TASCAM has announced that its DA-88 Digital Multitrack Recorder has been inducted into the NAMM TEC Awards’ TECnology Hall of Fame. Founded in 2004 and developed by George Petersen, the TECnology Hall of Fame honours and recognises audio products and innovations that have made a significant contribution to the advancement of audio technology. The award ceremony took place during this year’s NAMM Show in Anaheim.

Introduced in 1993, the Tascam DA-88 was a 16-bit recording system with sampling rates of either 44.1kHz or 48kHz. The system used Hi8 8mm cassette tapes, which offered a superior metal tape formulation that provided higher density recording than any competing digital systems at the time. A single Hi8 tape could record for 108 minutes in the DTRS (Digital Tape Recording System) format. 

As a modular multitrack recording system, it was possible to link upwards of sixteen DA-88 recorders to achieve 128 tracks of digital recording with extremely fast lockup among the machines. While the DA-88 was initially introduced as a new digital recording system for the serious home recording enthusiast or project studios, it also became tremendously successfully in the audio postproduction community for both TV and film applications. Whereas it is not the least bit uncommon for film production to include a hundred or more tracks of sound effects, the DA-88 became a terrific solution for the creation of mix stems, whereby sound effects tracks were sub-mixed into smaller, more manageable groups. 

With the DA-88’s first rate audio performance and its rapid and highly accurate synchronisation capabilities, the recorder re-defined many aspects of audio postproduction. This year’s NAMM TEC Awards’ TECnology Hall of Fame ceremony included five inductees. Paul Youngblood, Tascam Director of Product Marketing, was on site to accept the award on behalf of Tascam. He reflected on the success of the DA-88 and its induction into the NAMM TEC Awards’ TECnology Hall of Fame, “All of us at Tascam are honoured to be included in the NAMM TEC Awards’ TECnology Hall of Fame. The products that were inducted this evening are truly innovative and have had a profound impact on music and audio production. This award is indicative of all the thought and engineering effort that went into the creation of the DA-88 and to have it recognised in this manner is very special to us. Thank you.”

Sonicware have rolled out a pre-production early-bird opportunity on Kickstarter, offering 500 places for pledges of ¥37,500 (~ AU$385) or more. The company, who in 2020 successfully crowd-funded their LIVEN 8-Bit Warps synth, have again smashed the goal targets of their next creation, the SmplTrek Portable Production Sampler.

This hand-held sampler is a Swiss Army Sampler. A capable all-in-the-box sampler/sequencer/wave editor/effects processor/streamer. It can capture audio with its built-in mic, or can be connected to a range of audio sources such as dynamic microphones, electric guitar/bass, synthesisers, or USB-connected smartphone or computer. The audio can be recorded with onboard insert-effects for a faster workflow. Samples can then be quickly assigned to pads with auto-slicing, manually edited and trimmed, beat or pitch-matched to the project, as well as having the ability to resample sequenced sample-based phrases. The SmplTrek comes loaded with more than 500 high-quality sample sounds, over 100 drums kits, and 30 internal DSP effects that can be used simultaneously as insert, send, and master effects.

Each song project has 16 sequential parts called ‘Scenes’. Each Scene has 10 sequencer tracks which can behave in different ways:

• Loop Track: Sequencer for a looping sample
• Shots Track: Sequencer for a single one-shot sample
• Drum Track: Step sequencer for drums
• Instrument Track: Piano roll type sequencer for musical instruments
• MIDI Track: Piano roll type sequencer for external MIDI equipment

Three additional Global Audio Tracks are available for longer recordings such as vocals and external instruments. These tracks can record multiple takes which can be spliced into a final version. Traditional “punch-in” style recording is also supported.

Song structures can be established by sequencing the Scenes, and Scene order can be set with copy/paste functions, or recorded in real-time with the Scene buttons. Automation can also be recorded and edited. This is the case for all parameters, including the Mixer. A song can be mixed-down all the way through to mastering with on-board effects before being exported to a single audio file. Finished tracks can be restreamed, including using it to provide an audio-bed for live-streamed vocal or other instrument performances.

While the early-bird offer is running for another 6 days (ending 13/04), very few places remain.
The projected RRP will be ~ AU$570.

The Mixcast 4 can mix and record mic inputs, internal sounds and music via the system’s trigger pads, as well as external audio input from a phone or PC. The Mixcast 4 has an internal 14-track recorder that records directly to an SD card, offering a complete audio production environment from pre-production to project completion with the included TASCAM Podcast Editor software.

Features

• 4 TRS/XLR combo jack mic inputs and 4 individual headphone outputs
• 5-inch colour touch screen that provides quick and intuitive access to desired menu control settings
• Includes TASCAM Podcast Editor Software, which offers straightforward and practical editing of audio content
• 8 fully customisable sound pads that are 8 banks deep—providing a wealth of opportunity for one’s creative endeavours
• The Mixcast 4 offers several additional important functions, including a 14-input / 2-output USB audio interface for direct multi-track recording to a computer or other device
• Support for a Bluetooth connection that allows recording phone calls or playing background music from paired smartphones or tablets
• PC connectivity enables the unit to import sounds from a computer
• Outputs include a front top panel 3.5mm TRRS headphone out that can mirror the output of headphone 1, along with stereo 1/4” TRS Main Monitor Outputs and a 3.5mm Stereo Line Out

Mixcast 4 will be available at a RRP$1049 at end of September.