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Description

Experience a classic in digital audio technology with the Tascam DA-30 MKII, a staple for any serious audio mastering setup. As a Digital Audio Tape (DAT) Recorder, it offers unparalleled audio fidelity, making it an essential tool for capturing the nuances of your recordings with precision. Designed for studio professionals, the DA-30 MKII ensures your work is preserved with detail and clarity, thanks to its advanced A/D and D/A converters. This piece of gear not only stands the test of time but also integrates seamlessly into contemporary studios looking to blend traditional methods with modern workflows.

The DA-30 MKII is equipped with a wide range of features that provide flexibility and control over your recording sessions. Its intuitive interface makes it easy to navigate through various functions, ensuring that both novice and expert users can make the most of its capabilities. Whether you're archiving sessions or mastering tracks, this recorder will consistently deliver high-quality results that meet professional standards.

Key Features:

  • Supports sampling frequencies of 32kHz, 44.1kHz, and 48kHz for versatile recording options
  • Offers balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA input/output for diverse connectivity
  • Features an anti-aliasing filter for enhanced sound accuracy
  • Equipped with a built-in timecode generator for precise synchronization
  • Includes a clear, backlit display for easy monitoring and control
  • Provides adjustable pitch control for fine-tuning audio playback
  • Compatible with standard 120-minute DAT tapes for extended recording sessions
Cheap Old Hi-Fi (HiFi reviews)

Cheap Old Hi-Fi (HiFi reviews)

TASCAM DA-30 mk II - one of the best professional Digital Audio Tape Recorders

Video thumbnail for TASCAM DA-30 mk II - one of the best professional Digital Audio Tape Recorders by Cheap Old Hi-Fi (HiFi reviews)

TASCAM DA-30 mk II - one of the best professional Digital Audio Tape Recorders

Cheap Old Hi-Fi (HiFi reviews)

Cheap Old Hi-Fi (HiFi reviews)

Video thumbnail for Tascam DA-30 mk II - eBay DAT recorder buying advice by Cheap Old Hi-Fi (HiFi reviews)

Tascam DA-30 mk II - eBay DAT recorder buying advice

Cheap Old Hi-Fi (HiFi reviews)

Cheap Old Hi-Fi (HiFi reviews)

Video thumbnail for Tascam DA-30 Mkii by zulkarnin

Tascam DA-30 Mkii

zulkarnin

zulkarnin

Video thumbnail for Tascam DA-30 mk II - great good looking and working professional DAT recorder by Cheap Old Hi-Fi (HiFi reviews)

Tascam DA-30 mk II - great good looking and working professional DAT recorder

Cheap Old Hi-Fi (HiFi reviews)

Cheap Old Hi-Fi (HiFi reviews)

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Tascam DA-30 MKII.

Setup and maintenance

  • Tascam DA-30 MKII often requires a preamp or mixer for volume control, as direct line-level output to speakers can be too high.

    Source
  • Owners suggest rewinding and fast-forwarding tapes before transfer to prevent issues with tapes sticking or snapping.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Tascam DA-30 MKII features "analog outputs unbalanced," suitable with RCA cables for connectivity with Klipsch The Nines speakers.

    Source

User experience

  • The Tascam might show an “Err 01” message due to a bad rubber drive belt if left unused for long periods.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Tascam DA30 MK II

soundonsound.com

The Tascam DA-30 MKII is a robust workhorse of a DAT recorder, praised for its excellent sound quality and user-friendly design. Its variable-speed shuttle and clearly laid-out display make it a pleasure to use. The machine offers both 44.1kHz and 48kHz recording rates, balanced and unbalanced inputs, and compatibility with other tapes. However, it lacks a remote control and meaningful error readout, which could be drawbacks for some users. Despite these minor issues, it stands out as a reliable professional machine that outperforms cheaper alternatives in daily use.

