Tascam Debuts 424mkIII Portastudio
 January 28, 1999TASCAM is debuting the next phase of the Portastudio legacy, the 424mkIII
Portastudio, at the NAMM Convention, held from January 28 to 31 at the
Los Angeles Convention Center, Booth W1015. The 424mkIII offers an expanded
mixer section that increases the unit’s input capacity, while maintaining
the rock-solid sonic and transport performance of TASCAM’s 424mkII.
“The 424mkIII continues TASCAM’s rich Portastudio tradition
by offering an expanded feature set for the built-in mixer,” says
Roscoe Anthony, marketing manager for TASCAM. “When first introduced
more than 20 years ago, the Portastudio changed the way musicians worked
and created by offering multi-track capabilities in an affordable, compact
package. The 424mkIII reaches new heights of functionality for the larger
group interested in a powerful, creative recording package.
The expanded-function mixing section of the 424mkIII offers an 8-channel
mixer with six full-function input channels. Channels 1-4 offer balanced
XLR connectors and ¼-inch phone jacks, channels 5-6 offer ¼-inch
phone jacks, and channels 7-8 are configured as a stereo pair accepting
a wide variety of stereo sound sources such as keyboards, drum machines
or signal processors. The input section of the mixer was designed to accommodate
virtually any type of analog input source—from other mixers to microphones.
Stereo channels 7-8 can be assigned to the cue send for the addition of
reverb or other signal processing in the headphone mix, without committing
the effect to tape. Additionally, a pair of RCA phono inputs are available
for submixing signals from an external source such as a CD player or other
mixer.
Channels 1-6 feature three-band EQ, 2 Effect sends, panning and long
throw faders. The flexible EQ section includes high and low, shelf-type
controls for boosting or cutting treble and bass frequencies. The sweepable
midrange control provides frequency shaping in the critical 250Hz to 5kHz
range allowing the mix engineer to bring out a vocal or lead from a mix,
or tighten up a flabby bass or kick drum. During mixdown, the pan pots
allow the exact positioning of tracks and input sources in a stereo field.
The long throw faders provide the tactile control needed for accurately
fading a track in or out of the mix. The two auxiliary sends yield functionality
experienced with larger mixing consoles with Effects 1 acting as a straight
effects channel and Effects 2/Tape Cue assignable as either an effects
channel or as the Cue (headphone) mix for tracking. The Effect sends allow
the connection of external effects devices such as reverb to yield truly
spectacular mixes from a compact package.
The solid performance, logi-controlled transport is a two-speed, four-track
configuration featuring operation at 3¾ IPS (twice normal cassette
speed) for increased high frequency response and superior sonic quality.
The deck also works in standard 17/8 IPS mode to accommodate the playback
and recording of standard cassettes. Dbx Type II noise reduction is built
into the 424mkIII optionally addressing all four record channels to greatly
reduce the tape hiss levels associated with cassette recorders. Channel-4
dbx is individually defeatable to accommodate a time code track to drive
MIDI gear in sync with the audio tracks. The transport has a pitch control
function to assist tuning prerecorded tracks to an instrument or lowering
the pitch to assist a vocalist with high notes. The auto-locator functions
include return to zero, LOCation 1 and LOCation 2 in addition to Repeat,
Rehearsal and Auto-in/out for a powerful combination of control, especially
helping the individual recordist.
The output section has a stereo Line Out via RCA jacks for connection
to another cassette, a MiniDisc, DAT or any other two-channel mastering
recorder. There are also four Tape Outputs on the rear panel for transferring
tracks to a larger multi-track machine or as outputs into a larger mixing
situation.
The 424mkIII gives musicians at all levels a powerful platform that enhances
the creative process,” Anthony states. “The 424mkIII can be
used to record a demo of a new song, act as the ultimate rehearsal machine
or provide creative capabilities for composers bringing tracks into a
big studio or anything in between. The 424mkIII will have significant
impact on the creative community. For more information, visit the Tascam web site at www.tascam.com.
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