TASCAM Series 8p Dyna

Product overview

The TASCAM Series 8p Dyna is an 8-channel microphone preamp and AD converter with a single-knob analogue compressor on every channel, in a rugged 1U rack-mount case for studio and stage.

Its eight TASCAM HDIA (High Definition Instrumentation Architecture) preamps are TASCAM's best yet, with -127 dBu EIN, 0.0007% THD, 116 dB dynamic range and 119 dB crosstalk. Two front-panel combo inputs take mics, guitars and basses, six rear combo inputs take mics and line sources, and every channel has its own +48V phantom power switch. Dual S/MUX optical outputs turn it into an eight-channel expander for a TASCAM Series 102i, Series 208i or other S/MUX-equipped audio interface, while eight balanced line outputs on TRS jacks and a 25-pin D-Sub feed interfaces, recording mixers and front-of-house consoles. Use it as an expander or as a stand-alone front end.

Key features

• 8 TASCAM HDIA microphone preamps with -127 dBu EIN or lower and 52 dB gain range
• Single-knob analogue compressor with true bypass on each input channel (3:1 ratio, 30 dB threshold range)
• Individually switched +48V phantom power on every channel
• 2 front-panel mic / instrument (Hi-Z) combo inputs and 6 rear-panel balanced mic/line combo inputs
• Dual S/MUX optical outputs: 8 channels at up to 96 kHz, 4 channels at 176.4 or 192 kHz
• 8 balanced line outputs on 1/4-inch TRS jacks and on a 25-pin D-Sub connector
• Word clock in and out on BNC connectors with a 75 Ω ON/OFF/THRU/WORD OUT switch
• Front-panel metering: analogue overload and compressor indicators, digital level meters and sample clock indicators
• Rugged metal 1U rack-mount enclosure; AC adapter with three alternate plugs included

A superior front end for studio and stage

TASCAM has long been known for transparent, natural, ultra-low-noise preamps, and the HDIA preamps of the Series 8p Dyna use instrumentation amplifiers for clear, natural sound with super-low noise. Per-channel phantom power lets dynamic, condenser, ribbon and vintage microphones work side by side with the right setting for each, and the two front inputs switch to a high-impedance instrument input for direct guitar and bass.

A compressor on every channel

Each channel has an easy single-knob analogue compressor for hot input signals and smooth audio. The COMP knob sets the threshold over a 30 dB range at a 3:1 ratio; its indicator glows dimly when the compressor is enabled and brightly while it is working, and with the knob turned fully down the compressor is truly bypassed.

Expand your audio interface

Connect one optical cable to a TASCAM Series 102i or Series 208i, or to another audio interface with an S/MUX optical input, and add eight premium preamps at 44.1 or 48 kHz. With both optical outputs, all eight channels reach the interface at 88.2/96 kHz (S/MUX2), and four channels at 176.4/192 kHz (S/MUX4). The unit can act as the clock master over optical or word clock, or follow an external word clock, and two units synchronised by word clock give a Series 208i sixteen mic inputs.

Send to anything

All eight channels are also available as balanced +4 dBu analogue outputs, on 1/4-inch TRS jacks and on a 25-pin D-Sub wired to the TASCAM DB-25 pinout standard (AES59-2012). Route them to interfaces, recording mixers or front-of-house consoles, or connect the D-Sub to a TASCAM ML-16D or ML-32D analogue-to-Dante converter for a pristine front end on an audio-over-IP network.

In the box

• TASCAM Series 8p Dyna microphone preamp
• AC adapter (TASCAM PS-P1230) with 3 alternate plugs
• Rackmount screw kit
• Owner's Manual (including warranty)
• TASCAM ID registration guide

TASCAM Series 8p Dyna: frequently asked questions

Can I use the Series 8p Dyna to add inputs to my audio interface?

Yes. Its two S/MUX optical outputs send eight channels at up to 96 kHz (four at 176.4/192 kHz) to a TASCAM Series 102i, Series 208i or any audio interface with an S/MUX optical input.

