More Multi-Track Recording/Mixing On SD Media Cards
Tascam showed the DP-008 8-track Digital Portastudio that’s about the size of a large paperback novel.
Small enough to fit into a guitar case and based on the DP-004, the DP-008 adds four more tracks for a total of eight tracks with built-in mixing.
I liked that there are actual knobs (instead of iPhone-like menus) for volume and pan for each track, plus a reverb send knob for the built-in reverb effect.
You get a backlit LCD to see and adjust the mixer, two XLR microphone inputs with phantom power, a guitar level input and a built-in electret condenser stereo mic for “right now” live recording.
There is a dedicated stereo mixdown track and EQ is available on each track and it all runs on four AA batteries or the optional power supply.
And I can’t forget mentioning the chromatic tuner and metronome, USB connectivity for exporting 44.1kHz/16-bit recordings, and the footswitch jack for hands free punching in and out.
The DP-008 will be available from Tascam retailers in October with an estimated street price of $299. More about the DP-008 here.
Lick Saver Ad Infinitum
There is no (technical) reason now NOT to get it perfect with the Korg SOUND On SOUND (SOS) Unlimited Track Recorder, a small battery-powered, handheld unit with a high-quality stereo microphone and a built-in speaker.
The Korg SOS allows for an infinite number of overdubs or alternate takes to be recorded with each take or overdub recorded as a 16-bit/44.1kHz .wav file, and saved directly to an onboard microSD or microSDHC card.
Since the header (BEXT chunk) is embedded with Broadcast Wave Format timing information, all tracks will line up when imported into a computer-based DAW system for further editing, mixdown and final playback. The SOS can record up to 200 songs in the traditional linear manner—about 100 recorded minutes per GB of memory.
The fun part is the 100 effect programs derived from Korg’s acclaimed REMS modeling system that are divided into Guitar/Bass, Microphone and Master categories.
Again, everything is controlled using a backlit touch screen so you can use the bass and guitar chromatic tuner, 50 different internal rhythm drum patterns, the “Sound Stretch” feature to alter playback speed without affecting the pitch, and the unlimited Undo function great for goof “players” like me.
Lastly, there is an internal microphone for capturing song ideas instantly, a 1/4-inch balanced instrument input, and both a 1/8-inch mic input and stereo line input, plus stereo headphone output.
Sony showed the palm-sized PCMM10—the latest entry into the PCMD1 and PCMD50 portable stereo recorder model line. It shares several features and design elements including the same rugged construction and cool design.
However, at $399, it does not share the price point of those higher end units.
The new recorder is 96 kHz/24-bit capable with electret condenser stereo microphones, 4 GB of internal flash memory and a microSD/Memory Stick Micro (M2) Slot.
You also get a built-in loudspeaker, cross-memory recording, digital pitch control, digital limiter, low-cut filter, track mark functions, a 5-second pre-recording buffer and A-B repeat capability.
The new recorder includes an USB high-speed port for simple uploading and downloading of native .wav or .mp3 files to and from Windows PC or Macintosh computers. The M10 has a long battery life using conventional AA alkaline batteries.