIDI information to be captured in a sequencer or change a parameter on another MIDI-enabled device.The Nord Lead 2 also offers the Nord Pitch Stick, so you can create your own vibrato, much like a guitarist or violinist, without the 'dimple" resting place other pitch benders use. The 'dead zone" has been conquered! The ergonomic handling adds another dimension to your performance.A special Velocity Programming section can be controlled by the Modulation Wheel, making it possible to continuously morph between parameter settings. This feature is a musically expressive tool that allows you to shape your sound in realtime.In the studio, the Nord Lead 2X offers real time MIDI recording of knob settings and special 'MIDI patches" to recreate many of the effects produced by external patching on traditional units.Get 4 synths in one - there are four parts which are directly accessible from the front panel. This makes it possible to instantly create layers with up to four different sounds, where each separate sound in the layer can easily be edited in real time. Each sound can have its own independent output. Make up super patches in the Performance section. Create monster basses and mega pads.49-Key keyboard.

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Tascam DP-004 Pocketstudio Digital Recorder Review

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(More customer reviews)As a songwriter who needs something that will allow me quickly to jot down song ideas and fragments, as well as completed songs, this unit is a little cumbersome. In order to create a song, you must do the following:
1. Turn on unit
2. Press "Menu" button
3. Scroll to "Song" menu item
4. Click a function button to select
5. Using the data wheel, scroll down to "Create"
6. Click a function button to select
7. Use data wheel to enter name of song one laborious letter at a time (optional step: you can forgo naming a song and it will be named "Song023" etc.)
8. Click "Home" button
9. Click "Rec" buttons for tracks 1 and 2 (assuming you want to record in stereo).
10. Click the record transport and play transport buttons together, to start the recording process (I'm assuming you have already set the input levels and want to use the built-in mics)
11. Click the stop transport button when you are done recording your song
12. Repeat steps 9-11 if you wish to overdub another voice or instrument on tracks 3 and/or 4.
13. Click "Menu" button, then "Play" to listen to playback
14. Click stop button at end of song
15. Click "In/Out" button
16. Click function key "Out" to set the out point
17. Click "Rec Mode" button
18. Using data wheel, scroll down to "Master Rec"
19. Click function key to select
20. Click the record transport and play transport buttons together, to start the recording process for the "master" track (this is simply a stereo mixdown of the four tracks)
21. Click "Rec Mode" button
22. Using data wheel, scroll up to "Multi Track"
23. Click function key to select
24. Click "Menu" button
25. Scroll using data wheel to "Wave"
26. Click function key to select
27. Scroll down to "Export Master"
28. Click function key to select
29. Use data wheel to enter name of song one letter at a time (optional step: you can forgo naming a song and it will be named "Song023" etc.)
30. Click function key to execute exporting of the master stereo tracks to the FAT partition of the SD card within the unit.
31. Attach unit to your computer via the supplied USB cable
32. Open folder to view the files on the Tascam
33. Click the "Wave" folder to find the master tracks you just created.
34. Go to a file conversion program to convert the ".wav" file to an ".mp3" file, so you can email it to your friends, etc.
Whew! Not exactly a quick, friendly, intuitive process!
What you want is a two-click process to start recording (as on my old mini-disk recorder), and then be able to connect to a computer to copy the file and convert. There are an awful lot of extra steps involved, but of course you are talking about four tracks, not just stereo, so there's just no getting around the necessity of the mix-down/mastering. What is a little odd and annoying are those extra steps to export the master to the FAT partition of the Tascam SD card (steps 27-30, above).
Also, since each song file must be loaded before you can listen to it, there is no way to play songs one after the other unattended, or zip quickly between songs like you can do on an iPod or CD player, to audition which is which (thus naming them is critical).
Anyway, a word to the wise if you want something quick and easy. You pay for the ability to make a multi-track recording. On the other hand, if you want something with great quality recording sound, ample storage (a 16 GB SDHC card gives you 1300 track minutes in the 8 GB partition you can create (the largest possible), very nice and senstive built-in stereo mics,
and something you can use to create an excellent mini-demo, then this will definitely do the trick.
TIP: Purchase a PSP-100 power adaptor. It is made for the Sony Playstation and is identical to the more costly PS-P520 Tascam says you have to buy (i.e., 5V, 2A, correct plug and polarity). I paid $5 for mine, not $30!

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Smaller than a paperback book, the 4-track Tascam DP-004 Pocketstudio digital recorder is simple enough for students, songwriters and musicians who want to keep their recording process simple and creative.

Offering four tracks of CD-quality digital recording, the DP-004 can record two sources at once to the included 1 GB Secure Digital (SD) memory card. A built-in stereo condenser microphone makes it simple to record anywhere you go, perfect for concerts, rehearsals and songwriting inspirations. A pair of 1/4-inch jacks on the rear panel allow you to connect your own microphones or sources--you can even switch the inputs to guitar level for recording.

You can build up your arrangement until you've filled up all four tracks, and the Bounce feature allows you to consolidate tracks and make room for more overdub layers. Once you set levels and pan, record your mix onto a dedicated stereo master track. You're able to transfer your tracks and mixes to a computer over USB for CD burning and sharing online.

Key FeaturesConnections:
Two 1/4-inch unbalanced mic/line inputs
Switchable guitar input
Headphone/Line output
USB 2.0 connector
Recording:
Four-track digital multi-track recording
CD-quality 44.1kHz/16-bit WAV recording
Records to SD Card media (1 GB card included)
Repeat, Record undo
Dedicated stereo mixdown track

Physical:
Powered through AA Batteries or optional PS-P520 power adapter
Battery life: About 8 hours recording, about 8.5 hours playback (alkaline batteries)
Dimensions: 6.1 x 1.3 x 4.2 inches (WxHxD)
Weight: 2.8 ounces

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