Multiple Tascam 688 questions

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Tas688forsure

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Hello all, Im new to this forum so hopefully all you geniuses can help me out. I just got a tascam 688 today and Im sorta lost. I have the manual and have read through it a bit but still Im a little confused. So first off...

I plugged a regular set of headphones into the headphone jack(there are two and I plugged it into the first jack) and I only get signal in my left can, and its a bit buzzy. I really didnt think that when they said that it needed to be a stereo signal in the phone jack that they want me to have two 1/4's in each jack. So, really confsed there.

I dont really understand what the deal with setting up guitars on this console. I plugged an electric guitar in to the line B(1/4 inch jack) and got close to no level. In the manual it says that guitars and basses need to be amplified and be sent to the xlr input, which doesnt make sense to me.

3rd. So I tried to plug in a microkorg into the line in(line B) to see if I could get a proper signal. The signal was still pretty weak, and I had to turn the volume all the way up on the microkorg to get a still less than decent level.

So im curious, do I actually need to get a DI box to plug these things in(Guitar, bass, synth)? And whats the deal with the headphone output?
 
I think that maybe my headphone jack is broken? Could that be possible, cause I stuck a tape into the tascam and have levels on both left and right on the meter bridge, but there is just no signal coming in on the right.
 
Hi and welcome to the site. I deleted the other thread you started in the Analog section. Please post your question in only one forum. I think this forum might be a better fit because it's brand specific.

Lots of knowledgeable guys here on the Tascams who can help out. I'm sure someone will come by with an answer.

Thanks!!
 
Oh im sorry about that! Thank you so much, yes Im hoping someone can help me out with this. Im so stressed out about it. I just want to record!
 
Sorry I didn't see this sooner. You've probably already figured all of this out, but just in case....

Yes, I think your headphone jack is probably the culprit. One of the two jacks on my 688 is dead, but the other works fine. I assume you've tried the other jack?

While you should be able to insert a guitar direct into the line inputs, I wouldn't expect a great tone that way. Kind of dead sounding. I think what they mean about using xlrs is that they recommend micing a guitar or bass cab and plugging the mic cable into the xlr inputs. Of course if using an external preamp (like with a condenser) you'll want that output going into the line in, not the xlr input.

If you're seeing the levels sufficiently high on the VU but getting little output through the phones, I suspect the jack (or the phones?) are at fault. Are you hooked up to an amp / speakers? If so, the monitor playback should be at a reasonable level. This might help confirm that the headphone jack is to blame.

When functioning properly, the 688 is a great machine. Hope you figure it out and enjoy it as much I do mine.:)
 
Tas688forsure said:
3rd. So I tried to plug in a microkorg into the line in(line B) to see if I could get a proper signal. The signal was still pretty weak, and I had to turn the volume all the way up on the microkorg to get a still less than decent level.

So im curious, do I actually need to get a DI box to plug these things in(Guitar, bass, synth)? And whats the deal with the headphone output?
Click to expand...


when using line-in, adjust the "dual" knob on the channel(s) you are currently plugged into. i recently had this problem as well and doing this fixed the problem, i just got my machine too and am figuring it out along the way.

I use a di box for bass guitar on this machine and use the line level inputs for synth or drum machines ect..
 
my best advice would be: read the manual over and over and again if you're stuck. Almost everything is in the manual. Learn the scenes! The monitor/rec scene is very diffrent from the mixing scene. You need to press buttons/switches to change to the routing you need. Good luck
 
Tascam 688 confusion

Hi everyone! New to the forum and new to my 688. I love this thing but a steep learning curve. Everyone says study the manual, but it is written in a confusing manner.
Can some of you great folks describe your process and work flow with this beast so I can get a better understanding ie: how do you record synths and keys, do you use phantom powered mics, getting that good direct clean guitar sound etc.
Any help would be awesome.

thanks!
Doug denada:)
 
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