Tascam 34B questions

[lo beam]

I'm enjoying my new Tascam 34B enormously, but I got a couple of questions.
First up - there seems to be a lot of background noise hiss ( I'm coming over from the digital realm so I'm not sure what's acceptable & what could be a set-up problem) - not just at playback, but at the monitoring stage, even with the mic inputs way down low - in fact even with them turned down completely & just the phones output up.
I'm going into a nice condenser mic, thru a Joe Meek pre & I've tried it with the -20db pad both on & off - but still lotsa hiss.
Any suggestions ? (short of getting an external dolby or dbx unit?)

Secondly, how do you connect all the track outs to an amp?
They're RCA (phono) outs for each separate track, but I only have one RCA in on my amp, so can only do one track at a time. Obviously it seems like some kind of patch bay/mixer is required before the signals get to the amp - any suggestions here?

Sorry if this is all dumb, obvious stuff

Dave.

 

[The Ghost of FM]

lo beam

Analog recorders will hiss.

This is a natural and normal characteristic of analog recorders. The operating principle is to try and record a signal that is louder then the level that the hiss comes out and thus, you mask the hiss by having the music out-shout it, as it were.

If you are recording material that is quiet in nature like soft guitar or vocal performances, an investment in a dbx noise reduction unit called the TASCAM DX-4D would completely eliminate any and all tape hiss and actually extend the usable dynamic range to over 100 db.

As to your output connection question, you will need to purchase a mixer to handle the four output channels of sound and blend that down to a two channel output that any home stereo amp or receiver could work with. You mentioned you only have a singular input on your amp. Are you using a guitar amp? If so, you will need to get a stereo amp or possibly even use your computer's sound card's line input which is a stereo1/8th inch, TRS connection. If you have a decent sound card and computer speakers attached, that will make due for now but, a normal stereo amp and pair of speakers will be required equipment as well.

There are many choices out there for picking out a mixer and is an entirely different topic that we could spend days discussing. I will let others attempt to suggest the ultimate small mixer for your needs.

Chow for now!

 

[DigitalSmigital]

Sorry if I'm repeating myself...

There are many choices out there for picking out a mixer and is an entirely different topic that we could spend days discussing. I will let others attempt to suggest the ultimate small mixer for your needs.

I know I've suggested this before, but I use my PA for an outboard mixer, it's gear you may already have, or may plan on buying in the future anyway. Get a stereo, two buss, eight or sixteen chanell PA system for gigging and it can double as a mixer.