TASCAM HD-P2: Quick Review
I like to record live concerts and for years I’ve been using a TASCAM DA-P1 portable DAT machine. After some experiences with flash memory recorders (i.e. no tapes or discs- record directly to a memory card) I decided that it was time to upgrade. I did some research and finally chose the TASCAM HD-P2.
There are quite a few flash-based recorders out there, with many different feature sets. They range from iPod-sized to units the size of a small VCR (remember VCR’s?)
What I was looking for needed to meet certain criteria:
- Phantom power for condensor mics
- Analog input and output
- SPDIF (digital) input and output
- 24bit recording
- Decent usability
I narrowed the field down to six decks. Here are the other 5 contenders, and why I didn’t decide to go with them:
Marantz PMD-670
A capable deck, we had a fleet of these at my old job and they held up well. But the user interface and menu system just plain sucks. Reviewers seem unanimous that the preamps could use some improvement. It’s limited to 16-bit recording. I did like the size of it though, similar to my old DA-P1. It’s a little cheaper than the HDP2, but considering the above, it’s just not as good a buy.
Marantz PMD-660
The 670’s little brother, this is a fun little deck. Similar in size to the Denon DTRP dat machine. Same pre’s as the PMD-670, and a smaller screen. Although it has phantom powered XLR’s (which is surprising for a deck of its size), it has no SPDIF or RCA I/O, and has a 16-bit limit.
Fostex FR2
Quite similar to the HDP2’s feature set. A bit larger in size. Having only XLR SPDIF is a drawback to me- most times I need or offer a digi patch, RCA is expected, and I can live without having to carry aother set of adapters. No RCA analog line in is a bummer, too. And this thing costs a third more than the HDP2.
Sound Devices 702
Drool. This is a pro deck, and is built like a tank. It has most features I was looking for, although the I/O connectors are non-consumer (e.g. mini-XLR analog I/O) which means LOTS of adapters. Twice the price of an HDP2.
M-Audio Microtrack 24/96
This is a pretty cool little unit. It’s got a good interface and has the potential to be very stealthy. Lack of phantom powered XLR’s is the biggest drawback, though it does offer 30v phantom power through TRS jacks. Adapters. I don’t know if the 30v will power my mics which are specced at 48v. It’s very inexpensive, but in the end it just doesn’t have the connectivity I was looking for.
And so, the HDP2.
Very good interface (not perfect), great display, excellent connectivity options, good form factor (fits in my DA-P1’s cases) and the price was reasonable.
First impressions
My inner dialog: “Must have been the same design team as the DA-P1; the face of the unit looks remarkable similar. But wait, it doesn’t feel nearly as rugged as the DA-P1 (and the DA-P1 didn’t feel that rugged). Wow, that screen is big.
So this is the menu system. Ok… ok… cool… yep, that makes sense… no shit… ahhhh… ok… hmmmm. WTF are these “projects” anyways?”
The menu system makes things very easy. The buttons to access the menu funtions are oddly placed on top of the deck near the scroll-wheel, which, incidentally, is nice to have. I would have preferred a scroll bar (like some laptops have on their touchpad) beside the display, with a Select and Cancel button right there. I don’t like having frequently-used buttons next to main setting buttons like input select and phantom power switches. But that’s why we have the Hold switch, right? (More on that in a bit).
Other than that, and the remarkable omission of a margin reset button, the layout is logical and usable — similar to the DA-P1.
Let’s look closer at this margin reset thang. This function allows you to reset the peak indicators on the level meters. If you’re recording a show, and you notice that the levels have peaked, you can back down your levels a bit, then press margin reset so that the peak indicators accurately reflect the peaks of your new level setting. On the HDP2, press the “Cancel” button to perform a margin reset. And be sure your Meter Peak Decay is set to “Hold”. This setting is undocumented in my version of the manual, but its usage is self-explanatory.Â
Now, the Hold switch. Turning on “Hold” disables every other button and the scroll wheel. This is useful to avoid an inadvertant button press while recording. However, it sure would be useful to be able to perform a margin reset when the deck is on hold. The DA-P1 worked this way, but I inquired to some engineers at TASCAM only to find out that the function is not software-driven, and therefore not something that could be changed in a future software release. Bottom line: until they come out with the HDP3 (or whatever), we cannot do a margin reset when the hold button is engaged. Crap, this really bugs me. Am I nit-picking?
