Results for TASCAM

Tascam has launched the US-200 and US-600, two stylish, lightweight, USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interfaces perfectly suited for mobile musicians and home recording enthusiasts.

Each has a MIDI input and output, and each uses USB 2.0 for high-speed, low-latency conversion. Both interfaces have a ¼” stereo headphone output with zero-latency direct monitoring, switchable in either mono or stereo.

The US-200 is a two-in/four-out interface with a pair of XLR/TRS combo jacks feeding high-quality microphone preamps with phantom power. Input 1 can be switched to instrument level for direct recording of guitar and bass. Four RCA outputs are included on the rear panel. The US-200 is bus powered from the USB input, removing the need of a wall-wart supply.

The US-600 is a six-in/four-out interface with four XLR/TRS combo mic inputs, two on the front and two on the rear panel. S/PDIF digital in and out are available for direct digital connection to external preamps, drum machines and processors.

Both the TASCAM US-200 and US-600 include a copy of Cubase LE5, Steinberg’s latest 48-track workstation software with MIDI tracks, plug-in support and dynamic automation for polished mixes.

US-200 features

• 2-in/4-out USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interface.
• Two mic preamps with phantom power, XLR/TRS combo jacks.
• Four unbalanced RCA outputs.
• MIDI input and output.
• Signal Present and Overload meter LEDs on each input.
• Line Out/Phones level control.
• Monitor mix level control and Mono/stereo switch for direct input monitoring.
• Instrument (high impedance) switch for input 1 with indicator LED.
• Includes Cubase LE5 48-track workstation recording software.

US-600 features

• 6-in/4-out USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interface.
• Four mic preamps with phantom power, XLR/TRS combo jacks.
• Two unbalanced RCA outputs.
• S/PDIF stereo digital input and output.
• MIDI input and output.
• Signal Present and Overload meter LEDs on each input.
• Line Out/Phones level control.
• Monitor mix level control for direct input monitoring.
• Mono/stereo monitoring switch for input 1/2 and 3/4.
• Instrument (high impedance) switch for input 1 with indicator LED.
• Includes Cubase LE5 48-track workstation recording software.

More information: Tascam / US-200 / US-600

Tascam and Antares Audio Technologies have collaborated to create the TA-1VP Vocal Processor, a single-rackspace processor for live performance, house of worship or studio use.

The TA-1VP uses the new Evo version of Antares’ world-famous Auto-Tune processing for real-time pitch correction and doubling of the input vocal. Antares’ TEC Award-winning Microphone and Tube Modeling is also included.

The TASCAM TA-1VP includes both a microphone input and line input. Compression, gating, de-essing and equalization are all available for the input signal. The front-panel interface is covered with dedicated, illuminated buttons and meters to show exactly what the unit is doing. Factory presets and user memory slots recall the ideal settings for your vocal style, and real-time MIDI control is also provided.

Built for every audio application from live performance to studio mixdown, TASCAM’s TA-1VP is the only hardware processor with Auto-Tune technology for flawless vocal intonation.

TA-1VP Vocal Processor features

• Antares Auto-Tune Evo real-time pitch correction with enhanced tracking and correction capabilities.
• Antares Microphone Modeling simulates a variety of high-end studio microphones with variable proximity effect.
• Analog tube modeling effect.
• Variable-knee compression.
• Downward-expanding gate processor.
• Variable frequency de-esser.
• Flexible 2-band parametric EQ.
• Automatic mono or stereo doubletracking.
• User-programmable settings.
• Dynamic MIDI control.
• XLR microphone input with phantom power.
• 1/4” balanced line input and output.
• S/PDIF digital output.
• 1/4″ footswitch input.

More information: Tascam / TA-1VP

Tascam has released version 1.1.1 of the Portastudio for iPad recording app.

TASCAM’s Portastudio brings 30 years of easy-to-use home recording to your iPad. Based on the PORTA ONE recorder that revolutionized recording in 1984, the Portastudio app records up to four tracks with a vintage vibe.

Record one track at a time using the built-in mic or a headset microphone connection, monitoring on authentic VU meters. A cassette transport with position counter tracks your position while you mix with level, pan and EQ controls. When you’re ready to mix, the built-in mixdown function saves your song as a CD-quality WAV file. Your mix appears in iTunes when you’re finished, ready to share with friends and bandmates.

A generation of your favorite bands crafted their songs with Portastudios, now it’s your turn. Start capturing your songs with the company that invented home recording using Portastudio by TASCAM.

Version 1.1.1 includes some fixes for the mixdown function.

Portastudio for iPad is available to purchase from the iTunes App Store for $9.99 USD.

More information: Portastudio for iPad

Tascam has announced the TG-7 and TC-8, two new tuners.

TASCAM’s TG-7 and TC-8 tuners combine fast pitch detection and a 5″ wide backlit LCD display to help musicians dial into perfect pitch. The TG-7, designed for guitar and bass players, has a 1/4″ in and thru and fits perfectly on pedalboards and amplifiers. The TC-8 is tailored for band and orchestra players with alternate tuning scales for period instruments. Both tuners have a built-in microphone and powerful metronome with internal speaker.

