WE SAY

Do we call it the Oh Five, or the Porta Half? That consideration aside, we can view the P05 as a response to the new budget Vesta machines (MR10 and MR30), and a reaction against the continued popularity of the Fostex X15.

The 05 has a full four input channels, each of them graced with three colour coded knobs for Pan, Effect Send, and Tape Cue. The knobs are almost flush with the top of the machine, though each comes with a little knobby bit to use as a handle. Each channel has a fader, and One and Two, which are designated Mic/Line, have an extra mini-fader for controlling gain. These are intended for low-level signals that need boosting. There's also a tape sync output dedicated to Channel Four for sequencing fans.

Other relevant controls include knobs for the (mono) effect return level, headphone volume, and high and low EQ for left and right channels. The tone controls work on both input and output; I found the Low EQ a bit harsh, and the High rather ineffective, but their role wasn't vital to the type of quick demoes the 05 encourages you to make.

There are four bar LEDs to indicate recording level, though the Red For Danger bits seemed pretty tolerant unless pushed really hard. Then there's a Zero Return, and two recording buss controls.

There's the thing. There is no input/output switching on the Porta 05. Whether a channel sends in or output to the headphones is controlled by the presence of a jackplug in the input: this means that to hear a track you've just recorded, you must unplug your lead from the input socket. Irritating.

Like the X15, it's only possible to record two tracks at a time, though this doesn't present much of a problem for the solitary recordist.

DECISION

It looked good; it recorded, played, dropped in and out, all with expected Tascam efficiency. It will perform all the overdubbing and bouncing-down functions that you expect of a more expensive machine - having four faders is a definite boon when it comes to mixing down.

Usually, the more you pay for your technology, the more complex it is likely to be. Not so for portastudios - as you move down the price scale, you lose the logical devices that make recorders like the Porta Two and the 260 relatively easy to use. Naturally the manufacturers have to cut corners to save costs, and Tascam seem generally to have hacked away at the right ones. The only serious omission is the channel input/output switching — having to remove your jack lead to hear what you've just recorded is a considerable nuisance. Apart from that, a good one. Destined for the Buyer's Bible, no doubt.

TASCAM PORTA-05 4-TRACK CASSETTE £339

TEAC UK, (Contact Details).