Tascam DA-78HR Owner's Manual
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Tascam DA-78HR Owner's Manual

Digital multitrack recorder
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DA-78HR
Digital Multitrack Recorder
Ü
ÿ
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert
the user to the presence of uninsulated "dangerous voltage" within the product's enclosure
that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons..
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the pres-
Ÿ
ence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature
accompanying the appliance.
This appliance has a serial number
located on the rear panel. Please record
the model number and serial number
and retain them for your records.
Model number
Serial number
OWNER'S MANUAL
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT
REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS
INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
WARNING: TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK
HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS
APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
D00524000A

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  • Page 1 » DA-78HR Digital Multitrack Recorder Ü ÿ The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons..

  • Page 2: Important Safety Precautions

    When replacing the fuse only a correctly rated approved type should be used and be sure to re-fit the fuse cover. IF IN DOUBT — CONSULT A COMPETENT ELECTRICIAN. TASCAM DA-78HR For U.S.A TO THE USER This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.

  • Page 3: Important Safety Instructions

    24) Heat — The product should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other products (including amplifiers) that produce heat. TASCAM DA-78HR ANTENNA LEAD IN WIRE...

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    1.4.3 Environmental conditions ... 8 1.4.4 Installing the DA-78HR ... 9 1.4.5 Electrical considerations ... 9 1.4.6 Three-core power cord ... 9 1.4.7 Powering the DA-78HR off and on... 9 1.4.8 Condensation ... 9 1.5 Recommended tapes... 9 1.5.1 Tape brands... 10 1.5.2 Available recording and playback...
  • Page 5 8.2.3 Master/slave settings (CHASE mode)...48 8.3 Machine offset...48 8.3.1 Setting machine offset...48 8.3.2 Cancelling machine offset ...48 8.3.3 Setting machine offset “on the fly” .49 8.3.4 An example of setting offsets ...49 8.4 Digital dubbing...50 8.5 Synchronized formatting...50 TASCAM DA-78HR...
  • Page 6 11.2 Backup memory initialization ...69 11.3 Checking version numbers...69 11.3.1 Software upgrades ...70 12 - Options, specifications and reference 12.1 Options for the DA-78HR...71 12.1.1 RC-898 remote control unit...71 12.1.2 RC-828 remote control unit...71 12.1.3 RC-808 remote control unit...71 12.1.4 IF-AE8 AES/EBU digital audio converter ...71...

  • Page 7: Using This Manual

    1.3 Using this manual We suggest that you take the trouble to read this man- ual through at least once before starting to use the DA-78HR. In this way, you will find out where to turn when you need answers. TASCAM DA-78HR...

  • Page 8: Precautions And Recommendations

    BNC connectors. Even though AES/EBU stereo digital audio signals are self-clocking, any AES/EBU format signals con- verted and fed to or from the DA-78HR must be syn- chronized at word level with the DA-78HR. 1.4.2 HR recording and emphasis Recordings made in 24-bit (HR) mode do not use emphasis.

  • Page 9: Powering The Da-78Hr Off And On

    1.4.8 Condensation If you use the DA-78HR in a warm place after mov- ing it from a cold place (for instance, recording on location), or if there has been a sudden change in...

  • Page 10: Tape Brands

    DTRS machines, as the machine will detect the thickness of tape and automatically eject any tape thinner than recommended. Never attempt to use a tape with the DA-78HR that has previously been used in video equipment. NOTE —...

  • Page 11: Available Recording And Playback Time

    The 1 - Introduction to the DA-78HR indication P6/E6 or P5/E5 will be printed on the tape package:...

  • Page 12: Front And Rear Panel Features

    2 - Front and rear panel features TASCAM DA-78HR...

  • Page 13: Front And Rear Panel Features 2.1 General Controls And Indicators

    2 - Front and rear panel features 2.1 General controls and indicators 1 Power switch Turns the power to the DA-78HR on and off. When the DA-78HR is turned off, settings will be retained in memory. 2 Tape loading slot and EJECT key Only use Hi8 ME or MP tapes as specified in 1.5,...

  • Page 14: G Rhsl (Delay) Key And Indicator

    It can also be used to cancel a format operation (5.1, “Formatting a tape”). When the DA-78HR is in shift mode, this is used to set pre- and post-roll times (5.6.4, “Editing the pre- roll and post-roll times” and 7.1.3, “Setting the loca- tion pre-roll time”).

