Tascam TSR 8 hooking up to mixer.

[bruceyripper]

Hi,

Okay so, trying to hook up the Tascam TSR8 reel to reel with the mixer.

It has RCA out and ins on the back of the Tascam, and jack out and ins on the mixer.

The RCA cables, one is red, one is black. Which is the input and which is the output?

Would love to know.
Cheers.

[James Perrett]

We need a bit more info - what type of mixer do you have (make and model number) and how many cables?

[bruceyripper]

Mixer is Yamaha MX400 16 channel. 16 outputs, 16 inputs on each track.

The cable to connect looks like a snake, it has 16 jacks one end, and 8 RCA red, 8 RCA black the other end.

Back of the 8 track has 8 outputs 8 inputs.

Where plugs into where?

[Hugh Robjohns]

Logically, I'd assume the reds were the record side... but how are the jacks identified?

Are they colour-coded, or are they numbered? Or perhaps the individual wires going into the jack plugs and RCAs have some printed numbers or coloured sleeves on them?

H

[bruceyripper]

The nightmare is that they are not coded. The RCA end is just 8 black and 8 red. The 16 jacks on the other end are ALL black.

Which is input and which is output?

For instance, would red go into the inputs, and black into the outputs? or vice versa?

My mate said that I can arm the tracks to record and tap the ends of the jacks to find which track is which. I did this ages ago when setting it up and it worked, although now when I'm trying it, it doesn't.

[bruceyripper]

Closer inspection has revealed markings on the wires, 1-16. I still don't know what is an input or output though.

Is red input or output?

[Hugh Robjohns]

It doesn't matter -- they are just coloured sleeves on identical connectors.

So you can choose whichever colour you like to be the inputs, but it would make more sense (to me at least) to use the red for the recorder (record) inputs. You'll then need to check the individual cable numbers to make sure you plug the corresponding jacks into the approrpiate desk connectors.

H

[bruceyripper]

Yeah I've done that. I can't hear the individual tracks coming through though. There is audio, but like the faders don't correspond to the tracks.

It is inputs from 8 track go into outputs on desk, and then outputs from desk into inputs on 8 track, isn't it?

I have PFL on all the tracks on the desk. Also like when I push the faders up and down it doesn't seem to effect the sound coming through.

Somethings defo wrong somewhere.

Any Ideas? Total novice to this, in the past I've just plugged things in and it's worked. Seems a lot more tricky this.

P.S. - When the 8 track is playing, I have the lights going on the meter, so there is audio recorded on all 8 tracks. I can only hear vocals, and can't seem to control where it's coming from on the desk.

[Hugh Robjohns]

I can't hear the individual tracks coming through though.

Have you pressed the INPUT B button at the top of the relevant tape replay channels? This accesses the jack input sockets instead of the XLRs.

There is audio, but like the faders don't correspond to the tracks.

Probably plugged the jacks in the wrong order. Check the wire numbers at both ends of the loom to make sure tape track replay 1 goes to mixer channel input 1 etc...

It is inputs from 8 track go into outputs on desk, and then outputs from desk into inputs on 8 track, isn't it?

It can be wired up in a couple ways, but tape outputs 1-8 go to desk channel inputs 1-8 for starters. You can feed the tape recorder either from the desk's direct outputs on appropriate channels, or from the group or main outputs, depending on what you want to do.

Also like when I push the faders up and down it doesn't seem to effect the sound coming through. Somethings defo wrong somewhere.

Yep. Probably a good idea to read the manual for the mixer for starters, so you can make sure you're using the controls appropriately. https://uk.yamaha.com/files/download/ot ... MX400E.pdf

H

[bruceyripper]

Alright, Huge,

So I've got each channel coming through now, in the right place, thanks. The only thing is though, the faders aren't controlling anything. And I am only able to hear audio when I push in PFL. I've read the manual, however, it's really simple and doesn't give much detail for troubleshooting.

I've pressed each and every combination of button on the board, to no avail.

I can control volume coming in by the main gain knob. However, how can I control it using the faders?

[Hugh Robjohns]

If you can hear audio when you use the PFL button the inputs are obviously connected correctly, and the monitoring works. So your problem must be a simple one of signal routing through the desk. Again, this is where reading and understanding the manal is helpful if yo are unfamiliar with the console.

Check that the channel ON buttons and the appropriate group/stereo output routing buttons are pressed. These will get your input channel signals through to the main outputs. You will also need to make sure that the main stereo fader is up and the monitor section is configured properly.

H

[bruceyripper]

You know what, it was the ST button

Yeah coming through now all sound. I'll have to go away and do some revision. In fairness, I find it easier to come on here and ask you and find out right away that trolling through the net and reading every inch of a manual. So tar,

[Hugh Robjohns]

You know what, it was the ST button

Yep... it had to be something really obvious like that.

I find it easier to come on here and ask you and find out right away that trolling through the net and reading every inch of a manual.

In fairness I'm a 'total audio god' (tm) who can answer questions like yours in mere microseconds with no effort at all.... although I can't for the life of me figure out how I got to know it all....

H

[Drew Stephenson]

In fairness I'm a 'total audio god' (tm) who can answer questions like yours in mere microseconds with no effort at all...

::: Files this away for future quotation at an appropriate moment :::

[Hugh Robjohns]