tascam 424 mkII - time code signal bleed

[rg0001]

So I've been working with a used 424 mkII for about two months now. After much trial and error I've figured out how to stripe SMPTE onto track 4 which lets me sync with Logic through a Motu Audio Express. It is actually working pretty nicely for running tracks Tracks 1-3 into the DAW individually and having everything sync'ed up.

I am having one issue that is becoming more of a problem as I mess around with the effects loop and bouncing proper stereo mixes. Even when I have Track 4 turned off I can hear the high pitched squeal of the SMPTE signal bleading in to my effects loop & stereo mix. Any ideas on why the track would still be audible even when its turned off? I've tried turning the track 4 fader all the way down as well, but I can still hear it.

 

[diggy_dude]

I hear that's pretty common with cassette multitrackers. People usually recommend leaving the track adjacent to the SMPTE track blank. But that would only leave you 2 tracks to record on with the 424. What a deal, eh?

 

[witzendoz]

The bleed is happening due to the audio nature of the timecode, the time code you can hear with the volume off is the timecode track being pick up by the playback head from the adjacent track. Sometimes the code signal is so strong even with a channel in a mixer muted the signal can still be slightly audible.

Try recording the timecode at a lower volume, maybe only half of the normal audio record volume. If you experiment with how low you can record the code and still not loose the sync, and how loud you can record the code without hearing it on the next track you will find the best volume setting the work with. I used to work with timecode on my reel to reel, and I used to record it at about -6dB to avoid audio bleed.

The other thing to work around this is to use the adjacent track to record something that is loud or continuous so you don't hear the timecode.

Alan.

 

[rg0001]

Alan, I think you might have hit it on the head. I had a problem with recording the code too quiet, so I was pushing it a bit on this tape. Will have to experiment a little and find that sweet spot. Hopefully I can get it fixed without losing a track, but those other tips are good to know also.

Thanks for the responses guys!