One cool thing to note: the project files that are created on the CF card (basically just to store settings & preferences) are in XML format, which means possibly being able to create/manage profiles on your home computer.
Is the HDP2 the perfect digital recorder? Nope. Is it the best of it’s class? I think so. With the possible exception of the Sound Devices 702 (which I didn’t look too closely at just because of the price) the HDP2 gives the most bang for the buck, IMO.
32 Responses to “TASCAM HD-P2: Quick Review”
I am a neophyte and have no technical experience. I hardly understand what technical references you use mean. However, I am interested in recording sounds in the field and interviews…Do you recommend the HDP2 for me? I want to be able to manipulate the sounds on my computer after I learn how.
Thanks
KLH
Katharine, I’m sorry if the review was too technical- if you have specific questions I’d be happy to answer them.
As far as your field recording goes, I’m sure the HDP2 would work for you, but there might be an alternative better suited for your needs. For quick-n-easy interviews and such, the Microtrack 24/96 may be your best choice.
What is this S/N of -55dbu @20-20K? Isnt an FM radio station typically -65db? Isnt this really poor? It’s the only thing that has stopped me from getting this one.
I do not know for sure (I will contact TASCAM to confirm) but I believe the -55dBu refers to the input gain, and not the signal to noise ratio.
does the HDP2 have USB connectivity to the computer to access sound files?
JP- Yes there is a USB connector on the deck that supports USB 1.1.
If you are concerned with transfer speed, you may want to use a USB 2.0 compact flash reader.
Hello
Very interesting information! Thanks!
Bye
I have been recording onto a Tascam Dat machine for years - then transferring to a stand alone CD recorder. I do not want to use a computer. I now need a portable machine. If I got the HD-P2 could I tranfer recorded songs directly onto the Dat or the CD machine. Thanks
Sheila, there is S/PDIF output (analog, too) so you could connect to your other machines via that interface and transfer the digital audio without using a computer. The main drawback here is that the transfer is real-time.
If your CD machine has a USB input on it, there may be a chance the two units could transfer files from one to the other, which would be a faster alternative.
I have a DA-P1 which I’ve used in the field for years for film production. In the specs for the HD-P2 it mentions only one XLR mic input, although I see 2 on the picture (the other one is apparently TC in). I need two mic/line XLRs inputs for my work. What’s actually there?
Yes, Catherine, there are two balanced/XLR inputs on the deck.
Hello,people
I bought the HD P2 at the beginning of August 2007,I find it very easy to use,both in the field and when transferring data to my pc (with a USB 2 Card Reader, very quick!!!!). The plastic case is not a wonderful one,but harder would mean more weight. The mic preamps are good and quiet,not strong enough to be able to connect a Sony ecm 999 pro (-50 dB \Pasc.), but I can use my AT 825 (-47
dB\Pasc.). In the last recording I used two schoeps colette (MK8 and MK4)directly connected to the HD P2 at 24bit\44.1 Khz,the MS decoding and rendering to 16 bit was made in the pc with Steinberg Wave Lab 4.0: the cd sounds very good,I’ve not yet tried if the rendering process changes the sound quality. On the contrary,I made trials at home with a AKG 451c connected to a Tascam MX4 microphone preamplifier.The direct out of the pre fed directly the line in of the HD P2,or,alternatively,a Behringer SRC2496 A\D D\A converter,connected with the HD P2 via the SPDF input.
The sound came from a nice carillon settled at 50 cm. from the mic. I made both analog and digital recordings with the HD P2 (the card was tested before),with all possible combinations of bit depth and sample rates,and I could hear no difference in sound quality ayway.I could not judge the headroom,owing to the noise floor inside home. My conclusions (at this moment)are these:I can’t go back to a DAT machine for a field recording,owing to the possibility of tape damage and for the uneasy transfer process to the pc,and I’m happy not to have bought a hard-disc recorder (noise!).
Perhaps it’s better to record at 16\44.1,unless the post-processing is going to be heavy,and keeping in mind that a sample-rate conversion is still audible.
Thank U very much 4 your kind attention.
Sandro
Hello,guys
The rendering process of a 24\44.1 sample to 16\44.1 made with the Apogee software offered by Wave Lab 4.0 is clearly audible (loss of information in the high frequency range.) My last MS recording with the same mics was made at 16\44.1,except for the last track (24\44.1). At the moment I’m converting the MS tracks into STEREO tracks with W.Lab’s “Tools One”,I’ll let you know if the high resolution one will sound worse on the CD,as it’s expected to be.
