Connecting Tascam 38 & 238 to M-312B mixer

[SchoolHouseRock]

Wow, very cool site.
Hi everyone! This is my first post and I can use a little help connecting some Tascam recording gear.
I just recently inherited some vintage Tascam recording gear from my uncle and I'm feeling a little intimidated cause most of my recording experience has been mostly digital on my computer. But, I'm definitely excited about getting started!

anyways, I have this very cool Tascam M-312B mixer and a Tascam 38 and Tascam 238 (8 track cassette recorder) and a bunch of snakes and cables. SO, my first dumb question would be~ Is it possible to connect both the Tascam 38 and the 238 to this M-312B mixer at the same time so that I can sometimes record on the Tascam 38, and sometimes use the 238

and if so~ what are my options? or I should say, what would be the EASIEST way to hook them up given the fact that I'm a bit 'Analog Challenged' I have been reading the manual (or trying too) but I'm still a little lost.

I'm thinking that I might need a Patchbay, but not sure what kind, or even how I to hook these two recorders to the patchbay?

or could I hook up the Tascam 38 DIRECT and the Tascam 238 through the buss section?


sorry for rambling and the dumb question. thanks

 

[SchoolHouseRock]

anyone?

I've been using the search and reading a little bit more about these two recorders here online, and maybe the only thing that I need is the Tascam M-IB so that I can create a cue mix.

or would I actually need a 32, or 48 patchbay to hook these guys up? and what would the easiest way to do that.

if anyone wants to chime in with some advice, please do

 

[jpmorris]

I think a patchbay is probably what you need, but I've never used one myself so this is really someone else's domain. I think what you'd do is get one with at least 24 sockets, and connect 8 of the sockets to the mixer, 8 to the '38 and 8 to the 238. Then you'd get 8 very short cables, and use them to link either the 38 or the 238 to the mixer as necessary like jumpers on PC a hard disk or something.

The other thing to take into account is how you're going to route the signals into the recorder, since you have 8 independent inputs. I use a switchbox I made myself, but again it might be an idea to use a patchbay. That way you'd be extending the 8 inputs to the front rather than having to plug your instruments into the back of the recorder each time.

 

[The Ghost of FM]

The M312B has 4 buss outs which are double ganged connectors so those could be used to feed the inputs of one of your recorders and you also have direct outs on each of the 12 main mixing channels which could be used to feed the second recorder's line inputs.

For playback, there are 8 dedicated tape returns for one of the decks and the line inputs on the 12 main mixing channels for the second deck. Just keep in mind you'll need to pull out the 1/4" line in plug plugs when you want to run the dedicated tape return inputs through the main mixing channels.

So there it is. No patch-bays or splitters. Two 8 track decks completely hooked to one very versatile M312B mixer. If you don't have the manual, order one from TASCAM's parts department...well worth the investment!

Cheers!

 

[SchoolHouseRock]

Hey Guys!
Thanks so much for the help!!! Sorry that I took so long to get back, but I really appreciate the info!

Thanks for the info 'The Ghost of FM' I'm glad that I could route both decks through the 312b, but, I'm guesing that one deck would need to be used through the mixer BUSS and one through the DIRECT OUTS, is that right?

sorry for my lack of experience, this analog stuff is all new to me. I'm still a little lost. BUT I LOVE IT!!! so far

Thanks for your help

 

[A Reel Person]

Conjunction Junction,...

what's your function?

 

[The Ghost of FM]

Hey Guys!
Thanks so much for the help!!! Sorry that I took so long to get back, but I really appreciate the info!

Thanks for the info 'The Ghost of FM' I'm glad that I could route both decks through the 312b, but, I'm guesing that one deck would need to be used through the mixer BUSS and one through the DIRECT OUTS, is that right?

sorry for my lack of experience, this analog stuff is all new to me. I'm still a little lost. BUT I LOVE IT!!! so far

Thanks for your help

Yes, that's right.

Cheers!