Those of us who have worked in sound for film are fully aware of how useful it is to have a portable recorder on hand, just for those times where you come across some great or unusual foley. Think Ben Burtt, who when visiting his wife’s family, took his Nagra recorder with him as he went hiking in the Pocono Mountains. Ben came across a radio tower, and when he hit the tower’s support cables with a rock, he realised the sound was perfect foley for the laser blast sounds he needed for Star Wars.
That being said, Tascam has introduced two new portable audio recorders. The larger of which (DR-44WL) is dual purpose, featuring XLR inputs and can be used as an on-set sound recorder. Also, its low price point makes it an affordable bit of kit for micro-budget projects or freelance sound recordists.
Along with the recorders, Tascam has also introduced two new USB Audio Interfaces, which can be used on-set recording, or for additional ADR in studio. Now, on to the new products:
DR-22WL & DR-44WL HAND-HELD RECORDERS
Android & iOS app for remote controlling both 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 bottom
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-4×4
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 front
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
