TASCAM 388 techniques/tips info sought

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gentlejohn

gentlejohn

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Hi! Slowly getting to grips with my (new to me!) TASCAM 388. I'm having fun for sure! I've done a couple of test recording sessions so far and, as a result, have a few questions that I'm hoping more experienced users of this model might be able to help me out with namely:

1). SOLO'ing
In RE-MIX mode I've worked out how to MUTE individual tracks (L/R button) but how do I SOLO individual tracks? Is it just case of having to mute all the other tracks?

2). MUTING MONITOR OUTPUT
I have my powered monitors connected to the stereo RCA MONITOR OUTPUTS on the back of the desk. In order to switch between a headphone and monitor mix is there a way of muting the monitor sound output without having to either: go round the back of the console and pull the monitor cables or switch off the power to the monitors?

3). WORKING WITH AUXILIARY EFFECTS UNITS
So far all my test recordings have all been completely dry ie: no effects (and sounding pretty good I have to say albeit a bit 'bare & roomy' at times). I will mostly be recording solo and just building compositions up track by track ("Erm, multi-tracking!"-Ed.) In your opinions, what's the most standard, straightforward way to hook up the following standalone auxiliary processing units to a TASCAM 388?:

- A 1/4" connections mono/stereo COMPRESSOR (sadly just the one as that's all I can afford right now)
- A 1/4" connections mono/stereo REVERB unit
- A 1/4" connection TAPE ECHO unit

I guess I'll be looking to use processing on: Vocals; Acoustics; perhaps Drums and probably, for Reverb at least, across the overall mix in varying quantities.

As always any advice would be much appreciated! Thanks in advance and all the best for the festive season. May 2014 be a very musical year for one and all. CHEERS!!!
 
Well for soloing,yes mute all tracks you don't want to hear. That's how I do it.Unless someone out there knows another way.
Now for muting monitor output.This is something I thought was a pain too. I used to have to reach behind my powered monitors and switch them off. Now, you can still monitor with phones even if your speakers are on. But I find I need to turn the speakers off when I want to record an acoustic guitar because I dont want that coming through the monitors while recording.
I found this and its a godsend...
Hosa SLW-333 | Sweetwater.com

It may be a little pricey but it works fantastic.Shop around for a used one.
I sit mine on top of the meter bridge. You just plug the monitor outs of the 388 into this little box then you plug your speakers into the outputs of the box.But the cool thing is you can plug other sources into to it.It accommodates 3 sound sources.So I also have a my Tascam tape deck plugged into it too. So I can switch between the 388 and the deck.Just turn the knob on the box and the 388 output is basically muted.It's very handy.No more switching off the monitors!

Now for the effects. Pretty simple.
Run a 1/4 cable from the effect send on the back of the 388 to the input of your reverb.From the output of your reverb,run a cable to the effect receive also on the back. Do the same with the aux send and receive with the tape echo. Now you can use the eff knob and aux knob to add reverb and echo.
As for the compressor, you'll jut be patching this into the channel send/receive of the channel you want to add compression to.So cable from send to input of comp, cable from output of comp to receive. Now that channel is being compressed. Or you can add the comp to the track after it is recorded.
 
Having a couple of patchbays will help alleviate the need to keep going behind and repatching stuff. I bought a Tascam rca patchbay for any of the RCA connections but it would be smart to have a 1/4 unit also. I just keep it denormalled(?) so it acts as just a passthrough.
 
Thanks so much. Loads of great advice to be going on with there. Much appreciated folks & all the best for the festive season. Here's hoping 2014's a very musical one - CHEERS!
 
Im thinking about getting a 388 also. Sounds like fun. Where did you get your tape? has it been hard to find?
Have fun.
 
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