Bypassing the Tascam 388 mixer with an M-308B?

  • Thread starter Thread starter WhinyLittleRunt
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WhinyLittleRunt

WhinyLittleRunt

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Check this out, probably a real dumb question because I can't fathom how this would work, but is there any way at all to bypass the internal mixer on the 388 and use a different mixer like the M-308B? And I don't mean just send the outputs into the inputs, etc... I mean completely bypass it. But, just for recording. During mixing etc, being able to use the internal mixer again?

Here's why I ask - obviously I have both units in question. I had situated my 388 in a control room which works great for monitoring. But because I'm recording myself, it would be so much easier if the 388 were in my live room so I can monitor levels correctly on my own. Since I really can't move it in and out of the "live" room, I was trying to find a way to incorporate the other mixer as the input so that I can check drum levels, etc. What I've had to do so far is set the gain by trial and error and do some test passes to see where things are. It's annoying, counter-productive, and totally my fault for putting the 388 out of reach! I know I can sub-mix on the other mixer and send the stereo outs into two mic inputs, but either way I still can't see my input levels on the 388 because of where it is situated. It is in anyway possible?
 
The 388 does have PGM buss ins. So you could bypass a good chunk of the 388's built in mixer but would just have to leave the ODD EVEN program faders up, (I believe...not sure without checking a signal flow chart diagram first) And that way, yes, you could make use of your M-308's dirct outs or buss outs to feed the 388's cascade PGM buss ins. You'd want to do a careful level calibration though between the two units so that the readings on the 308's meters lined up with the 388's meters.

Cheers! :)
 
Cool, I'll give that a try. I suppose you can route the PGM inputs then to specific channels as well?
 
WhinyLittleRunt said:
Cool, I'll give that a try. I suppose you can route the PGM inputs then to specific channels as well?
Click to expand...

On the 388? No. Those would be specific cascade input points to a specific tape track. But there's nothing stopping you from re-patching PGM outs from your M308 to which ever tape track you want to target on the 388. Or by making use of the M308's direct outs to feed all 8 tracks at once or combinations of both. Pretty much up to you and your needs for a given tracking situation. And you also make use of both mixers if you needed more inputs, say like if you wanted to use up a bunch of input strips to mic up a drum kit and assign those to just a stereo pair of tracks and then use the other strips off the other board to track other instruments or vocals. Many ways to skin a cat...

Cheers! :)
 
I tried the idea of using it as a drum submixer once, and I just couldn't get the balance right. Probably rushing, knowing me, but i found it is so hard as a self-recorder to get levels right easily without getting frustrated. See, here's where I'm stubborn; I went and set my room up such so my 388 was in my control room, and I have a panel of XLR jacks that feed the mic inputs on the 388. Works great if you are recording other people but I'm not. So, why don't I just move my 388 into my live room so I can work? Because I'm lazy and try to find workarounds for my stupidity! Plus all my stuff is connected to it (monitors, effects etc) so moving it would suck. That's why I had the idea of using the M308, which I got originally for my now-broken Tascam 38. I still want to try it though. I think the M308 has more options as a mixer but the channel strips are pretty much identical to the 388.

Of course I could always set up a video camera at my 388 to see levels and run that to a small tv in my live room :). This is why I never put glass in my control room window. At least I can reach through and mess with knobs...
 
A camera could be a good idea. At one point, many moons ago, I did the same and it did work but not too well because back then video cameras were NTSC resolution and my monitor in the live room was a crappy 5 inch monitor with equally rotten resolution. So it was still tricky to really see the meters clearly.

The ultimate solution for me was to have a band mate over who could share in the engineering chores. :)

You might also consider enlisting the help of a friend to simply bang on the drums in your live room and you could set the levels and make notes for future sessions of where to set the levels at. Just have to make sure that person is hitting them as loudly as you might.

Cheers! :)
 
So you were in the same boat as I'm in, that's cool. Thought about having a buddy come by to help also, or have my wife come down and set levels while I play. But I tried the camera idea last night, and it was pretty slick! I have a 10 year old DV video camera and an old, 13" combo tv unit so i zoomed in on the meters and put the tv out in the live room and I could see the meters clear as day. I could probably take it a step further and use a laptop instead of the tv but the tv is analog so it's cooler :-P
 
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