For decades, TASCAM has been a staple in the world of musicians, engineers, and broadcast professionals, fusing high fidelity with the kind of reliability usually reserved for Swiss watches and golden retrievers. Whether you're laying down a GRAMMY-worthy track or just trying to make your podcast sound less like it was recorded in a wind tunnel, TASCAM has your back.
Enter John Allen: musical educator, live looper, cosmic sonic explorer, and—frankly—a one-man band that could put your entire playlist to shame. Allen doesn’t just play music; he crafts immersive experiences that are part performance, part workshop, and part interstellar voyage. Picture this: 4K space visuals, improvisational looping magic, and a soundtrack that sounds like it was composed by Hans Zimmer's funky cousin. That’s Stardust: An Immersive Music Experience, Allen’s brainchild and his ticket to planetariums and theaters across the country.
But all of this musical wizardry doesn’t just happen with a laptop and a dream. No, Allen’s secret weapons are his TASCAM tools: the Model 12 Recording Mixer / DAW Controller, the Portacapture X6 Portable Recorder, and the DR-10L Compact Recorder. Like any good hero, he has his trusty gear—and he knows how to use it.
Let’s break it down.
The Model 12: More Than Just a Pretty Interface
Allen uses the Model 12 to record his planetarium performances—shows where the room itself becomes an instrument.
“I noticed using a direct recording from my loop station didn’t adequately document the room’s sound,” Allen explained, noting that his celestial soundscapes need more than just clean audio—they need atmosphere. “The reverbs and delays didn’t really have a chance to breathe.”
Breathing space for delay trails? Now that is attention to sonic detail. So, what does he do? He sets up room mics and runs them into the Model 12, capturing not just the music, but the vibe. It’s the audio equivalent of Instagramming your food and the restaurant lighting—context is everything.
“With the Model 12’s captured audio, audiences can also go to my online store and purchase the show they attended.”
A merch table where you can buy the exact show you just heard? That’s genius and efficient. Allen, please take our money.
Portacapture X6: Because Inspiration Doesn’t Wait for Studio Time
Allen’s creativity clearly doesn’t stop at the stage—or on this planet. He’s also out there making voiceovers, tutorials, and trailers with the kind of ease most of us reserve for recording voice memos. Whether he’s at a tradeshow or in the great outdoors, his Portacapture X6 is always in tow.
“The X6 makes it very easy to record on location outdoors as well as for tradeshow appearances when I’m not spoiled with a controlled environment,” Allen shared.
Yes, because nothing screams “inspiration” like a mountain lake or, apparently, an airport lobby.
“I have edited audio in airport lobbies, hotel pools, and on planes.”
Some people complain about airline food. John Allen’s out here mixing audio mid-flight. The man is on another level.
DR-10L: Small Mic, Big Impact
For his YouTube tutorials and on-camera explanations, Allen reaches for the DR-10L. It’s tiny, discreet, and doesn’t hog screen time.
“The DR-10L’s compact design and low-profile aesthetic make it easy to wear on camera when a more traditional microphone would be in the way of a particular shot,” Allen said.
Translation: It doesn’t cramp his cinematic style. Practical, professional, and pleasingly unbulky.
Support That Actually Supports
TASCAM isn’t just tossing out gear and ghosting. Allen makes it clear: the company’s customer service is as solid as its hardware.
“The tech support team explains things in very easy terms and turns what could be a highly technical conversation into a warm, creative exchange,” Allen noted. “A product is only as good as the team that supports it.”
Honestly, who knew tech support could be wholesome?
In a world full of sound and fury, John Allen is making sure every note, loop, and echo matters—with TASCAM gear right at the center of his sonic universe. Whether he's schooling students, performing under a dome of stars, or casually editing voiceovers by a hotel pool, he proves one thing: creativity doesn’t wait—and neither should your gear.
So if you're looking to capture your musical magic wherever the muse hits you (mountain, moon base, or mall), maybe it's time to loop in some TASCAM.
To learn more about John Allen, visit him online at www.JustAlliance.com and on Instagram @JustAlliance.
