Tascam Digital Audio Production Environment SX-1 Reference Manual

							Digital Audio Production Environment
REFERENCE MANUAL
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							2 TASCAM SX-1 Reference Manual
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							 TASCAM SX-1 Reference Manual 3
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							4 TASCAM SX-1 Reference Manual
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							Table of Contents
 TASCAM SX-1 Reference Manual 5
Part I — Manuals & Conventions
Chapter 1 – The Manuals
Manual Descriptions .................................. 10
Owners Manual ............................................. 10
Quick Start Guide............................................ 10
Manual Organization ................................. 10
Documentation Conventions ..................... 11
Tips................................................................... 11
Chapter 2 – Operating Conventions
Front Panel .................................................. 12
Multi-Function Keys........................................ 12
Data Entry ....................................................... 12
Keypad............................................................. 12
Ancillary Keys ............................................. 13
Jog/Shuttle Wheel .......................................... 13
Virtual Channel Pots ....................................... 13
Fader Banks ..................................................... 14
LCD Display ................................................. 14
VGA or LCD...................................................... 14
LCD Navigation ............................................... 14
Common Soft Knobs & Keys .......................... 15Soft Keys ......................................................... 15
Soft Knobs ...................................................... 15
VGA Display................................................. 15
Screen Navigation .......................................... 15
Tracks Display ................................................. 16
Mouse Conventions ....................................... 16
Tabs ................................................................. 17
Main Menu Items ........................................... 17
Zoom & Scroll.................................................. 17
Main Menu Bar Elements............................... 17
Transport & Record Keys ............................... 17
MIDI Panic ....................................................... 17
Tool Select....................................................... 17
Grid Select ....................................................... 18
Nudge & Grid Settings ................................... 18
Edit Length Grids ............................................ 18
Time Signature Selector ................................. 18
Tempo & Click Management ......................... 18
Project & Mix Menus ...................................... 19
Main Time Code Display ................................ 19
Common buttons ........................................ 20
Part II —  Monitoring Signals and Selecting Screens
Chapter 3 – Monitoring Audio
Output Control ........................................... 21
Monitor Section .............................................. 21
CONTROL ROOM ............................................. 21
STUDIO Section ............................................... 22
TALKBACK Select ............................................ 22
Monitor Level .................................................. 23
SOLO Section................................................... 23
HEADPHONES.................................................. 23
TRANSPORT SOLO........................................... 24
Chapter 4 – Metering & Indicators
Reading LED Meters.................................... 25
Master Meter Section..................................... 25
Chapter 5 – Selecting Screens
Screen Controls ........................................... 27
Main Display Key............................................ 27
Main Display Mode Section ........................... 27
View Menu...................................................... 28
LCD ACCESS Section ....................................... 29
LCD Screen ...................................................... 29
Part III —  Locate, Transport, & Surround
Chapter 6 – Transport, Loop, Auto Punch
Transport Controls ..................................... 31
Front Panel ...................................................... 31
JUMP KEY MODE  ........................................ 31
VGA Transport ................................................ 32
LCD Transport ................................................. 32
ADD ............................................................. 33
EDIT .............................................................. 33
P2 Remote Machine Control in the SX-1 ... 34
The Philosophy................................................ 34
General SX-1 Transport Controls ................... 34
Customizing the Devices ................................ 34Working with External Timecode Sources ... 35
LOOP Section .................................................. 37
Auto Record Controls (AUTOPUNCH Section)37
Chapter 7 – Locate Points
Creating Locate Points ................................ 38
Create a Locate Point ..................................... 38
Recalling & Editing Locate Points .................. 38
VGA Locate Control .................................... 39
LCD Locate Control ..................................... 40
LOCATE POINTS .............................................. 40
REGISTERS ....................................................... 40 
						

							Table of Contents
6 TASCAM SX-1 Reference Manual
Chapter 8 – Surround
Setting Up Surround ...................................41
Making the Change to Surround................... 41
LCD Access to Surround ................................. 41Surround Modes Explained ........................... 41
Understanding the Changes ...................... 42
VGA Channel .................................................. 42
Routing Surround Busses ........................... 44
Part IV — Mixer Controls
Chapter 9 – Channel Control
Front Panel...................................................45
Channel Strips ................................................. 45
Master Channel  .......................................... 45
Virtual Channel ............................................... 46
Screen Control (VGA Channel Display) ......... 47
CONTROL ..................................................... 47
POSITION ..................................................... 48
GROUPS ....................................................... 48
AUX SEND  ................................................... 48
EQ ................................................................ 49
DYNAMICS .................................................. 49
Compressor & Expander  ............................ 50
Gate ............................................................. 50
