Mackie Introduces HDR24/96 Hard Disk Recording System

Artist's conception
(Click either image for a close-up)

October 3, 1999 -- Confirming months of rumors, Mackie Digital Systems today unveiled the HDR24/96, a 24-track, 24-bit/96k-capable stand-alone hard disk recording/editing system with a suggested U.S. retail of $4999.

The HDR24/96 includes an internal 20 gigabyte Ultra-DMA hard disk that delivers over 100 minutes of 24-track recording at 48kHz, plus an extra drive bay for pull-out hard disks of any size. Sampling rates of 44.1 and 48kHz are currently implemented; 96kHz will be possible with future software upgrades.

No external computer is required to take advantage of the HDR24/96's rich graphic operating interface and editing software. Rear panel ports are provided for plugging in an SVGA monitor, PC mouse and keyboard directly into the recorder. The intuitive editing software includes 999 levels of undo, nondestructive drag-and-drop crossfades, regions and super regions, track slipping, audio phase inversion, normalization, pitch shifting, time compression and expansion, audition and scrubbing modes, quantization, one-to-multiple replacement, 192 virtual takes (8 per track), track and take bouncing, and many other familiar features.

HDR24/96 Screenshot
(Click for a larger image)

The SVGA display also provides complete control over HDR24/96 recorder functions and features a meter display, virtual transport controls, time code display, scrolling waveforms with 1x/2x/4x/8x/24x display, time bar with user-defined resolution, Punch, Loop, Cue and Tempo Change markers, snap functions, locate, loop and rehearse.

The HDR24/96 uses the same I/O cards as Mackie's Digital 8*Bus console, enabling analog audio input with 24-bit A/D, or digital input from AES/EBU, ADAT(r) or TDIF sources. Eight-channels cards can be mixed and matched. The HDR24/96 syncs to SMPTE, MIDI, video black burst, NTSC and PAL clock sources with no additional hardware required.

According to Mackie, two remotes will be available for the HDR24/96, a "compact" version, (the Remote 24) and a larger model with integrated meter bridge to be released at a late date.

Other HDR24/96 features include front panel 3.5-inch disk bay for importing tempo maps and software upgrades, familiar analog tape-style monitor modes, punch-in footswitch jack, 100 Mbit Ethernet port and optional SCSI output for back-up to external sources. An accessory card slot is also provided for what Mackie engineers term "intriguing future options."

Asked why Mackie would enter a product category glutted with Mac/ PC-based systems and stand-alone HD recorders, company founder Greg Mackie responded, "A large segment of our customers tell us they can't wait to bail from tape-based recording... but have major reservations about current alternatives. Workstation-type editing is an integral part of hard disk recording's advantage. But until now that meant a sizable investment in an expensive computer-based workstation. Because the HDR24/96 has full-function audio editing software built in, our customers can have all the benefits of workstation recording and editing for five to ten thousand dollars less than ever before."

How big a hole does Mackie believe exists? "It's a lot like when we introduced the 1604 mic/line mixer. Although there was a glut of mixers to choose from, a pent up demand for an affordable, quality mixer still existed. We see a similar situation now with tapeless recording technology."

How will the HDR24/96 and other Mackie Digital Systems products avoid falling into the same trench? Mackie CEO Roy Wemyss responds: "The unfortunate reality is that music and audio customers are a tiny part of the overall computer business. Audio recording is forced to conform to a platform it was never really designed for. By developing an open OS devoted 100% to audio, Mackie can harness the innovation and cost efficiencies of the computer industry without exposing our customers to the problems caused by constantly changing operating systems and hardware designed mainly to run non-music applications."

Mackie OS designer Bob Tudor listed ten features that he believes differentiate the HDR24/96 as a 24-channel recording and editing device:

More editing power at a fraction of the cost of existing 24-track standalones
Comparable or lower in price than 24 tracks of tape-based digital recording
The best graphic user interface of any hard disk recorder - yet without the need for an additional computer
Interoperability with the Mackie Digital 8*Bus
Same I/O flexibility as the Digital 8*Bus
Uses affordable Ultra-DMA IDE drives instead of considerably more expensive SCSI drives
Front panel floppy drive for software updates
Quick and easy menu-based set-up guides for connecting non-Mackie gear
Tempo map import and ability to drive external devices such as drum machines from track output