{"product_id":"tascam-m-312-with-transformer-balanced-direct-out-capi-api-style-fully-serviced-recapped","title":"TASCAM M-312 with transformer-balanced direct out CAPI API-style (1983 - 1987) - Fully serviced + recapped","description":"\u003cp\u003eAt Herscheid \u0026amp; the Headbangers: fully serviced TASCAM M-312 recording console with custom transformer-balanced direct outputs using genuine CAPI API-style output transformers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis console has undergone a complete electronic service and recap and is presented in excellent overall condition, ready for professional studio use immediately. Every channel, bus and monitoring section has been tested and serviced, with aging electrolytic capacitors replaced throughout using high-quality low-ESR capacitors. Pots, switches and connectors have been cleaned and calibrated, noisy channels addressed, and the power supply fully serviced for long-term reliability and stability.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe standout feature of this particular M-312 is the addition of custom transformer-balanced direct outputs using CAPI EA2623-style API output transformers. These add real iron to the signal path and completely transform the way the console behaves when tracking. Compared to the stock unbalanced direct outs, the transformer-balanced outputs deliver improved isolation, stronger low-mid depth, smoother transients and the kind of harmonic richness normally associated with much larger vintage recording desks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe result is a compact analog console that feels incredibly alive when pushed:\u003cbr\u003ethick drums, dense guitars, punchy bass and synths with real dimensionality instead of sterile converter-like clarity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe M-312 is also one of the most flexible compact vintage recording consoles TASCAM ever produced. Despite its relatively manageable footprint, it offers routing and monitoring capabilities that rival much larger desks from the same era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFeatures include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e12 input channels\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e4 subgroup buses\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStereo Left \/ Right master bus\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDedicated Mono output section\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTransformer-balanced XLR direct outputs\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFully serviced direct outs ideal for modern DAW hybrid workflows\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePost-fader \/ post-EQ direct out configuration\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIndividual channel ON\/OFF switching\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePFL (Pre-Fade Listen) monitoring system\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeak LEDs and full VU metering section\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExtensive monitoring and tape return routing\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach channel includes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3-band EQ\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSelectable low and mid frequency points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIndependent boost\/cut EQ controls\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEQ ON\/OFF switching\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeparate microphone and line input level controls\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e30 dB pad switch\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGain trim control\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePan control\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEffects and auxiliary send routing\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInsert points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDirect output access\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe EQ section on these consoles is particularly musical and one of the reasons engineers still seek out the M-series desks today. The selectable frequency architecture allows much more precise tone shaping than typical fixed-frequency budget consoles from the era. The low and mid bands both feature adjustable gain cut\/boost sections, making the desk surprisingly capable for aggressive tone sculpting, saturation shaping and analog coloration during tracking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRouting flexibility is another massive strength of the M-312. The desk offers:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e4 auxiliary sends\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDedicated effects send and return system\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMultiple pre\/post routing options\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIndependent monitor mixing\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTape return monitoring\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFlexible subgroup assignment\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStereo and mono summing options\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChannel inserts on inputs, groups and master sections\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis allows extremely creative integration of outboard gear including reverbs, delays, tape echoes, compressors, EQs and parallel processing chains. The desk is equally comfortable in a traditional tape workflow, hybrid DAW setup or fully analog production environment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne particularly interesting aspect of the M-312 design is its mix of balanced and unbalanced architecture throughout the console. While many compact consoles from the era relied heavily on simple unbalanced outputs, the M-312 incorporates electronically balanced outputs on the main bus architecture using phase-inverted driver stages built around JRC\/NJM 5532D op-amps.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 4 subgroup outputs as well as the main Left, Right and Mono outputs all benefit from this electronically balanced topology. Rather than using transformers from factory, TASCAM achieved balanced operation through active phase inversion circuitry driven by the dual 5532D stages, allowing excellent compatibility with professional studio environments while maintaining low noise and strong output capability.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis gives the console impressive flexibility:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProfessional balanced outputs for long cable runs and studio integration\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnbalanced compatibility where required\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSimultaneous routing to tape machines, interfaces and outboard gear\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIndependent subgroup processing possibilities\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParallel recording and monitoring workflows\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFlexible hybrid analog \/ digital studio integration\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCombined with the newly added transformer-balanced direct outputs, the console now offers both classic electronically balanced TASCAM bus architecture and true transformer-balanced channel outputs, creating a very unique blend of vintage Japanese console design and API-inspired transformer coloration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdditional functionality includes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAUX 3\/4 summing capability\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDedicated monitor section with PAN and LEVEL controls\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStereo and mono master outputs\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBalanced and unbalanced output formats\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTape return monitoring system\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExternal effects return network with PFL monitoring\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFlexible buss assignment architecture\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTalkback system\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMonitor source selection system\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMultiple independent cue mixes\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChannel and master insert points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExtensive rear-panel patching capability\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe M-312 has quietly become one of the great sleeper consoles of the vintage recording world because it combines genuine analog character, impressive routing flexibility and manageable size in a format that integrates beautifully with modern recording systems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith the addition of the custom CAPI transformer-balanced direct outputs, this console moves far beyond a typical project-studio mixer and into genuinely high-end analog front-end territory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCareful and insured shipping available. Local pickup in Montreal welcomed. The console will be packed with extreme care using heavy-duty custom packaging suitable for international transport.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Herscheid and the Headbangers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51347330302230,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0738\/4167\/2470\/files\/IMG_9013_94883421-8bf6-4b90-aa3f-6ae3c6f284d6.heic?v=1779991218","url":"https:\/\/herscheids.com\/fr\/products\/tascam-m-312-with-transformer-balanced-direct-out-capi-api-style-fully-serviced-recapped","provider":"Herscheid and the Headbangers","version":"1.0","type":"link"}