Tascam 414MKII PortaStudio Owner's Manual
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Tascam 414MKII PortaStudio Owner's Manual

Tascam 414mkii portastudio owner's manual
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3D0028100A
414@#
OWNER'S MANUAL

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  • Page 1 » 3D0028100A 414@# OWNER'S MANUAL...

  • 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 TASCAM MTS-30 Troubleshooting Features and Controls 11-14 414 MKII MIXER 15-23 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: The Portastudio 414 Mkii Is

    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 414 MKII suitable for anyone, from expert to novice.

  • Page 5: The Recording System

    The Recording System The PORTASTUDIO 414 MKII is a complete audio production facility in a single box. It is divided into two major sections: a full-function mixer and a 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 414 MKII Mixer The illustration below shows how input signals pass through the 414 MKII 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 headphones. 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. Track Format and Tape Recommendations Tape Speed and Track Format The Portastudio 414 MKII records/plays at 9.5...
  • Page 9 Tape Type The Portastudio 414 MKII is internally adjusted for HIGH BIAS Type II tape. This means that for best results, you should only use tapes of this type. TDK SA, Maxell XL-II or equivalent formulations are recommended. We strongly suggest that you select one good quality brand and use it exclusively.

  • Page 10: Optional Accessories

    Optional Accessories RC-30P Remote Footswitch Head Demagnetizer TZ-261 Cleaning Kit (Except U.S.) MIDI-Tape Synchronizer PW-2Y/PW-4Y Insertion Cable HC-1 Head Cleaner & RC-1 Rubber Cleaner (U.S.only)

  • Page 11: Portastudio 414 Mkii Brief Guide

    For detailed information on each feature, see PORTASTUDIO 414 MKII Brief Guide "Features and Controls", pp. 31-35. Input Selection and Adjustment Channels 1 through 4 EQ HIGH : Cuts or boosts treble frequencies. Shelving point is at 10 kHz. EQ LOW : Cuts or boosts bass frequencies. Shelving point is at 100 Hz. EFFECT 1 and 2 : These control how much signal will go to the correspond- ing EFFECT send jacks.
  • Page 12 SYNC OUT : Sync tones you'll record on INPUTS. track 4 are sent out of this jack to the TASCAM MTS-30 MIDI/Tape synchro- EFFECT 2 SEND/TAPE CUE OUT : The nizer or other similar units. signal available at this jack comes either...

  • Page 13: Step-By-Step Operation Guide

    Step-By-Step-Operation Guide Let's Try the 414 MKII Mixer To learn how the mixer works, we’ll use a microphone as the source. If your dynamic microphone cable has a balanced XLR-type connector, we’ll use the rear-panel XLR-type INPUT (L, R) connector. If it is fitted with an unbalanced 1/4"...

  • Page 14: How To Record On Track 1

    Step-By-Step-Operation Guide Monitor selection MONITOR ‘ Press the MONITOR "L-R" switch on. Monitor level Turn the MONITOR level control up to the 12 o'clock position. TRIM adjustment While speaking into the microphone, slowly push the TRIM control in channel 1. You will hear your voice on the left side in the headphones.

  • Page 15: Track 1 Playback Through Tape Cue

    Mic level adjustment Speak into the microphone. You will see meter 1 move. Slowly push the channel 1 TRIM control until the meter peaks at no more than "+6". Beginning recording ‘ ‘ Hold RECORD and press PLAY to initiate recording.

  • Page 16: How To Make An Overdub On Track 2

    Step-By-Step-Operation Guide Routing tape signals to TAPE CUE Locate the EFFECT 2/TAPE CUE level control on channel 1 and slowly turn it to the right. You'll hear, in center mono, what you have recorded on track 1. Stopping playback ‘ Press STOP to stop playing.
  • Page 17 Locating tape to zero ‘ Making sure that the ZERO RETURN switch is ON, press REW and the tape will rewind to the beginning of the track 1 recording. Track selection Set the RECORD FUNCTION switch for track 2 to its R position. The track's REC indicator will start blinking.

  • Page 18: How To Record Tracks 3 And 4

    Step-By-Step-Operation Guide How to Record Tracks 3 and 4 Tracks 3 and 4 can be recorded using almost the same procedure just shown for tracks 1 and 2. Just use the applicable RECORD FUNCTION switches, and the PAN controls should be rotated to the LEFT for recording on Track 3 and to the RIGHT for Track How to Record Many Sources onto a Single Track...

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

    How to Record a Mix onto Two Tracks Simultaneously If you want to record multiple sources onto two tracks, you use the channel PAN controls to send them to LEFT or RIGHT (or anywhere in between, if you're making a stereo mix). The track RECORD FUNCTION switches choose what track the Left and Right mixes will be recorded on.

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

    Step-By-Step-Operation Guide Recording on More than Two Tracks Simultaneously : Direct Recording It is possible to record on three or four tracks at the same time by setting the respective RECORD FUNCTION switches to their numbered (1-4) position. In this Direct recording, each track gets its signal from a single mixer channel only —...
  • Page 21 Playback level Press PLAY and, while listening to the tape play, tentatively set the channel faders. Adjust the PAN controls to set each track's left-to- right position for the desired stereo image. You may also want to use the EQ controls to adjust the individual tracks for the desired tonality.

