A tool for efficient, effective practice

The MP-BT1 is an MP3 player designed for the bass . Modeled on the award-winning CD-GT1mkII guitar trainer, this MP3 version is a fantastic learning tool. The MP-BT1 has enough memory to store up to 240 songs. Bass parts can be slowed down, looped, and even eliminated to help you learn new riffs. Variable Speed Audition lets you slow tempo without changing pitch. Sections of songs can be seamlessly looped for efficient work on tricky passages. Songs can even be pitched up or down so you don't have to re-tune for every song.

The bass input lets you rock along with thick overdrive and multi-effects, and a bass canceller removes recorded bass parts allowing you to be the bassist for your favorite bands. A tuner, metronome, and rechargeable battery are also built-in. All of this is packed into a stompbox size device smaller than a stomp box, so can stuff it your gig bag and go.

The MP-BT1 uses a high-speed USB connection to load up MP3s and charge the built-in battery. Zip through your MP3 collection using a data wheel, dedicated buttons and a graphical LCD display. A rechargeable 9-hour lithium ion battery is built into the unit, and an optional power supply is also available: item number 338954.

TASCAM MP-BT1 Portable MP3 Bass Trainer Features:

• 240-song memory capacity (based on average 4-minute MP3 encoded at 128kbps)
• Variable Speed Audition changes the speed of the MP3 playback without changing the pitch
• Pitch control in 1% steps so you don't have to re-tune
• Seamless looping for practicing tricky passages
• High-impedance 1/4" bass input
• Bass multi-effects
• Bass Cancel effect eliminates the bass part from the recorded song so you can play along
• Built-in tuner, oscillator and metronome
• 1/8" Headphone output
• Built-in rechargeable battery with 9-hour reserve (rechargeable through USB port or optional power supply)
• 128x64 graphic LCD display
• USB jack
• Auto Power Off and Hold function

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TASCAM MP-BT1 Portable MP3 Bass Trainer

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Average of 11 User Ratings

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Awesome tool but still room for improvement

Posted by Andy Catt from Los Angeles on Mar 29, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Pro musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Rock, Alternative, Blues, Jazz

I am a pro bassist of more than thirty years and the Tascam MP-BT1 Bass Trainer is by far the best tool I've ever had for practicing on the go. I used to practice with an iPod but had to retune the bass frequently and had to carry along a mixer or dual channel amp to hear both bass and song together. The MP-BT1 solves those problems. The ability to loop parts of songs, cut or boost the existing bass parts, built in tuner, and more are EXTREMELY useful and convenient.

All that said, there are a few things on my wish list for the next model.

(1) Make it (a little) smaller. The MP-BT1 does much more than just play MP3s but as far as modern MP3 players go, it's still a bit on the large side, especially in thickness. (2) More memory. While 1 gigabyte is enough to store the setlists of even those in 3 or 4 bands, there's no reason the unit couldn't have a higher memory capacity. (3) Add a feature so it can remember settings such as pitch changes to songs. It's great to be able to shift pitch but it's a pain to have to manually change pitch each time that song comes up on the setlist-almost as troublesome as just retuning the bass! (4) Make it compatible with more file types. The MP-BT1 is very picky on what types of MP3s it will accept in terms of sampling rates and will not accept other file formats, such as WAV, at all.

If Tascam comes out with an MP-BT2, I think these improvements would make a great product even better!

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Great in combination with the Travelor Bass

Posted by Steve McQueen from Sacramento CA on Mar 13, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Gigging Musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Rock, Heavy Metal

This product in combination with the Travelor Bass are the best purchases I have ever made. I take my bass and the Tascam with me wherever I go, and my bass playing skill has jumped in leaps and bounds. Having 100+ songs on the tascam that I can play along with and learn licks is such a great feature... being able to loop them and slow them down to get the lick right is priceless. The tuner and the metronome are just icing on the cake. I feel like I can't live without it now.

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My power switch went out too!

Posted by Bassman_49 from USA on Mar 8, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: over a decade of playing

Reviewer's Play Style: rock, pop, jazz, blues

I've had the same problem as Swinetechnician from Texas. I've had the unit about 6 months. It doesn't travel in a bag or anything like that. It sits on a shelf in my home office. I've been able to use it regularly since I bought it; however, I've noticed the power switch becoming a bit sloppy and loose. Today, the power switch will move but will not power the unit on. When building electronics, the power switch is NOT the place to cut corners. I have not contacted customer service yet concerning the issue as it JUST happened; however, let other buyers beware that while this is an outstanding tool in other respects the power switch seems to be the weakest part of this item.

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On/off switch is terrible

Posted by Swinetechnician from Texas on Feb 16, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Active Musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Samba

Has anyone else had this problem? I purchased this unit a year ago and loved it! Problem is, I could only use it three or four times before the power switch went out. I had to send it back to Tascam 3 times to get it fixed and had to pay for the experience twice. Too be fair, their customer service was great but small comfort when the unit will not work. A very cheap design as far as I am concerned.

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Best thing since sliced bread

Posted by Hoffie50 from Hudson Valley New York on Jan 15, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Active Musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Rock and Roll, Blues

If your looking to learn new songs quickly buy this now. Its amazing. I don`t know how I lived without it. Plug in your bass, plug in your headphones and play along to the mp3`s you downloaded. You feel like you are part of the band. Easy to use for anyone. Buy it.. you will not be disappointed.

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TASCAM MP-BT1 Portable MP3 Bass Trainer

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