HELP!!! Recording a drum track from a PC to the Tascam 488 MK11

[gaz1]

Sorry to bring Midi music into this forum, but I am having trouble recording a drum track I have put together on my Computer Using Cubase VST onto my Tascam 488.

The drums sound harsh and seem to have a bass sound.. almost like a low bass guitar sound accompanying them.

I have tried everything from resetting the Eq's, cleaning the heads, demagnetising the unit as per the manual to replacing the connections spending a fortune on Gold leads etc. nothing seems to help!!

Does anyone have any ideas?

p.s. I am so fed up with the poor quality of sound that I am seriously considering replacing my unit for the new Roland VS-840ex Digital recording unit....

[audioforgery]

Poor sound quality from a 488? Unless the unit has somehow been damaged, I would suspect something else first (before you part with a wad of cash for a Roland).

You're not using metal tape, are you? You might just switch brands of tape, use the shortest length you can find, and make sure its type II high bias.

[gaz1]

Thanks for your prompt reply.
No I haven't been using a Metalic tape, I have infact been using a chrome TDK 60 minute tape as recommended by by local Music shop.
The sound that I am referring to only occurs when recording high frequency sounds i.e. Cymbols, High hats etc.

Any other suggestions?

[audioforgery]

You've stumped me here - I use the same tape you do!

The only other thing I could think of is isolating the recorder from static electricity. Sounds dumb, I know. But a friend who records church choir performances told me that he had to put his gear on anti-static pads, otherwise he would get screwy results from all the static in the carpet left over from 400 people shuffling into a church, especially in winter (?)

To my (very) limited understanding, high frequency signals leave a tiny signature on tape, and can be effected by static charge.

This is all secondhand, so I could be way off. Hope it helps even a little!

[gaz1]

That could well be a possibility, as the unit is currently sitting on top of a purpose built rack that has a seperate multi effects unit and amplifier underneath seperated of-course by individual shelves.
Where can I purchase these anti-static pads you were talking about?

[audioforgery]

Most computer retailers carry pads you can put your computer on, but I bought a second-hand computer table that has static pads built into it. They look like upside-down funnels where the legs meet the table. You might try a used office supply place for the table. I think Office Depot has the anti-static pads.