Tascam 24 Track 24 Bit Hard Disk Recorder MX 2424, Remote Control Unit Rc-2424 Owners Manual

							REAR PANEL
The back panel is where all connections are made and user-installable modular I/O options may be installed.  The 
internal auto-switching power supply provides both 110 and 220 volt operation.  For installation instructions of any
optional I/O modules please refer to  MX-2424  Installation.
[53] Analog to Digital/Digital to Analog Module 
The A/D/D/A module provides 24 channels of analog to digital and digital to analog conversion at 24 bit 44.1k/48k 
or 12 channels of 24 bit 96k on six DB-25 connectors.  All converters used are the same to ensure consistent high
quality audio across the entire machine. 
[52] Digital I/O Options 
There are three different 24 track digital options for the MX-2424: TDIF, ADAT   Optical, and AES/EBU.  The
AES/EBU module supports input sample rate conversion. 
[55] AES/EBU Connectors 
AES/EBU Female Connector: 
This connector allows the input of AES/EBU stereo digital audio, which can then be routed to any odd/even pair of 
tracks.  Sample rate conversion may be applied to audio coming in on this connector. 
AES/EBU digital clock may be received by the MX-2424 on this input as needed.
AES/EBU Male Connector: 
This connector will output stereo AES/EBU digital audio and clock from a selectable stereo pair of adjacent 
odd/even tracks.  The default setting is clock only. 
[54] S/PDIF Connectors 
S/PDIF Coaxial Input Connector: 
This connector allows the input of S/PDIF stereo digital audio, which can then be routed to any odd/even pair of 
tracks. Sample rate conversion may be applied to audio coming in on this connector.
S/PDIF digital clock may be received by the MX-2424 this input as needed. 
S/PDIF Coaxial Output Connector: 
This connector will output stereo S/PDIF digital audio and clock from a selectable stereo pair of adjacent odd/even 
tracks.  The default setting is clock only. 
[58] Remote Connector 
This connector is used to connect the RC-2424 remote control unit.  (Do not confuse this connector with the TL-Bus 
connectors!) 
[56} Footswitch 
This connector allows the use of a foot switch for Record Punch In/Out.  The MX-2424 will sense the polarity of the 
footswitch when the unit is powered on with the footswitch connected.  (Do not hold down the footswitch during
power up as this will cause the MX-2424 to incorrectly sense the polarity.)  See  MX-2424 Installation for details on
supported types of footswitches. 
This connector will also accept input from an Alesis  LRC for basic transport control. 
						

							[59] TL-Bus
These connectors provide communication and sample accurate synchronization between multiple MX-2424’s and/or
a TL-Sync synchronizer.  The total length of all cables connected to the TL-Bus cannot exceed 100 meters.  ID
numbers must be different for each unit on the TL-Bus.  Note that a unit in the middle of the bus can be off and still
sending bus communication through its connectors.  Units are “daisy-chained” with these connectors from Out to In.
[61] Video Sync In/Thru
The BNC VIDEO SYNC IN connector provides the ability to lock the MX-2424 sample clock to incoming black
burst or color bars using NTSC or PAL video signals.  The MX-2424 will auto-switch to the appropriate incoming
format.
The Video Thru connector passes the video signal fed to the Video Input straight through the MX-2424 so that
devices later in an equipment chain can utilize the video signal with no added delay.  This connector is self-
terminating.
[62] Net
This RJ-45 connector is used for 100Mb Ethernet connection to a personal computer for the ViewNet GUI program
and network connections to the MX-2424.  Software updates downloaded from the TASCAM web site can be
loaded into the MX-2424 from a personal computer via this port.  See the ViewNet Operations Manual for more
detail.
[63] Fast/Wide SCSI Connector
This connector is used for connection of external storage devices to the MX-2424.  (Please refer to SCSI Tips for MX
Users for more detail.)
[57] Word Clock In/Out/Thru
The Word Clock In connector allows the MX-2424 to lock to a variety of standard word clock sources.  If the MX-
2424 is set to read digital clock and it is not present or there is a mismatch in the frequencies, the Sample Lock [50]
indicator will flash.
The Word Clock Out connector always outputs digital clock generated by the MX-2424.
The Word Clock Thru connector allows the incoming clock present at the Word Clock In connector to pass
through the MX-2424 without regeneration.  This eliminates the slight delay caused by regenerating the incoming
clock.  This connector is always active whenever digital clock is present at the Word Clock In connector.
[51] Time Code In/Out/Thru:
These are balanced ¼ inch TRS connectors.
The Time Code In connector allows the MX-2424 to synchronize playback to incoming SMPTE and derive digital
clock from that time code.  The time code coming in on this connection is displayed in the LCD when 
[19] then OUT [31]  is pressed on the front panel.
The Time Code Out connector outputs the time code generated by the MX-2424 including any offset when the MX-
2424 is in play or record modes.
The Time Code Thru connector will send out reshaped time code that matches the time code coming in on the IN
connector.  This feature allows the creation of an offset inside the MX-2424 yet passes the time code present at the
In connector through to be read by another device. 
						

