TASCAM UNVEILS NEW PRODUCTS

It’s been a while since we’ve seen anything new (besides clock generators) from Tascam, so we were interested to hear the company has just unveiled a slew of new audio products today, with two new hand-held recorders, the DR-22WL & DR-44WL and two new USB audio interfaces, the US-2×2 & US-4×4. Let’s take a look at each of the items in detail.

DR-22WL & DR-44WL HAND-HELD RECORDERS

DR-44WL: is a 4-track recorder that includes WiFi for transport control, with a built-in stereo condenser microphones which feature shockmounting in a XY pattern for stereo imaging. A pair of XLR inputs is also available for 4-track recording, and all four feed into an improved microphone preamp and AD/DA stage. For filmmaker’s and videographers the the recorder includes a hot shoe mount and a stable internal clock to avoid drifting out of sync with your camera.

• WiFi transport control for remote start
• File transfer and streaming to smartphones or computers over WiFi (added in upcoming software update)
• Free control and transfer app for iOS and Android
• Improved stereo condenser microphones with shockmounting arranged in close XY pattern
• New mic preamp and A/D converters for better sound quality and longer battery life
• High volume recording – up to 132dB SPL
• Record stereo, four channel, or dual recording mode for a safety track in case of overload
• Multitrack mode with reverb for 4-track recordings on the go
• Up to 96kHz/24-bit recording (WAV/BWF) or MP3 recording
• Simultaneous WAV and MP3 recording
• XLR inputs with phantom power
• 128×128 graphic LCD with backlight
• Built-in WiFi network – connects directly to your smartphone without an existing network
• Supports up to 512GB SDXC card (4GB SDHC card included)
• Includes SD card, AC adapter, camera hot shoe adapter, soft case, hand grip, windscreen, and Micro USB cable

Pricing/Availability:

US$299.99 estimated street price (no word on Australian prices as yet). Shipping October.

DR-22WL:  includes the Android and iOS free app, WiFi transport, a set of stereo condenser microphones (arranged in XY pattern), an eight-position Scene Dial,  ADDA converters at up to 96kHz/24-bit WAV.

• WiFi transport control for remote start
• File transfer and streaming to smartphones or computers over WiFi
• Free control and transfer app for iOS and Android
• Free file transfer software for Mac & Windows
• New stereo condenser microphones arranged in close XY pattern
• New mic preamp and A/D converters for better sound quality and longer battery life
• High volume recording – up to 120dB SPL
• 8-position Scene Dial for typical recording situations, including full manual setting
• Up to 96kHz/24-bit recording (WAV/BWF) or MP3 recording
• 1/8” stereo mic input with plug-in power
• 128×128 graphic LCD with backlight
• Supports up to 128GB microSDXC card (4GB microSDHC card included)
• Variable Speed Audition changes speed without changing the pitch for transcription or learning new music

Pricing/Availability:

US$149.99 estimated street price (no word on Australian prices as yet). Shipping October.

US-2×2 and 4×4 USB Audio Interfaces

The US-2×2 is a 2-in/2-out USB interface, bus powered from your Mac or Windows computer. A pair of Ultra-HDDA mic preamps provide up to 57dB of gain and features high-performance, musical components like NE5532 op amps for sound quality without coloring the source.

The US-4×4 adds two more Ultra-HDDA preamps and two more balanced line outputs for a total of four inputs and four outputs.

Both interfaces include class-compliant drivers for use with tablets like the iPad when using a power supply (included with the US-4×4, optional on the US-2×2.) The units require no driver installation on Mac OS X, and new drivers are being written in-house for Windows ASIO use. Each of the interfaces includes MIDI in and out, as well as two DAW applications to choose from – both Cakewalk SONAR X3 LE and Abelton Live Lite 9.

The all-aluminum case was designed by The Box design studio in Germany, and includes a pair of removable “bio-cell” side panels which angle the interface towards you on a desktop, making the switches and knobs easier to read without twisting your neck around.

US-2×2 features:

• Two Ultra-HDDA mic/line preamps with up to 57dB of gain
• Two-in/two-out USB 2.0 interface with up to 96kHz/24-bit resolution
• XLR/1/4” combination input jacks
• Zero-latency Direct Monitoring
• High-quality audio components like NE5532 op amps for 125dBu EIN and 105dB S/N ratio
• USB Audio Compliant 2.0 drivers for iOS compatibility
• Independent line out and headphone level controls
• MIDI Input and Output
• Aluminum body with angled design for better desktop visibility
• Optional power supply
• Includes SONAR X3 LE and Abelton Live Lite 9

US-4×4 differences:

• Four high-quality Ultra-HDDA mic/line preamps with up to 57dB of gain
• Four-in/four-out interface with up to 96kHz/24-bit resolution
• Power Supply included (required for use)

Pricing/Availability:

There’s no word as yet for Australian prices on either audio interface, but Tascam has annouced US prices as US-2×2: US$149.99, US-4×4: US$249.99 and both will be available in October.

Excerpts from PR