Tascam 424MKIII newbie ? chnl 5/6 7/8

[clevodrummer]

O.K. Im just gonna start tonight with this recording brainstorm I have for my own trio. The manual is causing an excruciating headache so help!!!

My question is I know this thing is a 4 track but what are channels 5/6 and 7/8 REALLY used for? Are they for outboard line instruments and effects or what in hell do they do?

Do I have a 4 track or is it really an 8 track.

Im so damn confused Im afraid to even turn this gizmo on.

Any feedback would really help!!

 

[andyhix]

Yeah, there's 4 physical tracks of tape, but 8 mixer channels. So, you could theoretically put 8 mics on your drum kit and mix it down to 1 track, (or 2 or 3 or 4 tracks), if you were so inclined. Those channels can also be used as fx returns when you use an fx loop. That is usually done after you have something on tape, and you are 'mixing down'.

The short answer is ignore channels 5-8 for now, until you get a feel for the machine a bit better. Plug it in, pop in a tape, and plug a mic or guitar in and get recording!