midi sync question re tape portastudios

[clevodrummer]

I have a real newbie ?, but I GOTS to know!! what exactly do midi sync tones do in relation to the sync jacks on portastudios? Do they enable one to combine a portastudio with a digital studio,etc. as far as tracking together in perfect sync?

I keep looking at the Korg D888 which is a digital 8 track with 8 out capabilities. Can I combine this with my 424 4 track and for instance dump 4 tracks to it from my 424 and add 4 more to the korg via the 424 tracking whilst monitoring the 4 I sent to the korg?

im sooooooo confused.

 

[jpmorris]

It will allow you to sync another machine to the portastudio, yes. Basically, when locking two machines together, one of them acts as master, and the other is the slave. The slave chases the master and tries to keep in sync with it.

Unless your portastudio actually has the ability to act as a slave - which I doubt - it will have to be the master.

If the Korg can chase to an external timecode, then yes, you can record a code on track 4 of the portastudio, and get the Korg to follow it. You could then either have both playing together for 11 tracks or whatever (the Korg probably won't need a sync track if it's digital), or you can record 3 on the cassette deck and dump them on the Korg.

You can also use the timecode to drive a sequencer, which is how I work.

You will almost certainly need an external unit to record the timecode. I use the Phil Rees TS-1 for this - people in the US swear by a JL Cooper unit, the PPS I think. Someone help me out here...

Remember that with an analogue recorder you will need to sacrifice one track - by convention the last track - to store the timecode signal.
Oh, and if possible, you want to turn Noise Reduction off on that track - many machines have a 'SYNC' or similar switch which will turn off the NR on just that one track.

Does that help?

 

[Beck]

I have a real newbie ?, but I GOTS to know!! what exactly do midi sync tones do in relation to the sync jacks on portastudios? Do they enable one to combine a portastudio with a digital studio,etc. as far as tracking together in perfect sync?

I keep looking at the Korg D888 which is a digital 8 track with 8 out capabilities. Can I combine this with my 424 4 track and for instance dump 4 tracks to it from my 424 and add 4 more to the korg via the 424 tracking whilst monitoring the 4 I sent to the korg?

im sooooooo confused.

Neither the Korg D888 nor Tascam 424 can be slave, so you’ll have a problem… two chiefs and no Indians.

It's easier to find a digital recorder that will sync to MTC (MIDI Time Code) than it is to find a tape deck that can sync as slave... and if you do, there are some costly extras and black boxes involved.

Get a digital system that will slave to MTC and all you will need is an inexpensive SMPTE>MIDI, or Smart FSK>MIDI conversion box like the JL Cooper PPS-1, PPS-2, or PPS-100.

 

[clevodrummer]

great answers....thanks...

That settles that question....I REALLY appreciate it guys. Good timing as I am close to a purchase and this info totally makes me reassess my current setup.

Im stuck in "I want to track with tape,but have to enter the digiworld in order to share my music".

In the back of my mind something keeps telling me to hold off,put on the brakes, until I can score a reel to reel 8 track." I have an Alesis Masterlink which is my digital mixdown answer. Right now I have a 424 and a 488, so I am using the Masterlink between the two ping ponging, which is fine except for the submixes involved. Right now I am still in the learning stage, so in a way its a good thing.

Without info from reelperson(Dave) and you guys, I would still be looking at pictures of gear with a blank stare!


thanks,
clevo