Tascam PORTASTUDIO 424 MKIII Owner's Manual
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Tascam PORTASTUDIO 424 MKIII Owner's Manual

Tascam recording equipment user manual
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424@$
OWNER'S MANUAL
3D0023100A

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Summary of Contents for Tascam PORTASTUDIO 424 MKIII

  • Page 1 424@$ OWNER’S MANUAL 3D0023100A...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Setting effect send levels Setting the output level of effect devices Setting the mix/balance control on effect devices How to connect your effects devices Syncing MIDI-Tape—Using the 9-10 TASCAM MTS-30 11-14 Troubleshooting 15-24 Features and Controls 424 MKIII Mixer Input section...

  • Page 3: Safety Instructions

    Safety Instructions CAUTION: Read all of these Instructions. Save these Instructions for later use. Follow all Warnings and Instructions marked on the audio equipment. 1) Read instructions — All the safety and operating instructions should be read before the product is operated. 2) Retain instructions —...

  • Page 4: Introduction

    Its high audio quality and creative flexibility reflect the experience and innovation that have allowed TASCAM to earn its reputation in professional audio production fields, and its user- friendly design makes the 424 MKIII suitable for anyone, from expert to novice.

  • Page 5: The Recording System

    The Recording System The PORTASTUDIO 424 MKIII is a complete audio production facility in a single box. It is divided into two major sections: a full-function mixer and an 4-channel, multitrack cassette recorder. The Three Steps to Multitrack In TRACKING and Overdubbing, the mixer inputs are usually microphones or instruments, going to different tracks of the recorder.

  • Page 6: Understanding The Mixer

    Understanding the Mixer Signal Flow in the 424 MKIII Mixer The illustration below shows how input signals pass through the 424 MKIII Mixer section. After the MASTER fader they go to the L/R LINE OUT jacks. This is the most important signal route in the mixer and is called "Main Mix".

  • Page 7: Tape Cue Monitor System

    Tape Cue Monitor System The TAPE CUE mix and MONITOR switches are also crucial for successful multitrack recording, because they control what you hear in the headpnones. This CUE mix is totally independent from the Main Mix going to tape. If you don't use the CUE mix, you run the risk of accidentally "bouncing tracks"...

  • Page 8: Multitrack Cassette Recorder

    With proper operating techniques, it is not necessary to leave a guard band between music and sync tone tracks because of the low crosstalk of the TASCAM heads. The transport controls of the 424 MKIII are micro- processor operated, allowing highly reliable functions that make the unit easier to use: ∑...

  • Page 9: Track Format And Tape Recommendations

    (actually, it's both directions). Therefore, you should decide which It also employs a discrete 4-channel format head developed especially by TEAC for TASCAM multitrack cassette recorders. Here is a comparison of various cassette formats: side (side "A" or side "B") you want to use and use that side exclusively.
  • Page 10 Accidental Erase/Record Protection To protect a finished master tape, it is necessary to punch out both record protect tabs. Even though you are recording in only one direction, the 424 MKIII uses the entire width of the tape, as mentioned above. If, for example, you remove only one of the tabs, you could accidentally insert the cassette into the 424 MKIII backwards and erase all four tracks of the master.

  • Page 11: Portastudio 424 Mkiii Brief Guide

    For detailed information on each feature, see "Features PORTASTUDIO 424 MKIII Brief Guide and Controls", pp. 39-45 of the supplied manual. Input Selection and Adjustment Ch.1-4 MIC/LINE INPUTS: These are the input jacks for the mixer channels. Primarily, the 3-contact, XLR-type connectors are for connection to balanced microphones, and the 1/4"...
  • Page 12 4-track master, as required. POWER connector: Connect the power DBX NR switch: Normally, leave this switch in the cable of the PS-424MKIII power supply ON position. When you use track 4 for to this connector. Never use any power...

