Connecting Tascam Serier 70 to Protools Digi002

[tchambeau]

I just got this Tascam Series 70, 8 track reel to reel. It is matched with the Tascam series 5 mixing board that you see in the picture. All connections made between these two are RCA plugs. I am looking to utilize this unit on occasion with my Protools setup, which is basically a Digi002 interface and my MAC. I would really like to take the Series 5 out of the lineup since it takes up too much room. I am unable to get any line levels from this unit to my Digi. I am able go out of the Series 5 into my PA mixer with no troubles.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Todd

 

[tchambeau]

Here is a link to a pic of the units.
IMG_0705.jpg picture by tchambeau - Photobucket

 

[tchambeau]

Some additional info. The only connections on the back of the Tascam Series 70 is an RCA in and out for each of the 8 Tracks.

 

[digidoon]

Hi, I do not see a pic here... Does the Tape unit have a Noise Reduction unit with it? Some of these Tape Maschines need a special plug / bridge if the NR is not connected. It is basically some bridge connections to bypass the NR.

 

[tchambeau]

Thanks for the reply, Sorry the pic link didn't work, I think these are now attached.
Anyway, no there is no noise reduction unit. This unit came out in the late 70's and only came with the Series 5 mixing board. Any other ideas of things to try would be appreciated.
Thanks again
Todd

 

[moogplayer]

Have you verified that the 70 deck outputs signal? You should have some level. It's optimized for -10db operation line level. Crank the output knobs on the 70 electronics and make sure it's in 'safe' mode and 'playback' selected...

 

[tchambeau]

Yes, the 70 series has an output signal to the Series 5 board, which I then can run into my preamp, recording in Protools. What I would like to do, is bypass the Series 5 board and record directly into Protools.
Thanks for the reply
Todd

 

[miroslav]

What I would like to do, is bypass the Series 5 board and record directly into Protools.

Just plug the outputs from the deck into your PT converter's analog inputs....not sure why you are not getting any levels at the Digi? If the deck sends signal to the mixer...it should send it to the Digi...of course, the RCA outs are probably -10...so you may need to adjust afor that at the Digi.

 

[tchambeau]

Thanks Miroslav, but I think some of my issues are related to the original reel tape that came with this unit. It literally has been sitting on this machine for 30 years. I ordered a new, unused Ampex 456 tape off of ebay, along with a demagnetizer. Both will arrive later this week and I will test some more and post my results. Thanks for taking the time to reply.
Todd

 

[moogplayer]

Don't forget to clean the heads as well. You have a mighty fine looking machine there. I just recorded with my 4 channel 1/2" Tascam 70 today. Will upload a song on here later today

 

[tchambeau]

Moogplayer, can't wait to here your song. I have been cleaning the heads with alcohol. Is there any other simple maintenance things that you do on your machine? I have heard that these reel to reels need to be tape aligned and biased? Is that something that can easily be done (with a little instruction)?
I have been messing with Protools only for around 5 years and this is the first reel to reel that I have ever operated.

 

[moogplayer]

Well the 70 isn't the easiest multitrack reels to use. The Series 80 improved on it quite a bit. I like the sound though! I say get your new reel, throw it on, and make sounds. Do this before you attempt to bias the machine. Maybe it's close

Here's a test track I did yesterday with Tascam 70, Teac 5 mixer, live drums, and a couple of synths:

idea with drums | moogplayer

 

[tchambeau]

Outstanding!!!, now you got me pumped. Nothing beats the sound of analog recorded drums. Yeah, I am hoping to throw the new tape on and maybe the bias settings will be close. The old guy I got this unit off of was the original owner and he fooled around with it for a few years in the late 70's and then it has been sitting under a sheet since, so there are very little hours on it. I hope to just use it for effect on some things, since obviously Protools is much easier to work in. Thanks for posting your recording.

 

[digidoon]

Great Music! Was that all done with a Moog?

 

[moogplayer]

thanks!

minimoog is just the fat bass line, osc 2 slightly detuned. One track 2 (drums = track 1)

tracks 3-4: Roland Polyphonic 505 for 'melodies' and stacked bass during chorus

 

[tchambeau]

I got the new Quantegy 456 reel today and started to play around the unit.
I notice that the new tape reel's tape is rubbing on the upper part of the new reel. So I am guessing this is a tape alignment adjustment? I took apart the screw down mechanism (it has a number of TZ-610) that goes over the reel, but I can't figure out how to adjust this? Here are a couple of pics.

The good news is that I did a test recording and now I am getting a louder signal. This test was done through the Series 5 board, then monitored out to a P.A system.
The next test though, was to try to eliminate the Series 5 and instead use my Digi 002.
I went out of the back of the Digi 002 (Alt Main Unbalanced) with an RCA plug, directly into the in/out of the back of one of the Channels on the Series 70, but get no signal? Each channel/track on the back of the Series 70 has both and RCA In and Out. Neither combination works.

 

[tchambeau]

Here are some pics of my setup. The first pic shows me going directly into my Avalon preamp. A few racks down you could see a Rosetta 200 a A/D converter. Could the Rosetta be my possible link between the Series 70 and the Digi002? The other 2 pics are the back of my Digi and the back of the Series 70 with the RCA connections.

 

[miroslav]

Look at the picture...your reel is not mounted evenly...that's why your tape is rubbing the flange.




Hey...you have some nice rack pieces.
How do you like the Manley comp?

 

[tchambeau]

Miroslov, sorry that pic was when I had removed the set screw on that top piece and although it is a little straighter than the pic depicts, the tape is still rubbing. What is odd is that there are 3 tabs on the screw down piece that fit into the 3 tabs on the reel, so you would think that it is forced to be centered every time you screw that top piece down. I've tried everything with no luck.
As for the Manley, yes I love it. It is the best sounding compressor that I ever heard, so I am big fan. I checked out your studio page, very very nice. I liked your guitar vids too. Nothing like a little recording sanctuary, in house.

 

[moogplayer]

those hubs are not fun to use. That said, you may need a reel table adjustment. My deck needed that too...