The tuner in the TG-7 and TC-8 uses high speed processing to calculate the pitch. Four tuner modes allow up to 1.25-cent steps on the display for maximum accuracy, and the tuner can be calibrated to an installed piano. They have desktop feet with a clip to attach to a music stand, and a tripod mount is also built-in. The metronome on the TG-7 and TC-8 can be set to various beat accents, and tap tempo allows the musician to find the tempo marking for any song.

TG-7 & TC-8 features

• Chromatic tuner.
• Metronome with 30-300 BPM range and seven accent values.
• 5″ Wide backlit LCD display with note value and bargraph displaying pitch deviation.
• Four display modes: Bargraph, Fine, Strobe Animation and Needle.
• Oscillator for playing pitch.
• Built-in speaker for pitch and metronome.
• Built-in microphone for acoustic instruments.
• Tuner Calibration mode.
• Flip-out stand for tabletop use with hooks for music stand mounting.
• Tripod mount.
• Tuning modes TG-7: Guitar, Bass, Chromatic, Drop-D, Drop-G, Open-D, Open-G and five user-definable scales.
• Tuning modes TC-8: Equal Temperament, Pythagorean, Mean tone, Werckmeister III, Kirnberger III, Kellner, Vallotti, Young.
• 1/4″ in and thru jacks (TG-7) / 1/4″ in jack (TC-8).

The TASCAM TG-7 and TC-8 will be available from select Tascam retailers in December 2010.

More information: Tascam

Tascam has announced the TC-1S, the world’s first solar-powered instrument tuner.

The TC-1S charges its battery from a bank of solar cells on the front panel, and a USB input is also available for quick-charging when you’re completely in the dark. It’s wrapped in a shock-proof silicon cover, available in six colors, and a strap and clip keep it charging all day long on your gig bag. At a price under $40, every planet-conscious musician is going to need a TC-1S.

The TC-1S has a built-in microphone as well as a 1/4″ input for guitar and bass tuning. Its lightning-fast pitch detection is displayed on a wide bargraph display for instant feedback. Four display modes are available, including fine pitch display, and the tuner can be calibrated to an external source.

Tascam TC-1S features

• Chromatic tuner.
• Solar-powered battery charging.
• USB input for battery charging.
• 1/4″ instrument/microphone input.
• Built-in microphone.
• Custom LCD display with note, sharp/flat indicators, bargraph for pitch deviation.
• Shock-resistant silicon case included.
• Available in six colors: black, pink, orange, green, blue, white.
• Includes strap and clip for attaching to instrument case.
• Four display modes: Bar, Fine, Strobe Animation, Needle.
• 12-note equal temperament scale.
• Pitch displayed in 1 cent steps (in fine mode).
• 3.77″ W x 0.71″ H x 1.57″ D (96mm W x 18mm H x 40mm D).
• 1.8oz (51g) weight.

The TASCAM TC-1S will be available from select TASCAM retailers in October 2010.

More information: Tascam / TC-1S

Some interesting things I found recently:

# polynome 5000

polynome5000, amazing DIY controller by Colin Mann

Colin Mann on his polynome 5000 controller:

After more hours than I’d like to admit, even if I actually knew how many, I’m done. I started this, believe it or not, before the APC40 was even announced, and at the time there weren’t many products out there like it. Now, obviously it would make more sense to just buy one of those products, nevertheless, where are you gonna get an RGB monome with a nixie tube display that takes OSC commands? Exactly.

# Drumssette – By Mike Walters

Intro to The Drumssette by Mike Walters.

The Drumssette was built by Mike Walters in 2010. The Drumssette is a Tascam four track cassette recorder that I turned into a programmable drum machine. A cassette with four tracks of repeating drum sounds can be mapped into a 16 step rhythm using the 64 switches on the interface. The audio on the cassette tape also clocks the sequencer. More details at www.mysterycircuits.com

# Want Encoders? Livid Reveals Hardware Covered with Them

Peter Kirn on the new controller by Livid Instruments:

Livid Instruments has just revealed their next hardware controller. Well, sort of revealed – this evening on Twitter, they declared that it was a “Top secret sneak peek of our new controller.” Top secret – you know, just on the Internet. No one will see it there. It’s full of encoders, if that’s your thing. It’s called, cleverly, the “Code.” In addition to accompanying Livid’s own grid controllers, put this next to a monome, and you can manipulate continuous parameters alongside triggers. I could imagine someone doing some insane granular patch with an absurd number of parameters using this.

# Music of Sound » CrowdSourced FX Library 2

Tim Prebble is looking for contributions for another "crowdsourced" fx sample library.

Seeing as how THE DOORS is hopefully going to finally kill the overuse of cliche doors, maybe we can also kill the over use of ‘DOG NEXT DOOR’ or at least provide some seriously good alternatives! But the world of dogs is vast & complex – some of the weirdest vocalisations I have ever heard were from a very small dog! So please comment on this post if you wish to be a contributor. As with the 1,000 doors aim (which we will easily meet) lets aim for 1,000 dogs so if each person records 5 dogs then we have a recordist limit of 200 contributors.