Tascam Model 24chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

Several users struggled with the manual, calling it sketchy, lacking clear workflow examples, or containing translation issues. Basic tasks like switching from live to MTR mode or setting up multitrack recording caused hours of confusion.

@Jamesrpopenhagen

I’ve recently had a heart attack and have been on a lot of new meds, when I finally got back out to my studio I wanted to cut my drums on my Tasc 24 then drop them into my Protools but I couldn’t remember how to be able to control the fader after I cut them live. I spent hours and read and reread the manual and couldn’t figure out which (simple) step I was forgetting and it was to switch from live to MTR after cutting the tracks! It’s been driving me nuts. I could hear the tracks back but couldn’t control the mix with the faders. Thank you, thank you, thank you. There’s tons of videos on here to show you how to record but they don’t show the switching the modes back to MTR. Best “how to” on the tascam by far.launch

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January 10, 2024

@jdoswaldproductionsllc9558

I have the Tascam 8 Track Portastudio and learned to use it BECAUSE--- there are explicit instructions. I've had much trouble learning the Tascam Model 24 since there ae virtually no instructions*.\nAside from this my screen is stuck on \"TASCAM Model 24\". I was told the firmware needed updated and was sent a link with instructions how to fix. This tells you push menu, go to info, etc. But the screen is stuck. I had another phone conversation and was told to put my card in my computer, open a zip file..I see nothing about a zip file or how to do this just with the card. \n I have had this Model 24 since Thanksgiving and done little with it considering the trouble I've had.\n\n*I pointed this out to a Tascam staff and basically the reply was, \"eh well yeah...\launch

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March 29, 2020

@Studio-K

So far I love the Model 24 as an easy to use LIVE mixer. Easy to use!\nMy “issue” is that there is much todo about its multi-track recording/mix down CAPABILITIES but very little in the way of HOW-TO setup the Model 24/PC/DAW/Card and the process to do this? \nGiven that X32 DAW interface and routing How-Tos are endless ...Is the Model 24 too new for these?\nAn instruction manual/YouTube how-to videos would be greatly appreciated .launch

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April 20, 2019

@FreeSociety1

I downloaded the Model 24 \"user manual\" (which is very sketchy and lacking) and got very confused about the actual capabilities. I get that this is a nice Mixer for live recording. But it is not clear to me what the range of Mulittrack/Playback/Record capabilities are. \n\nFor example: does this unit (Model 24) alone by itself -- with no other computer or DAW or other audio equipment being ever involved --- allow a home musician to: 1) record an instrument on one track, 2) then play that track back unaffected while recording a second instrument onto a second track, 3) then play back the two tracks together at the same time while recording a third instrument on a third track, 4) then play back the three tracks together at the same time while recording a (microphone) singing performance on a fourth track, 5) .... etc...etc.. and so on and so on ... until a single person can build up 20 tracks of music content by himself that will form one single complete song (by themselves) -? \n\nAnd then can they playback the completed 20-track song (created track-by-track at time by one person) and do a Master Mixdown --- and send out the Master Left/Right signal as a normal stereo *.wav audio file -- through the USB connection on to a USB stick?\n\nMy old Tascam 424 cassette documentation had good examples and illustrations that walked you through the recording & playback scenarios, routing the tracks, bouncing tracks, doing the final mixdown, etc. so someone like me could follow it. This Model 24 documentation does not do any of that (just a dry description) .. so you have to just know what the workflow is ... and from what I've read I'm unsure whether this does the \"do it all yourself\" home musician stuff that I described --- without that workflow being dependent on DAWs, Computers, other equipment, etc. \n\nCan someone please clarify this?\nThanks!!launch

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January 30, 2019

Commenters note the unit lacks true Portastudio features like track bouncing, track-to-track transfer, recall/automation, and mastering effects, meaning it functions more as a mixer-with-recording than a fully self-contained production tool.

@artysanmobile

I strongly disagree that this is fit for remix duty. Lacking any recall in 2024 is simply ridiculous. Fader matching LEDs are a slap in the face to a potential user seeking recall-ability. \n\nTascam might have just made their newest flop, after the debacle of DA-series digital tape recorders, suggesting with a straight face that users might wish to use a 1979 mixer to remix a recording tracked in a modern way. \n\nYes, it is a very useful interface. Yes, many will find it adequate for concurrently providing a mix to a band’s own simple PA system. No, it is not a recording mixer by even the wildest stretch of the imagination.launch