  • Page 15: R Rec Function Keys And Indicators

    N CHASE (SUB MENU) key and indicator This key is used to set the DA-78HR to a slave chase mode, either to another DTRS unit, or to timecode (see 8.2.3, “Master/slave settings (CHASE mode)” and 9.6, “Chasing to timecode”).

  • Page 16: E Analog Outputs (Unbalanced)

    (TDIF-1). Z TIME CODE (IN, OUT) These RCA connectors are used to carry SMPTE/ EBU timecode to and from the DA-78HR. For details of using the DA-78HR with timecode synchroniza- tion, see 9, “Operations related to timecode”. a WORD SYNC (IN, OUT, THRU)

  • Page 17: Unbalanced Analog Audio Connections

    This section explains how to connect other equip- ment to the DA-78HR. It is not intended as a com- plete reference to the use of the DA-78HR. See the appropriate sections for full details of how these con- nectors are used.

  • Page 18: Midi Connectors (In , Out And Thru)

    3.2 Synchronization connections The DA-78HR has facilities for control and synchro- nization with other units. For full details of how to operate the DA-78HR with other units, see 8, “Syn- chronization with other DTRS units” and 9, “Opera- tions related to timecode”.

  • Page 19: Indirect" Word Sync

    NOTE The last unit in the chain must be terminated (a TASCAM termination plug must be plugged into the SYNC OUT of the last machine in the chain. Once again, only use TASCAM cables for connection of equipment to and from the DA-78HR.

  • Page 20: The Shift Key

    4.1 The display The DA-78HR’s menus and their options are dis- played using the time counter. Since the display is composed of 7-segment LED counters, a special alphabet is used to show the letters of the alphabet.

  • Page 21: Resetting Parameters To Default Values

    DA- 78HR TCG.REC--Timecode generator recording parameters) MIDI-- Parameters concerned with the MIDI functions of the DA-78HR MAINTN-- Maintenance, etc. parameters, concerned with the DA-78HR When the MENU key is pressed, one of this group names is displayed on the screen and the unit enters MENU menu mode.

  • Page 22: Using The Data/Level Knob To Set Values

    2 When editing the value of a parameter, and the SHUTTLE/DATA 48 kHz 44.1 kHz 1999 1469 1919 1763 1601 1471 1599 1469 1439 1322 ), followed by , or the 4-digit representation DATA/LEVEL knob to set numeri- SHIFT key, and press key. indicator is blinking slowly, TASCAM DA-78HR...

  • Page 23: System Menu

    ID when the unit is connected in a chain of DTRS units (time mode) Reference timing source (clock mode) (individual) Clock source for a slave unit. TASCAM DA-78HR Display (peak hold) Meter peak hold time (release time) Meter release time...

  • Page 24: Audio2 Menu

    * (off-tape), 9.4.1, “Showing (external), input timecode” (difference) 9.4.2, “Timecode input timing” * (ana- 9.4.6, “Timecode log), output timing” (digital) * (from 9.4.3, “Timecode tape), output” (regenerated), (reshaped) * (5 9.4.5, “Fast linear frames), timecode (LTC) (leap), output” TASCAM DA-78HR...

  • Page 25: Tc Chase Menu

    4 - Menu interface, etc. 4.8 TC chase menu The following parameters are used to control the DA-78HR operations when chas- ing to an incoming timecode signal: V alues Display (*=default) * (off), (on) (individual record- ing) Enabling individual recording while chasing...

  • Page 26: Maintenance Menu

    “Timecode offset” Locate pre-roll 5.6.4, “Editing the and auto-punch pre-roll and post- pre- and post-roll roll times” and times 7.1.3, “Setting the location pre-roll time” Varispeed 7.6, “Vari speed (±6.0%) (pitch control)” Location memory 7.1, “Autolocation” points TASCAM DA-78HR...

  • Page 27: Basic Operations

    DA-78HR. 5.1 Formatting a tape Before you use a tape in the DA-78HR, you must first format it. This marks internal synchronization patterns for the servo to follow on subsequent passes through the tape as well as the subcode data (ABS).

  • Page 28: Aborting The Format Process

    5 - Basic operations recorder. Of course, a non-HR (16-bit) record- ing made on the DA-78HR can be replayed on any DTRS recorder. 7 To start formatting the tape, hold down the RECORD key and press the PLAY NOTE The tape counter may show a negative ABS time for a short while at the start of the formatting process.

  • Page 29: Recording The First Tracks (I)

    AUDIO1-- SUB MENU key until the display IN PATCH ) and then keys ( – all analog) or COAXIAL ) input. COAXIAL ) input is selected, these sig- ) can then be routed to any track (see TASCAM DA-78HR...

