Portastudio
Encyclopedia
The TASCAM
Portastudio was the world's first four track recorder based on a standard compact audio cassette
tape.
When the original Portastudio 144 made its debut in 1979 (priced at about $1200.00 Canadian) it was a revolutionary creative tool. For the first time it enabled musicians the ability to affordably record several instrumental and vocal parts on different tracks of the built-in four track recorder and later blend all the parts together while transferring them to another standard two-channel stereo tape deck (remix
and mixdown
) to form a stereo recording.
These machines are typically used by artists to record demos
, although they are also often used in Lo-fi recording. The analog portastudios by TASCAM and similar units by Fostex, Akai, Yamaha, Sansui, Marantz, and others generally recorded on high bias cassette tapes. Most of these machines were 4 track but there were also a couple of 6 track and a few 8 track units. Some newer digital models record to a hard disk
, allowing for digital effects and up to 24 tracks of audio.
One widely used model was the TASCAM 424 (in three versions), which offered a great deal of flexibility while still remaining inexpensive to use. For bands prior to the advent of digital recording, the 424 was an easy and affordable way to record demos or even commercial albums.
TASCAM
TASCAM is the professional audio division of TEAC Corporation, headquartered in Montebello, California. Tascam is credited as the inventor of the Portastudio, the first cassette-based multi-track home studio recorders. Tascam also introduced the first low-cost mass produced multitrack recorders...
Portastudio was the world's first four track recorder based on a standard compact audio cassette
Compact Cassette
The Compact Cassette, often referred to as audio cassette, cassette tape, cassette, or simply tape, is a magnetic tape sound recording format. It was designed originally for dictation, but improvements in fidelity led the Compact Cassette to supplant the Stereo 8-track cartridge and reel-to-reel...
tape.
When the original Portastudio 144 made its debut in 1979 (priced at about $1200.00 Canadian) it was a revolutionary creative tool. For the first time it enabled musicians the ability to affordably record several instrumental and vocal parts on different tracks of the built-in four track recorder and later blend all the parts together while transferring them to another standard two-channel stereo tape deck (remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
and mixdown
Audio mixing (recorded music)
In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may...
) to form a stereo recording.
These machines are typically used by artists to record demos
Demo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
, although they are also often used in Lo-fi recording. The analog portastudios by TASCAM and similar units by Fostex, Akai, Yamaha, Sansui, Marantz, and others generally recorded on high bias cassette tapes. Most of these machines were 4 track but there were also a couple of 6 track and a few 8 track units. Some newer digital models record to a hard disk
Hard disk
A hard disk drive is a non-volatile, random access digital magnetic data storage device. It features rotating rigid platters on a motor-driven spindle within a protective enclosure. Data is magnetically read from and written to the platter by read/write heads that float on a film of air above the...
, allowing for digital effects and up to 24 tracks of audio.
One widely used model was the TASCAM 424 (in three versions), which offered a great deal of flexibility while still remaining inexpensive to use. For bands prior to the advent of digital recording, the 424 was an easy and affordable way to record demos or even commercial albums.
Notable usages
- PrimusPrimus (band)Primus is an American rock band based in San Francisco, California, currently composed of bassist/vocalist Les Claypool, guitarist Larry "Ler" LaLonde and drummer Jay Lane. Primus originally formed in 1984 with Claypool and guitarist Todd Huth, later joined by Lane, though the latter two departed...
' debut album Suck on ThisSuck on This-Personnel:Primus*Les Claypool – bass guitar, vocals*Larry "Ler" LaLonde – guitars*Tim "Herb" Alexander – drumsProduction*Bob Cock – producer*Howard Johnston – editing*Tim "Soya" Leroy – stage*Lauren Miller – sound...
, a compilation of several performances, were all recorded on a TASCAM quarter inch 8-Track Portastudio.
- John FruscianteJohn FruscianteJohn Anthony Frusciante is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, record and film producer. He is best known as the former lead guitarist of the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, with whom he had been for a number of years and recorded five studio albums...
recorded his two first solo albums Niandra Lades & Usually Just A T-ShirtNiandra Lades and Usually Just a T-ShirtNiandra Lades and Usually Just a T-Shirt is the debut solo album by John Frusciante, released on March 8, 1994, on American Recordings. Frusciante released the album after encouragement from several friends, who told him that there was "no good music around anymore."Niandra Lades and Usually Just a...
and Smile From The Streets You HoldSmile from the Streets You HoldSmile from the Streets You Hold is the second solo album by John Frusciante. The record was released during a time when Frusciante was not performing with the Red Hot Chili Peppers. It was released on August 26, 1997 on Birdman Records, while Frusciante was still addicted to heroin...
on a 424 Portastudio. (source: VPRO 94 interview)
- Bruce SpringsteenBruce SpringsteenBruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...
recorded his album NebraskaNebraska (album)-Themes:The album begins with "Nebraska", a first-person narrative based on the true story of 19-year-old spree killer Charles Starkweather and his 14-year-old girlfriend, Caril Ann Fugate, and ends with "Reason to Believe", a complex narrative that renders its title phrase into contemptuous sarcasm...
on a Portastudio 144.
