There are many uses for this hybrid product. It fitted very well and became my central unit in my home studio.
1.- Use as a mixer for performing:
The analogue part of Model16 is very intuitive to use and the sound quality is more than descent for my needs. The mixer has everything a classic user has been used to: 2 aux and a separate fx bus, several output buses, a subgroup, pfls/afls, etc. More contemporary features like a compressor per channel are very welcome. Do not be too aggressive with the compressor though as above 5 it alters the sound rather radically. The tone controls are descent and very usable for performing mixes. I only use two of the reverbs from the build-in FX, I don't have any use for the otherwise average FXs.
2.-Multitrack recorder:
This part is 100% digital and luckily it does not record any of the tone/FX settings. I love this feature. It allowed me to be 100% computer free during composing/arranging. For a quick demo it records also the final mixdown, with tone/FX included, but I have used this only for previews. Instead I import the recorded channels into Ableton and do levels, pan, EQ, compression, delay, reverb inside the DAW. That's how I realize my LoFi productions at the moment.
I have used a MIDI tape sync unit to record a MIDI sync channel for some productions, making it master MIDI sync during recording. This makes overdubbing easier. As I hardly do any overdubbing, it did not worth the trouble.
3.-Computer audio interface. For regular playback it sounds good. However for heavy Ableton projects it is not working well on my computers. I use another audio interface for playback. I did tested it as a multi track recording interface and it worked very well. However, I love my DAW-less rig and skip this use.
4.-Missing features:
I would appreciate a MIDI in connector and the possibility of a sync track with its own independent tempo track.
I would appreciate more control over de compressors.
I would love the possibility to chose whether I record the tone/compressor or not, as well as two extra internal channels for the FX bus.
5.-What about the Model12?
For a long time I have been considering the Model12 as it has more advanced MIDI features. But it is 100% digital, misses the extra busses for aux fx and monitoring and has too few inputs for me.
I think the Tascam Model16 is a brilliant product, combining old classic standards with new innovations in an inspiring way. It will never stand in the way but will always been able to support your workflow. The price is also very nice for all these features. On the other hand I would prefer to pay a few more bucks for a more sturdy build for on the road. It is great as studio equipment for small home studios and DIY producers.
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