Tascam Porta05 HS tutorial: recording and mixing a cover of Johnny Cash' "Folsom Prison Blues"

This tutorial explains how to record and mix a song on the Tascam Porta05 HS. (HS is for High Speed)
In this recording I'm using a Sennheiser MD421 mic, an MXL 2006 condenser mic (preamplified through an ART Studio V3). For the tape slap effect, a Lexicon MPX500 was used.

[@JimLigon]

Wow! My first multi-track recorder. Nostalgia overload! Thanks!

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Jim Ligon My first one too...! And it is still a great experience to work with. You can get a certain sound out it, that you just can’t get with digital recording

[@spooktasticaparanormal]

Hi Dennis, I just got finished with repairs on the normal speed model of the Porta 05. Still a great little machine. It arrived today from ebay and I had it fixed today also. I have video recorded the repair work, so once the video has been edited I'll feature it on my channel. Kind regards dear friend. Paul.

[@giuseppepettinati9627]

Hello, I've checked your channel but I didn't see your porta 05 repair video. It could be very helpful for me.

[@CaptainDarrick]

Denis ...I had a Porta one ..did many songs ..I don't know why you only had one guitar strumming the rhythm ? I always recorded one guitar on the left then did it again on the right ...filled the stage panorama wonderfully with stereo guitar sound ...

[@louis6331]

I just happened to catch you while I was searching for something else and I was absolutely stunned at how great your sound is especially when it came to the Folsom prison blues. That Johnny Cash Dingman that sounded really great. I think you’ll find it even better if you from my point of View at least ,if you turn up the acoustic and pull back on I don’t know I think it’s the base guitar? Please don’t take that personally I critique myself to a point where it drives me absolutely nuts. Lol. But what a great sound you’re getting out of that little tiny recorder is amazing. Now I know why you keep it and you should because recording on that particular tascam is definitely doing you a wonderful amount of justice because Johnny Cash is one of my favorite country and western singers, I’m not a big country and Western fan except for when it comes to Johnny Cash Willie Nelson Waylon Jennings George Jones I could keep going but as far as your sound and what you’re getting out of that little recorder is absolutely amazing. That’s a great job and I would suggest you never get rid of that recorder because that is giving you a very unique special tone that is coming out of your instruments including your voice being an instrument and it just sounded so good to me that now I want to do a version of that myself. So thank you Sir. You really made my day. And I hope my critique made your day. God bless you and yours from me and mine. Be good brother always go with God.

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Thank you Louis, for your kind words! Please keep me posted when you’ve done your own version 👍👍👍

[@inner.space.travels]

Thanks for this! Just got me a Porta05 and this was super helpful!

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Tiago Almeida Thanks for commenting...glad it was helpful!

[@spooktasticaparanormal]

I just love your video content Dennis, your a top guy and awesome at what you do. Your attention to detail is absolutely spot on and the way that you get the best out of each recorder you use is great. Keep up the fine work my friend. Kind regards. Paul.

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Tascam 488MK1 Home multitrack recording Thanks Paul. KZbin is a great way to keep this beautiful way of recording alive...keep posting, you too 👍

[@spooktasticaparanormal]

Hi Dennis, I hope you are well my friend. My Tascam Porta 05 restoration is now complete. There was a problem with the pitch controller circuit board, but it is now all repaired by my trusty soldering iron. It is now fully operational. The machine had to be totally stripped down and rebuilt to its former glory just like when it rolled off the factory conveyer belt. Whoever gets it will have many years of joy recording on this lovely little machine. It really was a joy to restore. Kind regards. Paul.

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Tascam 488MK1 Home multitrack recording Nice job! And now, on to the next project?

[@spooktasticaparanormal]

@@MultitrackCassetteFans Yes, as I enjoy bringing vintage machines back from the dead. I am medically retired and it's just a hobby. I have been offered a Tascam porta one as a project. Most of the parts it needs are available except for the battery cover and the perspex transport door.