  • Page 13: Step-By-Step Operations Guide

    2. Plug the 1/4" plug on your microphone cable into the leftmost MIC/LINE IN jack for channel 1. 3. Turn the 424 MKIII on. The TASCAM logo appears in the display. (The POWER switch is located on the back, beside the power cable.)

  • Page 14: How To Record On Track 1

    Panning Channel level Master level Monitor selection TRIM adjustment Listening level How to record on track 1 Loading a cassette Getting past the leader tape 6. Turn the channel 1 PAN control all the way to the left. 7. Raise the channel fader to "7" on the scale. 8.
  • Page 15 Resetting the counter Selecting tracks Mic level adjustment Beginning to record Stopping recording Putting track into "Safe" 4. Press the COUNTER RESET switch, so you can use the RTZ (Return-To-Zero) function to get back to this point. 5. Set the RECORD FUNCTION switch for TRK 1 to its BUSS L position.

  • Page 16: Track 1 Playback Through Tape Cue

    Track 1 playback through TAPE CUE Switching TAPE CUE on Monitor selection Locating tape to zero Begin to play Listening level adjustment Routing tape signals to TAPE CUE Stop play Set the EFFECT 2/TAPE CUE selection switch located below the LEVEL control to the right/TAPE CUE position.

  • Page 17: How To Make An Overdub On Track 2

    How to make an overdub on track 2 Routing input Panning Channel 1 level Master level Monitor selection Locating tape to zero Track selection Record level adjustment (TRIM) Overdubbing entails recording one or more additional tracks on the same tape, while listening to previously recorded tracks using TAPE CUE.

  • Page 18: How To Record Tracks 3 And 4

    Begin to record Monitoring input/tape Stop recording Putting track into "Safe" How to record tracks 3 and 4 How to record many sources onto a single track 9. Hold RECORD and press PLAY to initiate recording. The REC "2" indicator that was blinking will turn on solid, indicating track 2 is now being recorded.

  • Page 19: How To Record A Mix Onto Two Tracks

    How to record a mix onto two tracks simultaneously Set the PAN control of each channel to the same setting, for œ example : In this example, all instruments plugged into channels 1-4 will be recorded onto Track 1 or 3. Lower the MASTER fader to make overall level adjustments once œ...

  • Page 20: Recording On More Than Two Tracks Simultaneously : Direct

    Recording on more than two tracks simultaneously : DIRECT ∑ Set the MONITOR SELECT LINE OUT switch to L-R or MONO, and set the EFFECT 2/TAPE CUE switch to TAPE CUE if you need to hear tape tracks or MIDI virtual tracks. Recording is the same procedure as for one track.

  • Page 21: How To Mix Down

    How to mix down Connections Master level Monitor source Routing inputs Playback level When the 4 tracks are all recorded, the final step is mixing them into a standard stereo format. This procedure is known as Remixing or Mixing down. During this procedure the tracks are blended together and balanced to create the desired sound.
  • Page 22 Review Record level 8. When the signal balance, level, and tonality sound right, rewind the tape, and press PLAY again to check the result. 9. Rewind the multitrack tape again. Put a blank tape in the mixdown deck and let it play for 5 seconds, then stop it and reset the mixdown deck's counter to zero.

  • Page 23: Using Memory Location Points

    Using Memory Location Points Loading MEMO points MEMO 1 MEMO 2 Establishing new MEMOs Recalculation of MEMOs Checking MEMO points Erasing Two autolocation points can be established in the 424 MKIII's memory system. At the desired moment, hold the MEMO IN key and press the LOC 1 key.

  • Page 24: Locating The Tape

    Locating the tape To zero To MEMO 1 To MEMO 2 Auto play Press the RTZ key to fast wind the tape to the counter zero point. If you press COUNTER RESET during the RTZ process, the tape counter is reset to 0000 and the tape stops. Hit the LOC 1 key to fast wind the tape to the MEMO 1 point.

  • Page 25: Repeat Play

    Repeat Play Operating procedure To interrupt REPEAT sequence Note 1 Note 2 The REPEAT function provides a "Playback Loop" or "Block Repeat" between the two programmed MEMO points. The 424 MKIII understands the lower MEMO point as the start point of the loop, and the higher point as the end.

