Mixer to 8 Track connection...HELP!

[pregnantmailman]

I've got an 8 channel behringer, with ins and direct outs for each channel, and a rackmount Tascam Syncaset 8 track recorder, with an in and out for each individual channel.

My problem is, if I have the ins of the mixer recieving the outs of the tascam, and the outs of the mixer into the ins of the tascam, it creates a loop and thus the machine's levels automatically max out and make noise.

When I unplug the ins of the mixer, which is the output signal from the tascam, than it is fine, but I need to be able to use the mixer for recording AND playback.

What do I do? Should I have a 16 channel mixer instead? Do I have to plug and unplug things each time? Should I get a switchable patch bay? HELP!

 

[Revmuddy]

8 track problem

Hey...I'm not an expert on anything but.....You can't run the channels back into themselves like that no matter what. I have an 8 track analog Tascam TSR-8 and found that I needed a 16 track mixer...just like you. I tried another mixer at first and had the same problem. Mackie makes a mixer just for 8 trackers like us with dedicated channels in and out. (8 direct outs) and channels 9 thru 16 are even numbered 1 to 8 for playback. I can listen to the tape deck signal while I am recording with no loop. It's a 1604 VLZ Pro and you can get it on Ebay for about $600.00 used or new for $900.00 from Same Day music....Hope this helps a little....Revmuddy

 

[flatcat]

You're getting the feedback because you're creating a feedback loop from the tape deck to the mixer. Signal goes out the channel direct outs to the 8track inputs, to the 8track outputs, back to the channel inputs on the mixer, which sends them out the channel direct outs, back to the tape deck, etc.

If you'd like a really terrific dedicated 8 track mixer, see if you can find an Allen & Heath 20:8:2. I sold my Mackie CR1604. The A&H has a lot of great features designed for 8 track recording specifically. They're discontinued, but you can find them on eBay (where I got mine), or at some of the used gear sellers. It's a GREAT budget mixer - really nice preamps, 100mm faders, two sweepable mid EQs, a separate tape return 8-channel mixer...it's really a terrific mixer. I would recommend one over a Mackie 1604 any day of the week.

You can also rig up a patchbay such that you would avoid the feedback loop, I think, but somewhere in there you'd have to interrupt the signal going one way or the other. It'd be kind of a PITA.

HTH.

 

[TexRoadkill]

Some mixers are designed to have to have 2 different inputs on each channel. They are called Inline consoles and have two seperate volume and a switch to go between the two. Otherwise you need a 16 ch mixer or you will have to repatch depending on what you are doing. You can get a patchbay to make that easier.