  • Page 30: Input Patchbay Routing

    With a digital recorder such as the DA-78HR, track crosstalk is almost negligible (better than 90dB at 1 kHz). For this reason, you do not have to worry so much about the constraints of choosing physical track locations as you do with analog recordings.

  • Page 31: Returning To All Analog Setting

    The DA-78HR should be set to be either a word clock master or a word clock slave when connected to other digital equipment. There can only be one word clock master in a setup.

  • Page 32: Punch-In And Punch-Out

    5.6 Punch-in and punch-out There are a number of ways in which the DA-78HR can be used to perform reliable punch-in and punch- outs automatically. Punch points can be set and edited to frame accuracy, either from a cue list or “on-the-fly”...

  • Page 33: Setting Punch Points Using The Front Panel

    “on the fly”. 5.6.4 Editing the pre-roll and post-roll times As a default (factory) setting, the DA-78HR will position the tape 5 seconds before the punch-in point, however this has been set. The default post-roll time is 3 seconds. You can alter...

  • Page 34: Rehearsing The Punch-In

    4 The AUTO IN/OUT showing that the DA-78HR is now in replay mode. 5.6.8 Replaying the punched material 1 To replay the punch-in, press the PLAY key. Playback will start (the cators of the armed tracks will continue to flash).

  • Page 35: Exiting Punch-In Mode

    Normal monitoring modes will now be in oper- ation (see 6, “Monitoring”). 5 - Basic operations switches so that the indicators go key. AUTO IN/OUT (or rehearsal) LOC 2 keys will return to their key so that the indicator TASCAM DA-78HR...

  • Page 36: Monitoring

    When a DA-78HR track is in playback mode, the monitoring is off-tape. The controls which affect monitoring are: •...

  • Page 37: Summary Of Monitor Modes

    The following table shows what will be monitored from a track. This depends on the ALL INPUT FUNCTION ALL INPUT ON AUTO M ON ALL INPUT AUTO M ON TASCAM DA-78HR and the REC FUNCTION AUTO transport mode currently engaged. STOP , REW , PLA Y RECORD...

  • Page 38: Advanced Operations

    As shipped, the DA-78HR’s default location pre-roll time is 0 seconds. You can edit this to a value between 0 seconds (the tape will locate to the exact location point) and 59 minutes, 59 seconds, in 1 sec- ond increments.

  • Page 39: Repeat Function

    PLAY key will light steadily, the tape will stop and playback will start immediately. If you are using the DA-78HR with a remote control unit, and you have have pressed the on the remote control unit, replay will start automati- cally when the location point is reached.

  • Page 40: Sub-Mixer

    50 meters (about 160 feet) of distance. 7.4 Sub-mixer One important feature of the DA-78HR is the ability to mix input sources and off-tape signals into a stereo signal which is routed to tracks 7 and 8 and can be...

  • Page 41: Setting The Sub-Mixer Input Sources41

    (10 through 200 ms in 10 ms steps) 7.6 Vari speed (pitch control) The speed of recording and playback (and hence the pitch) of the DA-78HR can be adjusted to 6% above LEVEL/PAN or below normal speed in 0.1% steps.

  • Page 42: Shuttle Operations

    7.7.1 Shuttle monitoring This is also covered in 6.3, “Shuttle monitor”. The default behavior of the DA-78HR is that when shut- tling the tape, you monitor off the recorded tape. NOTE When monitoring in shuttle mode, the monitor signal is attenuated by 12 dB (to avoid possible damage to ears and speakers ).

  • Page 43: Sine Oscillator

    Dither is the technique of adding a known noise to low-level signals, especially when converting from a high number of bits (for instance 24 or 20 input bits, as in the case of the DA-78HR) to a lower number SHIFT SHIFT...

  • Page 44: Selecting Dither Settings

    Though quantization noise is reduced, there is a loss of a few dB in the signal-to-noise ratio. For this rea- son, the DA-78HR does not implement dither as a standard, but allows you to choose between no dither, rectangular or triangular (the shapes refer to the dis- tribution of values in the digital noise).

  • Page 45: Emulation

    DA-78HR, take the tape TASCAM DA-78HR keys simulta- to another facility using the DA-78HR, and set up the other machine in exactly the same way as the original at home. Of course, there are many other uses for this facility.
  • Page 46 5 Press the key again to actually start the restore operation. The DA-78HR will automatically search to the position on the tape where the data has been saved, and will read the data, loading it into memory. While the data is being read from...

