TASCAM CD-BT2 Portable CD Bass Trainer 

Comments about TASCAM CD-BT2 Portable CD Bass Trainer:

I owned the original Tascam bass trainer for years before a house fire claimed it and most of my other possessions. I have seen a number of negative reviews concerning this product and what it comes down to is two things: 1)using headphones with great bass response 2)reading the manual and exploring the features.

You aren't going to get the perfect setup out of the box; you will need to dive in, explore the features and fiddle with the settings until you get what you are looking for. It may take some time, but with a little patience you find the sweet spot. Also keep in mind that in some recordings that bass may be buried deep in the mix while in others the bass may have presence and be front and center. I also use AKG Headphones for use with the bass trainer, which helps with bass response.

The ability to loop a phrase as well as slowing down a track to catch tricky parts alone are worth it.

Comments about TASCAM CD-BT2 Portable CD Bass Trainer:

This is a great little buddie. You can take on vacation or use it as a way to work on you ear tranning or just play without making any noise. Best of all you get the true sound of your bass and that is whats most important.

Comments about TASCAM CD-BT2 Portable CD Bass Trainer:

Just finished my first set of songs using the CD-BT2, was sent a set list, downloaded the songs to my itunes playlist, burned the playlist to a cd, was able to take the keys up and down to meet the key the band was going to play them in tonight, was able to slow a tune way down to catch a tricky chorus I had benn meaning to learn for years. Went though 15 songs in one hour. Ive been playing bass 40 years, this is great. Thanks!

Comments about TASCAM CD-BT2 Portable CD Bass Trainer:

A lot of useful features in one small package.
The CD-BT2 Bass Trainer from Tascam is like a Swiss Army Knife for bassists. Not only CD playback but a tuner, metronome, effects unit, bass canceler and more. One reviewer wrote the lack of an input jack was a concern but there is a work around. Take the output of the unit, either line out or headphone (I prefer headphone as this gives me an extra volume control) and run it into a stand alone mixer or amplifier. Plug your bass into the mixer or an extra input on the amp and put your MP3 player, with the proper jacks, into the CD-BT2's bass input. The only effect you won't be able to use are the CD play back speed and pitch controls. But there is another Tascam product that does work with MP3's, this unit is for CD's.
Nothing is perfect. Its not metal, its light. Portable with a buffer. Get the power supply unless you own stock in a battery manufacturer. There are issues with some units about mounting a CD, but Musicians Friend, other reputable dealers and especially Tascam honor their warranties. There are artifacts when using the variable speed pitch control. The more you slow down the CD, the worse they become. This is a sad fact with current technology. Other variable speed pitch control units and software suffer the same.
If you can't hear the bass with this unit something is wrong! Even set flat or using the line out, the bass is there. Use the bass enhance functions and the bass will dominate. If you want more, add a subwoofer to a playback set up and rock the neighbors. Or be kind and purchase a good set of headphones.
This is a great tool for learning songs and licks. Read the instruction manual, its one of the better ones you'll encounter. Try all the options, bells and whistles and enjoy. I doubt you'll get more bass friendly for the money.
Tascam rocks.
Great bang for the buck!

Comments about TASCAM CD-BT2 Portable CD Bass Trainer:

For those learning to play bass this is an outstanding help! You can slow down the song, learn the bass line, slowly play it at faster tempos until you have mastered it at full tempo. I can see why accomplished/professional musicians may find this less useful, but for a beginner or intermediate player it is VERY useful. I highly recommend it for those players.Jess

Comments about TASCAM CD-BT2 Portable CD Bass Trainer:

If you are just starting as a bass player, you know that you don't just buy a bass. You also buy straps, cords, guitar stands, lesson books with cds, metronomes, tuners, amps, etc.This unit has three features in one unit that might save you some start-up $$$. First, it has the cd player for use with your lesson books. Second, it has a built in tuner. Third and very important, it has a metronome function. These three functions alone make the unit worth the price. You can practice with headphones any time you want and keep good time (which is what bass playing is all about). Learn at your own pace with a metronome without bothering neighbors? Priceless.Treat yourself to a music stand for your lesson books. Get a barstool to take a load off. Get some headphones with 1/8" jack. DO get the AC adapter! Practice, practice, practice and enter a world of music and enjoyment!If you want to play with MP3s there are other options out there. I have an Acoustic B20 bass amp combo that allows MP3 input with headphone operation. A nice little amp that also works as a handy table for the Tascam.

Comments about TASCAM CD-BT2 Portable CD Bass Trainer:

I purchased the CD-BT2 used and was impressed until it stopped reading CD's. Musician's Friend gave me no hassle about returning it and sent me a brand new one at no additional cost! The new one was here in less than a week and I'm loving it! Effects are nice, no nonsense tuner and the bass boost really helps!! (Note: the better your headphones/speakers, the better the boost works!) The only downside is the adapter has to be bought seperately(MF doesn't sell it on the website) because the batteries last maybe 6 hours!! (reason for the low value rating)At the end of the day, it now resides in my gig bag!

Comments about TASCAM CD-BT2 Portable CD Bass Trainer:

I have had this unit for about a month. It is poorley made out of cheap plastic and the lid does not close all the way on one side. It does not help at all to hear the bass in a song. So what I bought this unit for does not work. Actually the bass cancelling feature is nice allowing you to play the bass along with the song. The effects suck and the voluum on the bass is too low. I will be returning my unit.

Comments about TASCAM CD-BT2 Portable CD Bass Trainer:

Tascam's bass trainer is great for beginners and experts alike. Loads of features to help you learn those hard techniques. Be sure to keep batteries on hand or buy a power supply. You will also have to fine tune the controls as it distorts easily. Also recommend headphones like Koss which provide loads of bass. Great product!

Comments about TASCAM CD-BT2 Portable CD Bass Trainer:

Just arrived today. I was under the impression that this piece of equipment would allow me to actually hear the bassline. However, it does not allow for that at all. Even with the bost, it is hard to decipher the bass lines. Very poorly made piece of equipment. I woudld not recommend.