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January 28, 2024

@lonemanMusic

I upgraded to the M24 around a year ago, is a great mixing board, is great to be able off the computer, also how simple is to connect with the computer and transfer in/out by copy/paste..is only missing few things imo the basic \"tuner\", a metronome, and there is no mastering stuff. But is so much fun to use, a big upgrade from the DP-008ex even better from the DP-006. Looking forward to see your next videos.launch

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September 7, 2021

@schizoinstereo

This is basically a live mixer with a record function built in. My Tascam DP32 allows me to song build for half the price. If you only want to record live sessions, this is great. But without the ability to record drums then come back in an hour or two and record guitar, it's overpriced in 2019. Why only simultaneous multitracking for a grand? Where's the love for dawless creators on this product? I'm not paying for just aesthetics. I wish my DP32 looked this cool!launch

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April 4, 2019

@Max16032

I think it's a great device but far from being a capable Portastudio. It's more like an analog mixer with added SD-card recording and interface funcionality. It lacks many features that could make it a true stand-alone device, like bouncing, track-to-track transfer, mastering effects, no auto-record when detecting audio, no external midi sync, etc. Keen producers will probably find a way to record an entire track within the console itself, but at the end, it was really designed to be used alongside the computer. Considering this, the lack of control surface is another miss.\n\nPut simply, it's great if you're the target audience it aims at: For acoustic groups or multi-instrument ensembles it seems like a great tool to record live shows, demos and rehearsals, but it's very limiting for solo artists who use electronic instruments with digital tempo. Seems like the days of the true self-contained Portastudio are counted.launch

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February 27, 2019

Phantom power switches on or off for all channels at once rather than per-channel, making it difficult to mix condenser and dynamic mics without workarounds. Multiple users call this a major design flaw that limits real-world usability.

@checkpointcovid8021

A 22 separate input USB audio interface for your\nDAW, 100 mm faders, nice outboard EQ, included digital effects, and\ngood-sounding mic pres. \n\nSo, after having this unit for a week now, I've\ncome to like it while accepting its limitations. After a slight learning curve\nand a few hiccups getting it all set up correctly, for what I do at home it is\nalmost perfect. Once you understand the Mode setting it makes life easy.\n\nThe Model 24 does double duty as you are able to\nrecord bands to the included SD card, then transfer the tracks to you DAW for\nediting. There are in essence no editing capabilities included. There's not\nmuch you can do onboard in this area. Best scenario for recording bands would\nbe to also bring your laptop.\n\nMoving faders would have been great. Being able to have DAW transport controls would have been a nice touch. You’d think they\ncould fix this in a software update to carry the controls over the USB cable somehow. Having some dedicated returns for the sends would have been nice. As\nit is you must use one or more of the 22 input channels to get your returns. Adding\nthese features would have of course added to the cost, but I'd pay a little\nmore for those functions. \n\nThe included Bluetooth capability is a no-brainer\nin the smartphone era and is much appreciated.\n\nPhantom power is included but not for individual\nchannels. It's either on for all or off. I would have paid a little more for\nthe convenience of phantom power on at least 4 of the channels. 8 would be\nideal.\n\nThink of the Model 24 as a USB 2.0 audio\ninterface for a DAW with the addition of: 100 mm faders, a somewhat patchbay,\nBluetooth, 16 XLR inputs, & 20 1/4\" inputs. The unit makes it easy to\nget everything hooked up and your levels set, while your DAW does the heavy\nlifting. In that regard it does a lot right. It's nice and convenient to have my\ngear and instruments hooked up to the Model 24, as routing inputs in the DAW is\nvery easy. \n\nSo, let's say Tascam decided to make a version 2\nof this unit with everything on my wishlist included/fixed, and let's say the\nstreet price was $1,500.00. It would be worth every penny.launch

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November 20, 2019

@Pharesm

What demon rode Tascam to make Phantom Power on/off global?\n\nThat single issue makes this otherwise brilliant unit utterly useless for anyone who uses a mix of different microphones.\n\nAnd it took some digging through written reviews to find that. I can't imagine the lot of Model 24 buyers who only find out after they ordered one, that they can't use it with their band, unless they replace half of their microphones!!\nAnd if they are like me, I don't want to change anything about my microphones, they'll have to send it back or buy a battery of external phantom power units - what kind of crap is that....launch

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November 13, 2019

@salesedlar

Dear sirs,\nThank you for another great TASCAM product. \nMy father is a musician and I had seen and worked on many of your products since I was a kid; big analog mixers, 8 and 16 reel to reel machines, even the 4 channel one with the cassette. \nI love the concept for Model 24. The only thing that makes me think whether should I buy it, is the phantom power. \r\nIf I understood correctly, If I would to record multi-track drums with 3 condensers (two over-heads and a mono room) and 7 dynamic mics (kick, snare, toms), that wouldn’t be possible. Is there a way to overcome this problem? The only thing I can think of is Cloudfilter. \r\nI also think it would be great if each channel had its own phantom power switch, even if it makes a unit a bit more expensive. \nPlease let me know if you have any suggestions for this issue.\nAll best.launch

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March 11, 2019

Users repeatedly wish for motorized faders and DAW transport control to sync with Pro Tools or similar software, noting this would make the unit even better but would raise the price.