  • Page 26: Punch-In Or Insert Recording

    PUNCH-IN or INSERT Recording Preliminary Selecting in and out points "Punching in" or "insert recording" is recording over a small section of previously recorded track to correct or improve a performance, while keeping the rest of the track intact. The mixer settings should be exactly the same as they were during the original recording.

  • Page 27: Rehearsal And Auto In/Out Procedures

    Rehearsal and Auto In/Out Procedures Rehearsing Punch-in (Insert) recording Storing the punch-in and out points into memory Rehearsal You can rehearse your punch-in as many times needed without affecting the existing recording. During rehearsal, what you hear in the monitor mix and read on the level meters will be the same as during recording, but signal won't be recorded on tape.
  • Page 28 Actual Auto Punch In/Out When the tape reaches the preset punch-out point, you will be able to hear the old material existing on track 2, letting you check that the new material is smoothly followed by the old one. The RECORD LED will turn off, indicating that the "dry-run"...

  • Page 29: Manual Punch-In

    Auto Review Manual Punch-in Punching-in/out with RECORD 8. Press the AUTO PUNCH switch. "RHSL" will turn off and "AUTO" will start blinking in the display. 9. Press PLAY. What you have anticipated in REHEARSAL will automatically occur in sequence: preroll, punch in, punch out, postroll, rewind, and stop.
  • Page 30 Using the remote footswitch (RC-30P) If you are recording alone and are too busy playing an instrument to push the switches, the optional remote footswitch really comes in handy. Plug the RC-30P into the REMOTE PUNCH IN/OUT jack on the rear panel of the 424 MKIII.

  • Page 31: Bouncing Tracks (Ping-Pong)

    Bouncing Tracks (Ping-Pong) Ping-pong procedure The recording capability of the PORTASTUDIO 424 MKIII is not limited to four tracks. You can "bounce" or combine tracks you have recorded to an empty track, and then replace the original tracks with new material.
  • Page 32 6. Use channel faders 1 through 3 to make any necessary level adjustments. You may want to repeat this step several times to get the balance correct. 7. When the balance is right and the level is peaking at no more than +6 on the track 4 meter, stop and rewind the tape to the beginning of the track.

  • Page 33: Using Effects With The Portastudio 424 Mkiii

    Using Effects With the PORTASTUDIO 424 MKIII Effects and signal processing are areas where you can really start to have fun customizing your sound, and develop your own unique recording style. Because there are so many possibilities, it also can be confusing. There are many different effect units on the market, all with different controls, types of inputs and outputs, and other characteristics.

  • Page 34: How To Connect Your Effects Devices

    How to Connect Your Effects Devices There is no absolute "right" or "wrong" way to do this—there are several ways, each with its own consequences. Mono returns: A special feature of the STEREO INPUT allows continuously variable control between left and right if desired: a mono effect connected to 7/MONO will go to 7-8 LEVEL control if nothing is plugged into jack 8.

  • Page 35: Syncing Midi-Tape-Using The Tascam Mts-30

    The maximum stability or resolution of the synchronization is ensured by a TASCAM-exclusive error correction circuit in the MTS-30. 1. Connect the TAPE OUT of the MTS-30 to the SUB IN "R" of the 424 MKIII, and the TAPE OUT 4 of the 424 MKIII to the TAPE IN of the MTS-30.

  • Page 36: Features And Controls

    –10 dBV (0.3 V). The SUB IN R jack is also used to accept FSK- converted MIDI sync signals from devices such as the optional TASCAM MIDI-Tape Synchronizer MTS-30. TRIM controls: This is used to set preamplification level on the MIC/LINE INPUTS.

  • Page 37: Stereo Input Section

    11. EFFECT 1 send controls: These controls get their signal from a point just after the channel fader (i.e., "post fader send") and route the corresponding channel signal to the EFFECT 1 SEND jack. Turn the control to the right to increase volume to the EFFECT 1 SEND jack.

