Need help getting started w/ Tascam 424 MKIII

[fatjobberslob]

I have a brand new Tascam 424 MKIII that I just started to fiddle around with. This is my first time using a 4-track machine, as I used to rig my own recording device juggling two Sony minidisc recorders and a Tascam M-08(?) mixer--it was kind of a redundant process, so I decided to get the 4-track to make things a bit simpler. However, I just did some sample takes, vocals and guitar (both straight into the board and with a mic), and the playback result each time has resulted in a lot of hissing and I can barely hear what I recorded--the monitor has to be turned up 3/4 of the way to hear it. Yet while recording, the levels are right around 0, and everything sounded great. I play it back and all I can hear is a whisper of a guitar and some hissing!
I fooled around with this thing making a bunch of different adjustments. I can't say off hand what I did because I'm not around my 4-track right now, but nothing seemed to change the end result.
I'd greatly appreciate anyone's help if they think they know what I'm doing wrong or what can be done to correct/improve my situation or any simple suggestions. I really usually wing this stuff until it sounds good and learn on the fly, so I'm hoping there's a fundamental mistake I'm just making and that I don't have bad heads on my new machine or anything.

I'm eager to start laying some stuff down, so this is quite frustrating. Like I said, I'd very much appreciate any help you'd be willing to offer. If you need more specific details I'll be glad to get back to you. Much thanks in advance!!!

-fatjobberslob

 

[Vurt]

Did you run anything through that mixer for some reason? What were the record functions (are under the cassette)set on - Bus or Direct? The next time you're in front of the thing, take note of all your settings and connections, and let us know...

 

[fatjobberslob]

I was plugged directly into line one of the 424 (with a mic for vocals one time, a miked guitar amp another time, and a line straight in from my guitar processor on a third occassion.) Line one's Mic/Line was selected. I adjusted trim appropriately to line/mic each time, to get proper levels for each situation. Line 1 volume was set around 7, master around 7. The track 1 record function was set to bus. I eventually tried direct, but it seemed to playback the same way. Tape speed was normal.

FJS

 

[vox]

Firstly I think you should really take the time to read the manual there's bound to be a bunch of good stuff about track bouncing etc in there.

Maybe you had the input panned to the wrong track?

 

[fatjobberslob]

Point well taken, and I will go over it again, but actually, I've looked through the manual pretty thoroughly. It takes you step by step to do a sample recording, and that's where I encountered this problem with my playback being really low. I'm not even interested in bouncing just yet, I just want to be able to lay down some ideas I have, but I can't even really start since it's not playing back (or it is barely audible, I should say.)

As far as the input panning, that I might have done wrong. I left the panning control neutral the first few times, but I then panned to the left for track 1, after following the manual. Is this correct? Anyway, as I stated earlier, the recordings played back pretty much the same, regardless of the adjustments I'd make.

Any other ideas? My monitor should be playing back what I record at a decent,audible level, correct? Thanks

 

[Vurt]

FJS, all I can say is make sure your Line Out control is in either mono or L/R (not off), and that the Effect/Cue is on Effect 1. Even if those aren't set like that though, you should be hearing something.

You are trying to increase your playback volume with the control above the master fader, right?