Each year, the staff at Videomaker, a leading magazine dedicated to the subject of video production, reflects on all the great video gear they encountered over the past 12 months and compiles a list of their favorites. This year, the magazine awarded the TASCAM FR-AV2 2-Channel 32-Bit Float Portable Audio Field Recorder & Timecode Generator the prestigious Best Audio Product award for 2024.
To be considered for the award, each product must meet the following criteria:
The product must be useful to the user and contribute to effective storytelling.
- The product should be easy to use for professionals and beginners.
- It must offer good value and quality for the price.
- It should be innovative and exciting for its users.
- It must be reliable on set, in an editing bay or wherever the product will be used.
- The product must be consistently effective for its users.
The FR-AV2’s numerous attributes are its dual ADCs with 32-bit float point record capability with support for sample rates up to 192kHz. By using dual analog-to-digital converter technology, recordings are captured with greater dynamic range and clarity—making it impossible to clip the recording. When editing audio recorded in 32-bit float, quiet passages can be brought up in level while louder parts can be scaled down—without introducing any additional noise. The FR-AV2 is unique in the fact that no other recorder of this size on the market offers support for capturing audio with a 192kHz sample rate. With its enhanced 32-bit float capability and 192kHz sample rate, the FR-AV2’s clarity and resolution are unmatched.
For critical recording tasks, intuitive operation, a compact form factor, and an easy-to-read display are crucial. Easily fitting within the palm of one’s hand, the FR-AV2 can fit into any size film/video rig. Equally impressive is the FR-AV2’s support for wireless Bluetooth audio monitoring. With the addition of the optional AK-BT2 Bluetooth adapter, FR-AV2 users can monitor the source audio wirelessly using wireless Bluetooth enabled headphones and earbuds. The ability to hear what is being recorded enables users to check how their microphone placement sounds, accurately monitor the incoming signal level, while alerting them to any unwanted background noises, etc.
Paul Youngblood, TASCAM Division Manager, commented on the Videomaker Best Audio Product of 2024 award, “There is tremendous competition when it comes to products used in the process of making videos, so manufacturers must strive to provide a rich assortment of features and functionality for a compelling price—and this is precisely what makes the FR-AV2 so unique. The FR-AV2 represents a bold approach to capturing audio. With a comprehensive feature set and its incredibly compact size, this recorder & timecode generator re-defines field recording. There isn’t another recorder on the market with so much capability. We are honored to have been recognized by Videomaker for our efforts.”
To learn more about Videomaker, visit the publication at https://www.videomaker.com/.
About TASCAM
For decades, TASCAM has been the choice of musicians, engineers, and broadcast professionals worldwide by combining industry leading fidelity with legendary reliability. With solutions designed for a stunning array of audio applications and catering to today’ s top professionals, TASCAM continues to define the sound of modern recording. www.tascam.com.