  • Page 22: Punch-In Or Insert Recording

    PUNCH-IN or INSERT Recording "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 23: Punch-In Procedure

    Punch-in Procedure There are 2 ways to initiate the punch-in recording. The first is with the transport RECORD button, and the second is with the optional footswitch. Perform the "Preliminary" on the previous page, if you haven't yet done so. Punching-in/out with RECORD Check to see that the track 2's REC indicator is blinking showing the track is in...

  • Page 24: Bouncing Tracks (Ping-Pong)

    Bouncing Tracks (Ping-Pong) The recording capability of the PORTASTUDIO 414 MKII 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. A bounce is like a mixdown, except you are recording to one of the tracks of the 414 MKII instead of to an external recorder.

  • Page 25: Using Effects With The Portastudio 414 Mkii

    Using Effects with the PORTASTUDIO 414 MKII 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.

  • Page 26: Setting The Mix/Balance Control On Effect Devices

    Using Effects with the PORTASTUDIO 414 MKII Setting the Mix/Balance Control on Effect Devices When it's being used in a send-return mix, set the mix/balance of your effect device all the way to "wet" or full processing with no direct original signal.

  • Page 27: Syncing Midi-Tape - Using The Tascam Mts-30

    Syncing MIDI-Tape — Using the TASCAM MTS-30 MIDI clocks are themselves a computer type digital Connect the TAPE OUT of the MTS-30 to the language and cannot be recorded on analog tape; it is SUB IN "R" of the 414 MKII, and the SYNC...
  • Page 28 414 MKII on and off. 2. DC IN 12 V connector (on the rear panel): – – This is for connection of the provided TASCAM PS-P414 AC adaptor only. Input Section 3. MIC/LINE IN jacks (Channels 1-4): These 1/4" jacks accept unbalanced signals ranging from –...

  • Page 29: Features And Controls

    14. Channel faders: These linear controls vary the level feeding the Master section. The nominal setting position is between 7 and 8 (shaded area). Stereo Input Section 15. STEREO INPUTS (Ch.5-6/7-8): Connect the outputs of your effects devices to these 1/4" jacks.

  • Page 30: 414 Mkii Recorder

    Features and Controls 414 MKII RECORDER Cassette Loading and dbx System 27. Cassette compartment door: To insert or remove a cassette, pull the door open. Once a cassette is inserted, be sure to close the door to prevent objects, dust or liquids from falling into the tape path.

  • Page 31: Track Controls

    Features and Controls Track Controls 38. REMOTE PUNCH IN/OUT jack (on the front panel): For connection to an optional RC-30P remote footswitch. 39. RECORD FUNCTION switches 1-4: These switches put the respective tracks into Record Ready. Recording starts when RECORD is pressed together with PLAY.

  • Page 32: How The Dbx Works

    Care and Maintenance Cleaning the Pinch Roller Clean the pinch roller at least once each day the deck is used. Use a good rubber cleaner. 1. Clean the pinch roller with a cotton swab moistened with rubber cleaner, until there is no visible residue on the pinch roller.

  • Page 33: Specifications

    Specifications MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS LINE OUTPUT (RCA jack x 2): Output Impedance: 100 Tape: Compact Cassette (C-60 to 90), Nominal Output Level: –10 dBV (0.3 V) High-Bias (CrO2) Maximum Output Level: +5 dBV (1.8 V) Track Format: 4-track/4-channel Head Configuration: EFFECT 1 SEND (1/4" phone jack x 1): 4-channel record/play (permalloy) x 1 Output Impedance: 100 4-channel erase (ferrite) x 1...

  • Page 34: Block Diagram

    Block Diagram INPUT INPUT MIC/LINE 1 FADER (-50 to -10dBV) MIC/LINE GUITAR IN TAPE TRIM MIC/LINE 2 TO: CH 2 TO: CH 2 (-50 to -10dBV) MIC/LINE 3 TO: CH 3 TO: CH 3 (-50 to -10dBV) MIC/LINE 4 (-50 to -10dBV) TO: CH 4 TO: CH 4 CH 1 - CH 4...

  • Page 35: Level Diagram

    Level Diagram...
  • Page 36 TEAC CORPORATION Phone: (0422) 52-5082 TEAC AMERICA, INC. Phone: (323) 726-0303 TEAC CANADA LTD. Phone: 905-890-8008 Facsimile: 905-890-9888 TEAC MEXICO, S.A. De C.V Phone: 5-658-1943 TEAC UK LIMITED Phone: 01923-819699 TEAC DEUTSCHLAND GmbH Phone: 0611-71580 TEAC FRANCE S. A. Phone: 01.42.37.01.02 TEAC BELGIUM NV/SA Phone: 0031-30-6048115 TEAC NEDERLAND BV...

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