LCD Channel Display ...................................... 51
DYN ............................................................. 51
Aux ON/OFF  ................................................ 51
AUX Pre/Post  .............................................. 51
Links ............................................................ 51
Buss Routing  ............................................... 52
INPUT button  .............................................. 52
INSERT button ............................................. 52
TRIM/CH DELAY Screen .............................. 52
EQ, Dynamics and Scene Libraries - The Library 
Feature ......................................................53
VGA Displays................................................... 53
LCD Displays.................................................... 53
DYNAMICS LIBRARY  ................................... 53
Scene library ................................................54
VGA Scene Tab................................................ 54
LCD SCENE LIBRARY Screen ........................... 55
IMPORT ........................................................ 55
Chapter 10 – Library Overview
Understanding the Library Feature ...........56
Library Section ................................................ 56
Chapter 11 – Routing & Bussing
Working With the SX-1’s Routing Pages ...57
The philosophy ............................................... 57
VGA Routing Displays .................................... 57
Panel Routing  ............................................. 57
Mixer Routing  ............................................. 58
Before we continue, a word about mixer Bypass 
and Loopback .............................................. 58
HDR Routing  ............................................... 58
Effects Routing  ........................................... 58
Insert Presets  .............................................. 59LCD Routing Displays ..................................... 59
Inserts – how they work and how to route 
them ............................................................. 59
VGA ................................................................. 60
Actually routing the insert to a mixer 
channel ........................................................ 61
LCD .................................................................. 62
Actually routing the insert to a mixer 
channel ........................................................ 62
ANALOG IN ..................................................... 63
Bussing ........................................................ 63
VGA Controls .................................................. 63
Buss Masters ............................................... 64
LCD Buss: Controls ......................................... 64
MACRO ....................................................... 65
Buss Assign  ................................................. 65
Aux Sends & Returns .................................. 65
VGA Aux Send Controls ................................. 65
Aux Send Masters .......................................... 66
LCD Aux Send Controls .................................. 66
VGA Aux Return Masters............................... 67
Routing Library Displays ............................ 68
VGA Routing Library Display......................... 68
LCD Routing Library Display.......................... 68
Chapter 12 – Fader Links, Groups, & Banks
Links ............................................................. 69
VGA Fader Links ............................................. 69
LCD Fader Links .............................................. 69
MACRO ....................................................... 70
LINKS ........................................................... 70
Groups ......................................................... 71
VGA Fader Groups.......................................... 71
LCD Fader Groups........................................... 71
Understanding Group Masters...................... 72
Fader Banks ................................................. 73
Fader Bank Section......................................... 73
VGA Fader Banks ............................................ 74
USER Fader Banks........................................... 75
Creating a User Fader bank (VGA) ................ 75
User Fader Banks (LCD) .................................. 76
VGA Bank Menu  ......................................... 76
Channel Overview Screens ........................ 77
VGA Buss Overview Screen ........................... 77
LCD Buss Overview Screen ............................ 78
LCD Mixer Overview Screen .......................... 78
VGA Input Overview Screen.......................... 79 
						

							Table of Contents
 TASCAM SX-1 Reference Manual 7
Chapter 13 – Automation
Understanding Modes & States................. 80
Controller States......................................... 80
Automatic (Auto) ............................................ 80
Static ................................................................ 80
Write ................................................................ 80
Trim .................................................................. 81
Safe .................................................................. 81
Off .................................................................... 81
Global Modes .............................................. 81
Global Write .................................................... 81
Trim .................................................................. 81
Init Edit ............................................................ 82
Rehearse Functionality ................................... 83
Global Controls ........................................... 84
Mix Displays................................................ 84
VGA Mix Tab ................................................... 84
LCD MIX Screen ............................................... 85
Automation Controls ................................. 86
Front Panel Controls ....................................... 86
VGA Automation Screen ............................ 88
Automation Track Area .................................. 89
Auto Track ....................................................... 89
Edit Operations (Region/Event select) .......... 90
When nothing is selected  .......................... 90
A region is selected  .................................... 90Events selected  ........................................... 90
Edit Operations (Pencil Tool) ......................... 90
Edit Operations (Curve Tool) ......................... 90
LCD CHANNEL screen .................................. 91
Automation Events & History Screens ...... 91
Event List Tab ................................................. 91
Edit Operation  ............................................ 91
History Tab...................................................... 92
VGA Automation Global Tab ..................... 92
Dynamic Automation  ................................. 92
LCD GLOBAL Screen .................................... 94
