Finally got Tascam DM-3200

[Atterion]

OK, I finally broke down and got a DM-3200 (With firewire interface), and I can say honestly it was worth it. The EQ's and Pre's are nothing to write home about (Nor are the compressors), but musical still, and my critical stuff has always gone through a Focusrite TwinTrak anyways. The onboard reverb is definitely nice, and the whole bunch has integrated seemlessly with Cubase and the rest of my hardware. Now I just need to get me the Meter Bridge. I recommend this one folks.

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

Congrats, Atterion! I've had my eyes on one of those for a while now myself. I have a few questions I'd like to toss your way if I may:

1.) How's the menu interface on it? That's always been the weak point for me in iron of that "O2R-style" is that you gotta control so much of them through a bijillion tiny LCD screens. Then again, I'd probably be using the analog in mixing section of it pretty clean w/o a lot of processing, so maybe I'd be avoiding a lot of that stuff. But I'd like to hear your comments on that aspect of it.

2.) How's the DAW control resolution with Cubase? You find any problems with fine-tuning any Cubase valuesusing the physical controls? Or any other issues in that regard you feel worth mentioning?

3.) You mentioned that the pres are "nothing to write home about", but then again you're comparing them apples to an orange Focusrite . Considering the class of preamp we're talking about here, how would you rate the Tascam pres against others in that class of machine (i.e. small project mixer or project DAW?)

Have fun with the new gear and thanks in advance for any return info.

G.

 

[Atterion]

1). It is basically fairly easy to navigate around (A whole lot better than the DM-24 was laid out). As far as the "02R" style is concerned, well, it's present here too. But fortunately the menus are logically laid out, as well as the physical controls for navigating through them. Also on the plus side is the fact that EQ and compressor settings can be made entirely from the front panel LED ring encoders. Which is a nice feature (especially in the low light situations, and looks cool as hell).

2). As far as DAW resolution goes, I have nothing to bitch about yet. I basically use it to write pan and volume changes (which usually get fine-tuned anyways). I love the layout of the Machine Control/Transport section. I'm sure I'll find something to bitch about here eventually, but I'm still infatuated a bit too (Hell my last controller transmitted cc64 (center) at about the 2 o'clock position, anything was step up over that).

3). I've never been a fan of Tascam Pre's (analog or digital), and have always liked the Focusrite Platinums. Simple as that I guess really. I guess it is because they are very sterile sounding. I'm not a fan of the ultra-transparent (But hey all the power to those who feel they need to spend $5000 on a pre, to sound good ).

It is worth noting that I have not utulized the Firewire interface yet as I'm still waiting for an update to the DM-3200 to implemement it (However I've seen the same interface work with the DM-24, so I'm not to worried about that), so in the meantime I'm using my M-Audio Delta's to the max (Obviously I'll be able to really maximize its use when I can interface 32 channels to the DM-3200 from my PC, send 16 back to the PC, and still mix all my MIDI and additional tracks within the PC via the DM-3200).

My only real gripe so far is that the touch-sensitive faders seem a little overly sensitive, and while working on at least 2 seperate tracks I realized that I had accidentally selected another track (Via bumping a fader while working with the encoders), and had to subsequently undo the changes and reselect the track that I wanted to edit. So now I have disabled the touch-sensitivity (after all there is a Select button for each fader anyways).

 

[SonicAlbert]

It took me a while to get used to the touch sensitive faders on my DM-24. I think you can adjust the sensitivity somewhere, perhaps the DM-3200 has that feature too. Overall, I like being able to touch the fader and go, although it certainly does require a carefullness about not touching other faders, and awareness about which track you are editing.

The menu system on the DM-3200 seems pretty similar to the DM-24, which is to say that it is logical and easy to get around on. If you are used to analog mixers, using a digital mixer will seem very confusing and convoluted for a while. There was a learning curve when I switched over, that's for sure. But once you get to know where things are, the flow of how it works, then it's easy to do what you need to. At least that ha been my experience.

I find both the DM-24 and DM-3200 to be laid out very well as far as menu structure. On the DM-24 no menu is more than four pages deep, and each page has a labelled tab that can be accessed by a dedicated button.

 

[Atterion]

The menu section is almost identical to the DM-24 (Even the physical controls for this part of the board are laid out similar). I do wish the DM-3200 came with a joystick for surround work (There is a perfect spot for one on the right-hand side of the console just above the Machine Control section). Another gripe quickly: Not all of the transport machine controls function properly as of yet, but are addressed with the next update (as with the Firewire). I wish my sales agent had told me the thing wasn't fully functionable when I got it, but hey, by the time I get the thing running 100%, I should know it inside out.

 

[Atterion]

It took me a while to get used to the touch sensitive faders on my DM-24. I think you can adjust the sensitivity somewhere, perhaps the DM-3200 has that feature too.