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Tascam 488MK1 Home multitrack recording Yes, that’s a great thing, bringing life back to old gear. Tascam doors break quite often, when they are left open, and someone bumps his guitar head into it

[@voorhuid6144]

Wow, just stumbled upon this video and it sure brings back memories. I spent countless hours recording music with my Porta05 (no HS), a Boss DR Rythm and my guitar. I noticed that the sound quality of the HS version is a lot better than mine, as the noise levels were unbearable, especially after bouncing tracks so I always recorded on maximum speed. The dbx noise reduction is simply too aggressive to be useful. Expensive it was, too. If I remember correctly they went for about 800 guilders in the mid 80's. Funny thing is.. nowadays I have a way more advanced homestudio, but I often find myself tweaking a snaredrum sound for countless hours instead of making music. It should still be sitting in a box somewhere in the attic. Think I'll try and dig it up. Thanks for posting this.

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Thanks for your comment, Voor Huid :) I bought mine in 1991 for, I think, 1100 guilders in Den Bosch. I agree, the limitations of cassette 4-track pushed us to our own creative limits, instead of a DAW overwhelming us with limitless possibilities

[@low-tide-fy3081]

Dit net gekocht! Very usefull video - thank you! Groetjes uit Aruba

[@sydwhitaker5776]

Excellent video, and an excellent cover of a classic song

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Sarah Whitaker Thank you!

[@marco_cippo]

Hi. Can i use this as a normal cassette player? And the one version? Im searching for a good cassette player/recorder.

[@30equals]

Just wondering...the manual mentions that you should alternately pan L & R (track 1 > L, track 2 > R, ...) for all the tracks when recording , i don't see you doing this ?

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

30equals You’re right, this is crucial when recording two tracks at the same time, to keep them separated. While recording only 1 track at a time, it doesn’t matter too much. Although I think panning hard L or R, would result in a slightly louder signal going to tape. Good point nevertheless, I might do this in future turorials on other recorders

[@ACURAOCULTA]

Very nice Man

[@briansturk8723]

How were you able to playback track 1 through the main output when you had something in input jack 1? I haven't been able to do that for some reason.

[@dr.cdvideo3184]

THE sound is very good. I liked so much

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Dr. Cdvideo Thank you!

[@WilshIAm]

is the hs the high speed version of the porta 05? i have both and recorded some tapes on the normal version and they play back at double speed on the HS version

[@rogeriofernades455]

Very very good

[@spooktasticaparanormal]

Hi Dennis, I'm going to try and put together a video of the Tascam 488MK1. I'll have to script it so that it's consistent when it comes to the final edit. I came to the conclusion that I can sync the sound to video through my computer

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Ah great, I will get notified automatically when you publish it. Looking forward to see it. Let me know if you need any help

[@spooktasticaparanormal]

Hi Dennis I certainly will my friend. I've noticed that there are not too many videos about the 488 on KZbin. I hope your week has been good. Kindest regards. Paul.

[@sluminous203]

Mine is missing the little cover door and it really bothers me, does anyone know where I can replace it?

[@MV-hn2zx]

Thanks for your videos really helpful! I got a Porta 05 today and mine seems a lot more noisy than yours. Any tip or help for that?

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

M V Thanks for watching! Is your recorder noisy while playing back? Or also without the cassette running?

[@MV-hn2zx]

It makes pop / click noises without the cassette running. Also the preamps get noisy when I turn them up but I think thats normal. The pop noises go away when all preamps are turned down. Thank for your help in advance!

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

M V My channel 2 get noisy too, when the gain is turned up. I think it has to do with a capacitor that needs to be replaced. You better have this fixed, because it should be fun to work with these recorders, instead of being annoyed by excessive noise. A little noise doesn’t hurt, it’s part of working with analog gear, but it mustn’t get in the way of the recording pleasure. Maybe you can get a technical person have a look at it

[@MV-hn2zx]

Thank you! I`ll get someone technical to check it. I really like it it´s a lot of fun recording with it and I get away from the PC and get more focus on the music. Keep the videos coming and have a good time!

