Tascam Model 24 - 22-Channel Analogue Mixer With 24-Track Digital Recorder

Tascam Model 24

The Tascam Model 24 is a 22-channel analogue mixer with a built-in 24-track digital recorder. Perfect for production and live recordings, the Tascam Model 24 is provides a multi-track recorder, mixer, and audio interface. A true hybrid console featuring the latest digital technologies alongside physical channels featuring 100mm physical faders, 3-band sweepable EQ and aux send knobs.

The multitrack function of the Model 24 allows users to to directly record to an SD card, 24 tracks simultaneously in 24bit/48kHz, and it is capable of punching in/out 8 tracks at the same time. The console can directly playback 22 tracks simultaneously from an SD card. A built-in USB 2.0 audio interface enables the same functionality of 24 track recording and 22 track playback from your Mac or Windows computer.

16 high-grade microphone preamps are available to help obtain the best recordings possible whether in the studio, rehearsal room or at a live show.

One-knob compressors (on selected channels), flexible routing, powerful EQ and silky-smooth 100-mm faders combine to deliver a truly dynamic, real-time mixing experience. Combine this with a 7-band EQ, dual monitor sends, and on-board effects making the Model 24 a powerful portable mixing solution.

Channel Design
Designed for use on the road and in the studio, The Model 24 features four different channel strip configurations. The first two channels feature both an XLR input as well as a switchable line/instrument level jack input. These are followed by a TRS Insert connector for easy patching of a compressor, EQ or other effects. Next are the preamp gain controls (with overload indicator LED), switches for a 100-Hz low-cut and the line/instrument level select switch.

These are followed by the routing mode selector, which is common to all channels and allows input assignment selection of your choice - the live incoming signal, the return from a DAW channel or the return from the internal multi-track recorder to each channel for EQ, processing and level control. Worth noting is that the low-cut switch and the one-knob compressor are both wired into the signal path prior to the routing mode selection. This ensures that recorded tracks take full advantage of the low-cut and compressor setting features.

Directly below this selector, and common to the first 12 channels is a one-knob compressor that helps to quickly and easily tame dynamics during a live performance. Also common to the first 12 channels is a musical 3-band EQ with a sweepable midrange frequency.

Following the EQ section are a set of three auxiliary sends labeled Monitor 1, Monitor 2 and FX, providing additional routing to foldback systems and effects. Next up is the fader section which is consistent across the entire mixer. This roomy control area boasts a Pan control, a backlit Record Enable switch and Mute button with an LED indicating engagement. Below these the Model 24 features a full set of 100-mm level faders and individual selector switches for assignment to the main mix, the sub group and pre fade listen. Once again, these are common to all channel strips.

Channels 3–12 have been streamlined to feature XLR microphone and 6.3-mm line-level inputs.

Channels 13/14 – 19/20 are configured as stereo input channels and feature an XLR microphone input as well as dual 6.3-mm stereo inputs, with the left input summing to mono if the right input connector is unused. As these channels will typically be used for keyboards, drum machines, modular synthesizers and effects processors, the audio controls have been simplified to remove the one-knob compressor and to feature an intuitive fixed three-band EQ.

The final channel configuration – channel 21/22 has been optimised for use with mobile devices and features either stereo RCA and mini-jack inputs as well as Bluetooth™ pairing. This channel has also been optimised to feed Monitor 1 and Monitor 2 via rotary auxiliary send controls.

Tascan Model 24 Features

Mixer features

• 22 analogue inputs
• 16 TASCAM Ultra-HDDA microphone preamps with switchable phantom power (48 V) on 12 mono and 4 stereo channels
• Two high-impedance instrument inputs (channels 1 and 2)
• 20 balanced line inputs (12 mono, 4 stereo)
• One multi-purpose stereo channel for input from Bluetooth, RCA connectors or stereo mini-jack connector
• Inserts on input channels 1 and 2
• Main stereo bus, sub stereo bus, two aux/monitor buses, effects bus
• 1-knob compressor for channels 1–12
• 3-band equaliser with sweepable mids for 12 mono channels, fixed mids on 4 stereo channels
• Switchable low-cut filter for 12 mono and 4 stereo channels
• 7-band graphic stereo equaliser – can be used for main stereo bus or aux/monitor bus
• Built-in Bluetooth receiver for wireless playback
• On-board effects processor
• 16 preset effects types
• Can be used on 12 mono and 4 stereo channel sends to sub bus and main stereo bus
• Can be turned on/off by an optional footswitch (Tascam RC-1F)
• Large 100-mm faders for precise level adjustments
• XLR balanced outputs for main stereo bus
• TRS balanced outputs for sub, control room, aux 1 /2 and effects send
• Headphones output with level control (80 mW + 80 mW)

Recorder features

• Tascam multi-track recording engine
• Uses SD cards as recording media (up to 128 GB)
• Up to 24 tracks (22 input channels + stereo mix) can be recorded without the need for a computer
• Recording format: Linear PCM (WAV format, 44,1/48 kHz, 16/24 Bit)
• Playback formats: WAV, MP3
• Overdubbing, punch in/out recording (eight channels maximum)
• Multi-track playback for advanced live performance

Audio interface features

• USB 2.0 audio interface for use with Windows (ASIO) and Mac (Core Audio) computers
• Transfer to computer: 24 channels (all 22 inputs + stereo mix)
• Transfer from computer: 22 channels, assignable to each channel input
• Audio resolution 44.1/48 kHz, 16/24 bit

