NAMM 2020 has brought an exciting new compact desktop production system for musicians, podcasters, songwriters, and studio/live engineers. It’s the Tascam Model 12, an all-in-one mixer, multitrack recorder, audio/MIDI interface, and DAW control surface borrowing style and functionality from Tascam’s popular Model 24, and scaled down for smaller setups.
Whether you’ll be doing a panel podcast, recording layers of instruments, or tracking a band, the Model 12 can accommodate your needs. It boasts 10 input channels on eight channel strips, each of which has an Ultra-HDDA preamp with phantom power and an XLR-1/4" mic/line/instrument input. Need to patch-in a stereo source such as a keyboard? No problem; the Model 12 has two pairs of 1/4" inputs that are perfect for signals like that.
The last channel strip can accept a Bluetooth stream from your mobile device or a 3.5mm TRRS input, which will surely come in handy for podcasting with a call-in guest. Connect the smartphone to the TRRS input and make the call; the Model 12’s mix-minus function prevents distracting echo from interrupting your production. Every channel strip packs in a 60mm fader, a one-knob compressor, 3-band EQ, a low-cut filter, and two aux outs for sending to dedicated monitors and the onboard effects processor, so it’ll be easy to sculpt and optimize tones. You’ll enjoy the per-channel solo and mute buttons, too.
Since the Model 12 can record 12 tracks of WAV files at up to 24-bit / 48 kHz directly to an SD card, you don’t even need a computer. Its overdubbing, punch in/out, and metronome with tap tempo and a dedicated click output make recording sessions with musicians even better. You don’t have to use the Model 12 in stand-alone fashion, though. Its USB Type-C connector allows it to serve as a 12-in / 10-out audio interface with your favorite DAW, and it sports traditional 5-pin MIDI I/O for easy hookup of keyboard controllers, synths, and drum machines.
As if that weren’t enough, Tascam decided to empower the Model 12 with control surface capabilities. It supports Mackie HUI and MCU protocols for compatibility with many popular DAWs, and lets you use the Model 12’s faders, pans, solos, mutes, record arm, and transport buttons to provide hands-on control of your DAW.
If you’d like to synchronize external devices with the Model 12, you’re in luck. It can send MTC (MIDI Timecode) or MIDI Clock to sync another recorder or beat machine properly. When it comes to routing audio from the Model 12, you have more than enough ports to keep you happy. The rear panel offers balanced stereo XLR outputs, stereo 1/4" sub outputs, and two 1/4" aux outputs, while the top panel presents two 1/4" headphone outs with independent level control and source selection.
There’s even more that the Model 12 can do, so I advise you to visit the B&H SuperStore or peruse our website to learn more!
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