The Tascam X-48 is a 48-track recorder that provides full 96kHz/24-bit resolution across all tracks.
It can be used as a stand-alone unit or as a full-on workstation with the addition of a keyboard and monitor complete since it has full editing capabilities and a built-in 60-channel automated mixer.
What’s more, the X-48’s files are standard Broadcast WAVE, so they’re completely compatible with all of the latest DAWs.
The unit has a built-in 80 Gig hard drive and Firewire connections for external hard drive backup and delivery.
It’s capable of either analog or digital I/O (or both) depending upon the interface cards selected.
The X-48 also has a street price of about $2,500.
Finally, the Fostex D2424LV MKII offers 24 tracks of 96 kHz/24-bit recording with full balanced analog and digital I/O.
One of the more interesting features of the D2424LV is that it has a slot for a compact flash (CF) card for file transfer and backup. It won’t be long before you see every recorder use solid state memory instead of hard drives.
The D2424LV has twin drive bays (the CF interface is built into bay 2), and records with a standard WAVE file format for compatibility with all DAWs. One of the best features for live recording work is that the front panel acts as a detachable remote that can be located up to 30 feet from the main unit, so it can reside near the console for easy access.
The D2424 MKII has a street price of around $1,500.
SMALLER OPTIONS
If the goal is a professional-quality recording, I recommend staying away from some of the more “consumer-type” products with built-in mixers.
On the other hand, there are some high-quality, very professional 8-track digital recorders available like the Sound Devices 788T (a standard for television and film), and Zaxcom Deva (another broadcast standard) that are very light (they’re made for field use) and sound great.
These are often also more expensive than the units mentioned above and have fewer tracks, but can be rented pretty easily. In addition, most audio rental companies also will usually have an X-48 or HD-24, and more and more are now offering the Blackbox as well.
If you want the record with the least amount of hassle, a dedicated recorder is definitely a great way to go, and if you just need a rental, it can be a very economical alternative to just about anything else. It can mean the difference between concentrating on your mix or the recording.
Bobby Owsinski is a veteran audio professional and the author of several books about live and recorded sound.