Tascam 424MKII as everday Mixer?

[lc1200]

I have a Tascam 424MKII that I've been using as an everyday mixer(and recorder). I also have Cubase on my PC with a SoundBlaster 16PCI card. I've been trying to output the Tascam (via the Line outputs and headphone jack)to the Line In of the SB but the recordings sounds like crap(fuzzy and distorted). Is this because I need a REAL Mixer with the proper output or is it simply because my sound card only cost 50 bucks?

 

[Dragon]

#2. And don't use the headphone jack, either.

 

[drstawl]

You might also be feeding too loud a signal from your Tascam to your soundcard. Easy to test this: just back off of your volume on the 424MKII, rerecord and see if the crap gets cleaner. I use my Plain Old 424 and the Porta-07 as mixers and they do a pretty good job. But listen to the Dragon! Leave that headphone jack for headphones. And consider another sound card. It finally hit me how these SB Live! cards are producing such high quality results when I visited Jim's Garage, one of the Homerecording Webring members. He only uses the S/PDIF inputs with an external
A/D converter, therefore avoiding any noise that might be introduced by exposing the analog signal to the crazy electric fields
inside a computer case. He then works on the resultant .wav file with various Software
and burns direct to CD! Never has to send his signal through that gift from hell; the 0.125" stereo miniplug. He doesn't quote what he paid for the A/D converter, but his whole studio design is "budget" oriented.

 

[lc1200]

Thanks, I guess I'll start counting my pennies for an Event Gina or something. I'll probably throw in a mixer too. I was hoping to get away with the SB especially after reading how other people use this card everyday without spending a million dollars. Well, at least there is nothing wrong with the Tascam, that would of broke my heart. Thanks again.

I love this site!!!

 

[SN]

A 424mkII in good condition should be an ok mixer.

To test: listen to your CD player direct.
listen to it through the 424mkII
the 424 adds a slight noise but it is so small.

To test your sound card:

- listen to a cassette or CD player through the line in on the sound card.
- record it using your program at 16bit 44.1Khz
- Compare the two

Your results?
Also are your computer speakers up to the task? Is the mix right (EQ, pans and levels)?

 

[drstawl]

Consider the Event Darla 24 and you won't have to count as high.
Or look at the Card D+ from Digital Audio Labs; they recently upgraded their new card to keep up with the Event Electronics Jones's. Older (used) versions of this card (the one I've got) are still very clean. Their digital I/O solution uses a separate PC ISA slot instead of a daughterboard configuration. And you need to use specific IRQs and DMAs that are required by the card. No plug and play. So know your current configuration before proceeding.
Smoke 'em if you got 'em.