TASCAM DP-004 Pocket Studio

^# 41

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$149.99 Price Tier: Standard

4.0 (11)

2 Critic Reviews

5 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

4 wishlisted

23 saved

Page last updated Jul 03, 2026

Pricing and availability

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5.0 (10)

$149.99 3 available Used

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Average Price: $150

Standard/Professional

$149

$400+

Price Tier

In the Portable Recorders category, Tascam DP-004 Pocket Studio is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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Standard

High-end

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Description

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Unlock your musical creativity with the Tascam DP-004 Pocket Studio, a portable recording powerhouse that fits right into the palm of your hand. Drawing inspiration from Tascam's legendary cassette Portastudios, this four-track digital recorder brings the ease of a bygone era into the modern world of digital precision. Whether you're capturing the spontaneity of a live jam session or laying down the tracks of your next masterpiece, the DP-004 is equipped for the task.

With a pair of built-in stereo microphones, it's ready to record whenever inspiration strikes. For more advanced setups, connect your own gear using the two 1/4" inputs that can handle both mic and line-level signals. The intuitive interface lets you focus on the music rather than fiddling with complicated menus—a nod to its cassette-based predecessors. Each recording is captured in pristine CD-quality WAV format, ensuring your sound is as polished as your performance.

The DP-004’s compact design makes it an ideal companion for musicians on the move. When your masterpiece is ready, easily transfer tracks to your computer via USB 2.0 to share, edit, or burn onto a CD. Plus, with features like a bounce function, built-in tuner, and a dedicated stereo mixdown track, it’s more than just a recorder; it’s your portable studio.

Key Features:

Compact and portable four-track digital recording
Built-in stereo condenser microphones
Two 1/4" mic/line inputs, including switchable guitar input
Records in CD-quality 44.1kHz/16-bit WAV format
Compatible with SD Card media (1GB card included)
USB 2.0 for easy computer connectivity
Built-in tuner and metronome for added convenience
Powered by AA batteries or optional power adapter

Owner's manual

Tascam DP-004 Pocket Studio User Manual

Product specs

Brand	TASCAM
Model	Pocketstudio DP-004 Portable Digital 4-Track Recorder
Finish	Black
Year	2000s
Made In	China
Categories	Portable Recorders

FAQs

How many tracks can the Tascam DP-004 record simultaneously?: The Tascam DP-004 can record up to two tracks simultaneously, allowing for flexible recording options with its four-track playback capability.
Can I transfer recordings from the Tascam DP-004 to a computer?: Yes, you can transfer your tracks and mixes from the Tascam DP-004 to a computer using USB 2.0, making it easy to burn CDs or share your music online.
What type of storage does the Tascam DP-004 use for recordings?: The Tascam DP-004 uses an SD card for storage, with a 1GB card included, providing ample space for your recording projects.
Is the Tascam DP-004 suitable for portable recording?: Yes, the Tascam DP-004 is designed for portability, being smaller than a paperback book, making it ideal for on-the-go recording sessions.
Does the Tascam DP-004 have built-in mixing capabilities?: Yes, the Tascam DP-004 includes built-in mixing capabilities, allowing you to adjust your recordings directly on the device.

Videos

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cowlovecow

Tascam DP004 Quick Tutorial

cowlovecow

TASCAM DP-004 4-track Digital Recorder

Sweetwater

Tascam DP-004 Video Tutorial Demo Review Help Bouncing Tr...

ProAudioEXP

Tascam DP-004 Pocketstudio Review from Acoustic Guitar

Acoustic Guitar Magazine

TASCAM DP-004 4-track Digital Portastudio

TASCAM Official

TASCAM DP-004 Digital Pocketstudio

Solotech Audiovisual Equipment

Reviews

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PROS

User-friendly interface
Portable and lightweight, ideal for quick setups
Built-in mics offer good quality field recording
Facilitates old-school recording (bouncing tracks)
Supports multi-GB smart cards for extended use
Effective for sketching ideas or full songs
Durable build quality from TASCAM
Simple yet effective controls and data wheel
Faithful re-creation of cassette 4-track workflow
Does not require a computer for initial recordings

CONS

Lacks professional-level editing capabilities
No XLR inputs for external microphones
Absence of built-in effects for instruments
Complicated process to transfer files to a computer
No built-in EQ controls for sound adjustments

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Tascam DP-004 Pocket Studio.

Features and functionality

0 0

The DP-004 is favored for its simplicity and self-imposed track limitations, which encourage creativity and focus in recording projects.
Source

Use cases and applications

0 0

Users appreciate the DP-004 for capturing quick ideas and demos, emphasizing its role as a tool for spontaneous and straightforward recording.
Source

User experience

0 0

Owners transitioning from tape to digital appreciate the unique workflow and immediacy of using the DP-004, highlighting a nostalgic connection to simpler recording methods.
Source

Comparisons

0 0

Some prefer the DP-004 over more complex digital audio workstations for its straightforward, tactile interface, which aligns with the philosophy of limiting options to boost creativity.
Source

Critic Reviews

Absolute Music Community – TASCAM DP-004 REVIEW

absolutemusic.co.uk

The Tascam DP-004 Pocket Studio is a hit for musicians on the go, offering impressive sound quality and ease of use in a compact design. It's perfect for capturing ideas with its straightforward interface and built-in mics, though the lack of backlighting on the screen and absence of a footswitch for seamless recording are minor drawbacks. While it lacks the effects of competitors like the Boss Micro BR, its no-frills approach appeals to traditional songwriters. Overall, it's a fantastic, affordable choice for portable recording, despite a few limitations.

positive

Full Review

Tascam DP-004 Review

wingfieldaudio.com

The Tascam DP-004 Pocket Studio impresses with its compact size, affordability, and solid sound quality, especially from its internal mics. However, the learning curve is steeper than expected, making it less intuitive than some competitors. The lack of phantom power is a notable limitation, restricting mic choices. While not the most user-friendly, it serves well as a portable sketchpad for songwriters.

neutral

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4.0 out of 5

Based on 5 Reviews and 11 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

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1 star

engels

309

almost 9 years ago

Good sound and hardware, the software design drives me mad at times.

Purchased for $100 about 8 years ago and it's a very useful piece of equipment. The built in mics and battery function allow for good quality field recording and having 4 channels makes it an awesome demo-making tool. It is not sufficient to record music on professional level, today's standards require more editing power. Also, there are no XLR inputs for external mics and no built in FXs for guitars and such.

The best feature of DP004 are the built in mics. They sound very natural and if your band sounds good in a room you can just press record and have it. also, TASCAM makes quality products and it's very durable.

The worst feature is how it functions and communicates with a computer. You cannot just connect it via USB and get the files it recorded. First, you need to set ending point on a song, then you need to create a master, which works just like 30 years ago - you press record and play the whole tune again while the thing records the master track. Then you need to export the master track to WAV format which also takes several minutes for an average 4 min song. Only then you can connect it to your comp and see the files. This drives me mad and I cannot stand all the time wasted just to drop the already recorded materials on a computer.

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock Metal

mcj

149

almost 7 years ago

Great little portable recording studio

Controls are simple yet effective. Data wheel offers many options. Built-in microphones produce fantastic quality. Unfortunately DP004 doesn't have any built-in EQ controls, but if you guitar, amps, and effects have effective EQ controls, then you should get great tone recorded onto the DP004. If you're looking for a great little recording unit, you can't go wrong with this one.