Tascam +4dBm vs Soundcraft -10dBV

[ausrock]

OK, this may be a dumb question and I feel the answer is stuck in some irretrievable little pocket somewhere in my brain.

My ATR-60 has a nominal input level of +4dBm and my S/craft console's channel tape sends are factory set at -10dBV.........however, I can mod them internally to +4dBu.

The ATR's outputs are +4dBm or switchable to +8dBm........S/craft in their wisdom didn't put the tape return specs in the manual but I presume they are also -10dBV.

I also have a Fostex D160 16 trk h/disk recorder which will be connected as my "default" recorder, (the ATR will only be used for deserving projects).........this has -10dBV on both inputs and outputs.


Now I know that the Fostex/Soundcraft combination works fine but I have the feeling that I should probably mod the console to match the ATR.


Can someone try and clearly explain to me the possible consequences of doing this mod..........will I get a better signal level going to the ATR? Will the signal be too hot for the Fostex? WTF are the "real world" differences between dbV, u and m in my application? Will I ever record a platinum selling album?

AAAAAAAAAArrrrrrrrrrggggggghhhhhhhhhh........................all this in the same week I've been approched to do work for the major drum manufacturer out here, and me a guitarist.......................it's just too much!!!

 

[The Ghost of FM]

If you intend on keeping the console which is -10, unbalanced for the tape recorder, TASCAM does make the LA80 and LA81 which is designed to allow the exact interfacing your deck and mixer require and will allow you to maintain the -10db connectivity that your D-160 requires and stops you from modding your mixer too!

Without the LA80/81 units, you're going to have serious level issues of the console feeding weak, unbalanced signals and then being fried by the ATR60-16's hot outputs!

The LA80/81 are 8 channel units so, you'll need two of each to do the hook up.

http://www.tascamcontractor.com/products/LA-80.html

http://www.tascamcontractor.com/products/LA-81.html

Cheers!

 

[ausrock]

Thanks Ghost.

I have just poured over the manuals and schematics (again) and read some of the blurb in the tech support manual. Oddly enough, both the group and master sends are +4dBu It appears that both tape sends and returns are of a TRS balanced configuration even though the sends are -10dBV. The returns have a trim pot that allows adjustments from -10 to +20 dB to accomodate different machine interfaces so the returning signal from the ATR doesn't appear to be an issue.

I figure that if I mod the sends to +4, when I'm recording to the Fostex, I'll just have to reduce either the gain or fader levels depending on what the Fostex level meters are telling me.

An alternative which just occurred to me would be to feed the ATR from the group outputs which would save the modding exercise but which limits me to a maximum of recording 8 tracks at once.

Somehow I think whichever way I go there will be some compromising ..............decisions, decisions.


BTW, the ATR now has a new pinch roller and it looks as though I have access to a bulk eraser so I can clean up all the tapes that came with it.

Catch ya soonly.

ChrisO

 

[The Ghost of FM]

Well, if that's the case, you won't need the LA80/81's to level and balance match.

I assumed because your desk was set up for -10 that it would be un-balanced!? Nice design!

Eight buss should cover most tracking situations unless you're recording live bands in one take?

Even still, with 8 busses, you could create a 4 track drum mix, a couple of guitars, a bass and a ghost vocal and then over dub afterwords, no?

Cheers!

 

[The Ghost of FM]

I have access to a bulk eraser so I can clean up all the tapes that came with it.

Cool!

Just make sure you do that in a different room!

Cheers!

 

[ausrock]

Not a problem, it is at a radio station about 5 klms from my house..........lol.