TASCAM DR-680 MKII Digital recorder

Features at a glance

• SD/SDHC/SDXC cards used as recording/playback media
• 6 balanced mic/line inputs (1-4: XLR/TRS combo jacks, 5-6: TRS jacks)
• 6 unbalanced outputs (RCA pin jacks)
• COAXIAL digital input and output (S/PDIF, AES/EBU)
• Recording/playback formats: BWF, WAV, MP3
• With BWF format, recording starting times can be stored in files
• 8-track recording at 96kHz/24-bit (BWF, WAV)
6 mic/line inputs and stereo mix recording or 6 mic/line input and digital stereo recording
• Record MP3 files at 96, 128, 192 and 320 kbps
• Record 4-channel MP3 files
From 4 mic/line inputs (XLR/TRS combo jacks) or 2 mic/line inputs and digital stereo inputs
• 2-track recording at 24-bit/192kHz (BWF, WAV)
From 2 mic/line inputs or digital stereo inputs
• Digital inputs and outputs support double speed 96 kHz and quad speed 192 kHz
• Sampling frequencies
44.1, 48, 96, 192 kHz (BWF, WAV) 44.1, 48 kHz (MP3)
• Quantization bit depth: 16/24-bit (BWF, WAV)
• 6 channels of TASCAM HDDA mic preamps for high audio quality with 48V phantom power
• Limiter and low-cut filter available on each mic/line input
• Built-in stereo monitoring mixer for headphone mix and/or recording
• Dual-recording function allows two files to be recorded simultaneously at different levels
• GANG function allows the input gain of multiple channels to be operated simultaneously
• Pre-recording function allows the capture of audio two seconds before recording is started
• Automatic-recording function can start and stop recording automatically in response to the input signal level (−48, −24, −12 or −6 dB)
• Even when multiple tracks are used, all recordings made at the same time can be managed as a single take/file
• Track incrementation allows a recording to be split by creating a new file at the desired point without interrupting recording
• Up to 1000 takes and 5000 files can be recorded on a single card
• Mark function can be used to move to specific points (up to 99 marks per take)
• Wheel can be used to change the playback position
• Repeat playback function
• Panel lock function to prevent misoperation
• Cascade function allows transport control of multiple DR-680MKII units using a master unit
• File name format can be set to use a user-defined word or the date
• High-speed transfer of files to a computer using USB 2.0
• 128×64-dot matrix display with backlight
• Built-in mono speaker with 500mW output
• Headphone output and level control (50mW+50mW/ 32ohm)
• Powered by 8 AA batteries or the included AC adapter
• USB cable and shoulder strap included
• Folding stand convenient for tabletop use
• CS-DR680 carrying case (sold separately)
• AR-DR680 case by Portabrace also available

Designed for Windows based Pro Tools systems, the affordable Digidesign Pro Tools Custom Keyboard WIN let users work faster in their Pro Tools environment by providing direct access to primary transport and editing functions.

The Digidesign Pro Tools Custom Keyboard use the same symbols and color coding system built into the keyboards on the ICON D-Control worksurface and the other Digidesign control surfaces while retaining all the conventional alphanumeric labels that appear on standard computer keyboards. The Digidesign Pro Tools Custom Keyboard provides plug-and-play USB connectivity and offers a fresh new look at a lower price than ever before. The keyboard also supports a PS-2 connection for maximum compatibility.

Digidesign Pro Tools Custom Keyboard WIN Features

• Text and icons for main Pro Tools custom key commands, in addition to standard keyboard alphanumeric lettering
• Windows - PS-2 connection cord and USB adapter for easy connection with either method

Work faster in your Pro Tools® environment with direct access to primary transport and editing functions. This affordable Digidesign® Pro Tools Custom Keyboard uses the same symbols and color coding system built into the ICON D-Control™ worksurface and other Digidesign control surfaces while retaining all the conventional alphanumeric labels that appear on standard computer keyboards.

With functionality specific to Mac systems, the keyboard features plug-and-play USB connectivity.

Features

• Text and icons for main Pro Tools custom key commands, in addition to standard keyboard alphanumeric lettering
  
• Based on Apple Mac G5 Pro Keyboard
  
• Two USB ports and USB connection cord

• Digidesign-qualified Mac-based Pro Tools|HD®, Pro Tools LE™, or Pro Tools M-Powered™ system. (Note that some key commands are available only with Pro Tools HD software or with the DV Toolkit™ 2 option for Pro Tools LE.)

* 8-track Digital Portastudio with CD Burner
* Records to SD/SDHC Card media
* Import audio tracks from CD
* Built-in stereo condenser microphone
* Two XLR microphone inputs with phantom power
* 1/4" stereo line inputs
* Switchable instrument-level input for guitar/bass direct recording
* Multi-band mastering effects
* 2-band EQ per track
* Internal reverb processor with dedicated send per track
* Chromatic Tuner and Metronome
* Track editing, autopunch and bounce features
* Optional RC-3F footswitch offers three switches for punch-in and transport operation
* Compact and lightweight
* Dimensions: 11.4" W x 2.1" H x 8.2" D
* Weight: 4lbs

A full suite of editing tools
bring a final polish to your song
The D4 provides the functionality and flexibility you?ve come to expect from Korg digital recorders, including copy, delete, punch-in recording and more. Bounce recording combines multiple tracks into one ? with no loss of fidelity ? and frees up tracks for additional recording. You can also use professional time compression/expansion editing functions to alter previously-recorded phrases so they match the tempo of your song.