Does it work without an audio interface?

Yes. It is also a stand-alone preamp with eight balanced analogue outputs on 1/4-inch TRS jacks and a 25-pin D-Sub, for mixers, consoles and converters.

Can I plug a guitar straight in?

Yes. Front inputs 1 and 2 have an INST setting for guitars, basses and other high-impedance sources (900 kΩ or higher input impedance).

Does every channel have phantom power?

Yes. +48V phantom power is switched individually for each of the eight channels and is supplied to the XLR contacts of the combo jacks.

Where can I buy the TASCAM Series 8p Dyna in India?

The TASCAM Series 8p Dyna is available from Shivansh Electronics, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, with delivery across India.

Workflow 1: Expanding a Series 208i or Series 102i

Add eight premium mic preamps to a TASCAM Series audio interface for full-band recording.

Connections

Setup

1. Connect one optical cable from OPTICAL OUT A or B to the interface's optical input.
2. Set the Series 8p Dyna sample clock to 44.1k or 48k with the sample clock switch.
3. In the interface's Settings Panel set Sample Clock Source to OPTICAL A (or B on the Series 208i).
4. Set +48V where needed, then GAIN on each channel while watching the level meters.

Tip: At 88.2/96 kHz use both optical cables to carry all eight channels.

Workflow 2: High-resolution recording with word clock

Record eight channels at 96 kHz with the Series 8p Dyna as the system clock master.

Connections

Setup

1. Connect both optical outputs to the Series 208i optical inputs and WORD OUT to its WORD IN.
2. Set the 75Ω ON/OFF/THRU/WORD OUT switch to WORD OUT and the Series 208i 75Ω switch to ON.
3. Select 96k on the Series 8p Dyna sample clock switch.
4. Set the Series 208i Sample Clock Source to WORD.

Tip: Use only one word clock master in a digital system.

Workflow 3: 16 mic inputs with two units

Record a drum kit and band with sixteen preamps into one Series 208i.

Connections

Setup

1. Connect the optical outputs of both units to the Series 208i.
2. Chain the word clock: unit 1 WORD OUT to unit 2 WORD IN, unit 2 WORD OUT to the Series 208i.
3. Set unit 2's switch to THRU and its clock to EXT; set unit 1's sample clock.
4. Turn the Series 208i 75Ω switch on and set its clock source to WORD.

Workflow 4: Live sound front end

Feed eight high-quality mic channels into a front-of-house console or recording mixer.

Connections

Setup

1. Turn everything off and set all GAIN and COMP knobs to minimum.
2. Connect mics and the TRS line outputs to the console's line inputs.
3. Switch on and set +48V per channel only for mics that need it.
4. Set GAIN until OL stays off, and add compression with the COMP knob on hot sources.

Tip: The COMP indicator glows brightly while the compressor is working.

Workflow 5: Audio-over-IP front end

Bring eight preamp channels onto a Dante network for installations and broadcast.

Connections

Setup

1. Connect the ANALOG OUT D-Sub to the analogue inputs of a TASCAM ML-16D or ML-32D with a D-Sub multi-cable.
2. Set phantom power and gain for each mic.
3. If devices are also connected to LINE OUT, keep them turned on as well.
4. Patch the eight channels on the network as needed.

Tip: The D-Sub uses the TASCAM DB-25 pinout standard (AES59-2012).

Workflow 6: Recording mixer input expansion

Add premium preamps and compression in front of a TASCAM recording mixer.

Connections

Setup

1. Connect the line outputs to the mixer's line inputs.
2. Set each input switch: INST for passive guitars, MIC/LINE for mics and line sources, +48V for condensers.
3. Set GAIN for a healthy level on the meters without OL.
4. Use COMP on vocals or bass to smooth peaks before they reach the mixer.

Tip: TASCAM shows this connection with a MODEL 24 in the Owner's Manual.