Teac's HD-R1 recorder stores audio on CompactFlash

Scouting a 1U, rackmountable two-channel audio recorder? What about a solid state version? If you just so happened to answer yes to the previous questions, Teac's got you covered. The outfit's HD-R1 Recorder relies on CompactFlash cards to store up to 24-bit / 48kHz PCM or MP3 files and can be controlled remotely via LAN or RS-232C. Additionally, the unit touts a USB port, mic preamps, phantom power, RCA, XLR, Euroblock and S/PDIF inputs, and the blue-backlit display is a nice touch, too. Teac has apparently been busy showing its new toy off at Inter BEE 2007, but those tempted by the above specs can secure their own for around $1,100.

[Image courtesy of Sweetwater]

[Weeliano @ Nov 25th 2007 7:31AM]

It amazes me how technology has changed so fast in such a short time. 10 years ago I was learning in school how to operate the SONY DASH multi-track digital tape recorder and the TASCAM portable DAT recorder.

I can't wait to see what we use to store audio in the future. Holographic 3D data matrix crystals anyone?

[Blake Bowen @ Nov 25th 2007 10:53AM]

Already here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holographic_Versatile_Card

[Anillusion @ Nov 25th 2007 8:19AM]

Great free ad for Teac, but I can buy the Marantz PMD 560 Card Recorder/Player cheaper and for months, if I wanted to. This isn't new technology.

[KenH @ Nov 25th 2007 8:22AM]

Hope it a true SSD storage media as compact flash has a limited Write/Erase life cycle before dying! Would hate to see some artist's hardwork go down the drain.

[Rob @ Nov 25th 2007 10:42AM]

@ Anillusion - I think we all know this isn't new technology, just a new package.

@ KenH - The post says it "relies on Flash Cards," which according to wikipeida, are supposed to last 100,000 - 300,000 cycles.

To me, that sounds fairly reliable. Besides, every recording media has a chance of failing in some way, including "true SSD" (which also has a limited number of write cycles, in case you weren't aware it wasn't limitless). Hell, pro photographers around the world rely on compact flash cards, and I've never had a CF card go bad on me with my cameras or H4 recorder (perhaps I'm lucky). If you're the paranoid type, popping in a fresh new flash card once in awhile would keep you fairly safe...

[Peter S. @ Nov 25th 2007 10:43AM]

...thus the need to continuously back up data on newer and (arguably) improved formats with time. It's NOT safe by any means to not transfer data just because it's fine in one spot or whatnot. At least we don't have to worry about conversion quality -- digital is 1:1 so quality loss is a thing of the past. (Well, barring physical media deterioration... but again, the necessity of data redundancy!)

[kittenparade @ Nov 25th 2007 12:55PM]

It sounds a lot like a Nagra.

[Jeff @ Nov 25th 2007 10:08PM]

It sounds a lot like a Teac to me...

Nagra's a brand name, just like Teac. Which Nagra model do you think this sounds like?

[kittenparade @ Nov 25th 2007 10:30PM]

I guess it's not quite the same but it reminds of a non-mobile version of the Ares-BB+ Nagra. Which if it's anything like it in terms of quality, it's got to be great.

[tb @ Nov 25th 2007 1:25PM]

great for mastering(hme studio grade) then off to some server anyway, so i would'nt really bother about the numbe's whole existance (1 song/album=1 card)

[sndfreq @ Nov 25th 2007 1:40PM]

dottunes and a mac/pc and an off-the-shelf audio interface and I'm set :)

And 2nd'ed on the marantz PMD-series except for remote access

[alex @ Nov 25th 2007 2:25PM]

you can get a Marantz PMD-580 for about $600, and it's a much more reliable unit than this Teac, you can get it almost anywhere, if not, the net.

[Jeff @ Nov 25th 2007 10:09PM]

I'm not sure what would make one solid state recorder "more reliable" than another solid state recorder, nor do I think there have been any comparisons of such between these two models.