“REMS" modeling effect technology
KORG?s proprietary "REMS" (Resonant structure and Electronic circuit Modeling System) modeling technology simulates the audio characteristics of many classic guitar amps, legendary recording microphones and numerous effects with startling realism, adding depth and character to your original recordings. The AMP effect faithfully recreates a range of amps; from classics such as the VOX AC30TB through today?s latest guitar amps. The CABINET effect accurately simulates a wide variety of speaker cabinets that match the various AMP types. The 4-BAND EQ allows you to make detailed adjustments to the tonal character and you can also apply chorus, phaser, and flanger type MODULATION effects. For recording bass parts, the BASS DRIVE and BASS CABINET effects provide a broad spectrum of bass sounds that perfectly simulate the character of various bass rigs. When it comes time to add vocals ? or another acoustic instrument ? the mic simulator recreates the ideal tonality for various recording applications.

What is REMS?
REMS (Resonant structure and Electronic circuit Modeling System) is Korg?s proprietary modeling technology that digitally simulates a wide range of factors that affect sound, including the sound-producing mechanism of acoustic and electric/electronic instruments, the body and cabinet resonances that affect the tone, the spatial character of the sound field in which the sound is heard, the electrical and acoustical response of the mics and speakers that are in the sound-transmission path, and the way in which electrical circuits such as vacuum tubes and transistors affect the tone.

Create multi-effect ?chains? using up to five simultaneous effects
The D4 digital recorder provides four types of effect chains, in which up to five effects can be connected in a specified order. This makes it easy to create multi-effects that are suitable for the material you?re recording. These effect chains are stored as programs, with 100 user and 100 preset locations for easy access. The presets contain programs created by professional musicians and studio engineers and are ready to use. You can edit the effects in a program and store it in the user program area. Four chain types are provided. [GUITAR/MIC] is used when applying effects to a mono input, such as guitar or vocal; [INSERT/GTR+VO] is for use with a stereo input, or when applying separate effects to a vocal track and a guitar track that are being recorded simultaneously; [MASTER] makes the overall sound more consistent; and [FINAL], which applies overall adjustments to the final output stage. A dedicated switch is provided to select each chain type. No complicated operations are required, letting you concentrate on your recording.

High-quality PCM rhythms
Inside the D4 is a PCM sound generator that can produce 87 different rhythm patterns (32 metronome patterns and 55 rhythm patterns). The rich array of patterns include 8 beat, 16 beat, Rock, Funk, Big Beat, House, Reggae, Hip-Hop, R&B, Disco, Dance, Jazz, 3/4, 6/8, 5/4, and 7/4, covering a broad range from simple beats to highly distinctive styles. These rhythm patterns may be used as recording guides, or as an easy way to create tracks.

Reliable, convenient CompactFlash storage
CompactFlash capacities of 16 MB ? 2 GB are supported for data storage.*1*2 The data is written automatically when you?ve finished recording or editing. The D4 also provides a USB connector, so it?s easy to transfer song data and user effect data to your computer for backup.*3 Completed songs created within the D4 as stereo MPEG format*4 song files, can be played back as stereo MPEG files on your computer.*5 This also makes it easy to distribute or exchange data on the Internet.

*1 One (1) 64 MB CompactFlash card containing demo song data is included.
*2 CF TYPE I cards only. CF TYPE II cards are not supported.
*3 USB connection requires Windows 2000/Me or later, or Mac OS 9.0.4 or later. If your computer does not have a USB connector, you can still use a card reader/writer to backup data that?s stored on the card.
*4 MPEG1 Layer2 format.
*5 Windows Me, Windows 2000, Mac OS 9.0.4, or later systems are supported - when using a PC with an audio card that supports 32 kHz.

The Apogee X-VID-SYC-GEN Video Expansion Card is designed to fit in the X-Series card slot located in the rear panel of the Apogee Big Ben Master Digital Clock (sold separately). Allows all functions to be controlled from the Big Ben user interface and generates video and provides genlocking function. In genlocking mode the source video-signal will be re-clocked and regenerated, maintaining the same
field and colorburst phase information, but stripped of its line information and replaced by video-black. In slave mode the board will auto-detect the incoming video-standard and configure itself accordingly. The video input is of very high tolerance and will even lock to unstable sources like VCR's.

The Apogee X-VID-SYC-GEN Video Expansion Board has three modes of operation.
•Master mode: The user selects the video format on the frontpanel of the Big Ben. The Big Ben will slave to the generated video signal


•Attended Slave mode: The video board will be configured to autodetect and genlock to the incoming video. The Big Ben will slave to the incoming video signal

•Unattended Slave mode: The video board will be configured to autodetect and genlock to the incoming video. The Big Ben is not clocking to the Video board and therefore both will function independently

• Support for PAL, NTSC and 60 Hz B&W standards
• One composite video input and three composite video outputs
• Can operate as a master black-burst generator
• Can operate as genlocking slave device