414MKII center headphone monitoing

[bubinski]

Come on, sombody gots to know this one. Instead of following the manual and panning hard left or right, whichever the track may be, since I only record 1 track at a time maybe it would work if'in instead of arming the track as R or L , I should arm as 1,2,3 or 4.
Think it would work ? Huh ? Maybe ?
You know, channel 1 to track 1, channel 2 to track 2, ect.....
Anyone ever try this ?

Bubinski.

 

[Atwork]

When I used to record on my 424 I never understood the reason for panning when recording. I assumed there was one so did it anyway. I think I did sometimes record in the way you describe when forgetting to pan. I don't recall it making any difference. Probably you should try it and see what happens. Best I can do.

 

[The Green Hornet]

Yo BUBBA:

Just keep your pan dials straight up when you're recording. When you mix down to "something" you might want to play with the pan for some reason. I have panned the music to the left or right a bit to bring the vocal up front.

Sometimes a l/r pan of a horn solo will give a touch to the cut.

It's all in your ears and what you want to achieve. As Atwork said, I never quite understood the "hard" left/right panning unless it was for doing a stereo track.

Green Hornet

 

[A Reel Person]

There's BUSS L/R recording, and DIRECT recording.

Each method has it's use.

The basic mixer on the 414mkII is "8x2", which is 8 inputs mixed down to 2 tracks, [stereo-L/R]. The recorder section will record tracks 1 & 3 from the Left, and tracks 2 & 4 from the Right half of the stereo mix. The PAN controls whether the INPUT is Left, Right, or somewhere in between, and therefore PAN is central in assigning the Input channels to the tape tracks, when in BUSS mode.

F/I, as you described, you only have one input and you're recording BUSS mode, panning either left or right, assigning your one input to the tape tracks.

If you're only using one input, [either a line or mic], then you could record DIRECT, and it wouldn't make a difference, as long as you plugged into the correct inputs, corresponding to the tracks, and switched to DIRECT mode accordingly.

DIRECT mode records from the input channel, direct-to-tape, such as [Input 1:Track 1], [2:2], [3:3], [4:4], as you know. DIRECT mode is useful, if you only have one input [source], or if you're recording 3 or 4 tracks at a time, [anything >2], like with a live band.

BUSS mode recording is more useful when you have multiple inputs, and you want to mix all inputs down to record on one [or two] track, [L/R].

BUSS mode recording will become more important to you, as your production complexity increases.

F/I, you may plug your guitar directly into your mixer Input Channel 1, [LINE IN], and on channel 2, place a mic on the strings, [to capture the sound of the pick on the strings]. In this case, you'd want both the line and mic signal to be mixed, and recorded onto one track. This is when recording BUSS L/R mode is essential, when trying to mix >1 input channel signals together, onto one [or two] tape track.

[in this case] -PAN both Channel 1 and 2 hard LEFT, and record the mixed signal onto either track 1 or 3. PAN both channels hard RIGHT, and record the mixed signal onto either track 2 or 4.

If you leave the PAN in the center while recording in BUSS mode, it's okay, 'cause it will assign the input to the Left and Right, evenly.

==========

- In BUSS L/R recording mode, the left side of the stereo mix feeds tape tracks 1 & 3, and the right side of the stereo mix feeds tape tracks 2 & 4. This is most useful for complex mixing and signal routing, when recording tracks.

-In DIRECT mode, the individual input goes straight to tape, 1,2,3,4. This is most useful for 4-simultaneous-direct-to-tape, such as taping a live group peformance.

==========

Both are useful. You can do it any way that works for you.

 

[Atwork]

A Reel Person,

thanks for that. I've printed it out. That's two things I've learnt this week already.

 

[A Reel Person]

Thanx At-, no problem. I'm always compelled by the questions new users ask.

-And as a person who's intimately familiar with the basic Portastudio design, I try my best to answer with the most useful, specific information, while also trying to not get too 'high techy' on you.

Granted, even if you read the Tascam manual, [which helps], the manual can sometimes be difficult to understand, for lots of new users. Even the specific procedures may confuse new users, if they do not understand the basic principals behind the procedures.

-Anyway, I've thought for a long time, that the Tascam manuals were first written in Japanese, then transcribed over to English, but I could be wrong about that. Either way, I've read the Tascam manuals, and even to me as an experienced user, sometimes it's not clear, but I've filled in the 'knowledge gaps' in the manual, with pure, hands on experience.

Read the manual, it will help, then if you're still utterly confused, it never hurts to ask someone for advice & help.

That's basically why this board exists, to share tips and advice, not just to flame on people!

 

[bluezman]

a reel person:

i also own a 414mkII and want to compliment you on, not only your knowledge of the portastudio, but the intelligent manner in which you've transmitted that info.

your advice helped me also, for, as you state, the manual can be a bit confusing. i've read it at least 20 times and still am not quite sure of some of the procedures.

i even went so far as to purchase the instructional video. that helped somewhat, but still, it's nice to hear from someone who has had hands-on experience.

thanks,

bluezman

 

[A Reel Person]

Sure Bluez, thanx.

The Portastudio is a small unit with lots of features, that lots of new users don't understand at first, so you & Atwork are not alone. I'm just glad my explanations help, for some users, sometimes.

The hardest part of addressing the simplest Portstudio questions, is getting to the basic substance of the issues, with clear and concise explanations, that new users will understand, as opposed to confusing them more, [like the manual].

I'll tell you the real upside, is that when you grasp the concepts behind the Portastudio, it will become second nature as to it's optimum operation, and it won't be mysterious at all.

Tascam's brought great recording technology to the masses, and their manuals are good, but some new users have trouble with the manual. I know, I've read the manuals, and they have everything in there, but it might take the average Newbie more than several close readings, before it all sinks in. Believe me, I know.

Thanx, and I'm glad I could put one page of concise text down, that would give new Portastudio users the 'meat' of what they need to know, in plain, understandable terms.

-The Tascam manuals may say, "turn this knob/press this button", but if you don't understand the basic concepts behind it, then it will not make much sense, at first.

Fear not, 'cause the Portastudio was designed intentionally to be easy to use for 'normal' laymen, and average home recording users. You'll have a light come on above your head, eventually, and then after that it will all seem easy. Trust me on that.

Any other questions, just ask. Thx/DA