Tascam 38 record level adjustment HOWTO?

[Blue Jinn]

OK, I could buy a manual from Tascam...

But, need to cal 0 VU on the board (M-520) to 0 VU on the Tascam 38. Where do I locate the adjustment on the 38?

There are one or two tracks where the levels don't match up. Off by a couple of dB on a few tracks. This is while running the test tone from the M-520 on all busses at 0VU on the board with each track armed on the 38. Each channel passes through a dbx unit, which is in bypass.

Thanks

 

[A Reel Person]

...

All the audio adjustments for the 38 are internal and accessed by removing the bottom cover. It would be prudent or at least a good idea to score a manual if you're "going in deep" like that.

Access to a couple of the audio cards also requires removing the back cover.

 

[Blue Jinn]

Thanks, I've scoured the internet and found manuals for 48's 58's the 32 and 34B, 3300SX, etc etc etc, but no 38. I know I know. I called Tascam a few years ago, and they were about $30..... You've convinced me. In the meantime, I have to compensate. Good thing there is that headroom thing....

 

[Herm]

Now wait a minute. How do you know that its not the board that is wrong?
Did you send a signal direct to the machine instead of through the board and dbx units?
If you have a signal generator that will put out -10 I would push that through the machine first and see if you get the correct reading before just jumping in and twisting screws on the machine.
The meters could be off on the mixer or the dbx units could be the cause even if they are in bypass.

 

[cjacek]

Doesn't the M-520 have both -10 and +4 levels? Your 38 is -10 so make sure you're connecting properly between that and the M-520. Otherwise your levels will be off. Don't crank those pots on the channels cards yet as it may be a simple level match issue between the recorder and mixer. You will need to be using the unbalanced -10dbv connectors between both units.

 

[evm1024]

Ooh

Now we opened the box (pandora's).

So you want the mixer meters and the 38's meters to be in sync....

Step 1 - verify that a 0.316 volts 1 kHz signall input to the 38 (in source mode) reads 0 VU. If not do a cal on the 38 before passing go. Heck, do a cal on the 38 just to be sure all levels are in "sync"

Step 2 - input a 0.316 V 1kHz signal into the channels program access receive jacj and adjust the channels slider for 0.316 V output - then use the meters adjustment pot to set the channels meters to read 0 VU. Ditto for stereo master A and B.

You need the manuals to both units to do this well.....

regards, ethan

 

[Blue Jinn]

More on this...

The levels coming off tape (sync & repro) are lower than teh level going to tape (input). Also, the meters don't hold steady in playback, but oscillate. This is laying a test tone on all 8 tracks at once and playing back all eight at once. The meters dance a little bit back and forth, but the tone **sounds** even...

I also don't think I have a voltmeter sensitive enough to do the cal indicated above. I do have the manuals for the 520. Will call Tascam for the 38 manual.

Going to check this out more a little this eve and post back. Thanks!