Tascam Displays DA-98HR Professional 24-bit Multitrack Recorder/Player at AES

DA-98HR 24-bit Multitrack Recorder (Click for a close-up)

TASCAM, the worlds largest manufacturer of recording equipment and accessories, is displaying the DA-98HR DTRS-format professional 24-bit multitrack recorder/player at the 109th annual AES show (Booth #629). Following in the footsteps of the industry standard DA-88 and DA-98, the refined DA-98HR is aimed at film, post-production, music-recording and archiving facilities looking for uncompromising sound and performance.

"We developed the DA-98HR to meet the changing format needs of advanced digital audio production," says Jim Lucas, TASCAM production products group manager. "This machine delivers an enhanced feature set over the very popular DA-98 and DA-88 machines specifically addressing new high resolution recording formats."

The DA-98HR provides full record and playback compatibility with all DA-98, DA-88 and DA-38 tapes utilizing the 16-bit, 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz standard. Building on this industry benchmark, the unit additionally offers high resolution record/playback capabilities including eight tracks at 24-bit, 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz; four tracks at 24-bit, 88.2/96 kHz; or two tracks of 24-bit 192 kHz and maintains full compatibility with the DA-78HR system. This inherent flexibility compliments

the needs of the emerging DVD and HDTV markets, as well as current surround sound and archiving standards.

Built to TASCAMs highest specifications, the DA-98HR provides rock-solid performance in any production environment. It includes TASCAMs exclusive confidence monitoring feature, which allows for monitoring from tape while recording. The unit has digital I/O as standard with optional 44.1/48/88.2/96kHz switchable analog I/O boards. The digital I/O is implemented through two DB25 connectors available in both TDIF and AES/EBU formats for easy interface into any recording environment. It offers a comprehensive LCD display, built-in synchronization addressing RS-422 (Sony P2), parallel control, MIDI in/thru/out and MIDI Machine Control, and the capability of sample-accurate stacking of up to 16 DTRS units of any type. Additional features include time code In/Out with on-board SMPTE synchronizer, onboard 2-track mix function and an advanced internal electronic patchbay among many others.

"No tape-based machine equals the performance or sonic quality of the DA-98HR," states Lucas. "The DA-98HR is the right machine at the right time for an industry hungry to move into higher sample and bit-rate standards while addressing the needs of existing systems."