Tascam – Mobile and iDevices at NAMM
January 2012. Anaheim, CA – Tascam, a division of TEAC America, lead the press conference with the announcement of the partnership with Onkyo and the integration of their products and channel. They also introduced several products in two classes – the prosumer/professional performer and the mobile musician.
On the Prosumer side, they introduced thier new DP-24 Portasound mixer recorder that now features a full color screen and control interface. The system has a 24 track 24bit/48KHz recording system that includes an integrated CD burner or can output the mix to USB. For simplified operation the unit has a 12 channel strip control in the display. This unit is a single piece portable unit that is targeted for small home studio, but optimized for live performance recording/mixing.
The device features 8 XLR-1/4″ combo jacks with phantom power, SD card storage, direct recording input from guitars and basses, a chromatic tuner and metronome, MIDI in and out, multi-amp modeling and two Mixdown effects including reverb and chorus, as well as a mastering effect. The unit will be available in Q1 and has an MSPR of $799.
In this same recording and mixing area, they have introduced the US-125M USB mixing module. The device is targeted at Internet level broadcasting and capture by featuring 16bit/48KHz audio and is self powered from the USB connector. The device is a mixer that brings stereo audio input from a computing device via USB along with four inputs with dedicated level controls: a Microphone input (balanced XLR/TRS on rear or unbalanced mini jack on front) with switchable limiter and Signal/Overload indicator, a Guitar input (standard phone jack). The unit has a simple-to-use audio interface that is targeted at all levels of musicians and features a loop mix capability. This fucntionality make it a device of choice for online streaming & collaboration, sound-on-sound recording with online video and audio, video production, podcasting online gaming, musical instruments training and for generalized home recording.
In the handheld arena, they introduced the DR-40 4 track recorder and the DR-100mkII Linear PCM recorder. These are both high end recording products that feature 24bit/96KHz audio resolution to SD and SD-HC cards and XLR support with phantom power. Both units feature new microphones and pre-amps as well as improved internal performance and controlls. The new flagship DR-40 product, also has combo jacks for the XLR, a chromatic tuner, master effects and reverb, variable speed playback and overdub capabilities and a number of features normally found in table top and console units. It is available now at an MSRP of $199.
For the growing use of the iPhone/iPad/iPod in the live performance space, they have introduced the iXZ – Mic/Guitar interface connector and the IU2 – audio interface for Mac/Windows/iOS devices. The iXZ is a single device interface that features a combo XLR-1/4″ connector with phantom power, a headphone jack and an interface to the analog line in input (miniplug) of the iDevice. It is a simplified device for connecting external devices for recording and monitoring, and sampling, while operating from 2 AA batteries.
IU2 device is an extension of the USB interface line and adds a 30pin idevice interface to the unit. It features two XLR inputs with phantom power for use with high-quality condenser
microphones. The mic inputs feed an onboard microphone preamp and high performance A/D converter for better sound performance than those built into the iPhone and iPad providing low
noise and less tendency to distort. The inputs also accept line-level signals or you can plug a
guitar or bass directly into your device. A zero-latency monitoring path allows musicians to hear themselves directly through the unit, without any distracting delay. MIDI in and out are provided to interface with synth and drum machines, and a digital output connects to digital mixers or recorders.
