Tascam 488 mixing to master tape question

[stevied]

As some of you may have read , I am new to the 8 track world...I have figured out the basics but when I go to record the mix to a seperate tape it only comes out on one side when I play it back on a different stereo. The outs on the 488 are 1l and 2r , 3 & 4 . I have tried all the combinations I can with the 2 on each end rca jack cords... into the back of my deck ( I only have 2 rca inputs on the back of my deck) the only thing I can think of is...is there a rca connector that has 4 on one side and 2 on the other in order to get all tracks (1l and 2r , 3 , 4) into the master tape? What's the secret?...somebody please help....(I do not have a manual) so everything is hands on and reading this site...it is amazing the amount of talent within this forum.Thanks!

 

[songsj]

To answer your RCA question I think not. It sounds like.

1. The tracks 1-8 need to be assigned to a stereo output pair.
I'm not familiar with the 488 but one way or another the tracks
have to be sent to a stereo pair of outputs.

2. You may have a bad RCA cord, one side can be good and the
other bad.
3. There could be something wrong with the output section of the
488.

4. There could be something wrong with the input section of your
mixdown deck

5. If you go to www.tascam.com they may have a 488 manual you
can look at or down load.

 

[songsj]

Also look on the back and see if there is a pair of outputs marked line out R/L if there is try those.

Good Luck

 

[stevied]

thanks

Thanks for the tips. I did some more research and it does look like the tracks have to be assigned to 1 and 2 stereo outs. Now it's just a matter of figuring that out. Thanks again for the tips!

 

[The Green Hornet]

yO sTEVE:

Songj has got the answer.

1. When your 8 tracks or 7 tracks or 6 tracks, etc., are all recorded, the final stepn is mixing them into a stadard stereo format.

2. Connect the LINE OUTPUT L jack [rca] of the 488 to the left line input of the mixdown deck: tape, or DAT or whatever, and the LINE OUTPUT R jack to the right line input of the mixdown deck.

3. Raise the 1l-2R MASTER fader to the shaded area between 7 & 8.

4. Press the MONITOR select GRP 1-2 switch. All other MONITOR switches must be UP.

5. Set the INPUT assign switches on the input channels to the center TAPE position.

6. Press all the 1/l-2/R switches.

7. Press PLAY and, while listening to the tape play, use the channel faders to set levels.

8. Adjust the PAN controls to set your tracks the way you want them, listen via your monitors -- no cans to mix. You may also want to tweak some EQ depending on what you've recorded and your ears and likes, etc.

9. Using the MASTERS faders, adjust the overall palyback level so the monitor level meter averages around "0" and peaks below "+6."

10. When the signal balance, level, and tonality sound right, rewind the tape and press PLAY again to check the result.

Rewind the multitrack tape again. Set your mix down box, tape deck and adjust "input" levels.

Push the record on the mix down tape/DAT, press play on your multitrack, and Voila -- you will have the stereo mix.

If you don't like the first mix, adjust and do it again, use a different reverb, delay, etc.

Work, man, work.

Green Hornet

 

[stevied]

Thanks!

Thanks Green Hornet! After work I'm going to try that...it makes complete sense now that I think about. I have alot to learn with recording , I've been in pro studios for about 15 years now recording but never on the control side of things, I should of done this long ago.I'm actually having alot of fun learning some techniques. Thanks again!

 

[stevied]

yO sTEVE:

I am a bit confused on this.....I have the older version of the 488...on mine the input assign switches the options are cue mode to the right and mix on the left....am I missing something here...it is still coming out of one side when I mix down and play on a different cassette player , I have done everything ....what is the center tape position?

5. Set the INPUT assign switches on the input channels to the center TAPE position.



Green Hornet