Tascam introduces the Model 16 mixer, interface and digital recorder
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Following up on last year’s Model 24, Tascam has announced the Model 16. Like its bigger sibling, the Model 16 is an all-in-one analogue mixer, audio interface and digital recorder. With 16 channels of simultaneous recording, this might be all you need to record your band’s next live show.
14 analogue inputs
The Model 16’s mixer section is similar to the Model 24, but with fewer channels. It offers 14 analogue inputs, ten of which feature Ultra-HDDA microphone preamps and 48 V phantom power. Channels 1 and 2 can be used as Hi-Z instrument inputs. The Model 16 also has 12 balanced line inputs (8 mono, 2 stereo), as well as an additional stereo aux input. In addition to RCA and mini jack options, the latter can receive its signal via Bluetooth.
The eight mono channels feature 3-band EQs with semi-parametric mids, while the stereo channels have 3-band EQs with fixed mid bands. There is a simple 1-knob compressor on the mono channels. For monitoring and effects, the Model 16 offers three aux sends: one pre fader, one pre/post fader and one for effects. There’s also a built-in effects section with 16 effects, which can be applied to the individual channels as well as the monitor mixes, sub group and main mix.
Unlike other popular live mixing and recording solutions like the Zoom L20 and L12, Tascam has kept the mixer section analogue. I think that’s actually a good idea. At small to medium gigs, a digital mixer can make things more complicated than they should be. The Model 16 looks intuitive enough to make the mixing process pretty straight-forward, even for users with limited experience.
While the Model 16 offers many of the same mixer features as the Model 24, there is one caveat: The faders have been shortened to 60 mm, as opposed to the Model 24’s 100 mm faders. On the other hand, the Model 16 is compact enough to be mounted in a 19″ rack. A rackmount kit will be available as an option.
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- Analogue mixer with 14 inputs · Source: Tascam
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- 16-channel recording · Source: Tascam
16-channel digital recording
The Tascam Model 16 records up to 16 channels (14 inputs and stereo mix) simultaneously onto an SD card. That’s a very nice feature for recording small to medium club gigs, and can save you the hassle of setting up a computer and 16-channel audio interface. The recording format is WAV with a resolution of 44.1/48 kHz and 16/24 bits. It can also do multi-track playback, which is useful for enhancing your performance with pre-recorded backing tracks.
16×14 audio interface
While it can operate as a stand-alone recorder, the Tascam Model 16 also plays well with a computer. It doubles as a USB audio interface with 16 inputs and 14 outputs. The computer outputs can be mapped to the mixer inputs. According to Tascam, it is compatible with Windows 7 and up and macOS 10.12 Sierra and up.
Price and availability
While Tascam hasn’t officially announced the price yet, the Model 16 is already showing up at some retailers for around USD 800. It is expected to ship sometime this fall, but we don’t have confirmation of this yet.
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