Mixing to casette

[studiodrum]

If mixing down to a cassette recorder, do I need to plug the cassette deck into an amp, or receiver?

If I already have monitors plugged into the Tascam 424mkII, couldn't I just have the cassette deck plugged into my 424, and listen to the playback, and/or final mix through the speakers connected to the Tascam 424?

. . .and if thats possible-- what is the best way to connect the casette deck to the 424? Thanks!

 

[The Ghost of FM]

If your Portastudio has both LINE outs and MONITOR outs, the cassette deck can be directly connected to the LINE outs and your amp would be connected to the MONITOR outs.

That way, your mixdown deck gets its intended stereo recording and your amp and speakers get their variable signal of mix or cue signals while overdubbing.

If your amp has a spare axillary input, you can feed the output of the cassette deck into that to hear back your mastered result.

Cheers!

 

[studiodrum]

Hey 'FM' . . !

Yes, the 424mkII, has both a LINE OUT, and MONITOR OUT. However, I was planning on using the MONITORS OUT for the (4) input Headset amp, and the MONITOR OUTS for my speakers. Currently, I am using a pair of active speakers with built in amps. . .unless you have some better ideas. . .?

So, What are my options to connect the cassette deck for mix down .. .
Thanks man, . . Cheers

 

[The Ghost of FM]

If your headphone amp has a FOLD BACK set of jacks on it, you can use those jacks to still feed your amp/speakers.

If it doesn't have those jacks, which are basically a split connection, you can pick up a couple of splitter adaptors from RadioShack and split the monitor output so that on split goes to the headphone amp and the other side of the split goes to your amp/speakers.

You'll need two splitters. One for the left and one for the right.

And, continue to connect the cassette deck to the LINE out jacks!!

Cheers!

 

[studiodrum]

very cool. . . .!

Sounds great. . . As always, . .Thanks again!

 

[studiodrum]

P.s. 'fm'. . .

what if I were to use a sub-mixer connected on the 424, . .something like a Yamaha MG-12/4 (12 Channel, 4 buss mixer). . .and if I plug all my mics into the mixer, and buss all 4 outputs from the mixer to the Tascam 424 for recording, . . What would be my options
to connect, my speakers (powered), headphone amp, and Cassette deck.

What would be some options .. ?

 

[The Ghost of FM]

Everything monitoring wise would stay the same.

The only difference is that you wouldn't be using the Portastudios Mic pres any longer, just the line ins from the Yamaha's buss outs.

Cheers!

 

[studiodrum]

Headphone amp FOLD BACK jacks

Actually, my headphone amp DOES have a FOLD BACK set of jacks. . .

So, would I plug everything in. . .would it be:

Tascam 424 (from Monitor OUT Jacks) ------> Headphone amp (FOLD BACK Jacks) --------> Monitors. . ?

then pjust plug the Casette Deck into the Tascam MONITOR OUTS?

 

[The Ghost of FM]

TASCAM 424 (from Monitor OUT Jacks) ------> Headphone amp (FOLD BACK Jacks) --------> Monitors. . ?

Yes!!!

then pjust plug the Cassette Deck into the TASCAM MONITOR OUTS?

No!!! Hook up the cassette deck to the LINE outs. That way it's unaffected by pressing the wrong monitor combination of switches or level of the monitor/headphone volume pot.

LINE OUT is a clean, two track output designed specifically for mastering decks of which your cassette deck or CD recorder qualify.

Cheers!

 

[studiodrum]

okidoki. . .

Thanks for the heads up om that one!