Tascam Porta One tutorial / Part 1: RECORDING / "Everyday people" - Sly & The Family Stone

[@ukstd1]

Cool - I made my first demos on the porta 1 back in the late 80s!

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Nice...are there any of those demos on youtube? Thanks for watching!

[@ukstd1]

@@MultitrackCassetteFans I doubt I have the tapes anymore - I sold the machine about 10-15 years ago I think - time flies! Thanks for making the video

[@JerzyRugby]

Thank you sooo much for the help!!! The manual from the Porta One is quite a mess and I was completely lost. You described the system really fine. Now I can do my own recordings. Thanks Bro :)

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

JerzyRugby Thanks for watching, glad it helped!

[@Kelsendiperous]

My boyfriend just let me have his Toscam Porta One and I'm so excited to use it! Thank you for this tutorial!

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Have fun recording...thanks for watching!

[@thefullmontyukeband5293]

I believe you can get double tape speed by turning the pitch knob all the way up and record with it that way. Should increase the quality of youre recording. Of course later you cant pitch the recording up, but It goes down double!

[@BeatsByGemsmiff]

Thanx for this info 👏🏾 i was jus about to withdraw from buying it..and i said let me read the comments 😅

[@rockstarjazzcat]

It was a huge deal for me back in the day. Fun to see it featured. :)

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Thanks for watching!

[@spooktasticaparanormal]

Hello Dennis I just repaired one of these however I think that the bulbs in vu meters 3+4 but the machine works just fine. I was thinking about devising a modification to incorporate higher tape speed to improve sound quality. I've never seen it done for this model to I'll see how it goes.

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Well that would be a great project Paul. Keep us posted! You might want to contact Tetrakan Supermonobloc (that’s his youtube channel), he is a technical hero on these machines

[@drewzerna4087]

Awesome video. Thanks for the detailed run through, I have one of these I bought cheap about 20 years ago..Recently pulled it out to have a play. Found I’d left the tape still in it and I can’t seem to remove it. Rewinds and forwards but won’t move when play or record is pressed. Any ideas to free it up? Power input a little tricky but taped back to hold it in place it works fine otherwise. Even have the foot switch 👍

[@seanmorrissey3103]

Had a similar problem with mine (play head would not retract when STOP selected)... remove the screws from the bottom of the unit, carefully remove the back cover, and gently work the flywheel back and forth until it clicks. Not sure why this works or if it will happen again, but it worked with mine.

[@drewzerna4087]

@@seanmorrissey3103 thanks Sean ill give that a try 👍

[@computergeeq]

When recording, do you have to plug single instruments always into the input one? Or, for your example, can you plug bass into input 2 and select track 2, keyboards into inout 3 and select track 3? or are inputs 2-4 only used when recording multiple instruments at a time?

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

ScifiKitty You can use any input you want, and also more inputs at a time. The individual PAN knobs determine to which buss each input goes (see the buss section in the middle). With this recorder you can only record two tracks at once, but with up to 4 inputs if you like. Thanks for watching!

[@Gerkozielman]

Dank je wel voor de video! mooie uitleg.

[@Cesspit7]

i miss this machine. but now computers/ still thanks a lot

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Cesspit7 Thanks for watching! Btw it’s not too late to start cassette 4-tracking 😜

[@RetroPlus]

This must have been the inspiration behind the design of the Teenage Engineering OP-Z

[@ERIC-65]

You must PAN to Left for recording onto track 1&3,and PAN to Right for recording track 2&4! Then you get more Level out of the Input and less noise!

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Thanks, I get this reaction quite often. I’m not sure wether the mid position delivers less level to a track than a hard panned one. It might be worth the effort to check out

[@ERIC-65]

@@MultitrackCassetteFans OH yes, trust me on that! The PAN works like a Master-control (0-10). You can be easier with the TRIM without creating any distortion there! Keep it up, stay save and healthy! 👍

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Eric Unbekannt I suppose you’re right, it sounds quite logical

[@lukemntgmry]

Is there a way to use this as just a tape player and not a recorder? I have no want for recording but I have a tape collection I’d like to utilize. Secondly, if it is possible, how do I connect it to my speakers? The red and white line out holes don’t do anything for me and I don’t understand how the tape out holes work. Thanks for any help!

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

The porta one has normal tape speed, so you can use it as a regular tape player. You have to connect the main out (or stereo out) to an amplifier first, this will amplify the signal to an audible signal for your speakers

[@StunningAutumn]

do you need a computer to record with it? or can you just record on tapes? Does it come with a microphone?

[@felpa9742]

can you later replace the MIDI drums with real drums on track 1?

[@pop_ulation]

question: where di you buy the ac adapter you are using? ps- sorry i'm late!

[@spooktasticaparanormal]

Hi Dennis, I hope you are well, I just refurbished a lovely tascam porta two to full working order. It a really nice machine. I also have a Porta one too that plays fine but won't record. So I'll need to work on it. Once again great channel. Kind regards. Paul.

