DO you have the manual?
Ok, drums vs guitar or non drums:...
- There is nothing technically different between recording a drum sound and any other sound.
- What TRACKS seem to record properly, vs those that do not?
- What CHANNELS are you using to route your signals to tape?
.............. Any channel should be able to route any signal to any track, in BUSS mode.
.............. Forget drums vs non drums. Think in term of test tones.
.............. Identify which channels will pass signal to which tracks.
.............. Identify which tracks record (and play back) properly and which ones do not.
.............. Identify whether you are using XLR vs 1/4" inputs, or both.
Recording vs playback.
- You have done a fair amount of experimentation, I'm sure. It just needs to be described better, widened and refined simultaneously.
.............. FIRST TRY THIS:
............................. Take your existing test tape with all your test efforts and play it back.
............................. When your test takes are verified and at the end, stop and turn the tape over.
............................. Play the tape again. You should see your original test tracks play backward using the opposite tracks than before.
............................. Verify signal flow thru the CUE section and the main mixer (TAPE/L-R BUSS) section.
.............. THEN TRY THIS:
............................ Take ANY commercial cassette tape, Metallica, Motley Crue, Michael Jackson, Kraftwerk, Kenny G, (haha, u get it)... and play it back in your 424mkII.
............................ All 4 VU meters should show activity, and all tracks should output sound thu the CUE section and the "TAPE" playback section using the full mixer strip.
............................ Side "B" will of course be playing backward.
.............. NOW TRY THIS:
............................. Set each track REC FUNCT to Buss L/R, respectively, arming all 4 tracks to record.
............................. Set all PAN knobs to dead center.
............................. Set all TRIM knobs to fully CCW (minimum).
............................. Set all INPUT select switches to "MIC/LINE"
............................. Plug ONE mic or known good sound source, test signal into Input 1.
............................. Set (main) EFF2/CUE switch to "CUE".
............................. Set Eff2/Cue switch on each channel to "CUE".
............................. Set MONITOR section (L/R/Eff1/Eff2) all to MON (right).
............................. Turn Eff1 and Eff2/Cue knobs all fully CCW (minimum/off)
............................. Set MASTER fader to between 7-8, the grey shaded zone.
............................. Set each channel Fader to between 7-8, the grey shaded zone.
............................. In channel 1, use your test signal to get a 0VU response on ALL 4 TRACK VU meters SIMULTANEOUSLY, by turning the TRIM control.
............................. Set all 4 TRIM knobs to the same position as on Channel 1.
............................. Press REC/PLAY simultaneously, starting the recording process.
............................. When plugged into Channel 1, say "Test 1, Test 1, Test 1... "
...................................... *(assuming it's a mic, if not then just proceed with your chosen test signal)*
............................. Unplug from Input 1 and plug into Input 2, say "Test 2, Test 2", etc...
............................. Unplug from Input 2 and plug into Input 3, say "Test 3, Test 3", etc...
............................. Unplug from Input 3 and plug into Input 4, say "Test 4, Test 4", etc...
............................. Each time you do this, you should see all 4 VU meters activate simultaneously, and record function should be verified on each track as a solid red light.
............................. Press STOP, REWIND, Press PLAY.
............................. Set ALL 4 REC FUNCT switches to SAFE.
............................. Set all INPUTS to OFF.
............................. You should see playback levels coming from tape, 4 tracks playing back the same signal simultaneously on VU meters.
............................. Rotate each EFF2/CUE knob CW individually.
............................. You should hear each track play back thru the CUE section.
............................. You should also see signal register on the L/R meters.
............................. Press STOP. REWIND.
............................. Rotate each EFF2/CUE knob back to CCW, (off).
............................. Set all 4 INPUT Select switches to TAPE.
............................. Bring all 4 Track faders down to zero.
............................. Press Play.
............................. Raise each track fader individually.
............................. You should hear each track play back thru the MAIN section.
............................. You should also see signal register on the L/R meters.
............................. IF YOU HAVE DONE THIS USING XLR INPUTS, GO BACK TO THE TOP AND DO THE SAME THING AGAIN USING THE 1/4" INPUTS, (or vice versa).
............................. ONCE YOU HAVE DONE THAT, GO BACK TO THE TOP AND SET EACH TRACK TO "DIRECT" MODE RECORDING AND TEST AGAIN.
....................................... In this case you shoud see your "Test 1/2/3/4" signals come up individually on their corresponding tracks.
*** CLEARLY DESCRIBE WHICH CHANNELS PASSED SIGNALS TO WHICH TRACKS, AND WHICH TRACKS SEEMINGLY RECORDED AND VERIFIED PLAYBACK AFTER TESTING.***
*** IF ANY OF THIS PROCESS DOES NOT GET DESIRED RESULTS, DESCRIBE EXACTLY WHAT YOU GOT vs WHAT YOU EXPECTED.***
Direct vs Buss.
............... Should not make a difference if a track records or not, unless the REC FUNCTION switch itself is defective.
None of this assumes you are a dummy, in fact I respect your tenacity, but there has to be a definition, simplification, and better flow to your methodology. There may well be something wrong with your Tascam, but it bears out further testing, as I've described. I've worked through this process flow in my head, only looking at the top panel of the Mk2 once to verify cue switches. I'm familiar enough with this unit to do the rest by memory. I've tried to be clear, thorough and show emphasis where needed. I have proofed and revised this message many times. There may be something I forgot to consider or mention. If that's the case, or if you have more questions, just speak up.
I hope this helps and I look forward to your response.

