TASCAM DM-24 Installation and Use DM-24 Basics v. 2.0 - Page 3

DM-24 Version 2.0 The DM-24 was originally released in October of 2001 with version 1.11 firmware. At that time it was the most powerful, low cost digital mixer in the world. In March of 2002 we released version 1.60 which added many new features including 16 extra channels making the DM-24 a 48-channel mixer. With the release of version 2.0 the DM-24 can now route 60 input signals to the stereo buss at mixdown! With new features like HUI emulation and some of the most powerful 5.1 surround panning found in any digital mixer, the DM-24 is even more powerful then other digital mixers costing two and three times more then the price of the DM-24. Two things haven't changed since October of 2001. The DM-24 is still the most powerful, low cost digital mixer in the world and the list price is still only $2999. Inputs "Inputs" can be assigned to any or all 32 channels. For instance Mic/line input #1 can be assigned to all 32 channels simultaneously. There are many times when you may wish to assign the same input signal to two different channels and manipulate them differently. Perhaps compress one channel, but not the other, etc. Returns "Returns" include TDIF I/O, ADAT lightpipe I/O and any option slot I/O that might be added to the DM-24. There are 24 channels of TDIF I/O and 8 channels of ADAT lightpipe I/O built in to the DM-24, but there are also two option slots available to expand your I/O capabilities. You can use any "3" of these returns simultaneously. For example, Return A might be used with TDIF1, Return B might be used with an analog card in SLOT 1 and Return C might be used with an AES/EBU option card in SLOT 2. You can choose what channels these returns are assigned to with out ever having to re-patch a cable. Returns are usually used to feed the signal from your recorder(s) in to the board for mixing, but they can also be used for other purposes like expanding your mic pres with external devices. For example Presonus makes an 8 channel mic pre with a ADAT lightpipe output called a Digimax LT. This could be used with the internal ADAT lightpipe connection on the DM-24 or multiple Digimax LTs could be used if multiple IF-AD/DM lightpipe option cards were installed. Once your 3 banks of returns have been assigned, you can assign "any" of these 24 signals to any of those 24 channels. In other words, track 1 can be assigned to channel 1, 2 and 3. Track 17 can be assigned to channels 8, 9 and 10. This is probably one of the most powerful features added to version 2.0. This means I can assign my snare drum track to channel 2 and 3, compress channel 2 very hard and roll off the low frequency on channel 3 below 200Hz for a complex snare sound. Or I can take one guitar track and assign it to four different channels. Then I can pan and EQ them differently resulting in the ever popular "wall of guitars" sound. 3