TASCAM TM-AR1 ACOUSTIC CNTRL FILTER

Optimal dry sound for DAW music creation, even at your home studio.

Designed to minimize reflections and unwanted room ambience, the TASCAM TM-AR1 helps to to manage what your microphone hears, giving you more control over your finished tracks.

When using a microphone to record, the sound source generates two types of sound. One is called direct sound which enters the microphone directly from the source, and the other is called reflected sound which the sound it has been boucing off the walls, ceiling and back into the microphone. Generally, the reflected sound can sound very different from home and the acutal recording studio, despite the recording equipment and settings. In most cases, the reflected sound at home does not sound very good because the room is not built for recording. The sophisticated acoustic design creates better reflected sound which makes the recordings sound good in the standard recording studio.

Let's face it. It is very difficult to create a good home recording environment with right sound reflection. If the acoustic reflection does not resonnace well, the recordings may not sound as clean and clear, and may be an intereferance to your mix epecially it is difficult to shape your sound with reverb and delay. In these years, with the increased popularity of DAWs being used for editing with effects, it is more important than ever to record with a good sound quality in the beginning. When room acoustics does not sound good in the room, then the dry sound will be the essential solution for your home recording environment.

The TM-AR1 Acoustic Control Filter does not only absorb the reflected sound but also isolates the reflections away from the microphone. By installing this tool, the microphone picks up only the direct sound with great frequncy response, which enables your mixes and editings to be done with eaze.

To set up the TM-AR1, it is very simple. Just place it around the microphone, that's it! It is particularly effective when used for recording vocal, wind instrument, acoustic guitar or any other instrument individually. You can get the dry and crisp sound in your DAW environment quckly with ease.

Vocal Recording

In general, the vocal is considered as the most important part of a recording. Thus, it is necessary for vocalist to record with clearer sound than other intruments. When a terrible reflected sound mixed with the direct sound into the mic, it lowers the phase values. However, if the direct sound is recorded with a dry sound, it will enhance the phase values to get rid of the muddiness in your sound. Of course, the Reverb, Delay and such effects will respond better in the mix if the tone is bright.

Acoustic Guitar Recording

If you want to record an acoustic guitar individually for a track, it is better to keep other sound sources away from your guitar recording. In such cases, with a single microphone, the TM-AR1 allows the mic to clean out ambient noises to focus your guitar tone. In addition, it enables easier editings in your mixing stage later on.

Wind Instrument Recording

When a wind instrument is used for solos, the recommand setup is same as the vocal recordings. If you wish to record with easy settings, the iXR and iPad are recommended. In addition, the iXR has the Ultra-HDDA microphone preamplifier with extreme low noise level which is equivalent to the US-2x2.

Prevent acoustic reflections by sound absorbing material to record with a "dry" sound

Typically there are 2 types of sounds that drive into a microphone, direct sound and indirect sound. Indirect sound is produced by speakers then reflected from the walls and ceiling of the room, so the structure of a room determines the sound quality. Usually the recording studio is built based on the structure that works the best for the acoustic resonance. On the other hand, when recording at home, since the desired acoustic soundings have probably not been taken into consideration when the room was constructed, reflected sound usually has a detrimental effect on the sound quality. Since the TM-AR1, with its sound-absorbing material, will absorb this reflected sound, the sound entering the microphone will be largely direct sound. The indirect sound will be low level, resulting in a clearer sound that will be easier to adjust.

Absorbing sound by soft form pads and metal panels

The TM-AR1 is made up of five panels. All of these panels have the same structure, with multiple oval mounting holes and the sound absorbing material formed with acute angles. In particular, the sound-absorbing material used is the same as found in professional recording studios and rooms where acoustics need to be controlled. The soft foam has a special molded shape that reduces further propagation of outside sounds once they have reached the panels. Sounds coming from outside are reflected or are either reflected by the panel or absorbed by the sound-absorbing material.

The foldable design for easy storage and angle adjustments

Consisting of 5 panels can be easily folded from both sides for space-saving when not in use. It is also possible to adjust the panel positions while recording. Each side of the panels can be narrowed in order to achieve the dry sound. On the other hand, if the panel is wide open, it will absorb more reflection that may affect the sound. Therefore, the sound quality is determined by the angle adjustments of the control filter.

Dual brackets for better stability

With two microphone stands, the TM-AR1 can be installed on both stands using the brackets on the back of the unit. With one microphone stand, then the included support bar and slide bar can be used with the microphone. Using two microphone stands is recommended for better stability and flexibility.

Flexible mic layout

The position of the microphone can be easily adjusted by the slide bar. There are also two support bars included to adjust the height of the microphone. You can use either one depending on the sizes of the microphone and the suspension shockmount. If the microphone is sticking out from the panel when using the long support bar, please switch to the short one.

A large sized microphone and suspension shockmount, such as the TM-280 requires the long support bar; a small or medium-sized microphone and suspension shockmount such as the TM-180 requires the short support bar.

5/8" - 3/8" conversion adapter included

In order to comply with a variety of microphone stands, the TM-AR1 comes with a 5/8" - 3/8" thread conversion adapter. Use the suitable adapter according to your microphone stand.