OT: Tascam MP-GT1

[TonyEVH5150]

Based on the "Learning to Solo" thread, I bought one of these last week.

TASCAM

I've noticed a huge difference already in my playing.

It's MP3 based, so it works well with most of my music files. I can change the pitch to match my guitar's tuning, I can break any section of a song down, slow it down. it has a 1 GB hard drive (holds about 240 songs). It also has built-in effects, so I can match just about any tone I want.

Since I learn by ear, this thing works well for me. I can't recommend it enough.

 

[the24thfret]

Good to know! Thanks for the review.

 

[lumberjack]

Very cool, Tony!! I am actually about to pull the trigger on one, probably this weekend. I'm glad you're liking it. Any issues with the slow down/looping feature? Does it work as well as its described?

Scott

 

[TonyEVH5150]

No, it works great! Fairly simple. For the looping, just push the I/O button once where you want the loop to start. Push it again where you want it to end. The playback speed works really well.

 

[lumberjack]

No, it works great! Fairly simple. For the looping, just push the I/O button once where you want the loop to start. Push it again where you want it to end. The playback speed works really well.

Cool Tony! Thanks for the info.

 

[robelinda2]

i'm probably gonna get one too!

 

[guitarman23]

yea awesome, something i need!!

 

[Spudmurphy]

See I give good advice

- gonna get my son one too!!

 

[GWDavis28]

Tony, COOL!!! I've been eyeing this thing and think it's a huge improvement over the CD-GT1 and GT2. I'm curious what you paid for it, PM me if you would.

Thanx, Glenn |B)

 

[TonyEVH5150]

PM Sent!

Again, I can't say enough good things about this. I've only had it for four days, and I can't stop using it!!!!

 

[MikeVt]

I've been watching it too - as it seemed like it might be a nice upgrade to my PX4D. However, I've seen some reviews (don't remember where) that said that the effects were straight from the CD version and weren't very good. It sounds like you're pleased with them enough - so I may have to give it another look.

How's the sound quality when you start slowing tracks down?

Mike

 

[Sweat]

I liked the CD version so this should be cool, check out ebay, there is a ebay store music gear for less, they are great guys, ask for Will, great pricing.

 

[JohnnyD19]

tony could you send me what you payed for it...... im thinking about getting one its very cool

 

[TonyEVH5150]

I've used both the pitch change and the speed change. They both seem very seamless. I haven't noteiced any problems with either.

As far as reliability, they're going to be susceptible to the same problems that any MP3 player would have. This one is HDD based instead of memory card based (like Boss' unit). I've only had mine for less than a week. Ask me in a year if it's still working.

I can get pretty close to my normal tone with the presets on the unit. There's one that is distortion, phaser, and a little delay that's really good. There's another that's distortion and a little reverb that I really like. They're going to sound like a digital, solid state amp. So don't expect a Marshal, or Mesa. It's a trainer, not a full blown amp modeler.

Honestly, this trainer does great.

 

[Dante]

methinks i also need a trainer. has anyone tried the newer CD version of tascams trainer?

 

[MikeVt]

This one is HDD based instead of memory card based (like Boss' unit).

REALLY? That seems like a very odd design choice. I didn't even think they made 1G harddrives anymore. Given the price of flash memory, you'd think it would have been cheaper (and more reliable) to incorporate 1G of flash instead of going with a HD.

On the slow down, can you clarify what you mean by seamless? Is the sound quality good?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Spudmurphy]

methinks i also need a trainer. has anyone tried the newer CD version of tascams trainer?

I have only tried the CDGT1 not the CDGT2 - I bleeb that the mark 2 came with more guitar effects built in.

Guys this trainer works just great but with the cd version when you slowed it right down there were noise artifacts and sibilance. But you were still able to hear the guitar passage sampled at a "mere mortal rate". When JP plays in world domination mode, this will slow it down .

But lets not lose sight of what this is:-
1)the built in effects are enough to get you to practice the sample, but don't expect to use it as an effects unit .
2)There is bound to be a degradation of sound quality - it's like recording something using a tape speed of 1 inch every minute (well not quite but ya get my drift).

Treat it for what it is and you wont be disappointed - but expect the quality of a full rack or a full board of pedals and you will be.

Expect degradation of the sound quality when you sloooooooooooooow it right down.

I like the idea of an MP3 version and will be getting one for my son.

Man what I would have given for one of these when I started out - and DVD's and VCR's and refrigerators and telephones .... .... I used to live in hole in road, walk 5 miles over broken glass to get to work, pay for the privledge of working... ... ...
(a la Michael Palin (Monty Python)

 

[TonyEVH5150]

REALLY? That seems like a very odd design choice. I didn't even think they made 1G harddrives anymore. Given the price of flash memory, you'd think it would have been cheaper (and more reliable) to incorporate 1G of flash instead of going with a HD.

On the slow down, can you clarify what you mean by seamless? Is the sound quality good?

Thanks,
Mike

It may very well be built in flash memory. I think it actually has a larger hard drive in there (say 4 G), but most of the space is relegated to effects and other features.

I'll run through a song in slow mo later today and give you a better description. I've mostly used the loop feature and the pitch change. I can tell that it's not the original key, but it's only because my ear is used to whatever the normal pitch is. For isntance, "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" is tuned down 1/2 step. The pitch control toa take it into "normal" tuning shifts everything up 1/2 step. The vocals and guitars are at a higher pitch, but the tempo doesn't change.

 

[Ricman]

.

Man what I would have given for one of these when I started out - and DVD's and VCR's and refrigerators and telephones .... .... I used to live in hole in road, walk 5 miles over broken glass to get to work, pay for the privledge of working... ... ...
(a la Michael Palin (Monty Python)

Hole in the ground?

You were lucky.....

 

[Spudmurphy]

^
yeah that's the one ha!!!!
- a classic.

We had a keyboard player who was ALWAYS reciting MOnty Python scripts man he got on our nerves!!!

I bleeb the response was (in Yorkshire accent) "LUXURY" !!!