SM57 into a 424

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Outlaws

Outlaws

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(original 424...no XLR)

These are -10dB unbalanced inputs huh? TS, no ring?

It might be because I only have a male XLR to male TRS cable with a dual female connector between the mic and the cable, but it seems my mic is not getting ground. This is the same mic/connector/cable setup I use for my friends Soundblaster though and that works fine.

The switch under the gain doesn't seem to take to the mic on the left setting (mic/line), or the middle (tape), but does on the far right setting (tape[mic/line L]).

What do I need for my 57 to work right on this? I guess I am spoiled from from that VS1680. I feel like such a nub all the sudden.

Also, if someone wants to give me a quick tutorial of how to record a track and then how to play it back, I would appreciate that. I read the MKIII online PDF, but I dont' have half the features, and the input selector under the trim (as mentioned above) seems to defy logic.
 
Without carefully reading your post, I'll pop off this reply.

The SM57 should work fine with either a cable that adapts XLR (3-pin) to 1/4" (TS) unbalanced. There are simple cables that do this, and I've found they work just fine for the cable runs >20 feet.

Alternately, if you use a "standard" 3-conductor XLR cable, you'll need an XLR-to-1/4" (TS) transformer-adapter, which changes the plug style AND converts the mic to Hi-Z impedance, which is what the 1/4" inputs on the 424 requires.

I'll try to wing a quick step-by-step:

1) Zero out all the knobs and faders, to start. (Middle position for EQ & Pan, faders down, with CUE & Trim fully CCW).

2) Plug your guitar or mic into the 1/4" connector on any channel, perhaps #1.

3) Set the Master fader and Channel 1 fader to about "7-1/2", the shaded area.

4) Go ahead and set REC-FUNCT #1 & #2 to "Ready". [Rec-Funct. switches 1 and 2 to "Buss-L/R", respectively].

4a) Set the INPUT SELECT switch on Channel 1 to "Mic/Line".

5) While playing or speaking into the mic, turn the #1 Trim knob CW until your signals are reading avg/peak "0vu".

6) Press "REC" and "PLAY" together, and you should be recording onto tracks 1 & 2.

7) STOP, REWIND.

8) Set Rec-Funct 1 & 2 to "SAFE".

9) Set Rec-Funct 3 & 4 to "Buss-L/R", respectively.

10) Turn CUE #1 and #2 to about the "6" position, (straight up).

11) Press "Rec/Play" again and you should be recording onto Tracks 3 & 4 while listening to Tracks 1 & 2 from the CUE mix in the phones.

...

That's a quick procedure off the top of my head. Having not scrutinized the 424's layout very closely, there may be a knob or step that I've inadvertently skipped. Otherwise, this should be a quick test to record stereo pairs of 2-tracks simultaneously.

For recording 1 track at a time, you'd set only one REC-Funct switch to "BUSS", and the rest to "Safe". Although the manual specifies to PAN the input channel either hard right or left toward the target track, if you leave PAN in the dead-center, you should be able to route the input signal to the right and left buss equally and simultaneously.

...

Hope there are no glaring inadequacies in my directions & I hope this helps.

I'll admit, that though the 424mkIII manual is well written, there are some confusing parts in the procedures. However, if you get the Buss-Left/Buss-Right routing from the inputs to the tracks, you're halfway there. HINT: You may route ANY input channel to ANY tape track by use of REC-FUNCT and PAN controls.

The other half is knowing how and when to utilize the "CUE" mix.

Bottom line: it's easy! Try it! :eek: ;)
 
I believe that has a transformer in it.

............ :eek: ;)
 

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I got Audix coverter today. I plug my mic in and it works great.

The only problem is that I track a guitar part on track 1, then go to do an overdub on track 3 and for some reason it records my guitar but bounces my track on take onto track 3 so I have a mixed track. :cool:

No manuals on eBay at the moment either. :D
 
...

Use the "main" mix section for inputs while tracking,... either "input: mic/line" or "off",... then use the CUE section for listen-back of previous tracks while overdubbing. What you have done (an inadvertent track-bounce) is a common mistake for Portastudio newbies.;)
 
A Reel Person said:
Use the "main" mix section for inputs while tracking,... either "input: mic/line" or "off",... then use the CUE section for listen-back of previous tracks while overdubbing. What you have done (an inadvertent track-bounce) is a common mistake for Portastudio newbies.;)
Click to expand...


Here are some pics. Do you have the original 424?...or just a few MK2's and 3's? ;) See I don't really have an "off" option.

http://www.battletone.com/misc/tascam/424_6.jpg
http://www.battletone.com/misc/tascam/424_7.jpg
 
Oooh, my bad!

I actually do not have a 424(std), just Mk2's and Mk3's.

If there is no "off" position, then keep the faders down to "0" on e'thing 'cept the "input" channels, while tracking and overdubbing. For final mix, it's fine to switch each channel to "Tape", and mix thru the main part of the board. :eek: ;)
 
A Reel Person said:
The other half is knowing how and when to utilize the "CUE" mix.
Click to expand...


So I have been messing around a little. Unfortunately my headphones have died so I have been using the super awesome iPod ear buds. (omfg do they hurt after a half hour of use...but that is a different story)

The Cue mix is strictly for the headphone out and cannot be panned at all correct? Just a simple mono signal for overdubbing. Am I missing anything?

(oh ya, and I am very impressed with the sound I am getting just monitoring out of cheap computer speakers. Not as noisey as I thought it was going to be. My acoustic sounds fantastic with just a 57, but then I already knew that. But still, for a simple "old school" 4 track, I love it. Record 15 minutes of music and toss the tape in a bin. No more buring CD multitrack backups all night.)
 
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