Tascam
Tascam SD-20M Rackmount Solid State Audio Recorder
★★★★★
Tascam SD-20M: Simple and Reliable Solid-State Recording The Tascam SD-20M is a rackmount solid-state audio recorder designed for ease of use and reliability. Featuring XLR mic inputs with phantom power, dual recording mode, and battery backup, it’s perfect for schools, houses of worship, and con...
$975.00*
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jun 04, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.
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Overview
Tascam SD-20M: Simple and Reliable Solid-State Recording
The Tascam SD-20M is a rackmount solid-state audio recorder designed for ease of use and reliability. Featuring XLR mic inputs with phantom power, dual recording mode, and battery backup, it’s perfect for schools, houses of worship, and conferences.
Specifications:
- Form Factor: 1U Rackmount
- Mic Preamps: 2 XLR Inputs with Phantom Power
- Recording Mode: Dual Recording Mode (Captures a copy at a lower level)
- Storage: SDXC Media Slot (up to 128GB)
- Battery Backup: AA Batteries for hours of recording
- Remote Control: Wired Remote or Footswitch (optional)
- Playback: Variable Speed Playback
- Dimensions: 10.1 x 19 x 1.8 inches
- Weight: 8.7 pounds
Key Features
A simple-to-use solid-state recorder for demanding installations that mounts in a single rackspace
Includes a pair of mic preamps with phantom power for direct mic recording, and both the mic and line inputs can be recorded simultaneously
The Dual Recording mode captures a copy of the audio at a lower level, so if there is distortion you have a backup safety
A flexible, affordable solution for long-form recording ideal for installations like schools, house of worship, and conferences
Includes a battery backup system – AA batteries can keep recording for hours in case of power loss
Variable speed playback allows the playback to be changed without affecting the pitch
SDXC media slot supports up to 128 GB cards for long recordings
Specifications
Brand
Tascam
Model
SD-20M
Type
Rackmount Solid State Audio Recorder
Rack Space
Single
Inputs
Mic preamps with phantom power, Line inputs
Recording Modes
Dual Recording (main + lower-level backup)
Power Backup
AA battery backup system
Playback Feature
Variable speed playback (without pitch alteration)
Media Slot
SDXC
Max SDXC Card Capacity
128 GB
Pros & Cons
👍 Pros
- This solid-state recorder is simple to use and mounts in a single rackspace, making it ideal for demanding installations.
- It includes a pair of mic preamps with phantom power, allowing for direct microphone recording.
- The Dual Recording mode captures a lower-level backup copy of audio, providing safety against distortion.
- A battery backup system using AA batteries ensures continuous recording for hours even during power loss.
- Variable speed playback allows for adjusting playback speed without altering the original audio pitch.
- The SDXC media slot supports up to 128 GB cards, enabling extensive long-form recordings.
👎 Cons
- While it has mic preamps, the specific quality or technical specifications of these preamps are not detailed.
- The battery backup relies on AA batteries, which require replacement, unlike a rechargeable internal battery.
- The recorder is primarily designed for solid-state media (SDXC), and does not offer options for optical or hard disk recording.
- As a rackmount unit, it may not be suitable for users needing a portable or desktop recording solution.
- The "simple-to-use" description is subjective and does not detail the user interface or specific ease-of-use features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Tascam SD-20M record from microphones directly?
Yes, the recorder includes a pair of mic preamps with phantom power, allowing for direct microphone recording.
What happens if there's a power outage while recording?
The Tascam SD-20M features a battery backup system using AA batteries, which can keep recording for hours in case of power loss.
What is the benefit of the Dual Recording mode?
The Dual Recording mode captures a copy of your audio at a lower level, providing a backup safety recording in case the main recording experiences distortion.
How much storage capacity can the SDXC media slot support?
The SDXC media slot supports up to 128 GB cards, enabling long-form recordings.
Can I adjust the playback speed without changing the pitch of the audio?
Yes, the Tascam SD-20M features variable speed playback that allows you to change the playback speed without affecting the pitch.
What type of installations is this recorder ideal for?
This recorder is a flexible, affordable solution for long-form recording, ideal for installations such as schools, houses of worship, and conferences.
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