What are the syncing options on a Tascam 688?

[Granada]

I am trying to sell my Tascam 688 ( im getting a M520 ) and a prospective buyer wants to know if it syncs to protools.

A - I am not sure exactly what his question is, he knows its not a controll surface

B- I never used the Midi Sync functions so Im not too sure on the matter.

Any help would be great.


thnx

[sweetbeats]

Tell the prospective buyer that:

A. Yes, the 688 will sync to ProTools. The buyer wants to know if he/she can lock the computer audio "transport" and the tape audio transport together. Tell the buyer that the 688 has a built in synchronizer. Look in the manual starting on page 30. The built in synchronizer converts incoming MIDI Time Code (MTC) into a type of SMPTE code called FSK. The converted MTC (now FSK timecode) gets recorded or striped onto track 8 of the 688 with track 8 noise reduction off. The buyer would need to know how to get his/her DAW to play MTC from the DAW and port it through a MIDI out jack on whatever computer MIDI interface he/she has, and then that cable gets connected to the 688 MIDI IN jack. A second MIDI cable gets connected from the 688 MIDI OUT jack to a MIDI in jack on the computer MIDI interface. Once the FSK timecode is "striped" (recorded) onto track 8, then ProTools needs to be set to synchronize or clock to incoming MTC. Press PLAY on the 688, the FSK on track 8 gets converted back to MTC and sent out the MIDI OUT jack to the PC, and then PrroTools, being set to reference the incoming MTC, should "hear" the MTC coming off of track 8 of the 688 and follow the transport actions on the 688.

B. See 'A'. Again, the instructions start on page 30 of the 688 manual.

This was one of the big deals about the 644 and 688 MIDIstudios (notice it is not a Portastudio, but a MIDIstudio)...no external sync box is needed (i.e. JL Cooper PPS2, Tascam MTS-30, etc.); its all onboard...they were designed to sync in a MIDI environment.

Hope that helps.

[Granada]

Thank you so much for the info. That is very cool news. I believe I will be the owner of a M520 come monday. Your M520 story is going to be my bible, soooooo much usefull information. Thanks again

[sweetbeats]

Hey cool.

Glad it is helpful info. I give credit to the many contributors to the thread and related threads that have edumacated me, so I'm glad I can pass it on.

Keep us posted on your acquisition okay?

We look forward to the details!