Newbie Question re Recording

[dalematt]

I just got the Tascam DP01 (Christmas present to myself). I've been working diligently at learning how to use it which has been quite daunting as I have never used a digital recorder before (the only recorder I have ever used is a little cassette).

The DP01 has 4 volume controls: 1 for the "Assign", 1 fader for each "Channel", 1 for the "Master" fader, and 1 for the "Headphones". The manual says to experiment to find the combination preferred. What I need is a starting point.

To date, I have been successful in recording, transferring the song to the computer, and burning to a CD. The problem has been the volume. No matter what I have done, the volume on the computer or CD player has to be turned pretty much to maximum in order to be (barely) heard.

I need suggestions on where to have the volume controls set when recording and mastering and whenever else in order to have a "normal" volume on the finished product (on the computer or the CD).

Thanks,
Dale

 

[cello_pudding]

How is the sound going into the tascam and what is it?

guitar plugged straight in? amp's line out > the tascam? microphone > tascam?

are you getting enough volume into it?

this is your gear right?

http://media.zzounds.com/media/brand,zzounds/DP-01_Left-2ad4bfea95edd4b255892e9ca902900e.jpg

have you recorded mulitple tracks? how do you listen while you layer? headphones? is it quiet in the headphones?

sorry there's a million questions. there just needs to be more info so we can prescribe the problem

 

[dalematt]

cello-pudding:

I am playing a keyboard and recording by a mic.

I have tried different things, the last one being the Assign volume on full, the Track volume about 7 out of 10 as also the Master volume.

The picture of the Tascam DP01 is the machine that I have (http://media.zzounds.com/media/bran...e9ca902900e.jpg).

I have recorded 1, 2, 3, and 4 tracks on different occasions and could hear them okay through the headphones (i.e. I recorded one track and, when playing it back through the headphones, recorded on the second track, third track, and fourth track).

I hope that I answered the questions clearly for you.

I'm wondering if the solution might be having the Assign volume up high, the Track volumes low while recording and adjusting them after recording but while playing back as well as the Master volume. Then, when I'm happy, to Master the final. I would have tried it today, but other things took priority today.

Dale

 

[dalematt]

I tried my idea today. I had the "Assign" volume on full and the "Track" and "Master" volumes at 0. Then, I played the song back, adjusted the "Track" and "Master" volumes to a louder level (around 7 on the scale, actually), was happy with the result, and then Mastered the copy. I transferred it to the computer and the volume on the "saved to computer" song was about as good as I had expected.

If this is the correct (or incorrect) way to do it, or if there is another way, I would be pleased to hear.

Dale

 

[logicaldove]

I'm not very good with my Tascam 788 but I had the same problem with CD sound - I had to buy a preamp for the mic to boost the signal going in. My recordings still suck - still practicing - good luck.