Press and hold the “Power” key at the upper left of the front control panel. The TASCAM logo will appear on the screen, and the LED power indicator will turn green.
Connect any instruments or microphones you want to use in your recording to the “Input A” and “Input B” 1/4-inch jacks on the back of the TASCAM Portastudio. If you are plugging a guitar in directly with no effects or amplification, set the “Mic/Line-Guitar” switch on the left panel to “Guitar.”
Push the “Input Setting” key on the front panel to bring up the input menu. From this menu, use the “Data” wheel to select the types of inputs you will be using through each channel. For instance, if you have a guitar plugged into “Input A,” select “Guitar/Line” for that input. Press the “Home” key to return to the main menu.
Adjust the “Input A” level knob so the level indicator light does not turn on even when the loudest sound to be recorded is played. Do the same for “Input B.”
Plug the headphones into the 1/8-inch jack on the left panel of the Portastudio. Play your instrument or sing and adjust the volume knob to a comfortable listening level.
Press the “Rec” key for each track you would like to record. This will put the track into recording standby mode, and the light will begin flashing. Press the triangular "Play" key and the red circle "Record" key when you are ready to record. These are located on the lower right of the control panel.
Press the square "Stop" key when you have finished recording. Press the "Stop" key in conjunction with the double-arrow "Rewind" key to listen to your recording.