Tascam DP-32 SD

I use the Tascam DP-32 SD in my professional studio to mainly record accoustic music and to create jingles for websites or radio ads.
My set up is very simple because the DP-32 SD is also a very straight forward portastudio and easy to use as its forbearers. I'm running the basic recorded instruments directly into the DP-32 SD, overdub, mix, master and than print directly onto the inserted SD card. The output recorded is exactly as recorded and all buttons and faders react exactly to how they are manipulated. The buttons have that loud noisy click sound when pressed and this is sometimes annoying when mixing silenty. Maybe Tascam should look into this loud button click sound.

The available build in effects are simple to use but one need a bit time to fiddle around until you can really use them, otherwise they can seriously mess up your mix.
The channel audio level meters are exact but the monitor display is a little bit small. I've found the audio outputs a bit limited at the back incase one want to have external effects or just sent the sound to reference monitors. A very robust build piece of hardware but sort of light on the weight side. A second headphone output would also be usefull in order to hear what the musicians are playing because now, only the artist can have headphones. I've hooked it up to another headphone distributor and this way, more musicians can hear each other during the recording session. Otherwise, I recommend it to most studios that want a piece of equipment that don't require lots of cables, space, ouboard gear.

I purchased the DP32SD to replace my Boss BR1600CD, mainly because of the more 'up-to-date' SD card storage, file format and quicker file transfer. The price was also attractive. I'm not a fan of computer based recording, so I was looking for a more traditional multi-track recorder like this.
It doesn't take long to get up and running and is pretty intuitive. I've had the unit for 12 months now and re-recorded about 200 songs with another 40 or so to go!
It is not as easy as the Boss regarding the mastering and I'm still in the process of realising how to use the mastering compressor to achieve the desired sound (comparing it directly to the Boss masters)
Other people have suggested a second headphone output would be useful, which I agree with. The unit seems robust enough, but I only use it in a home studio setup.
I'm also still using the Boss for insert effects, because it has more presets and adding send effects and compression on the already recorded track is also easier on the Boss.
You can't get a Boss now anyway, so if you are looking for a standalone multitrack recorder, the Tascam is good value for money.

Honestly, I didn't pay that much attention when I ordered it, but when I installed it, it was a hell of a surprise: where is the midi ??? And how can I synchronise and record all my tracks without midi??? I tried to use the tape sync of my old Roland R70, but in vain....
Eventually I solved the problem with a 2bar click at the beginning of the song, that I record for every track, and that I manage to play together with the track want to record... and honestly it's not that difficult...
PROS :
- Great machine, very userfriendly with the EQ and send knobs
- the price! When I was young, I used to dream of a cassette 8 track tascam which was worth 2.500 euro, and now I get a 32 digital track for about 500 euro!
- the footswitch (sold separately) is VERY useful !
- sd-card... crazy how much you can record on a 5 giga....

CONS :
- midi, midi, midi... why???
- the fx processor... kind of bad...