MIDI into a Tascam DP-01FX

  • Thread starter Thread starter John M Burns
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John M Burns

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I've read the 'brief' manual trying to understand how to get a drum machine recording as a track etc, I'm missing something big time. I've conected every possable way etc, at best I can barely hear the drum machine through a track but it clearly isnt doing the right thing as it is so quite.

Lets gloss over the obvious - I'm new to recording, new to a Tascam or any recorder, new to drum machines - but I'm keen to learn!!!

Any help very much wanted
 
You don't specify what kind of drum machine you have but I assume it is one that can sync to incoming midi clock. Read the drum machine manual for the spot inside the machine to switch the clock from internal to exernal.

My solution would be not to track the drum machine to the DP-01 at all, but rather to sync it and take the result into an external mixer for mixdown. If you have monitors set up you can monitor both the drums - direct from the machine - and guitars, basses, vocals, etc direct from the DP-01. If not, the mixer will have a headphone jack that will serve the same purpose.

Your DP-01FX does transmit midi clock with song position pointer, so you are all set to sync the two together. The description of how to set the tempo for the midi clock is found on page 33 of the manual.

You can find a suitable mixer here and as far as what to record your mixdowns on let's leave that for your next post...
 
Hey thanks! The drum machine is a Zoom RhythmTrak RT 123. The only manual I have for it is in several languages, non of them English! I'll work on your advice, thanks a lot for your help.
 
No prob. It shouldn't be too hard to find the page you're looking for in the Zoom --- even without English directions.
 
You're right, I found the page, I think in Korean and now have got the drum machine controlled by the Tascam i.e. comes on when I press play, tempo etc controlled via the tascam setting - fantastic!!!!

Dumb question though - can I record the drum / bass from the drum machine onto a track? I know it comes on etc when I record but it wouldnt be there when I finish the recording? or am I missing something?

I wanted to record the drums etc onto track one and go from there but no matter how I connect it up, I can't record the drums onto a track.

Any assistance greatly appreciated - I have not eaten / slept / been in my wifes arms etc since geting this thing 3 days ago, I apparently also need to shower - help!!
 
If you've got a computer to post here, just add a freeware audio editor like Audacity and a better way to get your mix into the computer like this and you'll be set. If you need a mixer too, this would do the job for now.

This setup will allow you to leave the drum machine synced with the DP-01 and get the drum sounds into the mix first-generation without the necessity of eating up one (for mono) or two (for stereo) tracks on your 8 track.
 
its along the lines of this..

i want to turn on the metronome(speling?) on the DP01fx... i have tried various ways and followed the instructions but to no avail.... there is never a click or anything..

any help?..
do i actually need an external drum machine to lay down the click track?

thanks
 
John - I understand what you are saying, but one of the advantages with MIDI synced instruments (including your drum machine) is that you don't need to record them; you bring them in 'fresh' to your mixdown - like having a ten track recorder. Additional benefit is you get them in stereo whereas if you record to one track there in mono. Recording in mono isn't 'wrong', but most people record stereo drums.

The Zoom website has the RT123 manual in English, or email me and I'll send it to you.

Orc
 
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