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

M V Exactly! Last week I was test recording electric guitar for a new video, and suddenly I realized: whatever you record on this machine, will always sound “warm”. It’s a true luxury once you’ve embraced the limitations of analog

[@joshoreilly4880]

Is it possible to bounce this mix onto a daw? A friend of mine has a porta 02 and does this, presumably they have the same inputs/outputs!

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Hi Josh, you can take the stereo L+R of the tascam and run it into a daw, but the mixing is done within the tascam. But if you want to mix the 4 tracks from within your daw, you need a tascam that has 4 separate outputs, and on your daw you need 4 separate inputs. There are ways though to transport your tracks one-by-one into a daw, but I’m not sure how reliable this method is

[@josephboulnois4996]

I have a porta 07 and want to record my electric guitar with a mic in front of the amp. The problem is that my amp sound way better (overdrive) at hight volume so when I want to play a new track and listening the firsts tracks I have already recorded ar the same time, I don't hear these tracks because of my amp volume even with my headphones. What should I do? Great video, I like the way you work.

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Joseph Boulnois You could use a long mic cable and a long guitar cable, so you can put the amp in a different room

[@FunholeFilms]

Multitrack Cassette Fans if your guitar amp has a headphone jack, you can get a volume pedal or volume box and connect you amps headphone output into that then connect the volume pedal/box to your headphones

[@BogoEN]

Hi Dennis! I hope you’re doing well during these crazy times. I had a couple of questions about the 05HS: does it have a compartment for batteries 🔋? And can you adjust the tape speed or is it always set to double speed? And lastly, how does the sound quality compare to your 244? Thanks and hoping to see some new videos from you sometime soon!

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Hi BogoEN, I think it can be battery operated, although I’ve never used it that way. Speed is always double, no option for normal speed...I haven’t compared it to the 244 from an audio quality perspective, but I’ve opened up both machines, and the build quality of the porta05hs comes nowhere near the 244. Most striking to me was the flywheel of the 244, it’s large & heavy. Thanks for commenting, I might indeed post some new vids in the near future 👍

[@BogoEN]

@@MultitrackCassetteFans That’s good to hear, Dennis! I think if you could ever try a working 144 or 246 you’d have a lot to share about them, in terms of comparing to other models. I think the real reason I’m curious about the 05hs is as a replacement for my Porta02mkii, which I think you did the video on a while ago about not being able to bounce with. I really want to take a Portastudio into the field to record with and the PortaOne and PortaTwo prices are currently through the roof. So the 05 seemed like a possible option. I hope you’re staying safe & well and hope to see another MCF video soon!

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

BogoEN I’ve never seen a 144 or a 246 in real life, that would be great! I’d really love to get my hands on a 144, because I believe this model was the first cassette 4-tracker, and also because of Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska album

[@BogoEN]

@@MultitrackCassetteFans I actually have two of them - it's a long story, but if we lived in the same part of the world I'd offer to sell you one but I am pretty sure the voltage is different. It doesn't have the bussing and eq flexibility of the later machines, but it has a lot more "mojo" than even the 244, imo. Good luck finding one, I can't wait to see the kind of video you make with it.

[@БорисЗаварухин-е3х]

Hi Dennis. Thank you for your videos. But l can’t understand simple thing. Can i erase some of or all recorded tracks by the porta 05. For example: i have drum and guitar recorded on porta 05, but i want erase only guitar and record another take instead of first one, can i do this? Thank you!

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Yes, you can! Just rewind, set your guitar track recording mode, and record your new take

[@cellokit]

Hey Dennis - many thanks for the excellent video! I've recently bought Porta05 with the intent of doing some Alessandro Cortini / NIN style stuff, but I'm having an early stumble. I can hear the sound as I feed in my source through the line 1 and everything seems to recording happily, but when I come to listen back, I can't hear anything. I've got my tape cue volume up, listening on the Cue monitor, have unplugged the jack going into the line, rewound the tape etc etc but nothing comes through. I've followed of the steps you've taken (and read the manual thoroughly) in recording and I'm feeling stumped. Do you have any pearls as to why this might be happening?! Any advice very gratefully received!