Operations Examples .................................. 95
Writing Mix Moves......................................... 95
Revert Time ..................................................... 95
Writing Switch Events.................................... 100
Revert Time ..................................................... 100
Disabling Control Sense Timeout .................. 102
Trimming Mix Moves ..................................... 102
Revert Time ..................................................... 103
Automating Library Recall.......................... 104
Writing Library Recall Events Over Existing Static 
Control Positions ......................................... 104
Combining Library Recall With Dynamic Mix 
Moves........................................................... 105
Automating Groups .................................... 105
Part V —  Effects
Chapter 14 – Working with Effects
The Philosophy – how it works ................. 106
VGA Effects Screens ................................... 106
Routing Effects Screens ............................. 107
VGA EFFECTS SLOT/ROUTING Module .......... 107
Effect Slot  .................................................... 107
LCD Effects Routing Screen ............................ 107
EFFECTS ....................................................... 107
Effects Controls Displays ........................... 108
VGA EFFECTS CONTROLS Screen ................... 108
LCD EFFECTS Control Screen .......................... 108
Effects Library Displays .............................. 109
VGA EFFECTS LIBRARY Screen ....................... 109
LCD FX LIBRARY Screens ................................ 110
Routing Effect Examples ............................ 111
Aux Send & Return ......................................... 111
Inserting an Effect .......................................... 111
Chapter 15 – Examples of Effect Algorithms
Categories.................................................... 112
Common Effect Parameters........................ 112
Examples...................................................... 113
Antares Mic Modeler...................................... 113
Signal Flow  ................................................. 113
Input Section  .............................................. 113
Source Mic Section  ..................................... 114
Modeled Mic Section  ................................. 115
Preserve Source  .......................................... 116
Tube Saturation .......................................... 116
Antares Speaker Modeler........................... 117
Tascam DeEssor ........................................... 117
Tascam Exciter (Stereo).............................. 118
Tascam/Nemesys HD1 Dither ..................... 118
Type ............................................................. 118
TC SX-1 Reverb ............................................ 119
Level Mix Controls  ..................................... 119
Time Editor  ................................................. 120
Part VI — Audio tracks
Chapter 16 – Working with Audio Regions
Essential Tools ............................................ 122
Tool Select Menu ............................................ 122
VGA Waveform Tab ........................................ 122
Edit Operation................................................. 123
Event Editor  ................................................ 123HyperSelect ................................................. 123
Move ........................................................... 123
Render ......................................................... 123
Repeat Selection ......................................... 123
Reverse ........................................................ 123
Gain/Fade .................................................... 123
Normalize .................................................... 123 
						

							Table of Contents
8 TASCAM SX-1 Reference Manual
Remove DC .................................................. 123
LCD WAVEFORM Screen................................. 124
SELECT ......................................................... 124
Managing Audio Takes ...............................124
VGA Take Browser Tab .................................. 125
Audio Clips...................................................125
VGA Clip Browser Tab .................................... 125
Chapter 17 – Editing Audio
Edit Controls................................................ 127
EDIT ................................................................. 127
NUDGE SETTING  ......................................... 127
Editing ............................................................. 128
VGA Edit Menu ........................................... 131
Auditioning Edits ........................................ 132
AUDITION Section .......................................... 132
Part VII — MIDI Sequencing
Chapter 18 – Essential Controls
MIDI Sequencer ...........................................133
MIDI REC MODE Section................................. 133
VGA Tracks Display of MIDI........................133
MIDI Tracks...................................................... 133
LCD Tracks Display of MIDI.........................134
VGA MIDI Channel Display .........................135
LCD MIDI Channel Display ..........................136
Global Controls............................................136
VGA Global Tab .............................................. 136
MIDI Input Settings ........................................ 138
LCD MIDI Settings Screen............................... 139
VGA MIDI Track Tab ....................................... 139
Transpose ........................................................ 144
Transpose Mode  ......................................... 144
Track Offset..................................................... 145
RELATED LCD screens ..................................... 145
Step Record Mode .......................................146
Step Parameters.............................................. 146
Step Recording................................................ 147
TIME/TEMPO Management ........................148
VGA Control.................................................148
Accent .......................................................... 148
Non Accent .................................................. 148
LCD TIME/TEMPO Screens .............................. 149
Managing MIDI Takes .................................150
VGA Take Browser Tab .................................. 150
Managing MIDI Files ...................................150
Standard MIDI Files ........................................ 151
VGA SMF Management Tab........................... 151
VGA Main Menu SMF Commands ................. 151
MIDI Monitoring..........................................152
MIDI Overview Screen.................................... 152
LCD MIDI In Overview Screen ........................ 153
LCD MIDI Out Overview Screen..................... 153
MIDI Naming Tab ............................................ 154