It does, I just found it. They refer to the sensitivity in clock cycles apparently. I dropped it from 4Khz to 1.5Khz, and I actually have to put a fair amount of pressure on the fader to switch channels now. Perfect

 

[SonicAlbert]

Another gripe quickly: Not all of the transport machine controls function properly as of yet, but are addressed with the next update (as with the Firewire). I wish my sales agent had told me the thing wasn't fully functionable when I got it, but hey, by the time I get the thing running 100%, I should know it inside out.

It took TASCAM quite a while to get the DM-24 fully functional as well. I would have thought they'd learn their lesson and do the DM-3200 right, but I guess this is just the way they do things. The DM-24 is now quite stable and solid though, an excellent mixer in my opinion.

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

Hey, thanks to both of you for the low down on the Tascams.

That adjustable sensitivity thing sound like a great feature; I would probably get real frustrated with overly-sensitive controls real quick.

It sounds like Tascam - like almost everybody else these days - is following the Mircosoft production plan: beta versions are now production releases. Well, hopefully the good news is by the time I'm ready to take the plunge (not until next spring, probably; I just blew this year's equipment budget on Nuendo and some video gear repair) they may actually be up to a production release.

G.

 

[Atterion]

Hey, thanks to both of you for the low down on the Tascams.

That adjustable sensitivity thing sound like a great feature; I would probably get real frustrated with overly-sensitive controls real quick.

It sounds like Tascam - like almost everybody else these days - is following the Mircosoft production plan: beta versions are now production releases. Well, hopefully the good news is by the time I'm ready to take the plunge (not until next spring, probably; I just blew this year's equipment budget on Nuendo and some video gear repair) they may actually be up to a production release.

G.

Supposedly the new update is right around the corner (If it isn't, they're gonna have a whole load of pissed of people on their hands).

 

[fraserhutch]

I like my DM24

 

[Atterion]

I like my DM24

I like your DM-24 too. I sneak into your house while your sleeping, just to mix on it. But now that I have my own DM, I won't need to anymore....aaaaaahhhh....the good ole days............

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

I like Sonic Al's DM-24 better. Frazh's has a small dent on the bottom from when I got smacked over the head with it a few months ago for not knowing about the BetacamSP "mini" format.

G.

 

[Atterion]

I like Sonic Al's DM-24 better. Frazh's has a small dent on the bottom from when I got smacked over the head with it a few months ago for not knowing about the BetacamSP "mini" format.

G.

That's funny, because I blind-sided some fella upside his head for not knowing about the BetacamSP "mini" format, with fraser's DM. Was that you??? Dude, I'm really sorry I was aiming for Cellardweller, he must have been off drinking beer, anyone seen him lately?!?!?!?

 

[fraserhutch]

That's funny, because I blind-sided some fella upside his head for not knowing about the BetacamSP "mini" format, with fraser's DM. Was that you??? Dude, I'm really sorry I was aiming for Cellardweller, he must have been off drinking beer, anyone seen him lately?!?!?!?

I don't even know what the BetacamSP "mini" format is

But my wife will certainly be glad to hear that you won't be slipping into my place at night anymore

 

[SonicAlbert]

You guys are getting too silly for me.

The features on the DM-3200 that makes me interested in it are the 16 busses and 8 aux sends. Can all those busses and sends be routed outside the mixer?

 

[Atterion]

You guys are getting too silly for me.

The features on the DM-3200 that makes me interested in it are the 16 busses and 8 aux sends. Can all those busses and sends be routed outside the mixer?

Sorry Sonic...

Yes the DM-3200 can route busses, aux sends, direct outs, and stereo master to any of its TDIF, ADAT, & Digital outputs, and any of 4 assignable analog outputs, or either of the card slots (I.e. the firewire card).

I foresee the purchase of some nice TDIF-to-Analog Converter boxes in the near future.

 

[ZenFly]

OK, I finally broke down and got a DM-3200 (With firewire interface), and I can say honestly it was worth it. The EQ's and Pre's are nothing to write home about (Nor are the compressors), but musical still, and my critical stuff has always gone through a Focusrite TwinTrak anyways. The onboard reverb is definitely nice, and the whole bunch has integrated seemlessly with Cubase and the rest of my hardware. Now I just need to get me the Meter Bridge. I recommend this one folks.

I don't have a Focusrite to compare, but so far I have to say I've been very impressed with both the pre's comps in my DM3200. For instance, I tracked some bass guitar direct and used the built in eq and compressor...I really thought it sang. I am using it with a MOTU2408mk3 and Sonar 5 Producer. Usign TDIF I have 24 in/out and 16 buss.

The only issue I've got right now is that the MCU is not locking in Sonar and or it seems when I plug another midi cable in it whacks the whole thing. (all was ok until I did this).

I'm sure it's user error and I'll figure it out. but so far I'm digging this desk.

 

[KamikazeKyle]

So using a single Firewire card connected to Sonar 4 PE how many channels would i get for mixing? 16 or more?