Tascam Introduces SX-1 Integrated Audio Production Station
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(Click for a close-up) |
May 18, 2001TASCAM has introduced the SX-1 Integrated Audio Production
Station at the 110th AES convention in Amsterdam. Combining
automated digital mixing, hard disk recording, MIDI sequencing,
extremely powerful editing, DSP plug-in technology and
multi-format mastering capabilities, the SX-1 is the culmination
of over two years of joint development between TASCAM R&D
in Iruma, Japan, the TASCAM Palo Alto Research Center
(PARC) in Palo Alto, CA, and TimeLine Vista in San Marcos,
CA.
Designed to comprehensively accommodate the needs of project
studios, professional recording facilities and film/video post
production, the SX-1 is an all-in-one solution for audio
recording, MIDI production and editing.
"The SX-1 is an entirely different animal than most integrated workstations," said Mike McRoberts, TASCAM
international product development manager. "While there have been several tools that combine different elements of
music production in a single device, the SX-1 is the first affordable product that's designed as an all-in-one solution to
meet the demands of professional-quality music production and post production."
TASCAM marketing manager Jeff Klopmeyer added, "The SX-1's true strength is that it offers a no-compromise
solution for people who want to take advantage of the benefits of high-end DAW-style recording and editing, but
without dedicating a computer toward this purpose."
The SX-1's extensive feature set includes:
- An extremely flexible 40 x 8 digital mixing console with 100mm, touch sensitive faders, advanced built-in
dynamic automation, and 16 high-quality phantom-powered mic preamps.
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A full-function, 48kHz, 24-bit, 16-track hard disk recorder that uses an internal IDE disk drive. Additional IDE
and SCSI drives may be connected to the SX-1 via a front-panel slot or a rear panel SCSI interface.
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Highly integrated and intuitive waveform, MIDI, and automation data editing via an internal recording/editing
engine that uses the fast, reliable, multimedia-optimized BeIA operating system and an extremely powerful
graphics engine.
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Complete surround mixing capabilities with the ability to record a full 5.1 mix to the internal HD in addition to
the original 16 audio tracks.
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A 128-track MIDI sequencer with advanced editing modes that are available on the fly, with standard and step
record modes and highly accurate timing derived from the internal sample clock. Each of the 64 MIDI outputs
can be mapped to channel strips on the console, and channel strip faders and knobs can then be assigned to
output MIDI channel or custom, user-defined MIDI messages.
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A built-in CD-RW drive for printing surround or stereo mixes, data backup and archiving, and importing
sounds from audio or data CDs.
- DSP plug-in technology that offers built-in effects by TASCAM, TC Works and Antares as standard features
as well as the ability to add new effects as required.
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Extensive analog, digital, MIDI and computer interfacing that includes (16) balanced XLR inputs, (16) 1/4"
TRS line inputs, TRS inserts on each analog input, an onboard speaker switcher, eight channels of ADAT
Optical digital interface, two stereo S/PDIF inputs (with sample rate conversion) and outputs, wordclock, two
MIDI inputs (for MIDI controllers and MIDI Time Code), four MIDI outputs, a SCSI port, two USB ports, a
100Mbits Ethernet jack for FTP capabilities, separate studio and control room monitoring and more.
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Built-in timecode/sync support via SMPTE/LTC, video sync, and Sony P2.
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Expansion slots for 24 more channels of digital I/O (including optional multichannel interfaces for AES/EBU,
TDIF, ADAT Optical) or additional analog I/O.
Other standard features of the SX-1 include an onboard LCD screen that offers a wide variety of editing and automation
information, as well as an XVGA output that acts as a complete, stand-alone DAW interface for total control of the
machine with no external computer required. The SX-1 also offers the ability to author MP3 files, includes a jog/shuttle
wheel that allows users to scrub audio and MIDI data simultaneously, and may be cascaded with TASCAM's DM-24
Digital Mixing Console to add input channels and interfaces.
The SX-1 will be available from authorized TASCAM retailers in summer 2001 for a manufacturer's suggested retail
price of $8999. For more information, visit their web site at www.tascam.com. |