Chapter 19 – MIDI Editing
Tools & Screens ...........................................155
A recap — onscreen tools for working with MIDI 
events .......................................................... 155
Using the Tools............................................... 155
MIDI Piano Roll Screens .............................. 159
VGA Piano Roll ............................................... 159
Edit Operation ................................................ 159
Add Note  .................................................... 159
Add Program Change  ................................ 159
Adjust Duration .......................................... 159
Adjust Velocity  ........................................... 159
Crescendo ................................................... 160
Event Editor .................................................... 160
HyperSelect..................................................... 160
Move ............................................................... 160
Quantize ......................................................... 161
Randomize Duration ...................................... 161
Randomize Time ............................................. 161
Randomize Velocity ....................................... 161
Repeat Selection............................................. 161
Reverse............................................................ 161
Set Duration ................................................... 161
Set Min/Max Duration ................................... 161
Set Min/Max Velocity .................................... 162
Set Velocity ..................................................... 162
Smooth Events ............................................... 162
Split Notes ...................................................... 162
Step Record..................................................... 162
Transpose........................................................ 162
Trim Duration ................................................. 162
Trim Velocity................................................... 162
LCD Piano Roll ............................................. 163
Event Lists ................................................... 163
VGA Event List ................................................ 163
Edit Operations .............................................. 164
Add Lyric  ..................................................... 164
Add Time Signature  ................................... 164
Tempo Change  ........................................... 164
LCD Event List ................................................. 165
FILTER .......................................................... 165
JUMP ........................................................... 165
OPTION ....................................................... 165
Part VIII — Data Entry, System & File Management
Chapter 20 – Project Management
Important Screens .......................................166
New Project Screens....................................166
VGA New Project Tab..................................... 166
LCD New Project Screen................................. 167
Manage Project screens.............................. 167
VGA Manage Project Tab............................... 167 
						

							Table of Contents
 TASCAM SX-1 Reference Manual 9
“Safe” startup ................................................. 168
LCD Manage Screen ........................................ 168
FUNCTIONS .................................................. 168
LCD Open Screen ............................................ 169
Main Menu Bar Project Commands ............... 169
Chapter 21 – Mixdown, Author, Backup
The SX-1 and Mixdown Mode ................... 170
Philosophy – how it works............................. 170
Stereo Mixdown – printing your final mix or 
comping tracks............................................. 170
On the VGA ..................................................... 170
On the LCD ...................................................... 171
In Surround Mode – what changes? ............. 172
On the VGA ..................................................... 172
On the LCD ...................................................... 172
Working With the CD Burner .................... 173
ISO Data CD ................................................ 173
Red Book Audio CD .................................... 174
The SX-1 and Hard Drives .......................... 175
Care and feeding, and audio file behavior ... 175
The Philosophy – drives in general................ 175
Drives and the SX-1 ........................................ 176
What is actually put on the drive .................. 176
What is happening when the SX-1 is 
recording ...................................................... 177
The way the SX-1 handles data ..................... 177
Explanation of Disk Cleanup and Low Level 
Format .......................................................... 178
How the Backup file is made ......................... 178Quick general behavior.................................. 178
Backing Up................................................... 179
Backup Displays .............................................. 179
VGA Project Backup Tab ................................ 179
LCD Backup Screen ......................................... 180
Drive Settings .............................................. 180
VGA Drive Setup Tab ..................................... 180
LCD Drives Screen........................................... 181
Chapter 22 – System Settings
Preferences .................................................. 182
Preferences Screens .................................... 182
VGA UI Settings Tab ....................................... 182
LCD Meter Screen ........................................... 183
LCD Miscellaneous Screen ............................. 183
LCD Time Screen ............................................. 184
About your SX-1 ............................................. 184
The SX-1 Menu ............................................... 185
System Settings........................................... 185
System Settings Screens ................................ 185
VGA Global Tab System Settings .................. 185
LCD Hard Drive (HDR) Screen ........................ 186
VGA Clock Settings Tab ................................. 187
LCD Clock Settings Screen ............................. 188
LCD EXTERNAL DEVICES Settings Screen...... 189
Digital I/O Settings ..................................... 190
LCD Digital I/O Screens .................................. 190
Option Card Settings .................................. 191
Front Panel SHUTDOWN Key ..................... 191
Part IX —  Connections and Ports
Chapter 23 – Inputs and Outputs
Top Panel .................................................... 192
OUTPUTS ......................................................... 192INPUTS ............................................................. 192
Rear Panel .................................................... 193
Part X — Specifications, etc.
