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Troubleshooting, Syncing midi-tape מ using the tascam mts-30 – Tascam 424MKIII User Manual

Page 35

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Problem

Solution

Old tracks are always recorded along

Use the TAPE CUE section instead of the

with new material.

main mixer for monitoring previous tracks.

Make sure all mixer channel INPUT switches
are in the OFF position except ones you are

Recording is noisy.

using. Also, increase the volume faders of
the instruments themselves — the 424 MKIII
channel and master faders should not have
to be "full up" at any time.

Incorrect tape sync.

Try re-recording sync tones by adjusting
the MASTER fader between –10 to 0 dB on the
track 4 meter.

Problem

Possible Cause

Playback sounds dull

Dirty heads

Playback level is low

Dirty heads

Transport keys not effective

Power turned off, or tape not loaded

No tape motion

PAUSE pressed

RECORD FUNCTION set to SAFE,

No recording

cassette tab broken, or REHEARSAL
engaged

Wrong tracks recorded

PAN improperly set

Incorrect playback pitch

PITCH CONTROL set to a different
position than during recording

Feedback occurs during ping-pong

Level is too high or EQ HIGH is

recording

excessively boosted

38

Troubleshooting

37

Syncing MIDI-Tape

מ

Using the TASCAM MTS-30

MIDI clocks are themselves a computer type digital language and
cannot be recorded on analog tape; it is necessary to convert them to
recordable FSK (Frequency Shift Keying) signals using an appropriate
converter, such as the MTS-30.

The MTS-30 is not a mere MIDI-FSK converter but translates MIDI
clocks into an FSK sync signal containing score "bar" information or
"Song Position Pointer", allowing the associated MIDI equipment to
stay in sync and follow the tape no matter where you move the tape
within a given song. 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.

2. Set the TRK 4 RECORD FUNCTION switch to BUSS R.

3. Locate the DBX NR switch on the back panel and set it to the

SYNC position. This defeats the dbx encode/decode for track 4
only.

● When recording FSK signal, adjust the MASTER fader of the 424

MKIII to get a reading on the track 4 meter of from -10 to 0 dB.

We suggest that you input the "virtual" tracks from the MIDI system to
STEREO INPUTS 7 and 8. Set the ASSIGN switch of these inputs to
MON while recording, and to L-R position on mixdown.