  • Page 47: Units 8.1 Synchronization Connections

    Up to 16 DTRS units can be linked, for a total of 128 digital tracks. If you are connecting DTRS units of different types to the DA-78HR, use the DA-78HR or a DA-98 as the master unit and the other units as slave units. 8.1 Synchronization connections...

  • Page 48: Setting Machine Id

    6 To turn off chase mode on a slave unit, press CHASE CHASE key so that the goes off. TASCAM DA-78HR NOTE When chasing, it may take some time before chase lock is achieved. A slave unit cannot start recording until it has achieved chase lock status.

  • Page 49: Setting Machine Offset "On The Fly

    8.3.4 An example of setting offsets A practical example of setting offsets is given here. The master DA-78HR contains the tape with the dia- log and reference tracks from the video worktape. Another DA-78HR (the slave) has a tape with some tracks containing video backing music.

  • Page 50: Digital Dubbing

    When you copy tapes between DTRS units in the digital domain, there is no loss of quality. A “work- tape” or copy is therefore indistinguishable from the original. Additionally, the DA-78HR uses low-cost media (Hi8 video cassettes), which makes it easy to back up important projects.

  • Page 51: Recording While Formatting

    Recheck these parameters. If either of these messages appears, correct the fault to return to normal operation. AUTO INDVID (individ- Master DA-78HR Slave DA-78HR units All clock sources DTRS sync Internal Internal Word sync DTRS sync Master DA-78HR...

  • Page 52: Operations Related To Timecode

    Note that this subcode is available both as analog SMPTE/EBU timecode and also as MTC. The DA-78HR is able to synchronize with external timecode devices, even if the DA-78HR tape has not been striped, by converting its internal servo subcode (ABS) to timecode “on-the-fly”.

  • Page 53: Tape Tc Setting

    ), followed 29.97 drop (default) TC TRK ) and When using the DA-78HR to chase to a timecode master, the system frame mode on the DA-78HR must match the frame mode of the timecode master, otherwise chase operations are not possible.

  • Page 54: Showing Input Timecode

    Use to view the received timecode. NOTE Even when the DA-78HR is in ABS mode, this setting has some effect. If T APE is selected here, the ABS tape time is shown. If DIFF is selected here, and the...

  • Page 55: Fast Linear Timecode (Ltc) Output

    5 FRM ) setting means that timecode information is not output continuously. Here, the DA-78HR reads the timecode from the tape as it is spooling, outputs 5 consecutive frames at normal speed starting with the value which has been read...

  • Page 56: Recording Timecode Using The Generator

    9.5.2 Recording timecode using the generator 1 Insert a formatted tape into the DA-78HR. It is possible to format and stripe a new tape simultaneously, by setting up the formatting procedure as described in 5.1, “Formatting a tape”...

  • Page 57: External Timecode Sources

    NOTE When recording timecode from an external digital source, make sure the digital clock of the DA-78HR and that of the external source are synchronized. A warning message will appear if the timecode source and the DA-78HR are not synchronized, but time- code can still be recorded.

  • Page 58: Checking The Frame Mode Of Striped Timecode

    DTRS units, but in this case, the machine ID is not used. 9.6.1 Machine ID and timecode Since a DA-78HR with machine ID set to 1 is always a master unit as regards DTRS sync operation, there is no need to make any setting on such a machine if it is to be a timecode slave.

  • Page 59: Cancelling Timecode Offset

    3 Use the (maximum is 1 second and 29 frames) 9.6.7 Automatic park position setting When the DA-78HR is acting as a timecode slave, it can automatically determine the optimum park pre- roll position to sync with the master. 1 Turn the DA-78HR’s make sure that the time mode is set to TC.

  • Page 60: Absolute And Relative Difference

    . Usually you should find that the DA-78HR does not need to rechase, however, and you can leave it in free-running mode. If the 9 - Operations related to timecode...
  • Page 61 (enabled). 3 Use the keys to choose between (disabled) and (enabled). TASCAM DA-78HR When this function is enabled, individual ) where x is recording is possible when chasing to timecode, and when it is disabled, all slave units follow the master’s lead.

  • Page 62: Midi Control

    An example of a MIDI sequencer being used to con- key until trol a DA-78HR (using the auto-punch of the sequencer to punch in and out on the DA-78HR tracks) is given below. Note that the sequencing soft- ware must be able to transmit MMC commands and...

