M-208 Effects Ret. Questions

[R. D. Davis]

Having acquired an M-208 sans manual, can someone tell me
anything about the EFF and EFF RET jacks? That is, are they
balanced TRS, or just unbalanced TS? Why is there only one
EFF and two EFF RETs? EFF into inputs of both effects boxes and
the output of each into each EFF RET?

If they're not balanced, is there any problem with +4dB signals
being used? I want to use my Boss RV-71, but the choice is
either +4dB or -20dB. Any idea why Boss/Roland uses -20dB
rather than -10dB like nearly everything else?

Also, how does one calibrate the meters on an M-208 to match
the tape deck? What I mean is where are the adjustments made?
Somewhere other than the (mechanical?) adjustment screws
below each meter?

[Beck]

The effect send and returns are unbalanced mono and not TRS. There are two effect returns, each with independent level and pan so they can be used as stereo returns from a single effect processor. They enter the circuit at the L&R Stereo buss. You can also use the foldback as a second effect send and use each return as a mono return. I use an external line mixer (Tascam M-1B) so I can send 4 stereo returns to the M-200 master returns. You can do the same thing with the Sub inputs, but you won’t have master level and pan control unless it’s on the external mixer.

The nominal input level of the effect returns is 0 dBu (0.8v).

-Tim