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The Tascam 246 was the best recorder on the market under the Tascam Portastudio line during a time when 4Track recorders were in demand. The 4-track recorder was introduced as a more home recording-friendly version of its predecessor, the reel to reel. Originally released in 1985, the 246 model cassette recorder featured definitive hifi analog sound recording and boasts quality craftsmanship, compared to toyish knobs and faders like that of its counterparts.

The 246 produces exceptional sound quality for a multitrack cassette recorder, the best of all models of similar type really. The sound produced can be described as nice and surprisingly warm. The playback on the 246 will sound familiar for anyone keen on vintage analog-sounding audio. Higher frequencies sound somewhat muted with noise reduction on, but this is fairly standard and should be expected from non-digital cassette recorders.

An admired asset of the model is it has an integrated four bus mixer.

Some people complain about the 246 being overly big and bulky for a multitrack cassette recorder. Others argue that it’s not an issue because this machine lends itself more to stay in one place rather than a mobile recorder that you take on the go with you. In fact, substantial size and specifically weight in the analog days often meant higher quality in electronics.

Specifications

Analog/Digital: Analog Cassette Tape

2-Head Single Compact Cassette Deck

4-Track 4-Channel Track system

4.8, 9.5 cm/s Tape Speed

1 x record & playback | 1 x erase Heads

Motor: 1 x capstan, 1 x reel, 1 x ancillary

Tape Type: CrO2

Noise Reduction: DBX

Frequency Response: 20Hz to 18kHz

Signal to Noise Ratio: 95dB

Wow to Flutter: 0.06%

Total Harmonic Distortion: 1.0%

Input: 300mV (line), 1mV (mic)

Output: 0.3V (line)

Dimensions: 500 x 401 x 123mm

Weight: 10.3kg

Manual

Download Manual