@livingthedream137

Having knobs and faders is the best. This is affordable and fantastic. I'm so tired of computer recording . The workflow is SOOO much better when you can just reach out and grab a knob quickly and push a button at the same time It's way more fun and intuitive. This thing is beautiful too. I loved my old Tascam Cassette Portastudio. It would be better with motorized faders and knobs that link with protools but that would make it a lot more money.launch

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January 31, 2020

@checkpointcovid8021

A 22 separate input USB audio interface for your\nDAW, 100 mm faders, nice outboard EQ, included digital effects, and\ngood-sounding mic pres. \n\nSo, after having this unit for a week now, I've\ncome to like it while accepting its limitations. After a slight learning curve\nand a few hiccups getting it all set up correctly, for what I do at home it is\nalmost perfect. Once you understand the Mode setting it makes life easy.\n\nThe Model 24 does double duty as you are able to\nrecord bands to the included SD card, then transfer the tracks to you DAW for\nediting. There are in essence no editing capabilities included. There's not\nmuch you can do onboard in this area. Best scenario for recording bands would\nbe to also bring your laptop.\n\nMoving faders would have been great. Being able to have DAW transport controls would have been a nice touch. You’d think they\ncould fix this in a software update to carry the controls over the USB cable somehow. Having some dedicated returns for the sends would have been nice. As\nit is you must use one or more of the 22 input channels to get your returns. Adding\nthese features would have of course added to the cost, but I'd pay a little\nmore for those functions. \n\nThe included Bluetooth capability is a no-brainer\nin the smartphone era and is much appreciated.\n\nPhantom power is included but not for individual\nchannels. It's either on for all or off. I would have paid a little more for\nthe convenience of phantom power on at least 4 of the channels. 8 would be\nideal.\n\nThink of the Model 24 as a USB 2.0 audio\ninterface for a DAW with the addition of: 100 mm faders, a somewhat patchbay,\nBluetooth, 16 XLR inputs, & 20 1/4\" inputs. The unit makes it easy to\nget everything hooked up and your levels set, while your DAW does the heavy\nlifting. In that regard it does a lot right. It's nice and convenient to have my\ngear and instruments hooked up to the Model 24, as routing inputs in the DAW is\nvery easy. \n\nSo, let's say Tascam decided to make a version 2\nof this unit with everything on my wishlist included/fixed, and let's say the\nstreet price was $1,500.00. It would be worth every penny.launch

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November 20, 2019

@HunterStudios21

If this had motorized faders for Daw Control this would be the answer to all my prayers. Love the analog look , the recording features, and all the optionslaunch

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December 10, 2018

Multiple users report specific SD card compatibility issues causing failed recordings, needing to consult the manual carefully for correct card classes despite following stated specs.

@TheThrilhouse

Been recording bands in my area with the model 24 for a couple years and done some live shows and it has been a wonderful tool to use. Make sure to update drivers if you are using it as an interface and have some extra SD cards on hand. It is picky on those so make sure to consult the manual for the correct ones. Channels 23 and 24 are always recording so it is a great rough mix for live performances.launch

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January 10, 2023

@tedv9813

Much appreciate the demo - we just purchased 3 of these to use in our production and recording classes and your demo helped find the answer to questions about the console about operating/button functions which are unique to this console. \n FYI - model 24 is extremely picky about SD cards regardless whether the card meets the required specifications as stated (SD (512MB to 2GB), SDHC (4GB to 32GB), SDXC (64GB to 512GB), Class 10 or higher required). It gave the message \"recording failed\" while overdubbing/adding 1 track after we had recorded 30 seconds on track 1. \n\n Formatting the 128gb sd card took approx. 15 min so be sure to do all your formatting ahead of time.\nThank you for producing a clear and concise brief instructional video.launch

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May 6, 2019

@davidotoole8170

Just picked one up yesterday. We tested it through a Mac via Logic and were very happy to see how easy it was to connect and play with zero driver installation or anything like that. Today I’m going to test it with some 512GB SD cards I bought. Hopefully, the bigger cards won’t give me too much grief firmware-wise, and the formatting isn’t too complicated.\nThere are so many implications for its use for my band and others’. I’m planning on recording rehearsals and practicing at home with those tracks, recording us live and maybe using the basic tracks for a studio release, recording other bands live on our bill so they can do the same... the list is endless!\n\nI’ve been searching for a digital multitrack hardware unit with at least 16 balanced XLR inputs and dedicated mixing sections per channel - at a decent price! - for a couple of decades, so this has thrilled me.\nThe fact that the compression/EQ section is analogue makes me happy as it’s a bonus.launch

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February 27, 2019

A small number of users reported a high noise floor with multiple mics, malfunctioning tracks, or confusing channel mapping (mono inputs recording to two tracks), though these appear to be minority experiences.

