Tascam 388 Monitoring options?

[studiodrum]

Hey Dudes!
I'm trying to figure out the best way to hookup a pair of Speaker Monitors, a headset amplifier, and a Mixdown cassette deck, to a 388?

Unfortunately, my headset amp doesn't have 'Foldback inputs' . . .

Should I use:
(388) STEREO OUTS ---> INPUT Cassette deck
(388) STEREO BUSS IN ---> OUTPUT Cassette deck
(388) MONITOR OUTS ---> INPUT SPEAKERS Monitors (L&R)

or is there a better way to go?

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance guys!

[studiodrum]

Yoooooooooo hoooooooooo? Anyone out there with a 388, using a pair of monitors, headphone amp, and a mix down deck wanna help me hook these guys up?

"Of course I'm serious, . .and stop calling me Shirley, . ."

[superbeatballer]

I use a similar configuration with my 388 setup and it works fine. However, I don't use a headphone amp. If you're not already, you could use one of the two headphone jacks as a feed for your amp.

Another option you might try is using the 388's PGM outs for routing to your mixdown deck or decks. The possibilities are pretty numerous on the 388, but I see nothing wrong with your current setup.

[studiodrum]

Thanks Supermeatballer, . .I didn't know that you could use the PGM outs for routing to your mixdown deck. . .? That procedure might be a bit over my head. But, thanks for the info!

So, does it matter whether you use the Stereo OUTS, or Monitor OUTS for either your monitor or mixdowm deck, . .and can you use both the RCA and XLR Stereo OUTS at the same time?

[superbeatballer]

Originally Posted by studiodrum

Thanks Supermeatballer, . .I didn't know that you could use the PGM outs for routing to your mixdown deck. . .? That procedure might be a bit over my head. But, thanks for the info!

So, does it matter whether you use the Stereo OUTS, or Monitor OUTS for either your monitor or mixdowm deck, . .and can you use both the RCA and XLR Stereo OUTS at the same time?

Supermeatballer here! You can indeed use the PGM outs for routing, but you must set your input select switches on each channel to the RMX position. Also, the monitor select switch should be in the PGM position other wise you'll send the signals present at the mic and line inputs(useful if you want to use the 388 as a standalone mixer) instead of the tape signal.

It doesn't matter if you use the stereo or monitor outs for mixdown, however I prefer to use the monitor outs so I can hear the stereo mix and the monitor mix without re-patching.

Here's the manual I posted in "analog only" if you don't have it already.
http://www.marjorie-plastille.com/
Good Luck!

[Mark7]

I just plug my monitor outs into my stereo amp. But I really only use that for bouncing. When I'm tracking I use headphones and when I mix I listen to the signal from the mixdown deck.

Incidentally I tried bringing the outs of my cassette deck back into the 388 via the Stereo buss inputs once. As I recall all I got was some pretty dreadful feedback.

[studiodrum]

Thanks Super, . . and thanks so much to the link to the Manual! I appreciate it! I ordered one from Tascam, but they are on backorder, so who knows when I will see it. .

Originally Posted by Mark7

Incidentally I tried bringing the outs of my cassette deck back into the 388 via the Stereo buss inputs once. As I recall all I got was some pretty dreadful feedback.

So, if the Stereo BUSS inputs are not the correct input to bring your mixdown, or cassette deck back into the 388, . .what's the recommended INPUT that you should use so that you can playback your mixdown cassette deck through the 388?

[Mark7]

Simple answer: Don't

Why would you want to anyway?

[studiodrum]

Okay, so I'm kinda confused Mark, . . are you asking me why I would want to listen to my final mix through my monitor speakers that are connected to my mixing board?

So, what you are saying is that there is no way that I can connect my cassette deck to my 388, so that I can listen to a cassette tape through my monitors?

[Mark7]

I don't quite see why you don't just connect your cassette deck to your stereo amp. I hate to break it to you, but the stereo buss ins go directly to the stereo buss; which goes to the stereo outs. So you're creating a feedback loop.

