Recent content by Dex

Hi-MD uses a new media format which actually holds about 1GB of uncompressed data. That 151.4MB disc also reformats to 305MB [uncompressed] in a Hi-MD recorder.

Hi-MD uses a new media format that is the same size as traditional MD but holds about 1GB of data. It is also backward-compatible with traditional MD media, meaning it can read your existing MDs as well as write the them in both the old way [for compatibility] as well as using a "Hi-MD"...

thanks Tryng it, doubt it will do anything, but will let you know. I hope part of the preamp section didn't blow. That would suck.

inserts Inserts are for mono effects. It uses a cable that goes from TRS [tip ring sleeve], same as a 1/4" stereo headphone connector, which goes to 2 1/4" mono [TS] cables/connectors.. one goes TO the effect, the other comes back from it. This way you can patch an EQ, echo, compressor...

Okay, I admit that I have left the manual for our 688 Midistudio at my friend's, and she's in Italy for a few weeks. The unit has not been moved, dropped, or otherwise abused. It was stationary and just decided to do this on its own. I know how to use the routing matrix [except for the reset...

By my experience, every single Tascam portastudio I have ever used (or even just seen) has this problem. Perhaps Tascam could improve on the jacks they've used previously? My 688 has two headphone jacks, and neither works well. The 488MkII I used a lot was exactly the same. Bleagh. D.

Indeed, you can use the other inputs, but you will need an external preamplifier (preamp) for every input you want to use. The trim controls are for the preamps in the mic/line channels. Any line channel has either a) no preamp or b) a buffer preamp only. (1:1 amplification) Basically, you'll...

I don't know if you've ever looked inside a 688, but the transport is all electronic. I don't know about the tape speed issue, but it should be simple enough to install a killswitch for the tape motors (there are more than one, remember). I'm not so sure that I would actually recommend doing...

The 388 I used belonged to the local University. Alas, it was not well kept, and in the 3 years from the first to the last time I used it its condition had degraded so far that the outer tracks no longer worked, etc. It seemed that students kept using cue to rewing/fast-forward their tapes...

The 488MkII's mixer has only 2 XLR inputs, and 2 more 1/4" mic inputs. This makes it almost completely useless for live sound applications, unless of course you're only using 2 channels, or 4 channels and happen to have 2 impedance adapters. Basically, no, the 488MkII isn't very useful for...

Uhh, hmm. The pans (when recording) are used to assign the mixer tracks to tape tracks - they should usually be panned hard left or hard right during recording to maintain separation between tracks. When playing back, the pans are used normally for stereo mixing. Make sure that you are...

I'd go for a unit with more tracks before getting another 4-track. You could probably sell the 424 and buy an 8-track with little difference in cost than two 424s. I prefer bouncing within a machine - far cleaner. Track to track bounce means a shorter path travelled (electronically), and...

I don't know about the demo you're talking about, but I do have a 688. I've used a multitude of the portas, from 414s to 388s (the 1/4" 8-track with mixer built into a console). Most extensively I've used the 488MkII (to record/mix 3 demos) and the 688 (so far just one indy release on it)...

1) When you record over something (on mag tape) it's gone. Unless, of course, you're the NSA or CIA. 2) The tape speed the 414 uses is 2 X normal. So, when you're buying tapes, the effective length of whatever tape you buy is the length per side divided by two. For example, a 90-minute...

Important HiFi information for those of you considering using an HiFi VHS deck (or Beta, 8mm, etc. for that matter)... 1) Find one with audio level 'knobs.' If it doesn't let you set the recording volume, it's using ALC - auto level control - and will usually be compressing the hell out of...