  • Page 38: 424 Mkiii Recorder

    24. EFFECT 1 SEND jack : The signal available at this jack comes from post-fader, for connection to effects devices. Nominal level is –10 dBV (0.3 V). 25. EFFECT 2 SEND /TAPE CUE OUT jack: This jack is for connection to an additional effects device, or to a studio speaker amplifier.

  • Page 39: Transport Controls

    Transport Controls 31. REW key: Winds tape at high speed in reverse direction. 32. F FWD key: Winds tape at high speed in the forward direction. 33. STOP key: Stops any tape motion and disables all transport modes. 34. PLAY key: a) Press this key alone to start playback.

  • Page 40: Track Controls

    Track Controls 38. RECORD FUNCTION switches 1-4: These switches put the respective tracks into Record Ready. Recording starts when RECORD is pressed after or together with PLAY. In the center position (SAFE) no recording takes place. NOTE: Don't operate the RECORD FUNCTION switches to punch in and out.
  • Page 41 49. CLEAR key: Turns off the REHEARSAL and AUTO PUNCH IN/OUT functions (pp.30-31). 50. COUNTER RESET switch: This resets the COUNTER to "0000" so you can assign any point on the tape as a starting location. Pressing RTZ (#44) gets you back to that location.

  • Page 42: Optional Accessories

    Optional Accessories RC-30P Remote Footswitch MIDI-Tape Synchronizer HC-1 Head Cleaner & RC-1 Rubber Cleaner Head Demagnetizer (U.S.only) TZ-261 Cleaning Kit (Except U.S.) Care and Maintenance Even though the heads used in your 424 MKIII Cleaning the Heads and Tape Guides have high wear resistance and are rigidly constructed, performance degradation or electro- All heads and metal parts in the tape path must...

  • Page 43: How The Dbx Works

    Cleaning the Pinch Roller 1. Press a cotton swab that has been moistened with rubber cleaner to the pinch roller on the right hand side of the capstan shaft (or, on the left hand side if REW is pressed). This will prevent the swab from becoming tangled in the mechanism.

  • Page 44: Specifications

    Specifications Mechanical Characteristics Tape: Track Format: Head Configuration: Motor: Tape Speed: Pitch Control: Wow and Flutter: Fast Winding Time: Dimensions (W Weight: Electrical Characteristics Mixer Section MIC/LINE INPUT, Ch.1-4 (XLR type connector x 4) Input Impedance: Nominal Input Level: Maximum Input Level: MIC/LINE INPUT, Ch.1-6 (1/4"...
  • Page 45 EFFECT 2 SEND/TAPE CUE OUT (1/4" phone jack) Output Impedance: Nominal Output Level: Minimum Load Impedance: TAPE OUTPUT (RCA jack x 4) Output Impedance: Nominal Output Level: Minimum Load Impedance: MONITOR OUTPUT (RCA jack x 2) Output Impedance: Nominal Output Level: PHONES (1/4"...
  • Page 46 Others Power Requirements USA/CANADA: U.K./EUROPE: AUSTRALIA: Power Consumption: In these specifications, 0 dBV is referenced to 1 Volt. Actual voltage levels are also given in parentheses (0.316 V for -10 dBV rounded off to 0.3 V). * dbx is a registered trademark of dbx Incorporated. Changes in specifications and features may be made without notice or obligation.

  • Page 47: Block Diagram

    Block Diagram...

  • Page 48: Level Diagram

    Level Diagram 424@$ TEAC CORPORATION 3-7-3, Nakacho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-8550, Japan Phone: (0422) 52-5082 TEAC AMERICA, INC. 7733 Telegraph Road, Montebello, California 90640 Phone: (323) 726-0303 TEAC CANADA LTD. 5939 Wallace Street, Mississauga, Ontario L4Z 1Z8, Canada Phone: 905-890-8008 Facsimile: 905-890-9888 TEAC MEXICO, S.A.

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