TASCAM's DA-78HR Captures Exotic Location Performances

TASCAM's DA-78HR Captures Exotic Location Performances
—MX-2424 is Cornerstone Recorder at Foxfire Recording

The World's First 24-Bit DTRS Machine Ready for the Ultimate Field Tests

Los Angeles, Calif., December 22, 2000 -- Location productions sometimes offer unique technical challenges not often found in a studio setting. Having gear to address these challenges is paramount and that's why location audio veterans Don Worsham and Jeff Fecteau chose TASCAM's DA-78HR to capture the impressive list of performers slated for Tall Pony Productions' "Music in High Places" series. The most formidable obstacle facing Worsham and Fecteau was capturing location audio on a digital multitrack machine which could operate on battery or generator power.

Jeff Fecteau, setting up in Sau Luis, Brazil (click for larger image)

"We needed a multitrack that was portable, had the audio quality required to capture the performances and did not require a lot of electrical power," says Worsham. "For these reasons, the DA-78HR with 8 tracks, time code, 24-bit word length and a 50 watt power consumption made perfect sense."

Capturing multitrack performances was necessary to ensure post-production multi-format needs were met. Since the programs were going to be video based, the recorder of choice had to have time code capabilities. Also, since 24-bit digital audio is the preferred format for post-production audio, a machine that offers 24-bit, high-resolution digital recording was a must.

Trial runs of the DA-78HR through a DC inverter revealed that the unit was 100% reliable using this power supply and ready for the challenge. Most DC inverters cut the DC input into a modified sine wave and amplify it to 110 volts. However, the DA-78HR took this in stride, producing perfect digital recordings with no audible artifacts from the less than ideal A.C. power source. Likewise, the DA-78HR's comprehensive time code features passed this crucial power test.

Don Worsham with DA-78, Wynona Judd and friends in background (click for larger image)

As far as location settings go, Alanis Morrisette's "Wedding Rock" performance tested the crew's ability to adapt to any situation. "The location was about 100 yards nearly straight up into the side of a canyon on the Navaho Nation Indian Reservation in northeastern Arizona." relates Worsham. "The setting was breathtaking - a completely uncluttered open cave which featured a small Anassasi ruin and a huge natural stone arch partially opened to the sky. It was a very moving visual and musical experience for me."

Other artists slated for the "Music in High Places" series include Wynona Judd in Italy and Shawn Colvin who is tentatively set for performances in Tahiti and Bora Bora.

Once the series' production is complete, Worsham plans on donating his DA-78HR to the Media Preservation Foundation in Springfield, Massachusetts. The Foundation maintains an archive of historic records covering radio from post World War II to the present. Its holdings include radio station program recordings, commercials and custom musical promotions. The addition of the DA-78HR will greatly aid in the Foundation's mission of preservation and cataloguing audio program materials.

For additional information on the DA-78HR and TASCAM, visit the TASCAM website at www.tascam.com.

TASCAM'S MX-2424 is Cornerstone Recorder at Foxfire Recording
Montebello, Calif., December 22, 2000 -- In the world of recording, reliable and great sounding gear is a must. That's why Rudi Ekstein of Foxfire Recording in Van Nuys, California chose TASCAM's MX-2424 for his facility's default multitrack recorder. With an average of 40 to 60 hours a week booked in his studio, Foxfire's MX-2424 is capturing a wide variety of musical styles from a diverse list of clients.

Rudi Ekstein (click for larger image)

"After looking at a few other hard disk multitrack recorders, I chose the MX-2424 based upon its incredible versatility." says Rudi Ekstein owner of Foxfire Recording. "Price was one factor, but the ability to use 24-channels of analog and digital I/O simultaneously without limiting track count was a big reason for my decision. The MX-2424 has fantastic sound quality and is comparable to anything I have ever heard."

In addition to the great sound quality, Ekstein cites the MX-2424's diverse editing functions, professional interface, open architecture and end-user product support as key to his success with the MX-2424.

"The ability to edit from the front panel, easily setting locate points, auto punching and scrubbing audio have helped make the sessions run a bit smoother and quicker. Moreover, the level of support I have received from TASCAM is unparalleled." states Ekstein.

With the MX-2424 as the primary multitrack recorder, Foxfire Recording also features a Trident Series 80 32x24x24 60 line input console, a 2" analog 24-track recorder, a wide assortment of world-class microphones, reverb and effects and other outboard gear. Included in his outboard gear are Neve and Manley mic-pres which Ekstein uses to directly interface with his MX-2424 bypassing the console entirely.

For additional information on the MX-2424 and other TASCAM products, please visit TASCAM's Web site at www.tascam.com.

TASCAM is the professional division of TEAC Corporation and produces the most comprehensive line of audio recorders, mixers and related equipment in the pro audio industry. TASCAM has offices in the U.S, U.K., Canada, Germany, The Netherlands, France, Italy, Australia, Japan, Mexico and Latin America. For additional information, contact:

TASCAM, 7733 Telegraph Road, Montebello, CA 90640; (323) 726-0303; www.tascam.com

Source: TASCAM
Web: www.tascam.com

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