A new Portastudio is on the rise -- Tascam announced the DP-03 8-track digital Portastudio, a fresh take on the DP-02, which captures your music at CD quality to SD / SDHC cards. The DP-03 features built-in microphones, effects, mixing and mastering features, CD burning, and an included 2 GB card -- everything one needs to record and share music.

For capturing a rehearsal, live performance, or songwriting ideas, a pair of stereo condenser microphones is built into the front panel of the DP-03. Also included is a pair of XLR microphone preamps with phantom power for condenser microphones, plus 1/4-inch line inputs and an instrument-level switch for recording a guitar or bass without a direct box. The RC-3F three-button footswitch is available for control and punch in.

According to Tascam, routing the inputs to one of the eight tracks is simple, and you can record two at a time until you fill up all eight. A tuner and metronome are built in, each with its own dedicated button for quick access. Tracks can be edited with commands like copy / paste, silence, clone track, and undo. Bouncing is also available, even bouncing all eight tracks down to one or two. In addition, the DP-03 offers the option to import a recording through USB or audio CD.

Each track has its own send to a stereo reverb processor, as well as two-band shelving EQ. New mastering effects like EQ and multiband compression have been added for radio-ready masters.

DP-03 features:

• 8-Track digital Portastudio with CD burner
• Records to SD / SDHC Card media
• Import audio tracks from CD
• Built-in stereo condenser microphone
• Two XLR microphone inputs with phantom power
• 1/4" Stereo line inputs
• Switchable instrument-level input for guitar / bass direct recording
• Multi-band mastering effects
• 2-Band EQ per track
• Internal reverb processor with dedicated send per track
• Chromatic Tuner and Metronome
• Track editing, autopunch, and bounce features
• Optional RC-3F footswitch offers three switches for punch-in and transport operation
• Compact and lightweight
• Dimensions: 11.4" (W) x 2.1" (H) x 8.2" (D)
• Weight: 4 lbs.

For more information about the DP-03 8-track digital Portastudio, please visit tascam.com.