@miltonbass-radio

I used to own a Tascam 12, sold it. I needed more channels and bought the 24. I was lucky I got a good one. I've read many comments complaining about some sort of malfunction. Unfortunately, it does not have the cleanest preamps. Since I saw you have a UA interface on your desk, I was wondering if you do tracking through it and then send it to the Tascam to mix outside of the box, and then return the audio to your Daw. If so, how do you compensate any sound loss? I've been meaning to sell it and purchase one of those modern interfaces like the Audient id48 or SSL18, they seem to have more headroom. However, I hate using their software, which makes things more confusing to me. I'm an old school guy, and then I end up working with this Model 24 again. It is a kind of obsession, as you mentioned. Thank you for sharing your video.launch

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August 1, 2025

@markeric1337

the Tascam has a noise floor like an cassette recorder. 1 mic, your okay, plug in 6 mics, and it just a sandstorm. Good luck trying to record with it. The 8 hours I spent randomly pressing buttons, changing everything on the board, then inside in the box with a band sittimg around getting bored. Random tracks just don't record, the sound is cheap. The store took ot back after their return period when i showed them the issues. Just horrible. Get the soundcraft. I sold my gear to get this piece of trash. I had 12 channels recording at once with zero noise or problems with an adat connection from an ID 44 before the damn tascam.launch

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January 26, 2023

@zippygogo3660

I dont understand how this is a 24 track when there is only 22 tracks , and to me it seems like even then its not really a 22 track either its more like a 17 track because whatever you plug into just the mono 13/14 it just records on both tracks , so mono 13 records on 13 and 14 at the same time, there seems to be no way to choose just one track , but if you plug into just the the R 14 it will record only on the 14 track but only the right side and its the same through to 19/20 and even the RCA 21/22,,,very confusing and illogical it seemslaunch

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July 4, 2022

Users wanted hardware inserts on more channels to use external compressors and EQs, finding the built-in one-knob compressor limiting for serious outboard processing.

@legacyShredder

I bought a Tascam Model 24 shortly after the had come out. They certainly have their place, but don't rush out and buy one as your interface without doing your research first. If you plan on using a bunch of outboard in mixing it's not really the unit for you. If you need a mixer, it's a mixer. If you need a bunch of preamps to get tracks into the computer, it does that well enough. If you want good I/O or low latency in and out of the PC, it's not for you.launch

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January 10, 2023

@staphylococcusaureus6480

Any chance Tascam can make an updated \"MKII\" version with inserts on at least 8 of the mono channels ?  I just don't know how effective a one knob compressor can be, especially at this price point. I'd prefer inserts so I can use my hardware compressors and equalizers, etc. Actually, I wouldn't mind paying more for inserts on all 12 mono channels as well as parametric ( or at least semi-parametric) \"low-mid\" and \"high-mid\" bands. I like the 100mm long throw faders and the built in 24-in/22-out interface, though. Nice layout and design overall. Hope to buy one when they become available.launch

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November 19, 2018

Some users reported inaccurate headphone monitoring mixes and inconsistent EQ carry-over when bouncing a stereo mixdown, causing frustration for those without a DAW to fix it.

@JakeStrange66

One thing you forgot to mention, or maybe didn't know at the time.... when you do your stereo mixdown on the unit & upload that to your computer, however you had it EQ'd in your mix before won't be the same (if that makes sense.)\nI haven't actually tried that yet because I've only had mine for a few weeks, but that's what others have told me.\n& that sucks for those of us who don't use a DAW... or in my case, can't use one.launch

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January 23, 2024

@musicorey

I have some very bad news about this Mixing board. I bought it, but there is a Big BUT about it. I need some help alright?\n\nI'm not able to get a true accurate mix while using the headphones. The sends on each track does not work with the head phones. \n\nThe music and vocals fly all over each other with the headphones on, and the individual sends per recorded track do not work while you have the headphones on. \n\nThey work without them only, but it's not fair that I can't give a true accurate mixdown while I have the headphones on.launch

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May 13, 2019