Specifications

Recorder

• Recording media:
• SD (512 MB – 2 GB)
• SDHC (4–32 GB)
• SDXC (64–128 GB)
• File system: FAT16 (SD), FAT32 (SDHC), exFAT (SDXC)
• Recording file format: WAV
• Playback formats: WAV, MP3
• Sampling frequency: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz
• Bit depth: 16 bit, 24 bit
• Recordable channels: 24 channels max. (22 channels + stereo mix)

Audio inputs and outputs

• Microphone inputs (CH 1–13,15,17,19): XLR-3-31, balanced (1: GND, 2: HOT, 3: COLD)
• Maximum input level: +10 dBu
• Nominal input level: –8 dBu
• Minimum input level: –58 dBu
• Gain adjustable range: 0–50 dB
• Input impedance: 1.8 kΩ
• LINE inputs (CH 1–20): 6.3-mm TRS phone jack, balanced
• Maximum input level: +22 dBu
• Nominal input level: +4 dBu
• Gain adjustable range: 
• –10 dB to +40 dB (CH 1–12)
• –20 dB to +30 dB (CH 13/14 to 19/20)
• Input impedance: 22 kΩ
• INSERT (CH 1–2): 6.3-mm TRS phone jack (Tip: Send, Ring: Return, Sleeve: GND)
• Nominal input level: 0 dBu
• Maximum input level: +18 dBu
• Input impedance: 10 kΩ
• Nominal output level: 0 dBu
• Maximum output level: +18 dBu
• Output impedance: 100 Ω
• STEREO inputs (CH 21–22): RCA pin jack, unbalanced. 3.5-mm stereo mini jack, unbalanced
• Maximum input level: +8 dBV
• Nominal input level: –10 dBV
• Input impedance: 10 kΩ
• MAIN output: XLR-3-32, balanced (1: GND, 2: HOT, 3:COLD)
• Maximum output level: +4 dBu
• Nominal output level: +22 dBu
• Output impedance: 100 Ω
• SUB OUT, MONITOR, FX OUT, CONTROL ROOM OUT: 6.3-mm TRS, balanced (Tip: HOT, Ring: COLD, Sleeve: GND)
• Nominal output level: –2 dBu
• Maximum output level: +16 dBu
• Output impedance: 100 Ω
• PHONES OUT: 6.3-mm stereo phone jack
• Maximum output power: 80 mW + 80 mW (at 32 Ω)
• Footswitch connector: 6.3-mm TS phone jack (Tascam genuine footswitch RC-1F recommended)

Channel EQ

• Low cut: 100 Hz, –18 dB/Oct.
• High (shelving): 12 kHz, ±15 dB
• Mid (peaking): 
• variable 100 Hz to 8 kHz, ±15 dB (Mono)
• fixed 600 Hz, ±15 dB (Stereo)
• Q = 0.55
• Low (shelving): 80 Hz, ±15 dB
• Graphic EQ: 7-Band
• Frequencies: 125/250/500/1k/4k/8k (Hz)
• Gain: ±15 dB

Audio performance

• Residual output noise: –102 dBu (MAIN OUT, MAIN fader at min.)
• Equivalent input noise (EIN): –128 dBu (Mono input channel at 150 Ω, GAIN at max.)
• Total harmonic distortion (THD+N): <0.01 % (MIC IN-> MAIN OUT, max. input level, 1 kHz, GAIN at min.)
• Frequency response: 
• Analogue: 20 Hz to 30 kHz, +0.5/-1.0 dB
• Digital: 20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0.5/-1.0 dB
• Channel crosstalk: –80 dB (1 kHz, PAN fully counter-clockwise / fully clockwise)
• Maximum gain: 
• 74 dB (MIC to MAIN OUT)
• 50 dB (MIC to INSERT OUT)
• 74 dB (MIC to SUB OUT)
• 79 dB (MIC to CR OUT)
• 75 dB (MIC to MONITOR OUT)
• 75 dB (MIC to FX OUT)
• 24 dB (USB/SD to MAIN OUT)
• (EQ flat, PAN fully counter-clockwise / fully clockwise)
• Phantom Power: DC 48 V

Computer system requirements

• Windows: 
• Windows 7 (32-bit SP1, 64-bit SP1)
• Windows 8.1 (32-bit, 64-bit)
• Windows 10 (32-bit, 64-bit)
• Compatible computers: Windows-compatible computer with a USB 2.0 port
• CPU type/speed: Dual core, 2 GHz or faster
• Memory: 2 GB or more
• Drivers: USB Audio Class 2.0, ASIO 2.0, WDM (MME)
• Screen resolution: 1280 × 800 or more
• Mac: 
• OS X El Capitan (10.11)
• macOS Sierra (10.12)
• macOS High Sierra (10.13)
• Compatible computers: Apple Mac computer with a USB 2.0 port
• CPU type/speed: Dual core, 2 GHz or faster
• Memory: 2 GB or more
• Driver: Core Audio
• Screen resolution: 1280 × 800 or more
• USB audio specifications 
• Sampling rate: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz
• Bit depth: 16 bit, 24 bit
• Maximum number of audio channels: 24 inputs, 22 outputs
• Bluetooth®: Version 4.0
• Output class: Class 2 (approximate transmission distance: 10 m) * The transmission distance is approximate. The transmission distance could vary depending on the surrounding environment and electromagnetic disturbances.
• Supported profile: A2DP, AVRCP 1.0
• Supported A2DP codecs: SBC, AAC
• A2DP content protection: SCMS-T

Power supply and other specifications

• Power: AC 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz
• Power consumption: 52 W
• Dimensions (W × D × H): 576 mm × 513 mm × 113 mm (overall)
• Weight: 10 kg
• Permissible operating temperature range: 5–35 °C
• Included items: AC power cord, Owner’s manual incl. warranty