Tascam SS-R300N 1U Rackmount Dual SD/USB Recorder/Player with Networking

The Tascam SS-R300N is a 1U rackmount stereo recorder and player with two SD card slots and a USB port, recording and playing back at up to 96 kHz/24-bit. It succeeds the SS-R250N and adds secure network file transfer, OSC control, AAC playback and audio CD playback from an external USB drive. Tascam designed it for professional audio systems in commercial and public facilities, halls and theaters, broadcast installations and conference systems.

Recording

The SS-R300N records WAV at 44.1, 48 or 96 kHz in 16 or 24 bit, and MP3 at 44.1 or 48 kHz at 64, 128, 192, 256 or 320 kbps, in stereo or mono. It can also record a WAV and an MP3 file at the same time. SD, SDHC and SDXC cards and USB flash drives up to 512 GB are supported. Any two of the three media can pair up for backup recording, which writes the same audio to both, or for relay recording. Relay recording moves to the second medium when the first one fills, so long conferences, lectures and events keep recording through a media change.

• Pre-Rec captures audio from before recording starts.
• Sync Rec starts recording when an input signal is detected, and Direct Rec starts recording without going through record standby.
• Auto Track divides files by level, elapsed time, remaining capacity or a change of digital input source.
• Marks are added automatically when the level overloads or an error occurs.
• Automatic file closing helps prevent data loss if the power cuts out.
• The analog outputs, apart from the headphone jack, can mute during recording to reduce the risk of feedback.

Playback

The SS-R300N plays WAV, MP3 and AAC files. With a compatible third-party USB CD drive on the rear CD DRIVE port, it also plays audio CDs and can import tracks from them. Playback modes include single, program, random, repeat and A-B repeat, with auto cue, auto ready, incremental play, a call function, user-set marks, and fade-in and fade-out.

• Flash Load and Flash Start give quick playback of prepared files, and the optional RC-SS150 remote holds up to 96 files for Flash Play.
• Pitch and key control, mono mix for mono output from stereo sources, and ducking that balances the input against playback.
• An EOM (end of message) output tells external equipment that playback is about to end.
• Link Play runs two units together as a backup playback system, with an SS-R300N, SS-R250N or SS-CDR250N as the second unit.

Network File Transfer

Over Ethernet, recordings and playback files move between the SS-R300N and a server without removing the SD card. The unit works as an FTP or SFTP server and as an FTP, SFTP or FTPS client, and its auto-upload function sends recorded files to a designated FTP or SFTP server automatically.

Control and Integration

• Ethernet: Telnet and OSC (Open Sound Control) for control systems, DAWs, lighting and video systems.
• RS-232C: D-sub 9-pin, for a computer, an external control system or the optional RC-SS150 remote.
• Parallel I/O: D-sub 25-pin with assignable inputs and outputs, for the optional RC-SS20 or other external controllers.
• Q-SYS: a plugin in Q-SYS Designer Software lets a Q-SYS UCI start and stop recording, rename files, select sources, folders and files, upload to an FTP server and delete uploaded files from the unit's media.
• Dante: the optional IF-DA2 card adds two channels of Dante input and output.
• Remotes: the RC-10 wireless remote is included, and the RC-SS150, RC-900, RC-SS20, RC-3F footswitch and RC-20 are optional.
• USER buttons: four front-panel buttons take the functions you use most.
• USB keyboard: a keyboard on the front USB port can enter file and folder names and control the unit.

Scheduled Operation

Timer events start recording, playback and file transfers at set times. The internal clock syncs with an NTP server through the SNTP client, and on a restricted network it can be corrected by a trigger from an external timer unit.

TASCAM Playlist Editor

The free TASCAM Playlist Editor for Windows and macOS builds playlists and timer event lists on a computer before the unit goes into service. It also converts MP3 and AAC files to WAV and changes the sample rate and bit depth of WAV files.

Moving from an SS-R250N or SS-CDR250N

Folders, audio files, system settings, event data, playlists and system backup files carry over to the SS-R300N, and existing RS-232C and Telnet control can generally stay in place. Tascam recommends checking any CD-related commands, such as eject and media selection, before going live. The SS-R300N has no microphone input, phantom power, compressor, limiter, low-cut filter or auto gain control, and no internal CD drive or CD recording.

Specifications

• Media: 2 SD card slots (SD 512 MB to 2 GB, SDHC 4 to 32 GB, SDXC 64 to 512 GB) and 1 USB port (flash drives 512 MB to 512 GB), formatted FAT16, FAT32 or exFAT
• Recording formats: WAV 44.1/48/96 kHz, 16/24-bit; MP3 44.1/48 kHz, 64/128/192/256/320 kbps
• Playback formats: WAV 44.1/48/96 kHz, 16/24-bit; MP3 44.1/48 kHz, 64/128/192/256/320 kbps; AAC 44.1/48 kHz, 32 to 320 kbps, VBR (MPEG Extended HE-AAC, DRM not supported); CD-DA 44.1 kHz/16-bit with an external CD drive
• Channels: 2 (stereo) or 1 (mono)
• Balanced analog inputs: XLR (L/R), +4 dBu nominal (+6 dBu at the -9 dBFS reference level), switchable maximum of +15, +18, +20, +22 or +24 dBu
• Unbalanced analog inputs: RCA (L/R), -10 dBV nominal, +6 dBV maximum
• Balanced analog outputs: XLR (L/R), +4 dBu nominal (+6 dBu at the -9 dBFS reference level), switchable maximum of +15, +18, +20, +22 or +24 dBu
• Unbalanced analog outputs: RCA (L/R), -10 dBV nominal, +6 dBV maximum
• Digital inputs: AES/EBU (XLR) and S/PDIF (RCA), 44.1, 48 or 96 kHz, or 32 to 192 kHz with the sample rate converter on
• Digital outputs: AES/EBU (XLR) and S/PDIF (RCA), 44.1, 48 or 96 kHz
• Headphones: 1/4" stereo jack, 45 mW + 45 mW or higher into 32 Ω
• USB: Type-A on the front for flash drives or a keyboard (USB 2.0 High-Speed, 5 V, 0.5 A); Type-C CD DRIVE port on the rear with screw lock (USB 2.0 High-Speed, 5 V, 1.5 A)
• Control: Ethernet (RJ-45, 100BASE-TX), RS-232C (D-sub 9-pin), parallel (D-sub 25-pin), 2.5 mm TRS remote jack for RC-3F or RC-20, infrared receiver for the RC-10
• Network protocols: Telnet, OSC, SNTP client, FTP server and client, SFTP server and client, FTPS client (explicit mode, TLS 1.2 and 1.3)
• Expansion: option slot for the IF-DA2 Dante card (sold separately)
• Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz, ±0.5 dB (44.1/48 kHz); 20 Hz to 40 kHz, +0.5/-3 dB (96 kHz)
• Distortion: 0.002% or less
• S/N ratio: 106 dB or more
• Dynamic range: 106 dB or more
• Crosstalk: 100 dB or more
• Power: 100 to 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz
• Power consumption: 29 W with RC-SS150 and IF-DA2 connected, 0.4 W in standby
• Rack size: 1U
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 482.6 x 45 x 300.5 mm (19 x 1.78 x 11.84")
• Weight: 3.1 kg (6.84 lb)
• Operating temperature: 5 to 35 °C (41 to 95 °F)

In the Box

• SS-R300N
• Power cord
• TASCAM RC-10 wireless remote control
• CR2025 lithium coin battery for the remote (installed)
• Rack-mount screw kit
• Security screw kit
• TASCAM ID registration guide
• Owner's Manual