Setting up the tascam ds-m7.1, Trimming the levels – Teac DS-M7.1 Setup Guide User Manual

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Setting up the TASCAM DS-M7.1

TASCAM DS-M7.1 Setup Guide

Setting up the TASCAM DS-M7.1

TASCAM DS-M7.1 Setup Guide

Trimming the levels

When monitoring in surround mode, it is important that the perceived level of each channel (as perceived from the

monitoring position) is equal, in order to achieve a satisfactory mix.

NOTE

Before proceeding further with these operations, it is important that you ensure that the input mode
of the DS-M7.1 reflects the setup you are using and the output channels are “patched” so that the

names of the channels correspond to the actual channels that you have set up in your system (if the
channel meant to be driving the LFE is actually driving one of the surround channels, you will have
severe problems!). Use the

INPUT and OUTPUT keys (shifted STATUS and SYSTEM) keys for this. See

the main manual if this setup has not been done already and you are unsure of the procedures.

The DS-M7.1 provides you with a pink noise generator to allow you to set up and calibrate your monitoring sys-

tem for optimal results. You will also need an SPL (sound pressure level) meter. Absolute accuracy in this case is

not of prime importance—relative levels are what are being set up here.

There are two standard weightings that are commonly used, and may be selected from most SPL meters: the ‘C’

weighting, providing an almost uniform response from 32 Hz to 10 kHz, and the “A” weighting, which is concen-

trated on the 500 Hz to 10 kHz range. For full-range music productions, use the “C” weighting.

TIP

When you make the measurements described here, either stand the SPL meter on a tripod (ideal), or

hold it to one side of your body, to avoid reflections, etc. caused by your body which can affect the

final results.

Generating the pink noise

Make sure that your monitoring system is turned on, and adjusted to a nominal level.

With the

SHIFT

indicator lit, press the

BASS MGT/TEST

key

to bring up the screen at left. This allows you to select the type

of pink noise generated by the unit, as well as the level of the

noise.

The

Safety

parameter at the bottom of the screen, when

set to

ENABLE

, turns off the ability to switch on the TEST

mode and the pink noise generator. To enable the TEST mode,

set the

Safety

parameter to

DISABLE

You will use the

FULL BAND

noise setting in most situations (the alternative is

BAND LIMIT

, which uses

a filter to weight the noise).

There are a number of different selectable levels at which the noise can be output:

-20

-18

-16

-10

- 5

and

(all relative to full-scale). If you are working to the SMPTE standard, therefore,

-20

corresponds to the

analog nominal level (the EBU equivalent is

-18

—the TASCAM

-16

level is also provided for con-

venience).

Use the

CURSOR

keys to select the

Level

field, and the

VALUE

dial to adjust the level to the set-

ting you want to use for your calibration.

Now press the

TEST

key on the bottom right of the control panel.

The channel

MUTE CONTROL

keys are used to select the

channels to which the pink noise will be output. When an

input mode is selected, the green indicators under the “ac-

tive” channels are lit, to show that the channel can be used.

For example, if the stereo mode is selected, only the L and

R indicators are lit. In the case of 5.1,

LFE

and

are lit.

[TEST]

PNoise FULL BAND

Level -10dB

Safety ENABLE

[TRIM]

L 0.0 C

0.0 R 0.0

LFE 0.0

LS 0.0 RS 0.0