Tascam MD-801RmkII MiniDisc Recorder/PlayerMD-80lRmkII has all the Features of its Highly Successful Predecessor with Full Compliment of New Capabilities for Only $2,699
September 26, 1998
TASCAM, a world leader in professional audio products and related accessories, is introducing the new MD-801RmkII MiniDisc Recorder/Player at the 105th AES Convention, held from September 26 to 29 at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, Booth 1257. Designed for the broadcaster, sound contractor, Disk Jockey and anyone in need of a system that takes full advantage of MiniDisc's many capabilities, the MD-801RmkII has all the features of its highly successful predecessor and adds a full compliment of exciting new capabilities.
Unique to the new MD-801RmkII is a new, rapid access drive, 20-bit A/D and D/A converters, separate Monitor/Online outputs, an input sample rate converter, Sound Sync recording and an Incremental Play function. There's also a Relative Time Display and a Replace Record function.
Perhaps the most beneficial attribute of MiniDisc lies in its ability to function as a random access, yet highly transportable media. The MD-801RmkIl's new rapid access transport mechanism provides unrivaled speed in terms of disc access time and further exploits the format's ability to replace the traditional NAB cart in a broadcast environment. Tracks can be programmed in any order without re-writing the data on the disc-making MD an exceptional choice for on-air spots.
The new MD-801RmkII sounds terrific-thanks to its 20-bit A/D and D/A converters. These new converters provide the unit with the ability to capture and reproduce program material with all the nuances of the original performance--ensuring that what you hear is as close to the original as is technologically possible.
In a broadcast environment, there's no room for error. That's why it's so important to have separate Monitor and Online outputs. With the MD-801RmkII's discreet Monitor and Online outputs, it's easy to check your next selection before you actually send it out over the airwaves-ensuring that what you broadcast is exactly what you intended.
With the MD-801RmkIl's on-board sample rate converter, there's no need to worry about incompatible sample rates ever again. Transferring program material from a DAT or other source that was originally recorded at 48kHz is easy. By simply feeding this material into either the AES/EBU or S/PDIF digital inputs, the MD-801RmkIl automatically converts the incoming signal to the 44.1 kHz sample rate standard employed by both the MiniDisc and Compact Disc formats.
Getting great sounding recordings is easier than ever with the MD-801RmkII--thanks in part to the unit's new Sound ync feature. With Sound Sync, the level of the audio input signal (once it exceeds the recorder's programmed Auto Cue level) automatically engages the MD-801RmkII into Record mode. This way, by simply placing the MD-801RmklI into Record Pause, the recorder enters Record mode the moment you press Play on the external device. Similarly, as the input signal drops beneath the unit's Auto Cue level, the recorder will stop recording and re-enter Record Pause. Sound Sync also makes the MD-801RmkII a viable communications recorder for 911 calls and other applications.
The MD-801RmkII's Incremental Play function makes it easy to control playback when "flying effects" into a project. Working in conjunction with Fader Stop commands, this feature ceases playback and cues the unit to the next track. When the next Fader Start command is received, the MD-801RmkII commences playback. By ordering your tracks, this feature makes it easy to play the right track at just the right time.
Convenience features abound on the MD-801RmkII. The Relative Time display enables the operator to set a "zero" counter position at any desired point-independent of the unit's ABS (Absolute) time. With the Title Copy function, both program material and subcode data are copied when making duplicates between two MD-801RmkIIs.
With great sound, extensive editing capability and TASCAM reliability, the new 3U rack-mountable MD-801RmkII takes the MD format further than ever. With a suggested retail price of only $2,699, the MD-801RmklI is an outstanding value. Also available are the RC-801 Remote Controller and the BU-801 RAM Buffer.
For more information, visit their web site at www.tascam.com. | 
