Xploration • Curation • Recommendation
4 of a Kind - Tascam 424 Portastudio style Preamps
I seem to have had a number of conversations recently - about Mk.gee and his use of the Tascam 424 Portastudio Tape Recorder as a sort of signature ’Amp’. Which seems to have triggered a somewhat gold-rush from a number of brands - majors and minors alike.
I thought it would be good to roundup a selection of these - which includes mainstream brands JHS and Benson, alongside a couple of independents - MXNHL and Neutrino Labs MX. Three of those brands are American, and one is Mexican.
JHS has probably made he biggest splash today as such - they set off on their project a a very similar time to Benson - but pipped Benson for the release. So Benson initially decided to cancel its own release, but then later decided to roll out a limited batch - which was snapped up very quickly.
3 of these pedals have 5 controls, where Benson makes do with 4!
Here are the runners and riders :
- Benson Amps Portable Distortion 424 MKII - $188
- JHS Pedals 424 Gain Stage Preamp - $249
- MXNHLT Porta 424 - $170
- Neutrino Labs MX 424 Portastudio Preamp - $ 2,600.00 MXN / $141 USD
Obviously the JHS is significantly the dearest in this selection - and the Neutrino Labs one is the most affordable - at more than $100 less than the JHS one.
All these are pretty commendable. I obviously have the JHS one - which is the most generally available, and in local distribution. You need to be a little more adventurous for the others - and there will be further costs - customs charges etc. involved - so the price will increase somewhat significantly.
While it’s always nice to have options! These are just 4 of nearly a dozen varieties available - a lot of the smaller brands have made their own take - so there are further options still out there!
And here follow the further details below :
Benson Amps Portable Distortion 424 MKII - $188
Controls - Treble, Fader, Bass, Trim, Lo Z Impedance option.
A very slightly simplified take on the 424 Portastudio - with one less control and therefore seemingly foregoing the typical Input and Output Gain independent controls. While it may also make use of a sort of Master Volume mechanic. Benson consistently put out superior quality effects - and the colour scheme here is possibly the most attractive of this quartet.
JHS Pedals 424 Gain Stage Preamp - $249
Controls - Volume, Gain 2, Gain 1, Bass, Treble.
Obviously the brand that has most capitalised on the Mk.gee phenomenon - with a very signifincant launch of its own 424 Portastudio variant - also in a really cool grey with orange accent enclosure. This is the one of these that I own. And it performs the task it was intended for admirably.
It has a pretty vast range - from Lo-Fi flavours to quite zingy fuzzy tones. Great use of graphic too!
I'm broadly very satisfied with my acquisition - where this is the only device of the 4 to be available at a local level in the UK.
The JHS variant is interestingly the priciest too - while also the one that has sold the most. I believe the early launch video leant a little too much into the Mk.gee connection - and has since been sanitised. JHS's offer here is pretty much a textbook release!
MXNHLT Porta 424 - $170
Controls - In (Input Gain), EQ Hi, EQ Lo, Out (Output Gain), Level Slider.
I've been following this brand for a while - which has long delivered interesting preamp pedals - and not just 424 varieties. Their Porta 424 has some excellent aesthetic choices - including the Knob types, and the fact that there is a Slider Control for the Level / Volume.
The Porta 424 is a highly commendable choice here - and had I better access to that - it may have been the one I went for. While since I already have the JHS variant - I don't feel that I necessarily need another of the same. I would probably rather go for the Finnish Color Audio pedal - which is based on an early Tascam Tape Recorder.
Neutrino Labs MX 424 Portastudio Preamp - $ 2,600.00 MXN / $141 USD
Controls - Master, In (Input Gain), Out (Output Gain), EQ Low, EQ High.
Another highly commendable choice - which runs very close to the JHS - and also comes with an XLR out port. This is the most affordable one of the bunch - while it also looks pretty decent. This Mexican brand seems very well established - with a decent roster of pedals. And their 424 varian is another vey worthy choice.
Obviously there will be some differences in profile - with the Benson one sort of being the outlier with just 4 controls. Where I think you could really go with any of these. Obviously there is a price and availably factor there - but this is a very decent selection - with a $100+ price differential between highest and lowest cost options.
This one is so new - there doesn't appear to be any demos for it yet - I will of course add the demo when it materialises!
Be aware that if buying direct - there will be be additional customs and import charges for each of these.
It's always nice to have options!