							[60] MIDI In/Out/Thru:
The MIDI In connector will allow the MX-2424 to lock to MIDI time code for chase play and record.  The MX-
2424 will also respond to standard MIDI machine control messages for play, track arm, record, rewind, fast forward,
stop, jog/shuttle and scrub.  NOTE:  When slaved to incoming MIDI time code it may be necessary to also lock the
MX-2424 to the digital clock of the device that is sending the MIDI time code.
The MIDI Out connector will generate MIDI time code that corresponds to the current position of the play head
including any offset.
The MIDI Thru connector will pass the MIDI information present on the MIDI In connection through the MX-2424
unaltered.
[64] IEC 3-Prong AC Connector:
This is where the power cord goes. 
						

							CONNECTING THE MX-2424
Following is a listing/description of cables required to make connections to the MX-2424.  Please note that while
some cables look similar in appearance they may be wired/constructed very differently.  Always use the correct
cable!
[53] Analog Multi-Track Connections
To connect the inputs/outputs of an analog device with balanced DB25 connectors to the analog inputs/outputs of
the IF-AN24 if installed in the MX-2424  (NOTE: This is not a TDIF or AES/EBU cable.):
CU/SD103 DB25(M) – DB25(M) 3 Meters
CU/SD105 DB25(M) – DB25(M) 5 Meters
⇒ 8 Channels, input or output per cable
To connect the outputs of the IF-AN24 if installed in the MX-2424 to the inputs of an analog device with XLR
connectors:
CU/SD203 DB25(M) – XLR(M) 3 Meters
CU/SD205 DB25(M) – XLR(M) 5 Meters
⇒ 8 Channels per cable
To connect the outputs of an analog device with XLR connectors to the inputs of the IF-AN24 if installed in the
MX-2424:
CU/SD303 DB25(F) – XLR(F) 3 Meters
CU/SD303 DB25(F) – XLR(F) 5 Meters
⇒ 8 Channels per cable
To connect the inputs/outputs of an analog device with balanced ¼” TRS connectors to the analog inputs/outputs of
the IF-AN24 if installed in the MX-2424:
CU/SD403 DB25(M) – ¼” TRS(M) 3 Meters
CU/SD405 DB25(M) – ¼” TRS(M) 5 Meters
⇒ 8 Channels, input or output per cable 
						

							[52] Digital Multi-Track Connections
To connect digitally to another device using TDIF connections when the IF-TD24 is installed in the MX-2424
(NOTE: This is not an AES/EBU or analog cable.):
CU/PW88DS TDIF Cable 0.5 Meter
CU/PW88D TDIF Cable 1 Meter
CU/PW88DM TDIF Cable 3 Meters
CU/PW88DL TDIF Cable 5 Meters
⇔ 8 Channels, input and output per cable
To connect digitally to another device using Adat Optical connections when the IF-AD24 is installed in the MX-
2424:
CU/ADOP03 Fiber-Optic Cable 1 Meter
CU/ADOP06 Fiber-Optic Cable 2 Meters
CU/ADOP16 Fiber-Optic Cable 5 Meters
⇒ 8 Channels, input or output per cable
To connect digitally to another device using AES/EBU connections when the IF-AE24 is installed in the MX-2424:
CU/AES825 AES/EBU DB25(M) – XLR(M) x 4 and XLR(F) x 4 8 Meters
⇔ 8 Channels, input and output per cable
CU/AES2503 AES/EBU DB25(M) – AES/EBUDB25(M) 1 Meter
CU/AES2510 AES/EBU DB25(M) – AES/EBUDB25(M) 3 Meters
CU/AES2516 AES/EBU DB25(M) – AES/EBUDB25(M) 5 Meters
(NOTE: This is not a TDIF or analog cable.)
⇔ 8 Channels, input and output per cable
[55] AES/EBU Stereo Digital Audio Connections
To connect digitally to another stereo device using AES/EBU (XLR) connections:
CU/AES103 XLR(M) – XLR(F) 110 Ohm 1 Meter
CU/AES110 XLR(M) – XLR(F) 110 Ohm 3 Meters
CU/AES116 XLR(M) – XLR(F) 110 Ohm 5 Meters 
						

