User manual TASCAM 488 PORTASTUDIO

[. . . ] TASCAM TEAC Professional Division 488 5700123804 Table Of Contents Safety Instructions Introduction The Recording System The three steps to multitrack Understanding the Mixer Signal flow in the 488 mixer Cue monitor system Multitrack Cassette Recorder Track Format and Tape Recommendations Block Diagram Brief Guide Step-By-Step Operations Guide Let's tray the 488 mixer How to record on track 1 How to make an overdub on track 2 How to record all other tracks How to record many sources onto a single track How to record multiple tracks simultaneously How to mix down Using Memory Location Points Loading MEMO points Locating the tape Repeat Play PUNCH-IN or INSERT Recording REHEARSE function Punch-in/out procedure Punch-in/out with RECORD Using RECORD FUNCTION switch Using the remote footswitch (RC-30P) Bouncing Tracks (Ping-Pong) Ping-pong procedure Ping-pong in stereo procedure 3 4 5-6 6 7-8 7 7 9 9-10 11 12-15 16-24 16 18 20 20 22 22 23 25-26 25 26 27 28-30 28 28 29 30 30 31-32 31 32 Using Effects with the PORTASTUDIO 488 33-34 Setting effect send levels 33 Setting the output level of effect devices 33 Setting the mix/balance control on effect devices 33 How to connect your effects devices 34 Recording with TAPE SYNC 35 Features and Controls 36-43 488 Mixer Input section 36 Tape monitor section 37 Channel controls 37 Channel assignment section · 37 Effect send section 38 Stereo input section 38 Group master section 40 Monitor section 40 488 Recorder Cassette loading and dbx system 41 Transport-controls 41 Track controls 42 Displays 42 Auto locators 3 Sync features 43 Care and Maintenance 44-45 Cleaning 44 Degaussing (demagnetizing) 45 How the dbx Works 45 Troubleshooting Specifications Level Diagrams Optional Accessories 46 46-48 49-50 51 Safety Instructions CAUTION: · Read all of these instructions. · Save these instructions for later use. · Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the audio equipment. Read Instructions -- All the safety and operating instructions should be read before the appliance is operated. 2. [. . . ] Set all the channels' INPUT ASSIGN switches to the center/OFF position. Turn the TAPE control on channels 1-4 all the way to the left/MIX. Turn the channels' PAN controls all the way to the right/EVEN. Press the ASSIGN "3-4" switch on channels 1-4. Raise the MASTER "3-4" fader to 7. Press the MONITOR "GROUP 4" switch, and make sure all other MONITOR switches (CUE, GROUP 1-3) are OFF. Press the RECORD FUNCTION switch for track 8. The REC 8 indicator will start blinking in the meter window, indicating the track is in Rec Ready mode. 31 8. Use channel faders 1 through 4 to make any necessary level adjustments. You may want to repeat this step several times to get the balance correct 10. When the balance is right and the level is peaking at no more than +6 on the TRACK 8 meter, stop and rewind the tape to the beginning of the track. The REC 8 indicator that was blinking will turn on solid and track 8 will record a copy of what is on tracks 1-4. You'll hear the mix being recorded on track 8 in the headphones. The REC 8 indicator will now be blinking as before. Turn that off by pressing the RECORD FUNCTION switch for track 8. Ping-pong in stereo procedure It is also common to bounce six channels to two tracks (for example, tracks 1-6 to 7 & 8) as a stereo pair. Set all the channels' INPUT ASSIGN switches to the center/OFF position. Simply arrange the PAN controls for channels 1-6 as disired some left, some right, some in the middle. Press the RECORD FUNCTION switch for both tracks 7 and 8. Continue as the above example. 32 Using Effects with the PORTASTUDIO 488 Effects and signal processing is one of the areas where you can really start to have fun customizing your, sound, and develop your own unique recording style- Because there are so many possibilities, it also can be confusing. There are many different effect units on the market all with different controls, types of inputs and outputs, and other characteristics. Read the manual of your effects device, and the following sections to get the complete story of what's possible for your particular situation. In-line processing: The processing that's easiest to understand doesn't involve the 488 directly at all. [. . . ] It won't ruin previously recorded material, nor will getting it back to original specifications be difficult. CAUTION: If the surface of the unit gets dirty, wipe the surface with a soft cloth or use a diluted neutral cleaning fluid. Do not use thinner, benzine, or alcohol, as they may damage the surface of the unit. The DBX is a wide-band compression-expansion system which provides a net noise reduction (broadband, not just hiss) of a little more than 30 dB. In addition, the compression during recording permits a net gain in tape headroom of about 10 dB. [. . . ]