Mystery switch on M520

  • Thread starter Thread starter Granada
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Granada

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After months of scouring the internet trying to find a manual for my Tascam M520 I finally did!

The one thing I was interested to find out was what this toggle switch right above the talk back mic did. It didn't have any labels or anything. I looked up the master section in the manual and didn't find it.

After closer examination of the switch I realized that a previous owner had drilled the hole and installed it. I still have no idea what it does.

Does anyone know if there was a popular mod to this board or boards like this that used a toggle switch? any guesses to what it would do?

Also does anyone know where to buy the "U" jumper cables, mine only came with 8.

Thanks!
 
No idea on the mod...never heard of anything that was common. You'd have to pull the master section and have a look and see where the wires go. Any extra jacks on the back?

Tascam doesn't sell the normalling plugs anymore. Best bet is to just get or make a bunch of short RCA - RCA cables. That will accomplish the same thing.
 
Nope. No extra jacks on the back.

I took out all the channel faders to clean them but got a little scared on the master section. They worked fine so I didn't mess with them. I might have open her up again...
 
just a stupid guess but since guys try to put things like swithces near the function.... how a bout a replacement talkback engage??? he had a problem with the original and couldn't be bothered to source a new one???:eek:
 
Yeah...that's a good idea...maybe one of the talkback switches stuck on or something...does the talkback section work normally with that extra switch in both positions?

Leave it to demented...
 
Yup talk back works fine in when the mystery switch is in both positioned. That was my initial thought as well.

I once i have everything set up right ( a few weeks, just finished soldering snakes and picking up some gear) i am just going to play with it until something happens. I suppose I could open it up but that seems like such a pain after I just put it back together.

Thanks for the suggestions, let me know if anything else pops into your brains.
 
Okay.

Another thought would be the oscillator...see if that works with the switch in both positions. I've noticed that there is some oscillator bleed into the headphone circuit on my M-520...maybe some sort of interrupt? Doesn't really make sense because the oscillator doesn't go anywhere if it is interrupted, so its not like you could have an interrupt switch and still have the oscillator feed the OSC OUT jacks or something, but it is worth a try anyway.

Y'know, granada, another thought is that you wouldn't have to pull the master section all apart or anything...you might be able to just lift it up and look through one or the other side to see if you can see where the switch leads go...might get you started on where to test its function on the board...maybe the switch leads go nowhere.

In case it is helpful:

  1. remove the 6 screws that hold the jack/rear panel to the frame (the larger screws just above the tops of the channel and master modules)
  2. tip the meter bridge/jack panel back to expose the two screws at the top of the master section that hold the master section to the frame
  3. remove those two screws at the top of the master section
  4. remove the 6 screws that hold the trim strip to the armrest and set the trim strip aside
  5. remove the two screws that hold the bottom of the master section to the frame
  6. now lift up the bottom of the master section, set a block of wood or something on the armrest and set the bottom of the master section on the support block
  7. now the master section is exposed and you have both hands free, one to hold a chopstick or other non-conductive probe, and the other to hold a good flashlight...
  8. try and see the switch from either side, and use the chopstick or whatever to gently move wires if necessary to see what the deal is with the mystery switch

The process shouldn't take too long, is pretty simple and avoids pulling anything in the master section apart...relatively non-invasive and will help those of us with over-active curious minds sleep better! :D

Just a thought.
 
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I would feel comfortable doing what you said above and I think I am going to try. I should have some hours free in the next few days. I will keep you posted.

On a side note. I just bought 2 RNC compressors in a rackmount and am very exited. I made the purchase as I am configuring my patchbays and now realize that I need another one.. when does it end? hopefully never.

I will keep you posted when I get around to popin open the top of the master section.

Thanks for the input, always appreciated.

Do you have a manual for the M520? as i stated earlier I FINALLY found one and will be more than happy to share with anyone on this board.

Cheers mates!
 
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