Akai Announces DR16 Pro Recording System

October 3, 1999 -- Akai is showing the DR16 Pro, a 24-bit, 96kHz recording system, at the AES Convention in New York City.

The DR16 Pro is a digital hard disk recorder with sophisticated editing capabilities and a 16-channel digital mixer in one. Featuring superb 24-bit sound quality and 96kHz sampling rate, the DR16 Pro is the ideal creative tool for broadcast, post production, professional audio and music applications. Offering a feature-set found on units costing many times more, the DR16 Pro sets a new standard for high quality, digital audio recording.

Multi-track recording and playback on the DR16 Pro is as easy to use as a conventional MTR. The front panel features familiar transport keys, and the DR16 Pro punches in and out of record instantly. But unlike traditional tape replacement systems, the DR16 Pro can record 8 tracks and playback 16 tracks of 24-bit linear digital audio from a single SCSI hard disk.

The DR16 Pro's editing functions are non-destructive and feature random access editing capabilities. You can copy, repeat, move and insert or erase phrases across multiple tracks without using up any of the disk memory, and then play back the edit instantly with no loss of original data. The DR16 Pro's unique "Take Function" can store up to five trial recordings of one or more tracks for easy recording and auditioning of the best performance or take. The DR16 Pro also offers instantaneous access to 109 autolocate points, making the editing process even simpler.

The internal 16-channel digital mixer features 99-scene snapshot automation, fully dynamic automation via MIDI, two aux sends and a stereo bus for internal digital mixdown. The optional MT8 remote mixer controller, offers multiple faders and knobs, allowing for easy access to the control of on-board automated digital mixing functions.

The DR16 Pro's standard SCSI interface allows for connection of external drives including magneto optical and Jaz™ removable media drives. Up to seven SCSI devices can be connected and for applications requiring additional tracks, users can link multiple DR16 Pro units together offering maximum system flexibility.

A wide variety of optional interfaces are also available, including a SCSI-B interface - allowing for communication with computers via supported software, MIDI interface, SMPTE read/write capability, RS422 interface, optional ADAT optical I/O support, 24-bit/96k AES/EBU 8-channel digital input - 16-channel digital output, and a 16-channel digital EQ board.

For applications requiring specialized remote access to DR16 Pro functions, several choices of optional system controllers are available including the RC15 with 14 heavy duty, illuminated user-assignable keys and jog/data wheel; the DL1500 editing control surface allowing the connection of multiple recorders; the new DLX16 all-in-one remote controller; and Akai's new RE32 multi-track recording and editing remote, providing real-time control of transport, editing and record functions for up to 128 tracks of audio. The DL1500, DLX16 and RE32 remote system controllers all come equipped with Akai's SuperView VGA graphic display driver.

For more information, visit Akai at www.akai.com.