Published 27/2/08
Three new solid-state recorders
Over the last few months, Tascam have released three new solid-state audio recorders, joining a handful of products announced by the company at the beginning of the year.
First up is the DR1, a handheld stereo recorder with built-in mics and removable solid-state memory. Like its competitors, the device can record WAVs at 24-bit/48kHz and MP3s at a variety of bit rates, and has advanced features such as Automatic Gain Control and Peak Limiting, plus the facility to plug in external mics and line-level sources. But it also packs some features that set it apart from the other products on the market.
An overdub function allows the user to add to existing recordings, for narration and musical layering purposes, for example, and vocals can be cut from songs using a the DR1’s Vocal Cancel feature. What’s more, the pitch and key of recordings can be changed using on-board processing.
Other neat features include a quarter-inch mono microphone input, which enables you to use a mono mic for news-gathering and other applications where stereo is not required. Included with the DR1 is a 1GB SD card, but larger cards can be added if desired. The device runs on a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery and connects to a PC or Mac using USB 2.
The other two new products from Tascam are the SS-R1 and the SS-CDR1, which are both more or less the same, except from the ‘CD’ version having a CD drive built-in. This is capable of burning audio and MP3 CDs, as well as playing back audio through its line outputs. Both units feature a slot for a Compact Flash card, with which the user can record WAVs and MP3s, and play back audio.
On the rear panel, there are XLR and RCA connections for analogue line inputs and outputs, as well as an S/PDIF I/O, also on RCA sockets. A variety of multi-pin connectors allow for remote control of the device, while a PS/2 socket on the front caters for an external keyboard to be used to enter track data.
Both the SSR1 and SSCR1 have illuminated transport buttons on their front panels, with a small jog wheel allowing for quick navigation through menus as well as through CD or Compact Flash track lists. Global pitch-shifting can be applied to the tracks, using another small rotary control, and this can be easily bypassed. Finally, a headphone output, with dedicated volume control, allows the user to monitor the device’s output.
Tascam +44 (0)1923 438880
www.tascam.co.uk
First up is the DR1, a handheld stereo recorder with built-in mics and removable solid-state memory. Like its competitors, the device can record WAVs at 24-bit/48kHz and MP3s at a variety of bit rates, and has advanced features such as Automatic Gain Control and Peak Limiting, plus the facility to plug in external mics and line-level sources. But it also packs some features that set it apart from the other products on the market. An overdub function allows the user to add to existing recordings, for narration and musical layering purposes, for example, and vocals can be cut from songs using a the DR1’s Vocal Cancel feature. What’s more, the pitch and key of recordings can be changed using on-board processing.
Other neat features include a quarter-inch mono microphone input, which enables you to use a mono mic for news-gathering and other applications where stereo is not required. Included with the DR1 is a 1GB SD card, but larger cards can be added if desired. The device runs on a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery and connects to a PC or Mac using USB 2.
The other two new products from Tascam are the SS-R1 and the SS-CDR1, which are both more or less the same, except from the ‘CD’ version having a CD drive built-in. This is capable of burning audio and MP3 CDs, as well as playing back audio through its line outputs. Both units feature a slot for a Compact Flash card, with which the user can record WAVs and MP3s, and play back audio.
On the rear panel, there are XLR and RCA connections for analogue line inputs and outputs, as well as an S/PDIF I/O, also on RCA sockets. A variety of multi-pin connectors allow for remote control of the device, while a PS/2 socket on the front caters for an external keyboard to be used to enter track data.
Both the SSR1 and SSCR1 have illuminated transport buttons on their front panels, with a small jog wheel allowing for quick navigation through menus as well as through CD or Compact Flash track lists. Global pitch-shifting can be applied to the tracks, using another small rotary control, and this can be easily bypassed. Finally, a headphone output, with dedicated volume control, allows the user to monitor the device’s output.Tascam +44 (0)1923 438880
www.tascam.co.uk
