688 Overdub Fader/Volume Question

[GaryS]

I recently purchased a 688.
#1 When overdubbing I can't seem to use the faders to control the level of the tracks already recorded.
If I have Trk 1 Drums , Trk 2 Guitar , Trk 3 Vocal and want to Overdud a Bass on Trk 4 I can do it but if I want to boost the fader on Trk 1 and pull back the Fader on Trk 3 I don't hear a difference in the levels. I can adjust the Volume of the Trk I am overdubbing on to (in this case Trk 4) BUT the other Faders seem to be deactivated. FYI - I'm in Scene 4.

#2 When recording alone why do I ever need to be in Scene 1-8? Can't I just go to the scene that allows recording on each channel and arm the one I want to use? My question is directed at the theory behind the design of the scenes. Why even have them?

Thanks!

 

[heatmiser]

Hey - I think I might be able to answer your questions. The 688 is a beast, huh? Great machine, but the scenes are possibly the most confusing part of what is already a pretty overwhelming cassestte studio.

#1 When overdubbing I can't seem to use the faders to control the level of the tracks already recorded.
If I have Trk 1 Drums , Trk 2 Guitar , Trk 3 Vocal and want to Overdud a Bass on Trk 4 I can do it but if I want to boost the fader on Trk 1 and pull back the Fader on Trk 3 I don't hear a difference in the levels. I can adjust the Volume of the Trk I am overdubbing on to (in this case Trk 4) BUT the other Faders seem to be deactivated. FYI - I'm in Scene 4.

Not sure how you have your monitoring set up with this, but when overdubbing, you need to use the cue monitor section to listen to, and adjust the levels of your prerecorded tracks. I don't think the faders have any affect on what you hear. Make sure you have only the cue monitor button depressed and use the monitor level and pan knobs to adjust tracks 1-3 to taste. I think the faders really only change the level of those tracks when you're actually recording on one of them, or when you're in mixdown mode.

#2 When recording alone why do I ever need to be in Scene 1-8? Can't I just go to the scene that allows recording on each channel and arm the one I want to use? My question is directed at the theory behind the design of the scenes. Why even have them?

Yes, some of the scenes have some redundant settings, but with 99 options, you can kind of expect that. I really mainly only used maybe 3-4 presets and another 3-4 scenes I made myself. I think the difference here is that scenes 1-8 are set up so that every input is routed to the one track/channel that corresponds to the scene number. Meaning, scene 1 is set up so that no matter what input you use, you're recording to track 1. These scenes are good if you prefer to leave your mic or other source in one input, and prefer instead to change scenes to route the input to different tracks as you go.

Conversely, other scenes, like scene 10, are set up to record all 8 inputs to their 8 respective tracks/channels. With this set up, you know whatever input you're using is routed to the same corresponding track/channel. This scene is better if you prefer to move the mic from one input to another as you go, rather than leaving the mic and changing scenes each time. They're just giving you tons of similar, but slightly different options to do the same thing to account for all the different workflows people might prefer.

Hope this helps!

 

[GaryS]

Wow. Tremendously helpful. Let's say I want to record a vocal on trk 1, guitar on 2 and a drum machine on 3. I would use Scene 10 arming only track 1, 2 and 3. Is that right? If I then wanted to record a harmony vocal on trk 4 I could switch to scene 4, leave the mic plugged into input 1, set the levels on track 4 using the fader, arm 4 and record? Is that right? I would also click the Cue Monitor button and adjust the levels and pan of tracks 1, 2 and 3 using the knobs for overdub reference and disregarding the actual track (faders, eq etc) until mix down (scene 12). Am I correct?

 

[heatmiser]

Yeah, I mean, there are other ways to do it, and probably still some additional variables to consider (I assume you're recording tracks 1,2 & 3 simultaneously in your example?), but basically I think that's it.

There are so many damn routing options, knobs, buttons, etc. on that thing that I can't tell you how many times I would just get completely stuck trying to set something up. I can even remember getting really angry on occasion. Eventually, I'd make one final adjustment somewhere and it would do what I wanted. I wasn't always sure why though!

 

[GaryS]

I have a Tascam Porta 02. Add EQ to that, 2 XLRs and 2 to 4 more tracks and I'd be happy. The simplicity of that machine is sublime. The 688 is nice but I want to spend my time placing a mike or getting a harmony perfect. I don't want to spend time trying to figure out "work arounds" in the system that is supposed to be helping me. I really think I bought a great machine but it isn't for me. Which is cool. I'll give it another month and then I'll decide.
What is so great about comp based recording systems (I'm discovering) is that you can use a four track and when it is filled you can transfer them to the computer, sync them up and overdub to your hearts content. I'm an old dog just getting back into the game. The possiblities are ENDLESS. Thank you for the help.
- Gary

 

[heatmiser]

Hey - I'm guessing you're long gone by now, but in case you come back, I just wanted to add that despite what I said about getting frustrated, I really think the 688 is well worth the learning curve. Give it at least a month. That's about how long it was before I started getting somewhat comfortable. I swear that once you understand the routing, you can really do a lot of it on the fly and it becomes pretty intuitive.

Also, if you're interested in analog/digital hybrid work, the 688 is great for that as you can feed all 8 tape outs independantly via 1/4" jacks in the back. I fed some old tapes into a 24 track digital porta-thingie and it really worked great. I guess for a comp you'd need an 8-input interface though...anyway, the possibilities as you say are endless - don't give up!