- Bill Callahan's first SmogSmogSmog is a type of air pollution; the word "smog" is a portmanteau of smoke and fog. Modern smog is a type of air pollution derived from vehicular emission from internal combustion engines and industrial fumes that react in the atmosphere with sunlight to form secondary pollutants that also combine...
album Sewn To The SkySewn to the SkySewn to the Sky is Smog's debut album, released in 1990 on Disaster Records. It was later re-released on Drag City and manifested Bill Callahan's importance for the Lo-fi music in the early 90s. This highly experimental album combined homerecording, substandard instruments and repetitive and noisy...
was recorded on a "dumpster Portastudio," according to the liner notes.
- John VandersliceJohn VandersliceJohn Vanderslice is an American musician and songwriter. Previously a member of the band Mk Ultra, he now records and performs as a solo artist.-Early years:...
, an analog recording enthusiast, made Life and Death of an American FourtrackerLife and Death of an American FourtrackerLife and Death of an American Fourtracker was the third album by John Vanderslice, released in 2002.-Track listing:All songs by John Vanderslice unless otherwise noted#"Fiend in a Cloud" #"Me and My 424"#"Underneath the Leaves"...
, a concept album about home recording, including the song "Me and My 424".
- Marilyn MansonMarilyn MansonMarilyn Manson may refer to:* Marilyn Manson , an American rock musician* Marilyn Manson , the American rock band led by the singer of the same name...
recorded The Family Jams on a four-track Portastudio
- Alan WilderAlan WilderAlan Charles Wilder is a British musician, formerly of Depeche Mode. His current musical project is called Recoil, started as a side project to Depeche Mode. When he left the latter in 1995, it became Wilder's primary project...
recorded his first solo album 1+21+21 + 2, Alan Wilder's first solo release away from Depeche Mode, is a Recoil studio EP, released in August 1986. The CD and cassette version were released two years later with Recoil's second release, Hydrology....
under nickname RecoilRecoil (band)Recoil is a musical project created by former Depeche Mode member Alan Wilder. Essentially a solo venture, Recoil began whilst Wilder was still in Depeche Mode as an outlet for his experimental, less pop-oriented compositions...
on a four-track Portastudio
- WeenWeenWeen is an American alternative rock group. They formed in 1984 in New Hope, Pennsylvania when central members Aaron Freeman and Mickey Melchiondo met in an eighth grade typing class. Ween has a large cult underground fanbase despite being generally unknown in American pop music...
recorded their second album The PodThe Pod* "The Stallion " was not listed on the covers of original Shimmy Disc releases, although the song is present as track #5.-Liner notes:From the Shimmy-Disc CD:-Personnel:* Dean Ween - Guitar, Vocals, Engineer...
on a Tascam 4-Track
- "Weird Al" Yankovic"Weird Al" YankovicAlfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic is an American singer-songwriter, music producer, accordionist, actor, comedian, writer, satirist, and parodist. Yankovic is known for his humorous songs that make light of popular culture and that often parody specific songs by contemporary musical acts...
recorded half of his songs on his debut album with a Portastudio in his drummer's garage before signing up for a proper studio.
- Wu-Tang ClanWu-Tang ClanThe Wu-Tang Clan is a hip-hop group from Staten Island that consists of RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard. They are frequently joined by fellow childhood friend Cappadonna, a quasi member of the group...
's debut album, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)Enter the Wu-Tang is the debut album of American hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, released November 9, 1993, on Loud Records and distributed through RCA Records. Recording sessions for the album took place during 1992 to 1993 at Firehouse Studio in New York City, and it was mastered at The Hit Factory...
, was mixed down to a Portastudio 244.
- Travis MeeksTravis MeeksTravis Shane Meeks , is an American musician, and is the lead singer, guitarist and song writer for acoustic rock band Days of the New.-Early life and career:...
of Days of The NewDays of the NewDays of the New is an American alternative rock band from Louisville, Kentucky, formed in 1995. The band consists of vocalist/guitarist Travis Meeks and a variety of supporting musicians...
recorded "Cling" on a TASCAM 4-track in his sessions leading up to his debut album "Orange".
- PortastaticPortastaticPortastatic is an American indie rock band founded in the early 1990s by Mac McCaughan. Portastatic began as a solo project for McCaughan, lead singer and guitarist of the indie rock band Superchunk...
was named after the Portastudio Mac McCaughanMac McCaughanMac McCaughan is a founding member of the rock band Superchunk, and co-founder of Merge Records along with Laura Ballance. He also heads the band Portastatic, which began as a lo-fi side project and has blossomed into his main musical project...
used to record the songs that became its first album.