TASCAMEarly 1980s2-trk2-Track$$Mid-Range($250–800)
TASCAM Portastudio 244
Purists wanting the authentic, original Portastudio lo-fi sound exactly as it debuted.
Find on ReverbUsed-gear listings, graded conditionCheck prices on eBayBroader inventory, live auctions
Calculate pitch & speed changes for the TASCAM Portastudio 244
Free tool — see the exact pitch shift and BPM change using this deck's real supported speeds.
Strengths
- The original Portastudio that created the entire product category
- dbx noise reduction was groundbreaking for a consumer-priced 4-track in 1982
- Simple rocker/slider mixer is straightforward to troubleshoot and service
Trade-offs
- Single-speed transport caps overall fidelity
- No aux sends at all, restricting any outboard effects routing
Full Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | TASCAM |
| Model | Portastudio 244 |
| Era | Early 1980s |
| Typical Price Tier | Mid-Range ($250–800) |
| Tape Speed | 1.875 IPS |
| Dual Speed | No |
| Noise Reduction | dbx |
| EQ Type | 2-Band Shelving (High, Low) |
| Simultaneous Record Tracks | 2 |
| Mixer Inputs | 4 |
| Aux Sends | 0 |
| Tape Type Required | Type I Normal Bias or Type II CrO2 |
| Pitch / Varispeed Range | None |
| XLR Mic Inputs | No |
A relative used-market guide, not a live quote — real prices vary by condition, region, and timing. Check the Reverb/eBay links on any item for current listings.
Match Score Explorer
Weight what matters to your workflow. Every deck is re-scored live against your priorities, benchmarked against the TASCAM Portastudio 244.
50
50
50
50
This deckTASCAM Portastudio 244
Match59
Audio Fidelity55
Flexibility45
Portability68
Ease of Maintenance68
Ranked against 36 other decks
- TASCAM Portastudio 424 MKIIMatch69Audio Fidelity78Flexibility82Portability55Ease of Maintenance60
- Yamaha MT120Match69Audio Fidelity75Flexibility70Portability72Ease of Maintenance60
- Yamaha MT8XMatch66Audio Fidelity80Flexibility78Portability50Ease of Maintenance55
- Yamaha MT4XMatch65Audio Fidelity74Flexibility65Portability58Ease of Maintenance64
- Marantz PMD740Match65Audio Fidelity85Flexibility88Portability40Ease of Maintenance45
- TASCAM Portastudio 414 MKIIMatch64Audio Fidelity72Flexibility68Portability55Ease of Maintenance62
- Fostex X-28Match62Audio Fidelity65Flexibility55Portability68Ease of Maintenance58
- TASCAM Porta OneMatch61Audio Fidelity58Flexibility50Portability70Ease of Maintenance65
- TASCAM Porta 02 MKIIMatch61Audio Fidelity58Flexibility52Portability70Ease of Maintenance62
- Fostex X-15Match61Audio Fidelity62Flexibility50Portability75Ease of Maintenance58
- Sansui WS-X1Match59Audio Fidelity76Flexibility85Portability45Ease of Maintenance30
- Audio Fidelity65Flexibility20Portability92Ease of Maintenance55
- Fostex 250 MultitrackerMatch56Audio Fidelity60Flexibility48Portability62Ease of Maintenance55
- Tascam 464 PortastudioMatch55Audio Fidelity52Flexibility58Portability55Ease of Maintenance55
- TASCAM Portastudio 144Match54Audio Fidelity45Flexibility38Portability65Ease of Maintenance68
- Fostex 280 MultitrackerMatch54Audio Fidelity58Flexibility62Portability48Ease of Maintenance48
- Tascam 246 PortastudioMatch52Audio Fidelity45Flexibility52Portability55Ease of Maintenance55
- Fostex 380SMatch52Audio Fidelity52Flexibility72Portability40Ease of Maintenance42
- Marantz PMD222Match52Audio Fidelity35Flexibility10Portability95Ease of Maintenance68
- TASCAM MF-P01Match51Audio Fidelity30Flexibility20Portability80Ease of Maintenance75
- Yamaha MT50Match51Audio Fidelity42Flexibility35Portability68Ease of Maintenance60
- Vestax MR-44Match49Audio Fidelity48Flexibility45Portability62Ease of Maintenance42
- Tascam 234 SYNCASETMatch48Audio Fidelity52Flexibility48Portability42Ease of Maintenance50
- Fostex X-26Match48Audio Fidelity42Flexibility32Portability62Ease of Maintenance55
- Yamaha MT2XMatch48Audio Fidelity35Flexibility18Portability75Ease of Maintenance62
- Yamaha MT100 MkIIMatch47Audio Fidelity35Flexibility28Portability65Ease of Maintenance58
- Fostex 160 MultitrackerMatch46Audio Fidelity38Flexibility30Portability62Ease of Maintenance52
- Technics RS-B665Match46Audio Fidelity68Flexibility20Portability46Ease of Maintenance48
- Nakamichi 682Match45Audio Fidelity85Flexibility20Portability45Ease of Maintenance30
- Tascam 122 MkIIIMatch45Audio Fidelity58Flexibility25Portability40Ease of Maintenance58
- Sony TC-K611SMatch45Audio Fidelity68Flexibility20Portability48Ease of Maintenance45
- Onkyo TA-2075Match44Audio Fidelity58Flexibility18Portability50Ease of Maintenance48
- Tandberg TCD 3014Match44Audio Fidelity82Flexibility20Portability42Ease of Maintenance30
- Tascam 133Match43Audio Fidelity48Flexibility25Portability45Ease of Maintenance55
- Aiwa AD-3800Match43Audio Fidelity65Flexibility20Portability48Ease of Maintenance40
- Tascam MF-P24Match42Audio Fidelity28Flexibility15Portability70Ease of Maintenance55
Maintenance & Supplies
As an Amazon Associate, Analog Specs earns from qualifying purchases.