Tascam MKii Questions

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T. Wizard

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Hola. New to the forum. I see some people have experience with the Tascam MKii. I just purchased one.
Here's what I've found so far:

(1) Even with the DBX on, the hiss seems much higher than it should be. Could bad electricity contribute? There's also some hum, low frequency. Any ideas? (I used to have a 488, didnt hiss like this)

(2) I'll record a guitar track, say on track 3. Than record vocals on 1 or 2 (the only Low-Z inputs), and even with the trim up way higher on the vocal tracks, the playback is MUCH quieter than how it sounds when I'm recording it. So, I got a little mic pre, and still, the playback of the vocals is atleast half the volume of how it sounds when im recording it. ???? :confused:

(3) When I record on a track, (let's say 3) and than another on 4, they seem to bleed together, as in, I can turn 3 all the way down and still hear it being played back. It seems to be something with "ASSIGN" buttons.

Any help/advice would be much appreciated! I think this could be a great breath of fresh air from being in the digital realm for years, but damn, I'm having trouble figuring this thing out. Seems it should be much simpler.

Thanks!
 
It's not actually that simple, but once you get the hang of it it's second nature really. Do you have the manual? If not I recommend getting it in some shape or form as some of the things your saying I experienced - a reference to the manual cleared things up. For example, when you're recording on track 3, are you assigning to GRP3-4 and setting the pan to the left when you're recording?
 
Will, thanks. I have been looking for a manual. There's a few PDF versions online, but all seem to be incomplete, so, looking for a hardcopy to purchase.

Let's say I record on track 3 and have both GRP3-4 AND 1-2 assigned, and not panning, am I recording that one track to more than just 3? I have not panned when recording, as it seems to pan it all the way to the left, or right, headphone. I've always used panning (with Digital recording) as a way of balancing all the tracks the way I want it to sound. It seems with the MKii, panning has a whole other purpose?

So, If I record on track 1 or 2, should I only ASSIGN the GRP 1-2?
 
They're not that easy to come by unfortunately!

I think that if you're recording on track 3 and assigning to GRP3-4, you pan left for track 3 and right for track 4 - even if it pans in the headphone it's just for monitoring purposes and if you hit MONO on the monitoring pad you can hear everything down the middle, might make it easier for tracking. Once you've recorded the track is then just a mono track, it doesn't record panned. This is hard to explain!

I'm about to go into town but when I get back I'll try and find a relevant PDF to explain it!
 
Thanks man! This helps.

I JUST found ONE Owners/Instruction manual on Ebay for this unit, and bought it. The only one I could find. But in the meantime, all info helps, as I've been chompin at the bit to get this thing recording at its potential.

I'm still wondering about the low playback volume, as it sounds pretty loud when recorded. I'll record vocals over instruments, it sounds nice and loud when recording, but during playback the vocals are tucked way back in the mix, even when I draw the fader to max. Confused about that.
 
trance.. i haven't. alcohol? or does it need a special solution. I suppose i should look for a service manual too. I did find a owners manual and ordered it.
I'll take a look at that PDF, I'm sure they are similar to an extent. Thanks!
 
Isoprophyl alcohol 90% or better, available from chemists / pharmacies / drugstores & some long stem cotton buds or make up pads!!!
 
http://www.evilguitars.com/stuff/488mkIImanual.pdf

I found that, annoyingly the most important pages are missing! I would scan mine in but it will take a while and if you've got one on order...the following should do for now :)

Ok so assuming you're all powered up, headphones in, mic in, recording on channel 1...

1) Set the input to mic/line
2) turn channel 1 pan all the way to the left
3) assign channel 1 to 1/L-2/R (this means you're assigning it to either tracks 1,2,5,6 because they're in group 1-2)
4) raise channel 1 fader to 7ish
5) raise the master fader 1/L-2/R to about 7
6) press monitor GRP 1-2 (because you want to monitor GRP 1-2, ie the master fader and channel 1 (which you assigned to 1-2))
7)turn the trim control to 'mic' (if it's a mic!)
8) turn the monitor knob to the right whilst speaking into the mic until you get a good monitoring level

to record:

1) set the tape up (play for 5 secs, counter reset)
2) arm track 1 for recording by pressing the (1) - it should start blinking
3) speak into the mic, the meter above channel 1 should move - use the trim knob to get it so it peaks no more than +6db (although I use the channel fader to do this, i'm probably incorrect)
4) press play and record, record whatever, press stop and zero return - press the (1) to unarm track 1

to playback (through tape cue)

1) press tape cue on the monitor board
2) turn the channels tape cue up
3) turn the tape cue master up

BUT

if you want to 'mix' the track, with eq etc, slide the channel to 'tape' instead of mic line. the only monitor switch should be GRP 1-2, then assign channel 1 to GRP 1-2 - this way you can play around with faders, eq, panning as you would on a 'normal' mixer.

Hope this helps! Sorry if it appears too patronising, I literally copied most of it from the manual! But that's the basics for recording a track.

Also... I don't know why, but you pan when recording according to what track you're recording on ie L for track 1, R for track 2, L for track 3 (but assign to GRP 3-R), R for track 4 so on... any questions in the meantime feel free to ask (but I'm kind of a newb!)
 
Will,

Thanks man, for the detailed message! This helps. A lot. Especially the panning part. I had no idea. Again, thanks dude.
 
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