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Hi, thanks for your kind words. have you checked both RECORD FUNCTION switches to SAFE?

[@cellokit]

@@MultitrackCassetteFans Thanks for the quick reply! Yes I have, still no joy.

[@natzablah7627]

Hey! I was wondering I just got one myself but after recording it and trying to listen to some of it on a walkman or other cassette player the recording is in slow motion, do you have any advice on what I’m doing wrong? Thank you!!

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Hi, you’re not doing anything wrong, it’s just the fact that the recorder is running at double speed, for increased audio quality. (Regular speed is 4,5cm / second, this recorder runs at 9cm / second) Your walkman has regular speed, hence it plays back your recording at half speed. To listen to your recording on your walkman, you would have to mix down to a regular cassette recorder

[@RandomRetr0]

Hi, analog rookie question here… when you mix it, how do you save your mix? I guess you use a line out? Thanks

[@benjamind2497]

Yep line out

[@GreenMountainVelvet]

I just found one of these cheap. I’ve been playing guitar for years but have zero recording experience and am not very technical. But I want to record some basic demos (acoustic guitar, electric bass, electric guitar, and lead vocal). What type of (budget) mics should I get for this project? Is there anything else I need besides a couple of mics? What kind of cords plug the mics into the unit? Sorry I’m a total newbie.

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

You can always plug a dynamic mic like a Shure SM57 or 58 into your recorder. But I think I’d go for a cheap used large condenser mic (for example an MXL 2006), and a simple mic preamp that has phantom power (you need this for condenser mics), for example an ART tube mp studio v3

[@albertocasini836]

Hi; do you think I could have fun and learn with a Tascam Porta 05 (no hs) to record from my eurorack system...not only ti record but ti create too with pitch or use the Tascam as a tape delay...or it is better ti wait to find a 414?

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Alberto Casini Oh yes, the Porta05 will bring the joy of analog home recording...and a 414 may be a little better. But for tape delay, you need a recorder with 3 heads, and the porta05 and 414 have only 2 heads. I don’t think there has ever been a tascam 4-track (cassette) with 3 heads. I would go for a dedicated tape delay, or use a digital delay unit

[@F_DNDR]

Hi Dan! I’ve the same 4-track recorder, but when I record in cue mode the volume of the phones is really low and the volume of microphone always distorted. While in the remix mode this volume are more equilibrated. Is it possible to record in the remix mode? Thanks for the future answer and all of your video, are very helpful

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

You can record in remix mode, but I’m afraid you can’t have separation of tracks then. There must be something broken in you recorder. I expect it to be something simple, but I’m not sure. There is an excellent youtube channel for tascam 4-track repairs: Tetrakan Supermonobloc. Look it up, it might help

[@F_DNDR]

Thank you so much, I’ll check it

[@F_DNDR]

Last thing, it seems to me that in cue mode it records in mono so you can have 4 different track while in remix mode it records in stereo so you can have 2 tracks. Another thing that I’ve notice from your video is that you record every single track with the jack always in the channel 1, so it seems to me that the input jack it’s not related to the single track. Is that correct?

[@kayrat1985]

Good time! Please tell me! I also have Tascam Porta 05 HS. When you play a proprietary standard cassette, playback is fast. And PITCH Control is set to the left (the slowest playback). Could you tell me please, game recorded cassettes must be no mood on tuner? If you could show how to adjust the speed of rotation of the head

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Concert viva Groups I don’t know if I understand your question, but “HS” means “High Speed”. The tape speed of the Porta05HS is 2x the speed of a regular cassette player. So you can’t play cassettes that have been recorded on a regular player, even with the pitch control all the way down, it will still be too fast. If you both record and playback on the Porta05HS, things will be okay

[@kayrat1985]

@@MultitrackCassetteFans Tascam Porta 05 HS fixed! Do you have experience recording tracks on a recorded tape (pre-owned)? Advise what recommendations you can give?