  • Page 63: Mmc Bit Map Array

    10 - MIDI control 10.2MMC Bit Map Array Commands unavailable on the DA-78HR are struck through, as for example (RECORD PAUSE). Byte Bit 7 Bit 6 (40H) Bit 5 (20H) (06) RECORD STROBE (0D) COMMAND RESET (14) (1B) (26) (2D)
  • Page 64 FIXED PLAY DEFEAT SPEED SPEED REFERENCE (5E) (5D) (5C) GENERATOR GENERATOR COMMAND USER BITS SETUP TALLY (62) (61) (60) TRACK EVENT PROCEDURE MUTE RESPONSE RESPONSE (69) (68) (67) (70) (6F) (6E) (77) (76) (75) (7E) (7D) (7C) WAIT TASCAM DA-78HR...

  • Page 65: Midi Control Change

    MIDI channels 1 through 8 control channels 1 through 8 on the master DA-78HR in a DTRS chain. MIDI channels 9 through 16 can be used to control channels 1 through 8 on the first slave DA-78HR in a chain. 10.4MIDI System Exclusive...

  • Page 66: Track Copy Setup

    <source> is either the input channel number – 1 (00 through 07) or the tape track number – 1 + 8 (08 through 0F). 10.4.7 Track Copy Enable <cc>=0a 1 byte of data to enable or disable the function. 0 = disable, 1 = enable. TASCAM DA-78HR...

  • Page 67: Midi Implementation Chart

    PO L Y M o de 3 : OM N I OF F , PO L Y TASCAM DA-78HR M I DI I m pl em e nt at i on C h ar t Re c og ni z ed...

  • Page 68: Maintenance, Etc

    • Do not attempt to rewind or fast forward the clean- ing tape, either in the DA-78HR or in a video unit. Simply insert it into the DA-78HR when you use it the next time.

  • Page 69: Checking Drum Time

    In case of problems, you may need to quote the ver- sion number of the DA-78HR’s internal software components to a TASCAM representative. There are three major components of the DA-78HR’s internal software: system, front panel and servo. Each of these can be checked independently.

  • Page 70: Software Upgrades

    11.3.1 Software upgrades TASCAM pursues a policy of continuous improve- ment to products, and there may be future enhance- ments to the DA-78HR software. Your TASCAM dealer will be able to advise you of developments in this area. TASCAM DA-78HR...

  • Page 71: Options, Specifications And Reference

    Always consult your TASCAM dealer to see if there is a ready-made cable to meet your needs. The TASCAM cables to be used with the DA-78HR (at the time of writing this manual) are given in the table below:...

  • Page 72: Specifications

    DA convertors 128 times oversampling, 24-bit Supported timecode formats 30 drop, 30 non-drop, 29.97 drop, 29.97 non-drop, 25 and 24 fps TASCAM DA-78HR 12.2.2 Analog inputs and outputs Analog inputs (balanced) D-sub 25-pin female +4 dBu Impedance: 20k...

  • Page 73: Physical Specifications

    0 dBu = 0.775 Vrms, 0 dBV = 1.0 Vrms Changes in specifications and features may be made without notice or obligation 10mm (0.4 in.) > 104 dB DTRS-HR > 95 dB DTRS < 0.004% (DTRS-HR) < 0.005% (DTRS) > 90 dB at 1kHz Unmeasurable TASCAM DA-78HR...
  • Page 74 CHASE key 15 chase mode 48 chase to timecode 58 checking and editing and manually entering location points checking drum time 69 TASCAM DA-78HR checking error rates 68 checking external timecode 57 checking head time 69 checking location points 38...
  • Page 75 54 input word length 31 inputs and output specifications 72 inputs and outputs 72 installing the DA-78HR 9 interrupting a rehearsal or punch recording 34 “Left” and “right” keys 22 line-up oscillator 43 LOC 1 (MEMO 1) key 15...
  • Page 76 8 recording punch-ins 34 recording silence (REC MUTE) 43 recording the oscillator 43 recording time 11 TASCAM DA-78HR recording timecode 55 from external sources 57 using the generator 56 recording timecode from external sources 57 recording while formatting 28...
  • Page 77 66 setup 66 track delay 39 transport keys and controls 13 unbalanced analog audio connections 17 varispeed 7 word clock connections 18 word length 31 word sync 16 Word sync terminals 72 write-protecting cassettes 28 TASCAM DA-78HR...
  • Page 78 » DA-78HR TEAC CORPORATION Phone: (0422) 52-5082 3-7-3, Nakacho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-8550, Japan TEAC AMERICA, INC. Phone: (323) 726-0303 7733 Telegraph Road, Montebello, California 90640 TEAC CANADA LTD. Phone: 905-890-8008 Facsimile: 905-890-9888 5939 Wallace Street, Mississauga, Ontario L4Z 1Z8, Canada TEAC MEXICO, S.A.

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