With Best Regards
Sandro Berio
Hi
At my ears the high-resolution track sound worse on CD,but,pay attention:before rendering this track is a clear WINNER: the sound of an acoustic guitar is smoother as compared to the 16-bit ones, and the cymbals at -20dB are more clear (this characteristic remains still after rendering.) The Tascam hd p2 is very good in playing too!!! And now,what to choose for the next recordings????????? Sandro Berio
Tascam is a very good unit but it is a bit bulky - MR1000 Korg
should be a very good Contender with its 1 bit variable sample rate Technology.
I am alsovery fond of the new sony pcm d50 is this better than fr2 le, zoom h4, h2 and ro9 put together and I do admire its limiter function. I may even buy XLR-1 for external mic recording. Do u think this machine is going to dominate under £500 market?
Hello,
I want to know, is HD-P2 capable of recording for 24 bit 192 khz in “digital SPDIF”?
Thanks
Can Tascam hd p2 record better quality sound then HVX200 camcorder can. Is A TASCAM good choice for low budget filmmaiking or should I stick with HVX200 for sound recording.
Philip, according to the brochure (http://www.panasonic.com/business/provideo/hvx200microsite/index.asp) the HVX200 does 16 bit at 48K. This might be fine for “low budget” film making, but if you need higher quality audio, the HD-P2 (and other audio-only decks) can provide it.
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Hey you,
I have had three field recorders over the years: Edirol R1; Marantz PMD660, and Tascam HD-P2. They all sound pretty similar to my aging ears. But remember, sound is only as good as the weakest link in the chain! The HD-P2 sounds good because of the quality of the ADC/DAC and firmware. If your audio card in your PC isn’t as good, then any sample rate conversion and/or rendering won’t be as good. You have to match your audio kit. I use a MacBook Pro with a Digidesign MBox2 Pro. All is happy in my audio world… for now!
wes
Hello. Does anyone know whether and/or the proceedure for syncing HD-P2 to HDV timecode? I’m seriously considering buying the HD-P2 and want to know if it will sync with my Sony HVR-Z1U. Specifically, how is the HDV camera linked to the timecode input on the HD-P2? I don’t see a timecode out on the camera. Thanks.
Time code sync: I think you need a dedicated XLR or BNC out to do that. Unless you can reassign the XLR outs in the menu? What about the iLINK, can you send time code down that - but to what, I ask myself! You may be scuppered there mate!
The current versions of the HDP2 are using Firewire outputs, an improvement which should offer a considerable increase in transfer speed for your post-production work.
Hi,
Great review!
I’m considering grabbing the HD-P2 for a Rode NT1-A. Since the NT1-A is one of the quietest microphones in the world, I’m concerned the HD-P2 might introduce its own noise that would make my purchase of an NT1-A somewhat redundant.
Opinions?
Any comments appreciated. I want to record acoustic grand piano and am primarilyconsidering the Tascam HD-P2 and the Korg MR-1000. There are impressive comments out there about recording piano on the Korg but it has no flash card and uses USB 2.0 vs up to 8GB CF card on the Tascam. I want quality archiving and easy transfer to computer for mastering and posting to website (I suppose as mp3). I hear the korg has poor real battery life but could plug in most of the time. The sound devices look good but pricey for me and the handhelds don’t seem like a great approach. The Edirol R-44 seems interesting with 4 track but know panning or mixing without transfering to computer software. Comments on the MR-1000, the HD-P2, the R-44 and alternatives welcome.
can exceplain to me the firewire in tascam HD P2 how can transfer audio from HD to my computer
Very good, very useful info — many thanks. One question: is there any reason the HD P2 should NOT work with a Rode NT-4? (the stereo condenser mic).
Many thanks
can I just remove the CF chip from the HD P2 and read it as a separate drive thru the card reader on my computer. I believe I could then import the file into Logic Pro.
Did anyone have more thoughts on comparing the HD P2 with the Korg MR-1000? - especially for recording piano.
thanks for your review; it is very helpful considering the growing number of recorders out there. i’m hoping to get the HD-P2 in 2009 (i’ll post a small review here once i get it)…
@Alex… NT-4 will work fine with the HDP2. Alex Rose Place is a very short street in NYC.
@Dennis, Yes you can pull the CF card from the HDP2 and use it another reader.
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