synching 688's

[Bobby Darko]

you're doing everything right as far as I can remember. I had the exact same problems you have. What you want to do is use the set up mode when it doesn't sync anymore. It should sync after you do that, just as the first time it worked. You must always turn of all 3 machines before doing a new set up.

The set up mode is used evrytime the machines won't sync or when the machines have been turned of.

BUT, let's not forget: I am convinced two 688's cannot be used for syncronized recording in the end. I had a very very nasty experience lining up all the recorded tracks in the computer afer our sessions (of a high budget studio with somebody who really knows what he's doing). We had to make 30+ cuts per song, making crossfades and whatnot.

Still, good luck and report back!

 

[jedblue]

BUT, let's not forget: I am convinced two 688's cannot be used for syncronized recording in the end. I had a very very nasty experience lining up all the recorded tracks in the computer afer our sessions (of a high budget studio with somebody who really knows what he's doing). We had to make 30+ cuts per song, making crossfades and whatnot.

I'd have to agree with Hermann here. My attempts to syncronise my 424 MKIII with my digital BR1600 also failed. Not because it wouldn't sync but because the cassette tape wow'd and fluttered when the sync track was striped and played back enough to cause speed variations that were very noticible on the sync'd digital machine. And that's just going one way - cassette to digital. Going both ways - cassette to cassette is likely to be worse in that respect - two cassette tapes to wow and flutter not one. We both put it down to tape stretch on the thin cassette tape stock.

I suspect that it probably would be fine syncing up to a synth midi sequencer or a drum machine but another recorder - digital or analog - with audio on it - no, I don't think it will work.

But good luck anyway.

 

[purerad]

i only wanted one of the 238s when i bought them but the guy would only sell me the pair plus the synch unit. i will probably sell off the sync unit then and keep the spare 238 as a back up machine cause i don't need more than 8 tracks for what i do. If anyone needs a ats-500 plus cables let me know.
sounds like it would be good for somethings but as you said, not cassette to cassette.

 

[silenthedges]

game over...

After hours and hours of trail and error, and in the end lasting error(see previous revieuws), I have given up the possebility to ever be able to synch my two 688's with the midiizer.

As Herman (Bobby Darko) stated before it is quite impossible.

I myself have not even been able to reach the reel syching of the two machines (wich bobby did for a while) since the midiizer simply won't do what it says it shoud do in the manual.

I cheched the cables and settings 30 times and ran more "set up "procedures than nasa does to launch a spaceshuttel, helas with no result.

This is a real blow in the face there I was counting on synching my second 688 to redo the pilot drumparts with a realm drummer taped on 7 tracks.(for some 12 recordings)

I even bought these machines with that scenario in mind, now i have to re-think it all...

I'm considering bying a second hands tascam msr 16 there I refuse to record digital!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm not shure of the cost of this yet, but my main question right now is, will there be a way to use the combined mixing sections of my two 688 decks to mix the 16 tracks?

I love the mixer of the 688, I don't need more and do not have the money to buy a reel to reel and a 16 or 24 mixing desk.

I must find a way to use both 688's mixer to act as one 16 channel mixer with the use of the main channels (eq, insert, aux etc on each channel).

Any suggestions anyone, or shoud I start another treath for this?



many thanks.