Tascam DA-40 DAT Recorder Shipping
January 28, 1999TASCAM, a world leader in professional audio
products and related accessories is proud to introduce the DA-40 Digital
Audio Tape Recorder, the new standard in professional DAT mastering, at
the NAMM Convention, held from January 28 to 31 at the Los Angeles Convention
Center, Booth W1015. The DA-40 is the worthy successor of TASCAMs
industry standard DA-30mkII, providing additional functionality and reliability.
The DA-40 represents a technological leap in performance over the
legendary DA-30mkII, says Roscoe Anthony, marketing manager for
TASCAM. With the DA-40, TASCAM offers a superior performance machine
that is comfortable in the most demanding professional environments at
a price point that allows the project studio to enjoy the benefits of
a high-end mastering DAT machine.
The DA-40 offers an impressive range of controls, sampling rates, and
analog and digital I/O, thus allowing the unit to seamlessly interface
with existing audio systems of any complexity. The new features added
to the DA-40 include trim controls for the analog, XLR outputs, character
pack recording and playback, two memory locate points, variable AUTO ID
time setting from one-half to three seconds in half-second steps, auto
END ID recording, variable REC Mute time from two to seven seconds in
one second steps, and programmable repeat times.
Standard sampling frequencies supported are 48kHz, 44.1kHz and 32kHz
(SP and LP mode) at 16-bit linear resolution for SP mode and 12-bit non-linear
for LP mode. The full-featured I/O section includes XLR balanced analog
and RCA unbalanced analog I/O; menu selectable digital outputs supporting
AES/EBU (AES3-1992) or IEC60958 Type II (SPDIF) through XLR balanced or
RCA unbalanced (coaxial) outputs; and auto selected digital inputs supporting
AES/EBU or IEC60958 Type II through XLR balanced or RCA unbalanced (coaxial)
inputs.
The DA-40 includes a full-featured shuttle/data dial, SCMS-free recording
with selectable copy ID, D-Sub 15-pin parallel interface, independent
left and right channel analog level controls and a CAL/UNCAL level switch
for the analog inputs. The unit occupies three rack units with standard
19-inch mountings. The DA-40 has an optional RC-D45 wired remote control.
The transport allows up to 120 minutes of recording in SP mode with a
standard 120-minute DAT tape (240 minutes in LP mode) with a head drum
speed of 2,000 rpm in SP mode and 1,000 rpm in LP mode. Fast-wind time
equals 60 seconds for a 120-minute tape end to end.
The DA-40 delivers a frequency response of 20 to 20,000Hz at ±
0.5dB in SP mode and 20 to 14,500Hz ± 0.5dB in LP mode with a signal-to-noise
ratio better than 92dB and a dynamic range of better than 93dB. Total
harmonic distortion in less than 0.005 percent in SP mode (0.075 percent
in LP mode) with channel separation better than 90dB at 1kHz, full-scale.
Wow and flutter are virtually unmeasurable. Power consumption is a thrifty
21 Watts and operates in both AC 120V 60Hz and AC 230V 50Hz power environments.
We listened closely to DA-30mkII users expressing their desire
for extended controls and performance, without compromising sound quality,
Anthony states. The DA-40 delivers exceptional audio and transport
stability, while meeting the demand for specific feature enhancements.
The DA-40 is unquestionably the new standard in high end digital mastering
decks. For more information, visit the Tascam web site at www.tascam.com.
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