Tascam announces the Sonicview Recording Mixer line available as either the Sonicview 16XP or Sonicview 24XP with 16 or 24 input channels respectively. “Both units incorporate state-of-the-art technology and a new multi-screen user interface called VIEW (Visual Interactive Ergonomic Workflow) to allow easy operation and control of all system parameters using completely customizable touch screens, user-definable buttons, and intuitive control software. Their rich feature set makes the Tascam Sonicview digital recording and mixing console an exceptional choice for touring, installed sound, recording studios, and broadcasting,” according to the announcement.
Tascam Sonicview consoles are designed to integrate into sophisticated production environments with included 64-In/64-Out Dante interface, a 32-bit/96 kHz multi-channel USB audio interface, built-in 32-track multi-track SD recording* (*standard in the US market only as "XP" model), Class 1 Premium mic preamplifiers, and wealth of I/O. These recording mixers include a 96 kHz, 54-bit float FPGA mixing engine, continuous high-definition 96 kHz sampling, and 32-bit analog-to-digital converters. “The mixing engine's float-point processing makes it possible to flexibly change levels without compromising resolution and FPGA mixing engine ensures ultra-low latency of 0.51ms, even in analog-to-analog connections. The result is no-compromise performance, including with Dante networks and in-line monitoring systems,” the announcement continues.
Tascam Sonicview recording mixers offer multiple ways to record. In addition to its integrated audio interface, the Tascam Sonicview 24XP and Tascam Sonicview 16XP come with a preinstalled IF-MTR32 integrated multi-track recording card* (*US market only as "XP" model), enabling users to capture 32 channels directly to an SDXC card. In regions other than the US, the optional IF-MTR32 can be installed into one of the two open expansion slots to enable 32-channel multi-track recording. The SD recorder supports simultaneous 32-channel punch-in/punch-out, pre-record, auto-record, and markers.
The Sonicview 16XP and 24XP differ in frame size and the number of physical inputs, mic preamps, faders, and touch screens. The Sonicview 16XP offers 16 physical input channels with 100mm motorized faders and TASCAM's Class 1 HDIA (High-Definition Instrumentation Architecture) microphone preamps, while the Sonicview 24XP provides 24 physical input channels with 100mm motorized faders and the Class 1 HDIA microphone preamps. Internally, the architecture of the two models is the same, with an internal 44 input channels (40 mono channels and 2 stereo channels), 22 flex output buses, and the L/R main bus with 31-band graphic EQ. The Sonicview 16XP offers motorized channel faders in two banks of eight while the Sonicview 24XP offers motorized channel faders in three banks of eight. Each console offers a motorized stereo fader for the main bus. Above each bank of channel faders is a color touch panel that allows one to view entire mixer channels, or get down to details, controlling each parameter. For visual feedback, the Sonicview 16XP provides two 7-inch touch panels while the Sonicview 24XP offers three.
Central to the Sonicview recording mixers' operation is the Tascam VIEW (Visual Interactive Ergonomic Workflow) user interface that supports three different views. Channel Strip View enables one to view the status of any eight adjacent channels at a glance, as one would see on vertical channel strips with an analog mixer. Module View enables the monitoring and control of any two (Tascam Sonicview 16XP) or three (Tascam Sonicview 24XP) sets of parameters for one single channel, including the compressor, graphic EQ, effects send, and more. Individual View facilitates viewing any function for any channel, group of channels, and more—all on different screens, simultaneously. For instance, one could simultaneously monitor the output bus meter, adjust a graphic equalizer, and monitor levels on important input channels (Tascam Sonicview 24XP).
In terms of input channels, the Tascam Sonicview 16XP offers 16 XLR mic/line inputs (up to +32 dBu) and 8 inputs with 1/4" balanced TRS line inputs for 16 mic/line inputs. By contrast, the TASCAM Sonicview 24XP offers 24 XLR mic/line inputs (up to +32 dBu) and 8 inputs with 1/4" balanced TRS line inputs for 24 mic/line inputs. Both models provide TRS insert points on two channels, two stereo pairs of RCA aux inputs, and an XLR input for a talkback mic.
In addition to the main L/R stereo bus, both mixers provide 22 output flex buses, each of which is configurable as a subgroup, aux, or matrix. This enables users to provide multiple stereo in-ear monitor submixes without running short of buses and send to the analog outputs; create matrix mixes for multiple loudspeaker zones and send over the Dante network for restaurants, worship performances and more. All output buses are equipped with 31-band graphic EQ, real-time analyzer functions, 4-band parametric EQ, compressor/ducker—plus Solo, Pan, and Mute. Four additional effects processors can be assigned to individual mixer channels including an astounding reverb effect.
Eleven Input Module signal processing functions include Delay, Phase, Digital Trim, High-pass filter, Gate/Expander/De-esser, 4-band Parametric EQ, Compressor/Ducker, Solo, Mix 1>22 Send/Pan (Pre/Post), FX 1-4 Send/Pan (Pre/Post), and Fader/Pan/Mute to L/R. Both mixers provide a 32-in/32-out, 32-bit/96 kHz audio interface. Two expansion slots provide additional connectivity (analog, MADI, or AES/EBU I/O) via an optional expansion card or add an optional card for 32-track multi-track internal recording*(*standard in the US market only as "XP" model).
Tascam Soniciview recording mixers can be used onstage, backstage, in a control room, or at the rear of a concert hall. Connect a Wi-Fi router to the Sonicview's Ethernet port and use the free Sonicview Control software for macOS, Windows, and iPadOS to manage the Sonicview recording mixer from virtually anywhere in the venue. Users can edit settings offline in advance and be ready to go when a session or show begins, then make adjustments from the console or via the software.
The hardware mixing surface and mixing engine operating system are independent of each other—designed for high stability and continuous audio flow. In addition to the optionally available expansion cards, Tascam also offers the SB-16D 16-In/16-Out Dante-enabled Stage Box. To further expand the system, users may add one or more optional 16-in/16-out SB-16D Dante-networked Stage Boxes. Microphone gain for all 16 inputs can be remotely controlled from the TASCAM Sonicview, and the SB-16D can be used as a floor box or rack mounted.
