Tascam DA 38_quick Start Guide

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DA-38
QUICK TIPS
This guide is intended to assist you with the majority of operations you are likely to
encounter while using your DA-38 digital recorder.  It is not intended as a substitute for the
Owner’s Manual.  For additional information on any of the procedures listed below,
consult your Owner’s Manual.
AUTO PLAY
This function enables the DA-38 to automatically begin playback upon completing
autolocation.  You must first capture a Locate Memory position.
1) After pressing LOC, press PLAY - tape...

2 If you wish to Trim the Punch IN or OUT address, perform the following:
1) From either REHEARSAL or IN/OUT mode, press SHIFT (LED blinks) and then
either LOC 1 or LOC 2 - the display will momentarily show either IN POINT or OUT
POINT and then display the ABS address of that Punch point.
2) By pressing the corresponding LOC key successively, you can move the cursor
from HR to MIN to SEC to FRames and back to the HR position.
3) With the cursor positioned at the desired address segment, use the t or s...

3 By pressing the t key at the Cleaning Mode menu, the DA-38 will display the
number of times the heads have been cleaned thus far.  Pressing the t key during
the cleaning process has no effect.
The DA-38 incorporates an internal cleaning mechanism that not only cleans the
rotary head but also the tape as it enters the tape path.
The inclusion of this cleaning mechanism significantly reduces the need for
manual cleaning, and all but eliminates the need to use the dry cleaning tape.  Use
of a dry cleaning...

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DIGITAL DUBBING BETWEEN DA-38s
This function permits digital copying of tapes for the purpose of either backup or
distribution.  For Digital Dubbing, the Master DA-38 is always the Source unit while the
Slave DA-38 is the Destination unit.
Connections - perform the following two steps with the power to both units OFF.
1) Using a PW-88S sync cable, connect the Master DA-38 SYNC OUT port to the Slave
DA-38 SYNC IN port.
2) Using either a PW-88D or PW-88DL dubbing cable, connect the Master DA-38
TDIF-1...

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DITHER
Dithering is a process which adds noise to the input signal at a very low level, usually
one-third to one-half of the lowest quantization level.  It is intended to keep low-level
signals from being overly quantized.  As the dithering process takes place only when
the input signal is actually recorded onto tape, its effect is perceptible only during
playback.  Think of dithering as a “smoothing” effect that will require experimentation
for best results.
1)  Press SHIFT (LED will blink), then...

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ID SELECT
When using multiple machines that are locked together via the Sync In and Out ports,
each DA-38 must have its own identity, or ID number.  The Master is always machine
#1.  The first slave #2, and so forth.
1)  Press SHIFT (LED will blink), then press MENU successively until the message
“id.SEL 1” appears in the display.
2)  Press either the t or s keys to establish the desired ID setting.
3)  Press SHIFT to exit.
INITIALIZATION
This function restores the DA-38 to its factory default...

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1)  Arm the track by pressing the corresponding Track Select Switch - the LED blinks.
2)  Press PLAY, at the desired punch in point, press REC - both the REC and track
LEDs will light solid.
3)  At the desired punch out point, press PLAY to disarm the track - the track LED now
blinks.
4)  Press STOP to cease playback.
MIDI MACHINE CONTROL (Requires MMC-38)
With the optional MMC-38 interface connected...

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PRE ROLL
This function enables you to specify a given amount of time that the DA-38 will position
itself prior to an established Locate Memory point or Punch In point.  It is useful for
getting acclimated to tempo and “feel.”  There are two Pre roll parameters - Locate and
Rehearsal.  Maximum time is 59 Min. 59 Sec.
Locate Pre roll - time prior to a Locate Memory point.
1) Press SHIFT (LED will blink), then press PRE ROLL until “Pr. 00 00. Lc.” appears in
the display.
2) Use the t and s keys to set the...

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TEST TONE
The test tone oscillator can be used to calibrate the DA-38’s meters with those of the
recording console.  As the tone is pitched to A-440, it can also be used as a tuning
reference.
1)  Press SHIFT (LED will blink), then press MENU successively until the message
“OSC. oFF” appears in the display.
2)  Press either the t or s keys to enable / disable the function.
TRACK ADVANCE / DELAY
The Track Advance / Delay function can be used to correct time discrepancies between
each track.  It can also...