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 bouncing off the walls, ceiling and back into the microphone. Generally, the reflected sound can sound very different from home and the actual 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 resonance well, the recordings may not sound as clean and clear, and may be an interference to your mix especially 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 frequency 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 quickly with ease.
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 instruments. 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.
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.
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.
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.
