Tascam 388 effects out

  • Thread starter Thread starter MagnumPI
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MagnumPI

MagnumPI

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Hi,
Im wondering about running to effects from "EFF OUT" part of the Tascam 388.
Would a simple unbalanced 1/4" cable be enough or should I get a "Y" cable with RCA and 1/4" split to get a better signal?
 
yah...no benefit in signal quality. Use the cable type that best works with your outboard gear.
 
On a similar topic, can I semi-crash your post here Magnum PI? My subject title would be the same ie: 'TASCAM 388 Effects Out'.

DISCLAIMER: Warning! What follows here are probably some really basic questions on Effects Send/Return procedures that I really should have grasped by now but, for some reason(s!) I keep hitting a block with! Apologies in advance if I come across as a total dumb-ass where this is concerned but could someone on here be kind enough to talk me through the best practice procedure(s) for hooking up an external effect unit with my Tascam 388? It would be very much appreciated!

The unit in question is a Biamp MR-140 spring reverb. One of the issues I'm having right now is just knowing what levels to set. For example: Should I have the Master Effects level knob on the 388 set on full with a completely wet reverb setting on the FX unit itself? (The external reverb unit in question has: an INPUT GAIN knob (or 'DRIVE' it's called); an EQ section; a Dry/Wet BALANCE control and an OUTPUT LEVEL. Round the back is mono 1/4" unbalanced input & output sockets plus XLR balanced in & out).

Also, is there any difference/benefit to using the AUX send circuit over the EFFECTs send & return?

Any info would be much appreciated as I've never actually used an external device in an FX loop capacity before. To date I've always effected individual signals 'line in' as you would with a guitar effect ie: just placing a pedal between the guitar and the amp (but instead of an amp I'd be DI'ing straight into the console instead). NB: I may have sounded like I know what I'm talking about in that last sentence but don't be fooled!

I now very much wish to get my head around the concept of being able to effect all tracks in different degrees post-recording via an Effects loop but I need to square it in my head that I'm getting it right before I can proceed with confidence in this area. Thanks in advance for any advice/tips you may have on this subject folks!
 
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No worries gentlejohn, I also wonder
Also, is there any difference/benefit to using the AUX send circuit over the EFFECTs send & return?
Click to expand...
Ive been playing music for 20 years and still learning this side of the experience.
 
Thanks for the back up Mag PI (and allowing me in on your thread!) I ALWAYS feel REALLY thick when it comes to stuff like this (ie: EFFECTS LOOPS & AUX SENDS!). For some bizarre reason it just never seems to sink (sync!) in for me & I don't know why! I'm ordinarily pretty clued up on most other stuff inside the console - it's only when I try to go outwith that my brain seems to turn to mush!
 
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The effect and aux send/rec are basically the same thing. So you can have more than one effects unit hooked up. I have a yamaha spx into the eff and a Roland delay into the aux. As for levels... I have the master knobs for both set around 2 o'clock.
 
This is correct. The amp circuits are identical. The difference is what is upstream of the master section and that's the fact that the EFF buss is post fader and the AUX buss is pre fader on the channel strips (but switchable pre/post). Pre fader signal will avoid the channel fader and booster amp so it will be more clean but whether or not you can hear the difference is the question. More importantly is how it is you NEED it to function, pre or post. At the end of the day a signal routed to the EFF buss and monitored at the EFF OUT jack will be identical in quality and in the circuitry it "sees" as compared to signal routed to the AUX buss (switched post fade) monitored at the AUX OUT jack.
 
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