Welcome Back, Tascam

For music industry based audio companies, the film/television audio production world is a blip on their financial radar. For years specialty manufacturers, such as Zaxcom and Sound Devices have served us, and served us well. Cross-over companies, such as Fostex, Marantz, and Tascam seem to ebb and flow with product changes. Fostex has had the biggest music industry toe in our proverbial water. The PD-6, EX-12, FR-2TC, DV40, DV824, and PD-606 have had substantial impact on our industry. Marantz continues to provide reliable small format not timecode recorders, and Tascam has garnered mild success with their two-track, timecode chasing, non-linear HD-P2. Well, it seems that Tascam and their parent company TEAC, have suddenly remembered all of those customers who purchased DAP-1 DAT recorders years ago. Tascam is back in the location audio game.

Tascam HS-P82

First shown in the fall 2009 AES, the HS-P82 will begin moving units in the first quarter of this year. Although, I’ve yet to have a hands-on, the information provided by Tascam seems to show significant forethought into our world.

When considering any product for location recording powering is often forgotten by manufacturers. You may remember Tascam’s proprietary 7 volt battery system in the DAP-1. The connector as well as the batteries were solely used by Tascam. Proof of the lesson learned exists in this recorder which uses a standard 4 pin XLR or AA batteries for power. The HS-P82 has eight mic/line inputs, eight AES inputs, eight AES outputs, and two analog outputs. The tilting touch screen is Zaxcom Deva-esque with the advantage of changing to fit your sight line. Only a true sit down with the recorder will inform us of any pitfalls, but this dual compact flash recorder is an exciting addition to our sales line.

Tascam HS-8

When Fostex released the DV40 and subsequent DV824, little did we know they would become staples in the post production world. Now as flash media prices are becoming ridiculously cheap, DVD-RAM is beginning to see the sun set.  Sound Devices, Zaxcom, Marantz, and Tascam have compact flash recorders, yet a post minded compact flash recorder didn’t arrive until last weeks NAMM show. Enter Tascam’s next new toy the HS-8. Designed to be a companion to the HS-P82, the HS-8 will provide telecine with their first compact flash, SMPTE capable machine.

Tascam DR-680

Finally, for those on a slightly smaller budget the Tascam DR-680 is an eight track SD recorder.  Although it does not have SMPTE, there is no reason mixers in our industry cannot use it as a six input, mono mix, and timecode to track recorder. In order to save your ears be sure to pan your timecode signal right, and all your audio tracks to the left.  Monitor the left and your golden.

Welcome back Tascam. It’s been a while.