Tascam 424/414 help

[Tmitch]

But i read that you can't use inputs 5 and 6 the same as you can the other 4 or something? In the picture on the switch when you select the input, you can only select it from the other channels, what does this mean?

 

[Mark7]

Looks like the MKII does have XLRs http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41480&item=3778097953&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Erm. Yeah. 5 and 6 only go direct to Tracks 1/3/5 and 2/4/6, respectively. You can't assign them to the L/R Buss.

 

[Tmitch]

But that does mean you can record 6 different tracks?

 

[Mark7]

Wow! THAT'S confusing. You'd think the final position on each would be L (for 5) and R (for 6).

No, it's only a four track. I suspect the 5 and 6 positions go straight to the stereo buss. Dave would know.

 

[A Reel Person]

Eh,...

The 424mkIII has:
6 - full mixer channel strips (mono)
4 - tape tracks (mono)
2 - inputs without full mixer strips, (Inputs 7 & 8), (mono)
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All mixer strips, inputs and tape tracks are MONO, but with the full featured mixer, you may mix all mono elements into a STEREO output, also known as the L/R BUSS.
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*(Input [7] actually bridges in mono to [7/8] when used by itself, but if you use Inputs [7] AND [8], they work independently).* Inputs 7 & 8 assigns to the L/R Buss, the MONITOR or "off".
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Mixer Channels 5 & 6 are unique, in that with their INPUT SELECT switches, you may "borrow" the XLR inputs from Channel 1 or 3 to use on Channel 5, and "borrow" the XLR inputs from Channel 2 or 4 to use on Channel 6. Or, you may use the 1/4" Mic/Line inputs for Channels 5 & 6, respectively.

This (5/6) "XLR borrowing" feature is designed to give you more use from the XLR inputs mounted on Channels 1-4 at mixdown time, when the Channels 1-4 would typically be selected to TAPE. It simply gives you more inputs to use at mixdown time, and generally higher utility from XLR's themselves. There are other uses, but that's the highlight of it.

You may use Inputs/Channels 5 & 6 simultaneously as Chanels 1-4, BUT Channels 5 & 6 assign directly to the L/R Buss, and have no utility in DIRECT-mode recording.
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