							[54] SPDIF Connections
To connect digitally to another stereo device using SPDIF (Coaxial) connections:
CU/SPD106 Double-Shield Coax 75 Ohm RCA – RCA 2 Meters
CU/SPD110 Double-Shield Coax 75 Ohm RCA – RCA 3 Meters
CU/SPD113 Double-Shield Coax 75 Ohm RCA – RCA 4 Meters
[58] Remote Connection
This cable comes with the RC-2424.
[56} Footswitch Connection
This cable is already attached to the footswitch or LRC.
[59] TL-Bus Connection
This cable is used to synchronize MX-2424’s on the TL-Bus:
CU/TLBUS103 1 Meter
CU/TLBUS106 2 Meters
[61] Video Sync In/Thru Connections
This cable is used to connect to another device to provide video sync to the MX-2424:
CU/BB102 BNC – BNC 75 Ohm RG59 2 Meters
CU/BR202 BNC – RCA 75 Ohm RG59 2 Meters
[62] Net Connection
Category 5 Ethernet cables are used to connect the MX-2424 to a computer running the ViewNet application.  When
connecting directly to a computer a Crossover Cable is used.  When connecting to a computer through an Ethernet
hub a Straight Cable is used.
[63] SCSI Connection
Please refer to SCSI & The MX-2424 for detailed information about SCSI cables.
[57] Word Clock In/Out/Thru Connections
This cable is used to digital word clock connections between other equipment and the MX-2424:
CU/BB102 BNC – BNC 75 Ohm RG59 2 Meters
CU/BR202 BNC – RCA 75 Ohm RG59 2 Meters 
						

							[51] Time Code In/Out/Thru Connections
This cable is used for time code connections between other equipment and the MX-2424:
CU/AB202 ¼” TRS(M) – ¼” TRS(M) 2 Meters
CU/AB203 ¼” TRS(M) – ¼” TRS(M) 3 Meters
CU/AB205 ¼” TRS(M) – ¼” TRS(M) 5 Meters
⇔ For time code in/out of the MX-2424.
CU/AB302 XLR(M) – ¼’ TRS(M) 2 Meters
CU/AB303 XLR(M) – ¼’ TRS(M) 3 Meters
CU/AB305 XLR(M) – ¼’ TRS(M) 5 Meters
⇒ For time code output from the MX-2424 to a device with XLR time code connections
CU/AD402 XLR(F) – ¼” TRS(M) 2 Meters
CU/AD403 XLR(F) – ¼” TRS(M) 3 Meters
CU/AD405 XLR(F) – ¼” TRS(M) 5 Meters
⇒ For time code input to the MX-2424 from a device with XLR time code connections
[60] MIDI In/Out/Thru Connections
This cable is used for MIDI connections between the MX-2424 and other equipment.
CU/MD201 0.3 Meter
CU/MD203 1 Meter
CU/MD205 1.5 Meters
CU/MD210 3 Meters
CU/MD215 4.5 Meters
CU/MD220 6 Meters
CU/MD225 7.5 Meters
[64] IEC 3-Prong AC Connection
This is where the power cord goes.
CU/PWCD8 MX-2424 to wall outlet power cord 2.5 Meters
This is a standard 3-prong power cord. 
						

