TASCAM DM 3200

TASCAM DM 3200 – typical price £2,499.00
(Reviewed by John Verity)

The DM-3200 is a 48-channel professional digital console. It offers sixteen busses, eight auxes, dynamics and effects, automation via motorised faders and USB connectivity. Its user interface includes 16 rotary encoders with LED indicators to display mixer settings at a glance’ DAW (Digital Audio Workstations) such as ‘Cubase’ & ‘Logic’ are a common feature in the studio, music lab, and classroom where BTEC Music & Music Technology programmes are delivered.They are, along with ‘Pro Tools’, ‘Nuendo’ and similar systems, the standard method of recording and editing across much of the industry which is why learners need to become familiar with this method of working. Whilst working ‘in the box’ is perfectly acceptable, many professionals prefer a tactile ‘control surface’ which communicates with the DAW and therefore removes much of the tedious mouse operation required when working with a DAW alone. Similarly, students will often be more productive and certainly more comfortable working with a hardware interface like the Tascam DM. Physically, the Tascam DM consoles are extremely impressive, with plenty of space around the controls to enable clear instruction to be given, and easy operation by the learner.

What’s in the box?

The DM-3200 has 16 channel strips in 3 layers - effectively a 48 channel console, 32 of which have full eq and dynamics and 16 with more limited facilities. There are direct outputs from the main 32 channels plus 16 mix busses - enough to supply just about any format of multi-track recorder.  Students can work using simple in-line methods, and also learn to sub-group where appropriate depending on the requirements of the BTEC unit, and the type of material being recorded. It is worth considering compatibility at this stage, as in the standard package the provision of 3 TDIF interfaces makes interfacing with 24 tracks of a Tascam multi-track recorder simple, whilst a single ADAT interface means that only 8 tracks at a time can be recorded via this route alone where TDIF is not available. There is a good compliment of stereo digital ins and outs – on both XLR & coax sockets, and analogue outputs to 2 track and monitors. Extra outputs are available through additional interface cards, but of course there will be an additional cost implication to address... There are 8 auxiliaries available -via send & return sockets which can also be used as inserts. The DM-3200 has two stereo effects processors built-in, giving high quality delays, choruses, pitch shift etc, plus a full complement of reverbs courtesy of TC Works including ambience, chambers, halls, plate, and rooms. The four band equalisation which can be tailored to include totally swept, or shelving with swept mid frequencies should cover every eventuality.

In Use

I tested the DM-3200 with a range of sound sources, using my Nuendo equipped laptop and a high quality soundcard with ADAT interface.Acoustic guitar sounded full and natural, with just a touch of the desks compression to control dynamics.I recorded a drum kit (a very nicely tuned drum kit) with just 3 microphones – kick + a pair of overheads, again with just a little compression and it sounded just fine.A very loud electric guitar track tested the consoles ability to control high spl’s – it did, admirably with no unwanted digital distortion evident on playback.The sound of the console was transparent (to my ears), and the small touches of eq that I did use sounded musical, with none of the harshness that can occur with some digital equipment.So far, so good.I chose a pre-recorded multi-track piece to mix down – direct to CD, utilising the DM-3200 as a controller for the DAW and found the control surface intuitive to operate with most things falling to hand with minimal peeks at the documentation. Certainly given a little more time to accustom myself I am confident that I would be able to put the manual away and work confidently with most modes of operation.

To summarise

I like the DM series consoles. The facilities, relative ease of operation, and excellent build quality make it ideal in the educational field. Students at all levels will benefit from using the DM-3200 for serious recording projects and it will enable them to produce work of a truly professional standard. The facility to work well both as a fully fledged multi-track console and a DAW controller makes the unit especially attractive, and the tactile working environment will motivate learners at all levels. Any and all of the recording and production units at levels 2 (BTEC First) and level 3 (BTEC National) would benefit from having one of these consoles available, and performers completing evidence for their Major Project or professional portfolio will appreciate the quality of results possible enormously.  In the short time I spent working with the DM-3200 I barely scratched the surface of its potential – with that in mind I am hoping to arrange a further, extended loan of one of these consoles so watch this space...Speak to your friendly educational supplier and get a look at one of these consoles – you’ll be impressed!