The Yamaha DTR2 Digital Audio Tape Recorder is a professional-grade, rack-mounted stereo mastering deck designed for high-fidelity studio applications. Developed with precision and clarity in mind, the Yamaha DTR2 integrates both consumer and professional-level connectivity, making it suitable for a wide range of digital recording environments.
Equipped with both EIAJ CP-340 optical and IEC 958 coaxial digital interfaces, the Yamaha DTR2 supports 1-bit ADC and DAC conversion. Its advanced circuitry incorporates a digital filter and high-performance converter stages, delivering transparent audio performance. The Yamaha DTR2 supports digital input sampling rates of 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, and 48 kHz, with automatic selection based on the source signal. For analogue sources, users can manually choose between 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz via a front-panel switch. Analogue connections include balanced XLR (+4 dBm) and unbalanced RCA (–10 dBV) inputs and outputs.
Audio performance is highly impressive, with a specified total harmonic distortion plus noise of just 0.003% at 1 kHz, a dynamic range of 92 dB, and a separation of 96 dB. Frequency response at the highest sampling rate (48 kHz) spans from 2 Hz to 22 kHz (±0.5 dB), ensuring extended and accurate sound reproduction.
The Yamaha DTR2 includes a remote control unit, powered from the recorder itself via the rear-panel Remote jack. The remote duplicates nearly all front-panel functions, except for recording mode selection and skip play control. Unfortunately, the unit lacks external control ports such as a parallel I/O or RS-422 interface, which limits integration into some professional automation setups.
User interface and metering are designed for clarity. A large digital counter displays elapsed time, current playback time, or cumulative tape counter values, with TOC data support enabling display of the total number of tracks on the tape. The Yamaha DTR2 also includes stereo peak level meters ranging from –60 to 0 dB, with an “Over” indicator showing when the nominal 0 dB level is exceeded. While the metering system does not show precise over-level values, the unit’s generous headroom prevents obvious distortion from brief transients exceeding 0 dB.
Control layout is intuitive, with two ganged rotary input level controls and well-labelled switches managing all major transport and ID functions. Front-panel buttons allow for writing and erasing Start, End, and Skip IDs, along with manual and automatic write/erase functions, useful for structuring digital recordings and enabling precise navigation during playback.
The Yamaha DTR2 stood out at the time of its release as a robust and capable DAT recorder with strong digital audio performance, a clear interface, and dependable build quality. Its only major drawback was the lack of extended external control integration, which would have made it more attractive for complex studio setups. Nonetheless, it remains a noteworthy entry in Yamaha’s line of digital audio recorders, particularly for mastering and archival use.
Features
- Designed for professional mastering use
- 1-bit AD/DA conversion with digital filtering for high-fidelity audio
- Digital input sampling rates: 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, and 48 kHz (auto-select)
- Analogue input sampling rates selectable between 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz
- Digital inputs: Coaxial (IEC 958) and optical (EIAJ CP-340)
- Digital outputs: Coaxial (IEC 958) and optical (EIAJ CP-340)
- Analogue inputs: Balanced XLR (+4 dBm) and unbalanced RCA (–10 dBV)
- Analogue outputs: Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA
- Large digital counter display: Shows elapsed time, current time, or tape counter
- TOC data display: Displays total number of tracks
- Stereo peak meters: Range from –60 dB to 0 dB with overload indication
- Manual and automatic ID functions: Start, End, and Skip ID write/erase
- Ganged input level controls: Rotary knobs for easy adjustment
- Remote control unit included: Duplicates most front-panel functions
- Internal power for remote: Supplied via rear-panel Remote jack