Tascam 424 into Pro Tools FREE - HELP

[Brother_N_t_]

Has anyone tried using their Tascam 424mkIII as a mixer for their PC using Pro Tools FREE. Now, I have my PC configured so Pro Tools works fine, I know it's not Pro Tools. My problem is I can't find out how to record using this setup. I don't know which track to use (audio, aux, master). I don't know where to plug my RCA cord into (Line output, sub output, line input, or the 1,2,3,4 inputs). I have NO idea how to get a SOUND it's driving me nuts. The signal I do get is piss-poor (I am using my stock PC card and stock monitors, but I should get a better sound than I am getting - which is pretty much nothing). Can anyone help me?

Frustrated,

Joe

 

[DigitalSmigital]

Pretty basic stuff here, you are using the TASCAM as a mixer to get a good stereo signal to feed to your computer. Use the 424's RCA Line Outs to your your computer's Line In TRS 1/8th inch jack. A good signal strength in the 0 to +6 dB range. ProTools will let you know if the signal is too strong.

One problem you may be experiencing is that soundcard may not have a Line In, only a Mic Input. Check that out first.

A good soundcard is a necessity in the digital realm. You say you are getting something, but it is too low to tell what it is?

 

[Brother_N_t_]

Here's my "chain:" Mic--->Tascam 424--->Computer with a sound card that has mic input, line input (I think), and speaker connection. It only has those 3 "hookups" and I've heard most have 4, so maybe that's the problem. When I make a noise or play, the meters in Pro Tools barely move, but if I clap really close to the mic it makes the meters move a bit...when I play back, the sound is terrible...????

 

[DigitalSmigital]

You say that you know ProTools is working. Did you download the free version from Digitech, or did you send away for the $10 CD? The CD comes with a tutorial and trial song to learn the mixing board, is that how you know it's working? If so, it must be your soundcard.

A good soundcard will run $100, if you are serious get a great one for twice that.

 

[Brother_N_t_]

You say that you know ProTools is working. Did you download the free version from Digitech, or did you send away for the $10 CD? The CD comes with a tutorial and trial song to learn the mixing board, is that how you know it's working? If so, it must be your soundcard.

A good soundcard will run $100, if you are serious get a great one for twice that.

Yeah, I got it downloaded and I did use the "mixing tutorial" it came with. That went fine and it was actually very helpful and what not. I'm afraid it might be my sound card, cause I can barely get the input level up high enough for a "clear" signal. I'm stumped...

Thanks,

Joe

 

[Brother_N_t_]

I figured it out!

Wow, I just messed with it for a good 2 hours I'd say and I'm glad to announce I figured it out. I finally tried the mic line input, and that is the one I use to send the signal from my Tascam 424 to the PC. Well, I figured that out then I was atleast getting a sound from my speakers, BUT I COULDN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO RECORD STILL AND GET A SIGNAL TO PRO TOOLS. Then I realized it's record ready, record button, play...ha ha, I feel dumb and awesome at the same time. I'm going off of no knowledge of this stuff, so please excuse my ignorance. I also now know what people mean about "tape warmth." When I was just using the Tascam as a mixer, the signal going to Pro Tools was really weak and..."digital" (probably my sound card). But when I played a recorded tape back from the Tascam, the signal was hotter and sounded..."warmer." It was nice to figure that out too.

Well, if you're still with me, I do have another question: There's the line level in Pro Tools and then there's the level's on my Tascam. Is there a better way to set the level's, like Master to 7ish, trim to about 5, line level in Pro Tools to 7ish, and then just adjust the line level on the tascam to whatever it doens't clip at? Any tips...? Thanks guys/gals....

Joe