Appendix A – PS/2 Keyboard & Mouse 
Shortcuts
In General.................................................... 195
Track Management .................................... 195
Piano Roll Management ............................. 195
TrackScale View (the grey zooming bar) .. 195
Ruler ............................................................ 196
Transport..................................................... 196
Appendix B – Control Surface Shortcuts
SHIFT Key .................................................... 197
CANCEL Key ................................................ 197
Transport Key Combinations ..................... 197
Channel Select Key Special Functionality . 198
DIM, MONO & TALKBACK Special 
Functionality ............................................ 198
Appendix C – Block Diagrams (i)
Block Diagram (ii) ........................................ 200
Appendix D – Level diagram
Appendix E – Specifications
Physical specifications ................................ 202
Dimensional drawing ..................................... 202
Audio specifications.................................... 203
I/O (analog) ..................................................... 203
I/O (digital)...................................................... 204
Synchronization, etc. I/O ............................... 204
Other connections, etc. .................................. 204
Performance ................................................ 205
Appendix F – MIDI Implementation Chart 
						

							10 TASCAM SX-1 Reference Manual
Part I–Manuals & Conventions
Chapter 1 – The Manuals
Manual Descriptions
There are two different manuals shipped with the 
SX-1: a Quick Start Guide and an Owners Manual 
(this manual). If you are missing either of these man-uals, you should contact the authorized TASCAM 
dealer where you purchased your SX-1. The contents 
and purpose of each manual are described below.
Owners Manual
The Owners Manual covers all of the SX-1s many 
features, controls, and parameters in detail. Its expla-
nations assume that you have a certain knowledge-
base about recording and MIDI. If you find yourself 
confused by the subjects and terms presented in this manual, you should refer to an introductory hand-
book on engineering. This manual does not explain 
how to set up and begin using the SX-1; for that you 
should refer to the Quick Start Guide.
Quick Start Guide
This guide covers all the basics on setting up your 
SX-1: unpacking, connecting speakers, listening to 
the demo, setting recording levels, and connecting 
MIDI. If you are not familiar with setting up record-ing equipment (and even if you are) beginning with 
the Quick Start Guide is a good idea. For more 
detailed explanations on individual features and 
functions, refer to the Owners Manual.
Manual Organization
The Owners Manual is divided into sections called 
Parts, and each Part is divided into chapters. The 
Parts are designated by Roman numerals (I, II, III, 
IV, etc.) while the chapters are designated by Arabic 
numerals (1, 2, 3, 4, etc.). Each chapter contains rele-
vant figures of the SX-1’s front panel, and screen 
shots of the LCD and VGA displays. 
Each Part covers a specific portion of the SX-1 (for 
example, the Mixer or the MIDI Sequencer). The 
chapters address individual features (such as mixer 
automation or editing MIDI data). As such, learning 
about a specific section of the SX-1’s functionality is 
as simple as reading the appropriate Part.
There are ten Parts.. The following is a brief descrip-
tion of what you can expect to find in each Part.
I, “Manuals & Conventions” (page 10) 
This introductory Part explains the organization and 
documentation conventions of the Owners Manual. 
It also covers the SX-1s general operating conven-
tions for all three control interfaces: the front panel, 
onboard LCD screen, and a connected VGA display.
II, “Monitoring Signals and Selecting 
Screens” (page 21) 
There are lots of ways to 
monitor signals on the SX-1. The front panel meters 
and LED indicators are one way, and many of the display screens also provide comprehensive meter-
ing. This Part covers the SX-1’s many meters and 
indicators and explains how to recall the different 
display screens.
III, “Locate, Transport, & Surround” (page 
31) 
Understanding how to navigate through your 
project quickly and efficiently is key to getting the 
most out of your SX-1. This Part explains the SX-1’s 
transport and locate controls as well as its recording 
conventions.
IV, “Mixer Controls” (page 45) The SX-1 has 
a full-featured mixer with a host of powerful fea-
tures. Routing for the mixer is available pre- and 
post- the mixer channels, the channels themselves 
have built-in EQ and dynamics, the buss and return 
architecture is extremely flexible, and practically 
every parameter can be automated and archived. This 
section explains the mixer’s structure and operations.
V, “Effects” (page 106) Each onboard effect has 
is own unique set of parameters. This Part explains 
these parameters for all the currently available effect 
algorithms.
VI, “Audio tracks” (page 122) Everything 
you need to know about working with and editing 
audio regions can be found in this Part. This includes