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Tascam 488MK1 Home multitrack recording Good for you Paul! Did you film it? You can help a lot of people with videos like that👍

[@spooktasticaparanormal]

Hi Dennis, no sorry I didn't, as I don't have the proper filming equipment, plus there was soldering involved.

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Tascam 488MK1 Home multitrack recording Yeah I know, creating such repair videos involves a lot of preparation, it takes up 3x as much time. And in the meantime you just want to get it fixed 😀

[@spooktasticaparanormal]

Hello Dennis, yes I agree. In the end I just went and sourced a complete new tape transport. I will tear down the broken one and keep the parts for future projects. Just call me the Tascam surgeon. I do transplants lol. Happy recording my dear friend, and have a great weekend. Kind regards. Paul.

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Tascam 488MK1 Home multitrack recording Hahaha transplants...fantastic

[@robertokramer1456]

very cool! what would be some good tapes you would recommend for portastudios in general?

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Try to get the Type II (chrome) tapes. I’ve had best results with the Maxell XLII tapes, followed by TDK SA ones. Please use only 60 or 90 minutes tapes, the 120 ones are too weak

[@mikea.8640]

Am i able to record onto it with an electronic drum machine?

[@AndyMangele]

I had the Porta 2 - but I don't see a big difference between the two models. 🤔

[@apollo_gen]

I know I'm six years late to this but I'm hoping someone, or the uploader, will see this. I need some help, I bought one of these a while back, but the recording function seems to not work. The light doesn't come on, and even though I can hear myself in my headphones, nothing is put to tape. The feeler switch in the top left of the transport is fine, and I've got everything in it's right place, the mic/line input on track one, the record function switch (buss L) on one, and the trim and tape cue are in their right spots, and the monitor is on cue, so what is the issue? Does anyone know?

[@calmuzacc]

Can I use maxwell tapes? Does it matter what kind of tapes? Looking at getting one. Thanks

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

You can use Normal tapes (type I) and Chrome (type II), I wouldn’t use Metal ones (type IV). Back in the day, Tascam recommended type II tapes in their manuals. Most popular were Maxell XLII, and TDK SA tapes. Please use 60 or 90 minute tapes, not 120 minute ones. Personally I have had the best quality results with Maxell XLII tapes!

[@gaminawulfsdottir3253]

Tutorial starts at 3:00.

[@doperat9630]

Hit the homie mac demarco like what's up my man, I need some raw shit and he recommended the tascan

[@TheStudioDrummer]

Coolness

[@jozefmeyer8638]

Hey! This is a fantastic video, thanks. What setup do you use to route the signal from your computer to the recorder? I'm mostly concerned about routing a stereo signal from my Computers line-out to a mono input, can that cause damage? Similarly, for the line out, I've heard that using an RCA to 3.5mm line-in can cause damage to the output circuit. Thanks for your help!

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Hi, thanks for your comment. My computer doesn’t gave a line out terminal, so I would use the headphone out jack, and feed it into my recorder’s jack. But I keep the computer volume very low, because the headphone out is an amplified signal, which can damage your tascam’s input. Generally it’s a better idea to use a usb audio interface that has line out. It matches the line in on your tascam. Also for mixing from the tascam into the computer, an audio interface is very handy. I use a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 for all of the above, it has way better audio quality than most computer’s audio inputs and outputs

[@jozefmeyer8638]

@@MultitrackCassetteFans No problem! Thanks for your reply, very helpful! I picked one of these up at a garage sale for $20! Fully operational. I couldn't believe my luck! Once I start recording with it I'll put up a video :)

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Jozef Meyer Yes, please do! Keep me posted

[@BogoEN]

Hey Dennis, I just picked up a Porta Two with the same strap buttons as the ‘One. Any idea what kind of strap goes there? Or where we could find one?

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

I’ve never seen such a strap in my life, have you?

[@BogoEN]

Multitrack Cassette Fans No, I can’t say I have! It’s not even in the brochure for the Ministudio line from the 80’s with the other accessories. A Tascam history mystery…

[@therealalvint]

recorded and mixed on tascam porta one: soundcloud.com/magicpainting/mamma/s-VKk8K

[@MrJbellguitar]

Great video! Could I ask, what equipment (out to track 1 in) is sending the Garageband piano to the Porta 1?

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Hi Jamie, I’m not sure, because it’s been a couple of years since I did this video. It may have been a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2. But before I had this interface, I used the headphones output of my computer on low volume

[@MrJbellguitar]

@@MultitrackCassetteFans Thank you! I got my Porta One two weeks ago, I just love it, thanks for your helpful videos.

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

@@MrJbellguitar congratulations, have fun with it!

[@nice25339]

Hey:) I just got a Tascam Portaone today myself but I am experiencing some latency when I try to record. Could you perhaps help me with this? Any idea what the problem might be? All the best.

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Anders Ahle Krogh Hi & welcome to the channel. What exactly do you hear when you experience latency?

