Finally! Dreams do come true!

  • Thread starter Thread starter AllenM
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AllenM

AllenM

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So today I got the main ingredients to record my 10+ track songs.
I just acquired a Tascam MS16 a month ago and today I had enough cash saved up to buy a Ramsa WRT820 at a local music shop. This mixer is in pretty good shape! Well the Ramsa WRT820 has test tone switches which I've posted a picture at the bottom. I want to calibrate my MS16 to use Quantengy 456. I have 2 tapes of 456. I clicked the '1k test tone' botton and watched the meters on my MS16 rise. They did not match up with the mixers levels (picture below). I have only tried it on the first two channels of the MS16 (dont have enough RCA cables yet..haha). Could someone point me in the right direction so I can successfully calibrate my MS16. Bare with me because I am still learning... :-) Other than that I am really excited to start recording! I did happen to record one track on my MS16. I recorded myself singing some 5th dimension stuff (LOVE THEM) and the quality is just fantastic! :D



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congrats!

Nice setup!

step 1: you got a service manual for the ms16?
 
Well, read the rest of them...then read them again. And then after that, read them another time. Then go to the section on calibration and start in on the first part and hit us up with whatever doesn't make sense. That's how I started. It is really important that you have some sense of where to find stuff in the manual and how to find stuff on your machine and you really have to experience that for yourself. Not that you'll remember it all just from locating the stuff but then when you start doing the calibration process it'll help you to connect the dots.
 
Alright thanks, sounds good. Ill give you all a heads up if I don't get anything
 
And there will be confusing stuff...just expect that...I'm not trying to blow you off, its just that there is so much to be said for the hands-on part of stumbling through it somewhat...then when you get in a jam and the explanation is offered it makes sense. Like really makes sense and that is really empowering to you to be ble to properly care and feed the system.

So, we're here ready to help...just suit up and start asking questions as you encounter challenges.

Pianodano was of paramount help when I got started and it was what he said that helped me take that first step. He said something like "you can do it, just take it one step at a time." The manual has the process laid out step-wise for you already, so put on "Getting To Know You", crack open a cold one, crack open the manual, get out your toolkit and start getting your hands and eyes on all the tweakers and learning how to access them and such. Orientation.
 
So Allen, did you get the shop to reduce the price? Nice score btw :D
 
For starters, before you start turning pots and making adjsutments....is it maybe a simple -10 VS +4 situation between the RAMSA and the MS16 causing the huge level difference?
 
Nice stuff, I wish you the best of luck. Don't forget to post some songs in the analog forum!!!!
 
That equipment would look much better in my location though!!!

Remember also that you can tune a piano but you cannot tune a fish!!!
 
miroslav said:
For starters, before you start turning pots and making adjsutments....is it maybe a simple -10 VS +4 situation between the RAMSA and the MS16 causing the huge level difference?
Click to expand...


Well the output of my ramsa board has two options. 4+ or -10, I have the rcas connected to -10.
 
Looks like your board as +4 and -10 output options as does the MS16. The MS16 is native -10 internally using a level shifting amp to get its +4 output. Using -10 skips one stage (of noise)

before heading off and adjusting read up on it then get if you do not already have one a true RMS reading meter that can handle 20 kHz. Not all meters are accurate through the audio band.

Then with meter in hand verify that your 1 kHz test signal is at -10 dBV which is 0.316 volts RMS. Having a good signal generator will aid in calibration but perhaps you board will be able to generate enough tones for the MS16 cal.

Then you are ready (with a scope) to calibrate your MS16 and board.

Regards, ethan
 
Alright I read most of the manual today. Looks like Im going to need loads of test equip...:eek:
 
I have no testing equip. I just have a MRL testing tape. Even reading the manual I have no clue where to start or anything. Im going to contact this guy at my local music center. He taught a recording class back in the 80s so hes my go-to guy so I just hope he can help me out somewhat.
 
Ok well I cleaned my machine. Should I just put on the MRL tape and get everything up to 0?
 
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