Tascam Releases Updated Software for MM-Series Hard Disk Recorders/PlayersMore Editing and Playback Flexibility for MMR-8s
and MMP-16s Through Expanded Pro Tools 5.0 Compatibility
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MMR-8
(Click for a close-up) |
July 25, 2000
TASCAM has released software version 4.2 for its MM Series of digital, hard-disk modular multitrack recorders and players, which include the MMR-8 and MMP-16. Recently awarded a Primetime Emmy Awards Engineering Plaque from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, the MMR-8 and MMP-16 are used by many of the world’s top film and television studios, mainly due to their plug and play compatibility with a variety of workstation formats. Version 4.2 expands that capability even further by supporting playback of sessions created on Pro Tools 5.0 Systems.
Edits can be performed on a Pro Tools 5.0 session using the MMR-8, MMP-16 or through the ViewNet graphic user interface, with edits saved into RAM and not affecting the current EDL. A Pro Tools 5.0 session can also be exported to a Pro Tools 4.0 session via the Backup button on the MMR or through the Utilities menu in ViewNet.
Version 4.2 also offers a Dual SCSI Mode, allowing users to enable and disable the machines’ Dual SCSI Operation and alleviating the need to load specific Dual SCSI Operation software.
Other features available through Version 4.2 include new volume and mute automation menus for enabling and disabling Pro Tools Volume and Mute Automation, the elimination of the extra 2 minutes of recording time at the beginning of TapeMode projects and the ability to capture larger blocks from a hard disk, which can prevent audio drop-outs caused by problematic drives.
The new software version also features an improved default project naming convention, ensuring that no two default projects have the same name. When an MMR is powered up, if a project exists on a disk with the name "MMR Project," the MMR will automatically name the new project "MMR Project2."
"Since its inception, the MM Series has been designed for maximum user flexibility," says Jim Lucas, manager, TASCAM’s productions products group. "Pro Tools is one of the most commonly used file formats by the film and TV editorial community. Those professionals have always valued the MM Series’ compatibility with Pro Tools and now, with the release of Version 4.2, the MM Series’ stock should rise even higher in their eyes."
Another MM Series key feature is the ability to remove the hard drive from a workstation and load it directly into the MMR-8 or MMP-16, eliminating the need for transfers from one media to the next. Other key features include the ability to chase SMPTE, Biphase, Serial TC and Lynx/MMR Bus Sync. "All of these transport functions can be controlled from either the TASCAM MMR-C remote or by using the parallel/serial control commands," says Lucas.
The MMR-8 is designed primarily to be a replacement for the "mag dubber" on post production mix stages. Since the MMR-8 can also record in DAW formats, it has also found applications in Foley and ADR, and often acts as a target machine for surround mixing systems. The MMP-16 is similar to the MMR-8, but it is a 16-track playback-only unit, again designed primarily to be a replacement for the mag dubber in post production mix stages. MMP-
16s are often used for simply playing back tracks, targeting the MMR-8 for mixdown with sample accurate lock. The controls on both machines are laid out identically, and the MMP-16 also features the same editing capability as the MMR-8, allowing additional cuts, track slips and the ability to make minor fixes at the last minute. For more information, visit their web site at www.tascam.com. | 
