MX-2424 & DM-24 control issues...

[musicman123]

Well, I went out and bought a Tascam MX-2424 and a DM-24 not too long ago and i'm having trouble getting the control section of the DM-24 to be able to work with the MX-2424. I'm sure there's just some stupid cable or something I have hooked up wrong, but i'm sure someone out there can help me.

I'd love to not have to run across the room to arm a track and punch in and punch out anymore. Any thoughts?

 

[Pierre]

Maybe...

One particular thing with Tascam machines and there remote, it is that if you want it to run proprely, you have to "update" either the machine AND the remote in the same time. Maybe your MX-2424 do not have the same version of soft than your remote?
I think current is 3.12 for MX.
Also, check if the menu 340 of your mx (remote configuration) is set to the appropriate remote.
Good luck
Pierre

 

[tmacri]

Re: DM-24 and MX2424 control

Assuming you are running the MX with Version 3.1 or higher and your DM is version 2.0 or higher, then try the following:

You have a couple of ways to make the DM-24 control the MX2424. The most responsive is to use an RS-422 cable (This is also known in our industry as an ADAT sync cable) to make the connection from the RS-422 port on the DM-24 to the Remote port on the MX2424. You will need to tell the MX2424 that you want to control it from the P2 protocol as oppossed to the default setting which is set to RC-2424. To do this, go to menu 340 and change it to "P2". To keep this setting go to menu 900 and hit Store to make this your new default setting otherwise it will change back after powering down.
Your MX is now ready to be controlled by the DM-24. Now lets set up the board.

Have your MX connected and powered on with the "P2" setting described above. First hit the Shift key on the DM-24 so that it lights up. Now hit the MMC key (Keypad #0). Hit the second encoder button at the bottom of the screen to choose Machine Control. If your MX is connected properly, you can hit List Auto detect and it should see the MX. you can also add one manually from the menu on the right. Once it appears in the control menu, you have check the dot that appears under TRK. Once checking this dot, your transport controls should now function. If you want to arm tracks from the board, you will have to choose one of the options in the window just to the right of the TRK dot that you just checked. If you want to be able to arm all 24 tracks, then choose 1-24. They give you some options so you can safeguard some tracks from being enabled by the board. You can now arm tracks to record from the board.

Next you want to hit the Option key (in white) by keeping the Shift light lit and hitting key #7 on the keypad. Choose the 4th encoder at the bottom of the screen to select Sync/TC. At the top part of the screen you want to change the setting to "OTHERS" and then choose RS-422. This will enable the MX's timecode to be displayed on the DM-24 and you can now use the auto-locator feature of the board to memorize and recall different counter based points.

This should take care of everything. If you are trying to use the Automation section of the DM-24, you may want to feed the board timecode via SMPTE or Midi time code instead. I have been told the DM's automation will not work when timecode is coming in over RS-422 but only via MIDI or SMPTE. I don't use the boards automation so I cant confirm at this time. If need help with setting up the automation, let me know.

Sorry for the excessive detail.

 

[musicman123]

Thank you for the extensive information! One of my fellow musicians and I just finished working through all of the steps provided, and I think we have everything except the cable. I hope to have one this next week, and then i'll post my results. I double checked the system updates, and they are both current, so with a cable and your instructions, I think we will be in business.

I did post another question relating to the MX-2424, since I am having problems with all of the odd numbered channels delivering a channel spike at random in every odd channel. At first I thought it was isolated to the lower digits, but it is definately from channel 1-23. Some here are thinking that it's power related, but I've had it happen in 3 different buildings in both Michigan and Indiana. So, unless the power in all 3 buildings are the problem, which I highly doubt, i'm stumped. I have the MX-2424 running through a Furman PL Plus DM, and that's running straight into the wall outlet.

It doesn't matter if there is a signal running to the 2424 or not. All I have to do is arm a channel with an odd number, and within 30 seconds to 5 minutes I will get a redline spike in that channel. When played back, it sounds like a very light click, but it still renders any tracks recorded almost unusable. Even when gated, it's still evident.

Thanks for any help that you can give!

 

[tmacri]

Regarding Spikes and Clicks

This sounds like a clock issue. Do you have a BNC-BNC 75ohm cable connected between the two machines? If not, do not pass go, we've found the most likely problem. I apologize for not mentioning it in the last post but I was addressing issues of control and timecode and assumed that this very essential connection was already made.

The rule goes like this: Every digital device has an internal oscillator clock. When interconnecting digital audio devices together with a digital audio connection (such as T-Dif,Lightpipe etc) only one device in the chain can be master and all others must be slaved to that same clock. If each device is set to be the master, (which is probably the case here)the samples will not line up in the transfer causing very nasty clicks and pops in your audio.

In theory, you can make a clock connection through the TDIF cables but the Word Clock connectionwith BNC to BNC cable is universal and pretty rock solid. Not all TDIF devices are created equal but that's for another discussion.

*you will want to turn off, or turn down any studio monitor speakers that are connected to your DM-24 before proceeding.

You will need a 75ohm BNC to BNC cable to make this very critical connection. Most Guitar Centers will have this on their wall from Whrilwind, Hosa or even their own house brand. I would suggest that you connect one end of the cable to the Word Clock Out BNC connector on your DM-24 and connect the other end to the Word Clock In BNC connector on your MX-2424.
To check and change the clock settings for the DM-24, hit the Shift Key and then #3 on the DM-24 keypad. If it is not already set to Internal 44.1 then choose it by navigating to it with the cursor keys manually and hit the enter key.
Next go to the MX2424 and hit the Set Up button and then press the up arrow two times until you reach menu 002. Hit the Trim key and change this setting to "External Wordclock". Menu 005 should already be set to 44.1K as a default but if it isn't, change the setting so that it does so. Again to keep these changes from reverting back after you power down your MX, you must go to Menu 900 and hit the Store key to keep the new settings as a default.
The leds on the front of your MX2424 should have the 44.1K light, 24 bit light, and the Sample Lock lights lit solid. Of course your DM-24 needs to be on and connected as described above.
This should take care of all the clicks and pops. If not, we'll go from there next.

 

[musicman123]

I will with all haste head to our nearest music store and tackle this cable with all of my might and bring it home to join with our system. I can't tell you how much you are helping us. Thanks, and i'll post results early next week.

 

[pbenjamins]

Thanks - July 3rd 2011

Thanks for your exchange. The questions and answers are still very helpful to newbies in July 3, 2011 ! I have been trying to get a DM-24 to talk to an MX-2424 for more months than I will admit. Your help did the trick, I may not have full control yet but at this point I can get the DM-24 / MX-2424 to record. (I am using the DM-24 for live sound reinforcement with the MX-2424 recording the 16 input channels direct output raw audio for later enhancement and mix-down.)

Thanks again
pbenjamins