TASCAM Porta Two

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$380.00 Price Tier: Budget

5.0 (1)

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4 wishlisted

9 saved

Page last updated Jul 04, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

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5.0 (5)

$380.00 3 available Used

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Average Price: $380

Budget/Beginner

$499

$1700+

Price Tier

In the Analog category, Tascam Porta Two is priced in the Budget/Beginner range. This is great gear to get started with or for creators on a budget.

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High-end

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Description

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Step back in time with the Tascam Porta Two, a classic piece of studio recording gear that brings the warmth and character of analog sound to your music projects. Originally introduced in the 1980s, this four-track cassette recorder is cherished by musicians and producers for its simplicity and tangible hands-on experience, allowing for the creation of rich, textured recordings. With its intuitive layout, the Porta Two offers musicians the flexibility to capture ideas effortlessly and layer them with precision.

Whether you're an indie artist looking to craft demos with a vintage feel or a seasoned producer seeking to add some analog warmth to your digital setup, the Tascam Porta Two delivers authenticity and character. It features a built-in mixer with EQ controls, enabling you to shape your sound directly on the device. Its portability makes it ideal for recording sessions at home or on the go, preserving those spontaneous creative moments.

Key Features:

Four-track cassette recording capability
Built-in mixer with EQ controls for sound shaping
High-speed recording for improved audio quality
Portability for easy home or location recording
Vintage analog sound for unique tonal character
Compatible with standard cassette tapes for easy accessibility

Product specs

Brand	TASCAM
Model	Porta Two Ministudio 4-Track Cassette Recorder
Finish	Gray
Year	1980s
Categories	Recording Gear

FAQs

What is the tape speed of the Tascam Porta Two?: The Tascam Porta Two operates at a standard tape speed of 1 7/8 inches per second (ips), which is typical for cassette-based recording systems.
Does the Tascam Porta Two include noise reduction?: Yes, the Tascam Porta Two includes dbx noise reduction, which helps to minimize tape hiss and improve the overall audio quality of recordings.
How many tracks can the Tascam Porta Two record simultaneously?: The Tascam Porta Two is capable of recording up to four tracks on cassette tape, allowing for multi-track recording sessions.
Is the Tascam Porta Two suitable for beginners in home recording?: The Tascam Porta Two is a user-friendly analog recorder, making it a good choice for beginners interested in exploring tape-based multi-track recording.
Can the Tascam Porta Two play back standard stereo cassettes?: Yes, the Tascam Porta Two can play back standard stereo cassettes, providing versatility for both recording and playback of pre-recorded tapes.

Videos

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Made on Tape

Cassette types: can you hear the difference? Recording on type i, ii, and iv ||| MADE ON TAPE

Made on Tape

TASCAM Porta Two | Basic Recording Tutorial for 4-Track Cassette Portastudio

Made on Tape

Wavesfactory Cassette plugin vs. TASCAM Porta Two - can you hear the difference? ||| MADE ON TAPE

Made on Tape

How to Use Tape Speed or Varispeed to Affect Vocal Sounds on the TASCAM Porta Two

Made on Tape

Testing My Repaired Portastudio | TASCAM Porta Two

Made on Tape

Tascam Porta Two | Tear Down | 1 | Open Case, Remove Transport

Tetrakan

Reviews

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Tascam Porta Two.

Build quality

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The Porta Two is known for breaking around the head mount, indicating potential repair costs to consider for budget buyers.
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The rear section of input jacks can detach if impacted while a cable is plugged in, indicating a vulnerability in the design.
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Features and functionality

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The Porta Two HS offers a punchy, warm sound and better frequency response due to its high-speed capability.
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Comparisons

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Yamaha MT100 mkII offers similar functionality to the Tascam 424 at a lower price, while the MT4X is praised for price-to-performance.
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User experience

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Owners appreciate the flat design of the Porta Two, contributing to its portability and ease of use.
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Belts purchased from German suppliers have resolved speed fluctuations, indicating reliable sourcing options for European users.
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Setup and maintenance

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Reshaping the torsion spring can temporarily fix transport issues, but some owners report breaking springs during the process; replacement is advised for long-term solutions.
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Transport issues often stem from a worn U-spring below the play head, which can become loose and affect head engagement.
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Replacing the entire head base part is considered a cleaner and more reliable solution than attempting various repair methods.
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Playback speed fluctuations are often due to worn belts; replacements are recommended to stabilize speed, especially at lower playback rates.
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The capstan not spinning and playhead engagement issues suggest a broken capstan belt, requiring inspection and potential replacement.
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The Tascam Porta Two shares belt replacement kits with the Porta One, facilitating part sourcing.
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Use cases and applications

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Though primarily a Porta Two issue, similar transport problems have been noted in other Tascam and Fostex models due to shared design components.
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Artist usage

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Merzbow

Composer, Music Producer

Kikuri

Verified via Musiquemachine

"I was using Tascam Porta Two". Also mentioned in the liner notes for Flesh Metal Orgasm and Paradise Pachinko.

Mike Krol

Guitarist, Drummer

Mac Krol

Verified via Twitter

this item was used both on i hate jazz and trust fund as a recorder

Al Schnier

Guitarist

Phil Lesh and Friends

Verified via Photo

In this photo posted by Schnier on his Instagram profile, Tascam Porta Two Ministudio can be seen.

J-Zone

The Bo$$ Hog Barbarian$

Verified via YouTube

"Every once in a while, y'kno, when my MPC aint working I gotta call up my two girlfriends so we can have a little threesome, here in the studio. The two girlfriends are Betsy, the TASCAM Porta Two Ministudio fourtrack cassette fourtrack. Say hello Betsy! Don't be shy! And the new addidition to the family, this is Diana. It says Ross, there was already a Betsy Ross so I named this one Diana Ross, the queen of disco."

Appears at 2:57 in the video.