Tascam DV-RA1000 vs. Masterlink ML9600

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

Frank Stearns wrote:

>
> Mostly I'd like to continue my analog mix, but going into 96/24 and
> pulling 44.1/16 copies as needed; and, also having the ability to provide
> 96/24 to a mastering house.
>
> Anyone use/compare these machines? Are their internal ADCs any good? Is
> one machine's ADC noticeably better than the other? (I'm not in such a
> great need of the "mastering" capabilities - comp, eq, etc - but does one
> machine have a superior suite of these tools?)

>
> Oh, this machine might also see use as a DAT replacement, but that's
> perhaps a secondary application.

I have a Masterlink, and recommend it highly, but I think that the two
units are probably apples and oranges, etc. I plan on picking up a
RA1000 though, to help out with the DTS 5.1, DAVa, etc. stuff that I do.
I would like to hear from someone that uses the new Tascam.


--
--Scot
www.RonnieJamesDio.org
www.SMCProductions.org
www.CraigGoldy.org
www.ScotClayton.org

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

On Tue, 03 May 2005 01:58:29 -0000, Frank Stearns wrote:

>These machines appear to do roughly the same thing, though the Tascam does
>"more" (but "more" that I might not ever need, such DSD and 192K, and
>burning DVDs rather than plain old CDRs).

>Mostly I'd like to continue my analog mix, but going into 96/24 and
>pulling 44.1/16 copies as needed; and, also having the ability to provide
>96/24 to a mastering house.
>
>Anyone use/compare these machines? Are their internal ADCs any good? Is
>one machine's ADC noticeably better than the other? (I'm not in such a
>great need of the "mastering" capabilities - comp, eq, etc - but does one
>machine have a superior suite of these tools?)

I cannot comment on the DV-RA1000 but it is several years younger than
the ML-9600. That could mean: a larger disk, a faster CD/DVD burner,
better connection to a PC or keyboard.

I use my ML-9600 for live event recordings and had used it for about
50 concerts. The internal AD and DA converters are well suited for
that purpose, way better than those of my (old) DAT decks.

I've never used the DSP functions (EQ, normalizing, dynamics
processing) as these are a lot easier to use on a PC DAW and - if I'm
not mistaken - only work when burning audio CDs. The DSP functions are
non-destructive.

>Might it generally be better to stick with a good outboard converter, such
>as the Lucid, Mytek, etc and go right into PC DAW? (I know the money is a
>little different.)

As both machines have full digital IO you can always add an external
converter at some later time if needed.

>Oh, this machine might also see use as a DAT replacement, but that's
>perhaps a secondary application.

I still use a DAT parallel with the ML-9600 as a backup. If power
fails a DAT simply stops and you'll only loose the last fraction of
a second. A power failure on a ML-9600 will make some more trouble
because anything recorded after entering record mode is be
inaccessible from within the ML-9600.

What are the goodies of the ML-9600?

It's robust and reliable. Quickly set up for recording. Writes CDs in
both red book and raw format (ISO file system). Can be used as CD
player. Can import red book CD tracks into a project.

What drives needs to get improved?

When recording in 96/24 the CD will only hold about 22 minutes.
Red book CDs are limited to 80 minutes recording time.
The number of projects is limited to 16.
Neither computer networking of any kind nor keyboard connector
available. So file names (=track titles) must be entered with
the remote control by scrolling through the alphabet. No input
volume control.

Norbert

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

In article <7upf71dvob7j7vum653l0dbmmgjt6b1h94@4ax.com>,
Norbert Hahn <NorbertHahn@gmx.net> wrote:

> I still use a DAT parallel with the ML-9600 as a backup. If power
> fails a DAT simply stops and you'll only loose the last fraction of
> a second. A power failure on a ML-9600 will make some more trouble
> because anything recorded after entering record mode is be
> inaccessible from within the ML-9600.

Which is why, for live recordings, I would never use a Masterlink
without a UPS.