Adding pan control to a 34b?

[poopchute]

Hi,
Is there a simple way to add PAN control to a Tascam 34b? And I mean without adding a mixer. Could one hotwire 4 pan knobs into it somehow? Thanks

 

[The Ghost of FM]

You probably could though I wouldn't know how to step you through it. It would also need more then just the pan pots though. You'd also need to build a summing amp circuit and add in some addition RCA jacks on the back panel to accommodate the stereo outs...You'd probably want to also throw in some bypass switches so that when this jury rig isn't needed, you can bypass the mod.

Given the price of second-hand mixers these days though, why on earth would you even consider doing this?

Cheers!

 

[poopchute]

Really, if they had just included 1 pan knob for each of the 4 channels this machine would be fricking awesome.
See I bought it for my old man. He only wanted 4 tracks and I didnt want to get him a cassette 4-tracker. And I knew he liked reel to reels. He had a 2 channel sony RTR years ago.
Well he was asking about panning.
I was thinking that all I "might" have to do is have one rca come out of the output rca and have it wired to a simple switch and run it back into the input rca of the same channel. Kinda like you would a mixer but instead of a mixer it would just be 1 knob per track. Maybe it could be done. But neither he nor I have the extra money right now to buy a mixer for him.

 

[The Ghost of FM]

TEAC used to make a very simple 4x2 switch-box that didn't have pan-pots but did have a switch for each output of a 4 track and allowed it to come out on just two channels by selecting Left, Right or Mono; thus giving you a super basic, passive mixer. These boxes do show up on ebay once in a while and should sell for next to nothing, (as they're worth next to nothing.. ). I thought I had a picture of it on my computer but couldn't find it. I think it was called the MX-2 or something close to that. I used to own one of them about 30 years ago but sold it off when I got a mixer.

As far as what you were describing in your last post, that wouldn't work so don't go there!

Cheers!

 

[jpmorris]

You can't record the pan position on a mono tape track, if that's what you mean - you either need to record it in stereo (i.e. two tracks) or use a mixer on the output.

 

[poopchute]

Right JP,
Its fine if its still recorded in mono. Just as long as a person can still pan what they are listening to thru headphones. Thanks Ghost for that idea about the mx deal. Ill have to check that out.

 

[Vintage Texas]

Ghost, do you mean the AX-20 Mixdown panel, 4 switches on top and RCA on both sides

 

[FALKEN]

dude I hate to say it but just get a behringer mixer for like 40 bucks and be done with it.

 

[The Ghost of FM]

Ghost, do you mean the AX-20 Mixdown panel, 4 switches on top and RCA on both sides

Yes! That's the one!

Sorry...after 30 years, the mind slips a bit!

Cheers!

 

[Vintage Texas]

Funny when time slips away, have the same problem here.
Need a piece of string to find my way home again just getting the mail at the mailbox

 

[The Ghost of FM]

Funny when time slips away, have the same problem here.
Need a piece of string to find my way home again just getting the mail at the mailbox

LMAO!

Cheers!

 

[Vintage Texas]

Im couple of years older Ghost, just wait and see, it's all going downhill, memory, paychecks and women, only thing that grows is stomach and hair in your ears

 

[poopchute]

I see that there is 1 of those units on ebay? Would there be a reason why a person couldnt take the flip switches (L L+R R) and hotwire a knob so that you'd have more control? And then take the 2 rca outs and wire in a headphone jack too?

 

[Vintage Texas]

You trying to make a mixer, why not buy one cheap instead ?

 

[zed32]

I see that there is 1 of those units on ebay? Would there be a reason why a person couldnt take the flip switches (L L+R R) and hotwire a knob so that you'd have more control? And then take the 2 rca outs and wire in a headphone jack too?

i wouldn't do that if i were you. could result in a case of the dreaded anal drift.

 

[Vintage Texas]

Tascam M-106,Item number: 320194333867 $ 75.00 buy it now on that auction site

 

[poopchute]

i wouldn't do that if i were you. could result in a case of the dreaded anal drift.

I went to the doc and got that cleared up
thing is I (and neither my Father) want a mixer. He only does little ditties and stuff. If I could only buy 4 fracking knobs and just add 4 simple pan knobs I'd be as happy as pie. I don't even want to shell out 40 bucks for a mixer. I also think it would confuse my old man more than he already is...
Thanks for the help and ideas guys