							MX-2424 FRONT PANEL 
						

							FRONT PANEL
[2] Power Switch
The power switch is located in the top left-hand corner of the unit.
[1] Track Function Keys
These keys determine which function will be applied to the track/tracks when selected by the individual track
selection keys.
[3] MOUNT/UNMOUNT
When 
MOUNT [3] is pressed the MX-2424 will attempt to mount all drives attached to the SCSI bus.  If there are
any devices on the SCSI bus already mounted then un-mounted drives will not be mounted and “Already Mounted”
will be displayed in the 
LCD [18].  When 
 [19] then 
MOUNT [3] is pressed the MX-2424
will un-mount any devices that are currently mounted on the SCSI bus.  If no devices are mounted then “Already
Unmounted” will be displayed in the 
LCD [18].  (NOTE: These operations are not possible when the transport is
running.)
[4] Individual Track Selection Keys (Triangular Keys)
These keys are used to select individual tracks.  The function applied to the track(s) is determined by the Track
Function Keys 
[1].
[5] Track Level Meters/Status Indicators
The 
Track Number indicates which audio track the LED’s
and meter below represent.
The 
Input Indicator will light on any track(s) that are set to
Input.
The 
Peak Level Meter will show the input or recorded
level of audio on its corresponding track.
The red 
Zero Indicator at the top of the meter will flash
when the audio level reaches zero and stay illuminated
when three or more consecutive samples show an overload
condition. (The overload condition will turn off when the
play or record key is pressed.)
The 
Edit Select Indicator will light on any track(s) that are
selected for input or editing using the Track Function Keys [1].  Edits are only possible on tracks that have this
indicator lit.
The 
Record Ready Indicator will blink on any track(s) that are record-enabled and light solid on any track(s) that
are actually recording.
[14] Status Indicators
The 
ERROR indicator and the 
CANCEL [15] indicator will blink when an illegal operation has been attempted or
an error condition exists in the MX-2424.  An explanation of the error will be displayed in the 
LCD [18].  Press
CANCEL [15] to clear the 
ERROR indication.
The 
BUSY indicator will light when the MX-2424 is performing an operation and is momentarily busy, such as an
edit operation.
The 
MIDI indicator will momentarily light when a MIDI message is sent to the MX-2424 that it can respond to.  If
the MX-2424 does not respond to the incoming MIDI message then this indicator will not light.
The 
DISK indicator will light when the MX-2424 is writing or reading from any type of SCSI device – inside the
chassis, or connected to the external SCSI connector. This includes hard drives, DVD-RAM and tape drives.
(NOTE:  This indicator is not present on the RC-2424 remote control unit.) 
						

							[24] LED Configuration Matrix
[47] Sample Rate LED’s (Yellow)
44100: Indicates that the current sample rate frequency is 44.1 kHz.
48000: Indicates that the current sample rate frequency is 48 kHz.
2X: Used in conjunction with the sample rate LED’s, indicates that the displayed sample rate is
doubled.
PULL DOWN: Used in Conjunction with the other sample rate LEDs, indicates that the displayed sample rate is
in pull down mode.  (For example:
 44.056 kHz or 47.952 kHz)
NON STD: Indicates that a non-standard sample rate is being used such as varispeed.  This LED is also used
for pull up modes.
[48] Time Code LED’s (Yellow)
These LED’s indicate the incoming time code frame rate.
[49] Record Mode LED’s (Yellow)
24-BIT: Indicates that the MX-2424 will record new audio in 24-bit mode.  When the LED is off the MX-
2424 will record new audio in 16-bit mode.
TL-TAPE: Indicates that the MX-2424 is in TL-Tape Mode.  When this LED is off the MX-2424 is in non-
destructive mode.
DIG IN: Indicates that the multi-track digital input is selected as the recording source
 for at least one group
of eight channels, i.e. 1-8, 9-16, and/or 17-24.
2CH I/O: Indicates that the stereo digital I/O is selected as the recording source for at least one group of
eight channels, i.e. 1-8, 9-16, and/or 17-24.
AUTO INPUT: Indicates that Auto Input Mode is active.  When this mode is active any track set to record ready
will automatically switch to playback when the transport is running and recording is not taking
place.  When this mode is not active it is possible to monitor the input of any track set to record
ready while the transport is in motion.  (Default is ON.)
[50] Sync LED’s (Yellow)
SAMPLE LOCK: This LED will light solid when the MX-2424 is receiving valid sync from the source that
is displayed in Menu 003.  If source is not present, the LED will blink indicating that the
source is unavailable.  If the MX-2424 is set to Timecode Chase, this LED will blink
until time code is received.
CHASE LOCK: This LED lights solid when the MX-2424 is in stable chase mode.
TL-BUS MASTER: Indicates that the MX-2424 is the Master that can be used to control other MX units via
the TL-Bus.  The MX-2424 must be online to operate as a Master.
TL-BUS SLAVE: Indicates that the MX-2424 is a slave on the TL-Bus. The MX-2424 must be online to
operate as a Slave.
TC CHASE: Indicates the MX-2424 is in time code chase mode using either LTC or MTC as the time
code type.  The MX-2424 can be TL-Bus Master (controlling other MX-2424 units that
are in TL-BUS Slave mode) and be in time code chase mode at the same time. The
ONLINE [25] indicator must be lit to chase time code.