positive

Second coming (MX Jan 95)

muzines.co.uk

The Tascam DA-30 MKII brings the DAT format into the professional studio realm with robust build quality and enhanced functionality. Its hallmark feature, the innovative jog/shuttle wheel, significantly improves the editing and mastering process, addressing one of the primary criticisms of DAT systems. While the absence of some beloved features from its predecessor, like the output-level control and superior transport buttons, might disappoint long-time users, the DA-30 MKII still excels with its sound quality and professional appeal. Despite its higher price, this model remains a solid investment for serious studios looking to maintain high audio fidelity.

positive

The Excellent Tascam DA-30 MkII DAT Recorder

vintagedigital.com.au

4.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 6 Ratings

5 star
4 star
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2 star
1 star

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Andrew Eldritch uses Tascam DA-30 MKII

Andrew Eldritch

Singer, Drummer

The Sisters of Mercy

...
Verified via The-sisters-of-mercy

"One Tascam DA30 DAT recorder - the standard professional DAT machine (before those dodgy Panasonics took over) and one Tascam DA30II DAT recorder which is not an improvement on the original model."

See how Ryo Okumoto uses Tascam DA-30 MKII

Ryo Okumoto

Keyboardist

Spock's Beard

...
Verified via Spocksbeard

Showed up in a list of Ryo Okumoto’s gear on the Spock’s Beard official website.

See how Graeme Norgate uses Tascam DA-30 MKII

Graeme Norgate

Composer

...
Verified via Facebook

A Tascam DA-30 MKII can be seen in Graeme Norgate's studio.

D

David Ferguson

Keyboardist, Composer

Random Hold

...
Verified via Soundonsound

David Ferguson's equipment list:

Apple G3 266 computer, 96Mb RAM/4Gb HD. Akai S3000XL sampler. Alesis ADAT XT digital recorder/BRC remote. Alesis Microverb effects. Bit 99 synth. Drawmer DS201 Gate & LX20 compressor. Emagic Logic Platinum 2.6 sequencer. Emu Proteus 1, 2 & 3 sound modules. ("On the album, the 'Hall Strings' preset from Emu's first Proteus module is used a lot, because it's a great marcato string sound.") Emu Proformance piano module. Ensoniq VFX synth. FriendChip Timecode Refresher. Iomega Jaz drive. Korg 1212 PCI card. Korg DRV3000 effects. ("Weird and sometimes wonderful.") Korg Wavestation SR synth. Lexicon MPX1000 effects. Logan String Melody keyboard. ("The last of Random Hold.") Mackie 32:8:2 mixer. Oberheim DPX1 sample player. Roland D550 synth. Roland S760 samplers/SP700 playback unit. Sony 600Mb optical drive. Sony DTC690 DAT recorder. Spirit Absolute 2 monitors. SPL Vitalizer enhancer. Symetrix 511A noise reduction. Tascam DA30 MkII DAT recorder. TC M2000 Wizard effects. Yamaha AN1x synth. Yamaha SPX50 effects.

J

Jeehun Hwang

Keyboardist, Composer

...
Verified via Soundonsound

The second photo shows Jeehun Hwang's studio and features the caption: "Jeehun's studio equipment. From left to right: Mackie 8‑buss mixer; Denon cassette and CD players, Rocktron Hush II noise reduction system, Alesis Midiverb II; Audix monitors, JVC professional video system, a pair of dbx 160A compressor/limiters, Alesis ADAT XT, Tascam DA30 Mk II DAT recorder; Zip and CD‑ROM drives, Apple Power Mac 4400, Kurzweil K2500; MOTU MIDI Timepiece, Roland JV1080 and Studio Electronics ATC1 rackmount synths."

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Tascam DA-30 MKII, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Alesis Microverb
Alesis Microverb Effects Processors
2
Alesis ADAT XT
Alesis ADAT XT DAT Recorders
2
Lexicon MPX100
Lexicon MPX100 Effects Processors
2
PPG Wave 2.2
PPG Wave 2.2 Synthesizers
1
Neumann U87
Neumann U87 Condenser Microphones
1
Korg A2
Korg A2 Effects Processors
1
Opcode Studio Vision
Opcode Studio Vision Music Software
1
Yamaha SPX-1000
Yamaha SPX-1000 Effects Processors
1
Roland D-50
Roland D-50 Synthesizers
1

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