Tascam Premier X-48 Digital Multi-track

US 48-Track hard disk high-resolution workstation 25/04/05

A whole lotta tracks

Buying Choices

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At last weeks NAB show in Vegas, Tascam announced a 48-track hybrid hard disk workstation. They claim this is the worlds first, offering the best of both worlds- "the stability and ease-of-use of a stand-alone hard disk recorder with the GUI, editing features and plug-in compatibility of computer-based digital audio workstations." The X-48 boasts 96kHz/24-bit recording across all 48 tracks and 192kHz recording across 24 tracks. Its file interoperability and synchronization surpass even their TEC award-winning MX-2424. It's not just a recorder, its got a built-in automated 48-channel digital mixer, VGA display output, powerful editing functions and DVD+RW backup. "Configuring a professional computer-based DAW of this capability could cost over $20,000 and would require more than a dozen components to install and troubleshoot," says Jim Bailey, Product Manager for TASCAM. "We have created a turn-key multitrack workstation with peerless audio quality and a state-of-the-art feature set while retaining the interoperability and reliability of our acclaimed MX-2424. The Broadcast WAVE file format and OMFi import and export are compatible with workstations such as Pro Tools, and the built-in DVD+RW drive, support for FireWire hard drives and Gigabit Ethernet make it simple to transfer tracks between systems. But it's the built-in digital mixing, plug-in support and graphic user interface that make this a unique solution for users who need either a multitrack recorder or an all-in-one workstation." Tascam X-48 Features

48-track digital recording at up to 96kHz/24-bit

24-track recording at 192kHz/24-bit

32-bit floating point audio file recording and playback with no loss of track count

VGA and PS/2 connections for keyboard, monitor and mouse

Built-in 48-channel TDIF inputs and outputs

Built-in S/PDIF I/O

Two 24-channel option slots support analog, ADAT or AES/EBU expansion cards

Advanced integrated synchronization and machine control, including HDTV tri-level sync

Time-stamped Broadcast WAVE file format

Front-panel transport, track arming, project management and meter functions

Built-in 80GB hard drive

Built-in DVD+RW drive for backup and restore

Two FireWire (IEEE-1394) and four USB 2.0 ports for external hard drive support

Graphic User Interface for editing, mixing, plug-ins and meters

±12.5% varispeed

Grid-style editing

Theater Play mode

Gigabit Ethernet, includes FTP server and drive sharing

Non-destructive editing with undo/redo

Built on embedded Windows XP operating system

OMF, AAF and OpenTL import and export In addition, the X-48 functions as an all-in-one workstation, with powerful digital editing and mixing facilities:

Turn-key operation: no software or hardware conflicts to troubleshoot

48-channel digital mixing at 96kHz / 24-channels at 192kHz

6 stereo returns (60 inputs at mixdown)

24 busses

6 aux sends

Stereo buss

32-bit floating point mixer resolution

Full dynamic automation

Dynamics and four-band EQ per channel

4 VST plug-in inserts on each channel, group and aux return

Controllable using the US-2400 24-fader Universal Controller

Full graphic user interface The TASCAM X-48 has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $4,999 and will be available in the Summer of 2005.