Recording with Porta 2 help

  • Thread starter Thread starter vintagedrive
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vintagedrive

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I have been playing guitar for 26 years but I'm new to the home recording game. I just purchased a porta 2 MK2. following the manual I can record ok on the first track, then the manual says since I'm mic'd in line 1/mono and nothing in line 2 the mic signal is split as if it were into both channels, yet I can't get nothing to record on input 2. I have to unplug from 1 and plug into 2 to record my second track. Also, when I playback the first track and practice along to get my leads right it sounds fine but as soon as I hit record, my playing on track 2 is to loud compared to the track 1 playback I'm trying to record with. I hope this makes sence. I appreciate any input.
 
to get the level right for your second track, ie: the solo, having pause and recordbuttons down will give you a better idea of the volume you will be recording at (i've had my porta 03 for 5 years now, this is just part of the deal)....also udjust the levels in the output sectionthese will have no effect on your recording level, and finally check your trim pot..... next the other issue..... one input will record to one tracks in a way it is mono, just center the pan to get sound out of both speakers....i can't help much more since the way your are describing things just seems to be part and parcel of what the unit does, i hope this makes sense, its just how the unit works you see.... the best thing to do is play around with it, i didn't read the manual until i had the unit for two weeks, and everything that i read i said "i knew that" so just play around, undrstand the units limitations, and devise the best system for your situation........

i really hope this has been of some help, if i was there showing you i nkow i'd be more useful, so perhaps find someone who has experience with the unit and get them to physically show you which knobs to turn and what have you, perhaps a place to start would be the store you bought it......

i'm sure some one will come along on this bulliten board and give you much clearer insight, but i hope this has helped, and i really hope it has made some sense!!!
 
vintagedrive,

i just got one of these for my birthday! i'm new to this too but have been playing around with it. i might not be alot of help, but i can tell you what i've learned so far.
 
porta 2

vin, I agree with dr.c
I had a porta 3 for a few years before I upgraded. I did not get a manual with mine. after a few months I found a manual and it sucked so bad I threw it away. Do what dr.c suggested. Just play with every possible combination. You WILL find a way to do what you want. Also keep coming here for imfo. It's just like the PGA,
these guys(and gals) are good.
dtb
 
Thanks for the feedback. I agree with you regarding the manual, it bites big time. I realize I'm new to the recording life, but it is of little help and the store clerks I have asked are clueless. It's sad when I know more then the people who sell them. I have and will continue to knob play (no pun intended) till I get it right. Does it make a difference recording the tracks in mono instead of stereo?
 
hmmmm..i'm not sure what you mean by this exactly, but i'll have a go... the only way you will acheive a true stereo effect on the porta 02 is by simultaniously recording two different mics to track one and two, then hard panning one track left and one right.... this is o.k., but it does waste tracks.... there is a pan (balance) control for each track right? if so then centering the pan on a track will send it through both speakers....you may need to elaborate on what you mean by stereo if this info doesn't do the trick
 
My unclear attempt in acquiring knowledge clearly exposes my newbeism and I appreciate you patience and replies. Take two:
The unit has a mono switch which changes the signal from the phones jack (mono to stereo). The manual states that this does not effect the signal from the line out connectors. It does not mention the line in. In other words, when I'm recording on track 1 and the mono switch is active, I will only get a signal on one side (headphones) and when in stereo mode the signal is stereo. Does this effect the signal I'm recording also. I hope I have made some sence to you because I have completely confuse the hell out of myself. Thanks mate.
 
like i said i don't have the porta 02, i have the 03 and mine doesn't have this "featrue"...aha! i figured it out!!!!! wooohhooo i'm pretty sure that is o you can use the headphone out to run the signal through say a guitar amp or some other mono device..why you ask? simple, alot of people run there headphones out to mono amps and the like to playback the recording, and what this can do is burn out the input, so they've put that switch in there to stop you from burning out the headphone output! so my advice, if you're sticking a stereo jack in there switch it to stereo, if your sticking a mono jack in there switch it to mono.....this will in no way at all effect the recorded sound, this is just saving tascam a lot of warranty work.....whew, i hope thats the answer your after....
 
My good Doctor, what you have precribed clears up a major portion of my initial problem. It appears that sometimes the most simplest solutions are the most difficult to find. I will keep you posted as to the results, so be prepared for further inquires if you don't mind. Thanks again for your'e meaningful tech advise. Have a good day!
 
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