[@nice25339]

I hear the signal clearly coming through the machine, but it's delayed compared to what I'm playing in real time. Fx. If I plug in my acoustic guitar, the sound is delayed in a way that it sounds as if I had a slapback delay effect on it. Another thing i experience is that when I record on track 1, it also records on track 2. Am i doing something wrong or is it not supposed to be like that?

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Anders Ahle Krogh Is there any digital device involved in the signal path? As far as I know, analog machines like the portaone can’t have latency problems

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Anders Ahle Krogh If you set RECORD FUNCTION buss L to “1” and buss R to “safe”, then track 2 won’t be recorded on.

[@nice25339]

The only digital is a pick-up in the acoustic guitar. Could the problem be in the output? Cause that's where I hear the latency.

[@valentinolar955]

I need your assistance how can i contact you?

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Valentin Olar Just ask your question here in the comments 👍

[@Delliofreight]

How did link it to your computer and could I be able to use a keyboard and mpc as well too it

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Delvante Elliott I just connected a cable between the Tascam’s stereo out and my computer’s line in

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Delvante Elliott And sure, you can hook up your keyboard to an input of the Tascam

[@VeganFLA]

hey, thanks! how i can rec all the channels at the same time? i need to rec a track in a cassette

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

capriccio No, not all 4, only 2 tracks at a time. There are Tascam recorders that record on 4 tracks at oncw though, but unfortunately not this model

[@EstebanRodriguez-lr6oo]

Hello! can I use a Type I cassette for recording with the Portaone?

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Esteban Rodríguez Yes, you can use Type I, no problem. Although these machines have been optimized for Type II. For example TDK SA60 / SA90, or Maxell XLII 60 / 90. I think the Maxells sound better.

[@mickobrien3156]

I own this old-fashioned relic. Does it have collectible value? What would a collector, or a hipster, pay for my vintage Tascam Porta Studio One from the 1980s? It's in good condition for its age. I can't tell if every damn feature is still working after nearly 30 years, but it replays tapes and it appears and sounds fine. What's a ballpark price for this vintage antique? Again, it's cosmetically and mechanically still in good order.

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Mick Obrien I don’t know about “hipsters”...you should check the prices on ebay for this

[@mickobrien3156]

Hi, thanks for the quick reply. Well, I was being lazy when I asked about prices. I should have just checked eBay for myself. Truthfully, I didn't have the heart to look at eBay. But you're right. I checked. And unfortunately I confirmed what I suspected. There's no value to these things. I saw a few selling for under $100. And while it may be cute and ironically funny for hipsters to carry around an old cassette player or a '80s Walkman, they're not buying a 4-track. So there's clearly no demand. Oh, well! Thanks anyway.

[@mackmccord3743]

@@mickobrien3156 do you still have it? Eye'd love to buy! Not a hipster either l o l

[@mickobrien3156]

@@mackmccord3743 Sorry. I got tired of looking at it... and just threw it out. And of course... now... these fuckers are rising in value. Now! I think people recognize it was one of the first 4-track recorders for the masses at a relatively fair price when it was released in like 1985, so it's got historical value. It goes to show... anything you have... if you hang on to it long enough, it will rise in value. You just have to have the patience of a saint. I don't have that.

[@mackmccord3743]

@@mickobrien3156 HAHA So true

[@isaackhaw9418]

Does the pause function work?

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

I think it does. It’s been a while since I’ve last used it

[@isaackhaw9418]

@@MultitrackCassetteFans how about your 244? Still using?

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Isaac Khaw Yes...the 244 is one of my favorites

[@isaackhaw9418]

@@MultitrackCassetteFans I missed a bid to buy this machine. I love the way it looks and the eq nobs. Will keep looking hopeless can get one for myself.

[@alessiopeck]

This is not quite right... What you want to do is to pan the channel you're recording onto all the way to the R or L depending on what BUS that channel is (example: channel 1 pans all the way to the left, channel 2 all the way to the right). The way you're doing it you are only recording half of the stereo signal you're sending in. Also if you're looking for the best quality possible you should always record in double speed (by bringing the pitch control all the way to the right). Maybe check out the user manual... you can download a copy here: www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/tascam/ministudio-porta-one.shtml

[@alessiopeck]

here you'll find a couple of recordings I've done on my Porta One: www.soundcloud.com/alessiopeck

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Alessio Peck I get that reaction a lot, about the L/R panning. To me, it doesn’t matter too much when I record 1 track at a time. For 2 tracks it is mandatory indeed. But you are right, officially you should pan all the way to the recorded bus. Maybe I’ll include that in future videos on other recorders. Thanks for watching!

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Alessio Peck Nice recordings on your soundcloud page! They have a good sense of space to them

[@alessiopeck]

Multitrack Cassette Fans merci beaucoup!

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Alessio Peck De rien :)

[@alejoromero]

That's ammm, a very ummmm... interesting oommmmm, piece of... hummmmmm.... equipment...

[@toddsaalman791]

So ummm is your uhhhh cogent and irrelevant comment

[@lil_weasel219]

@@toddsaalman791 cogent