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Concert viva Groups Nowadays, it’s hard to find new blank cassette tapes, so chances are you will simply *have* to record on pre-owned tapes. I have a case full of early 80’s Maxell XLII tapes (aka chrome, or type II). There are old radio recordings on them. Before I record anything, I always record the tape’s length of silence on all 4 tracks. After that, I rewind and start my real recording. Tascam always recommended Type II tapes, at a length of 60 (or 90) minutes. Never use 120min tapes, these are too thin. Remember, a 60 minute tape will give you 15 minutes of recording on a porta05hs, bacause of the 4 tracks in one direction (which cuts length in half), and the double tape speed (which again cuts tape time in half)

[@jamalan7417]

wow

[@charlesdochoff7383]

Is this normal? I can record into one of the tracks fine, but when I plug my guitar directly into another track and record into the second track with the first track playing back, the second track records both the guitar and the first track. I can get rid of it by silencing the first track or the master track while recording the second track, however I need it audible to play off of. Also does anyone have a pdf of the manual? its pretty tricky to learn

[@dr.cdvideo3184]

I think it´s called bleeding

[@getvnews1918]

You sound like I felt when it first came out but I couldn't afford one. I finally have one and it is damn confusing cause I am an?old man on his bucket list so i need a tutorial cause im am an old man now. :( so why the meters not show the other tracks sound while recording another one or can it record all 4 tracks at once ?

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

[GETV] GLOBAL ENTERTAINMENT TV The meters show the audio levels on the two BUSSes while recording. It can only record two tracks at once

[@getvnews1918]

@@MultitrackCassetteFans Hi I had to get back to you regarding it recording facilities. and how it works. I recorded on one track channel #3 just lke you do. then I did the same thing thing to record on another channel #3 and it didnt work. the guy who sold the unit to me on ebay.com said it was working fine and even stated it had even been refurbished. So what could (i being) be wrong in recording the same way on another channel?.

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

How exactly didn’t it work?

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Please describe tracks and channels

[@getvnews1918]

@@MultitrackCassetteFans I already explained what the problem is. what else is there to explained?

[@davidearzuffi93]

Hi, is it possible to record 4 tracks simultaneously (from 4 different sound sources)?

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Not on the porta05, unfortunately. You can mix 4 sources, but only record them to 2 tracks simultaneously. You need a different machine for this, for instance the Tascam 244, 414, 134. There are many recorders out there that can record 4 tracks at once

[@djdesign_]

Is the mixer making noise while stopped? Mine has a motor sound even while stopped. When stopped, if I move the pitch control, left to right the motor sound slows or speeds up. All this while in STOP position. Is this normal??? Thanks for the video, an I appreciate any response.

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Yes, the motor keeps running until you switch the recorder off. This is normal behavior in most recorders

[@djdesign_]

@@MultitrackCassetteFans ah, ok, thanks, it's been a while. Also, does your Zero Return work ok? When I set mine to on, then reset my tape to 000 in the middle somewhere, After I play and rewind, it just goes past 000 down to the 900s etc. Is there a certain operation to make this work?

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

My zero return works perfectly. You’ll have to open the recorder up to see if there is anything wrong, I really don’t know, I’ve never had to repair an issue like that.

[@djdesign_]

@@MultitrackCassetteFans again, thank you. You are very kind.

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

1 2 No problem, thanks for watching!

[@BogoEN]

Which would you say is the best portable (battery powered) Portastudio you've tried?

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

BogoEN The Porta One is the only battery powered recorder I own, though I’m not sure of the Porta05HS is also battery powered. If it is, I prefer the Porta05HS, because of the double tape speed

[@neptunesgold1216]

@@MultitrackCassetteFans So do you like the sound quality of the 05 more that the porta one?? Thanks so much for making this video. I just bought a porta 05 hs on ebay for $120 plus $8 $hopping. I hope it works ok with no issues ..

[@27clubband74]

Hi Dennis, could you send me a owner´s manual (pdf) tascam ministudio porta one and tascam porta3 mk3 ?? please send me your email ?