Do you have a manual?

[superbeatballer]

He's right, it will create a feedback if you're monitoring via the stereo buss the output of the deck you are mixing to.

[studiodrum]

Ya know guys, . .I think you might be right. I don't think there is an input on the 388 where I can send my cassette deck, or cd player/recorder back to the 388 board. . . Cause, on the Tascam 312 I can use the EXT (L & R) INPUT Jacks, where you can hookup the output to your mixdown (cassette, reel, or cd) deck, and can be switched in and out of the monitor system using the EXT Monitor select switch. . . Buuuuuuuuuuuuut, I don't see anything like that on the 388 . . .andif I cant use the Stereo BUSS INs like you guys said, . then, it looks like I'm pretty much boned. . .

Originally Posted by Mark7

I don't quite see why you don't just connect your cassette deck to your stereo amp.

Well, unfortunately, I have Powered Monitors, . So, no can do Trevor.

But, thanks for the help guys, . .I guess its back to the drawing board!

[superbeatballer]

Originally Posted by studiodrum

Ya know guys, . .I think you might be right. I don't think there is an input on the 388 where I can send my cassette deck, or cd player/recorder back to the 388 board. . . Cause, on the Tascam 312 I can use the EXT (L & R) INPUT Jacks, where you can hookup the output to your mixdown (cassette, reel, or cd) deck, and can be switched in and out of the monitor system using the EXT Monitor select switch. . . Buuuuuuuuuuuuut, I don't see anything like that on the 388 . . .andif I cant use the Stereo BUSS INs like you guys said, . then, it looks like I'm pretty much boned. . .

Well, unfortunately, I have Powered Monitors, . So, no can do Trevor.

But, thanks for the help guys, . .I guess its back to the drawing board!

You could use any small entry level mixer for monitor switching perhaps. I've seen those little berry mixers for $40.

Just run the monitor outs of the 388 to the mixer and stereo out from your mixdown deck to same mixer->then send the mixer signal to your monitors. Choose which mix you'd like to hear with either the faders or mute switches.

[cjacek]

Originally Posted by superbeatballer

Supermeatballer here!

This reminds me of a story from "The Late Late Show With Tom Snyder" where the host kept referring to his then guest "Meatloaf" as "Meatball"!! It wasn't a joke either! Mr. Snyder later apologized but the damage was already done! It was too funny though! LOL

Sorry to get this thing off topic.

[studiodrum]

LOL, . .I was just teasin with the 'Meatballer' remark, . . Ya know I love my analog brotha's, . . !

That's funny cjacek, . .! I hate to get off of my own topic thread. But speaking of Tom Snyder. Did you guys ever see that interview with Tom Snyder and Ace Frehely!!! Holy Shit! It was the funniest thing, . Ace was high as a kite on the show, . . and Ace starts to remove some of his costume, and begins to dress Tom Snyder's teddy bear, that he had sitting on the chair, and Ace starts playing with the bear, . .saying, . look its a Space Bear!!!

Many years later my brother who was a jingle singer in New York, and ended up working with Ace, and sang backup on a few of Aces solo albums, . . told me that him and Ace would sometimes sit around and talk about the time that he showed up stoned on the Tom Snyder set, . .and laugh their aces off about 'Space Bear'. . . It was the funniest thing to see. . .

Anyway, sorry about the off topic, . .I just thought it was an appropriate story bringing up Tom Snyder, . .

[superbeatballer]

[QUOTE=studiodrum]LOL, . .I was just teasin with the 'Meatballer' remark, . . Ya know I love my analog brotha's, . . !QUOTE]
No offense taken Studiobum or Studiocrumb or maybe Studiodumb!

I actually like Supermeatballer better. BTW, what's a Studiodrum?

[cjacek]

Originally Posted by superbeatballer

I actually like Supermeatballer better

Yeah, its got more "meat" to it!

[superbeatballer]

Originally Posted by cjacek

Yeah, its got more "meat" to it!

That's the first time I've ever been associated with "more meat."