Tascam Digital Multitrack Recorder DA-98 Owners Manual

Section 14 – Maintenance and memory setups  
14-2 – 1.00 – 06/97
• Do not attempt to rewind or fast forward the 
cleaning tape, either in the DA-98 or in a video 
unit. Simply insert it into the DA-98 when you 
use it the next time.
• Excessive cleaning can cause excessive wear 
on the heads. Do not clean the heads too fre-
quently, and never perform the head cleaning 
procedure more than 5 times running.
• In addition to cleaning the heads, we recom-
mend that you have the DA-98 checked by an...

Section 14 – Maintenance and memory setups
06/97 – 1.00 – 14-3
3) Within menu group F, move the cursor so that 
it is by the 
Dr search field. The number of 
whole hours that the head has been in use for 
fast forward and fast rewind will be shown on 
the bottom line of the display.
14.2 Memory backup
The DA-98 includes non-volatile memory 
(NVRAM) which preserves almost all user set-
tings after the power is turned off. 
14.3 User setups
You can save commonly-used setups in one of 
three user setup...

Section 14 – Maintenance and memory setups  
14-4 – 1.00 – 06/97
14.3.3 Resetting the memory
You may sometimes want to reset all of the mem-
ory to factory settings. The values of all the fac-
tory settings are listed in 12, “Menu and parameter 
reference”.
1) Go to menu group 9, move the cursor to 
Setup and press ENTER:
2) Press 
UP or DOWN to select Load from 
between 
Load and Save.
3) Use the 
RIGHT key to move the cursor to F 
(factory). Press the 
UP key, and you will see the 
word 
Ready?...

Section 15 – Options, specifications and reference
06/97 – 1.00 – 15-1
15 – Options, specifications 
and reference
15.1 Options for the DA-98
You can purchase a number of options through 
your TASCAM dealer.
15.1.1 RM-98 Rack Mount Adaptor
The RM-98 Rack Mount Adaptor consists of a 
pair of rack handles which can be fitted to the DA-
98 to help with removing it  from the rack  for 
transportation, etc.
To fit these handles, you must first remove the 
rack mounting ears fitted to the DA-98 as shipped,...

Section 15 – Options, specifications and reference  
15-2 – 1.00 – 06/97
The meter can be rack mounted using the RM-
8824 rack mount angle accessory or mounted on 
the RC-848 using the MK-8824 mounting kit.
No settings are necessary on the DA-98 to use this 
meter unit.
15.1.4 Digital audio convertors
TASCAM supply two types of convertor which 
allow conversion between TDIF-1 and other digi-
tal audio formats.
The IF-88AE converts between eight audio chan-
nels of TDIF-1 and AES/EBU (SPDIF), and the...

Section 15 – Options, specifications and reference
06/97 – 1.00 – 15-3
15.2 Specifications
15.2.1 Physical specifications
15.2.2 Power specifications
15.2.3 Digital recording characteristics
15.2.4 Tape recorder section
Size (exc feet) w x h x d 482 x 176 x 357 (mm)
19 x 6.9 x 14.1  (in)
Weight 11 kg (24 lb)
Power requirements USA/Canada  120 VAC, 60 Hz
U.K./Europe 230 VAC, 50 Hz
Australia 240 VAC, 50 Hz
Power consumption 62W
Number of recording tracks 8
Sub-code ABS track, SMPTE/EBU 
timecode facility...

Section 15 – Options, specifications and reference  
15-4 – 1.00 – 06/97
15.2.5 Tape transport
15.2.6 Inputs and outputs15.2.7 Audio specifications
15.2.8 9-pin (RS-422), MIDI, synchronizer 
specifications
Vari speed±6% (0.1% steps)
Fast forward/rewind time 80 seconds (using P6 120 
tape)
Time to play from stop Less than 2 seconds
Search speed Maximum of 100 x play 
speed
Shuttle speed Forward and reverse at 8.0, 
4.0, 2.0, 1.0, 0.5 and 0.25  
play speed (1.0 speed avail-
able only in forward shuttle...

Section 15 – Options, specifications and reference
06/97 – 1.00 – 15-5
Timecode offset Up to 24 hours (jamsync 
capability)
ABS to SMPTE conversion 
facility (with offset)
Video sync Video frame resolvable even 
when VIDEO not selected as 
clock source 

Section 15 – Options, specifications and reference  
15-6 – 1.00 – 06/97
15.3 MMC Bit Map Array
Commands unavailable on the DA-98 are struck through, as for example (RECORD PAUSE).
Byte Bit 7 Bit 6 (40H) Bit 5 (20H) Bit 4 (10H) Bit 3 (08H) Bit 2 (04H) Bit 1 (02H) Bit 0 (01H)
c0-
0(06)
RECORD 
STROBE(05)
REWIND(04)
FAST 
FORWARD(03)
DEFERRED 
PLAY(02)
PLAY(01)
STOP(00)
reserved
c1-
0(0D)
MMC 
RESET(0C)
COMMAND
ERROR 
RESET(0B)
CHASE(0A)
EJECT(09)
PAUSE(08)
RECORD
PAUSE
(07)
RECORD 
EXIT
c2-
0(14) (13)...

Section 15 – Options, specifications and reference  
15-7 – 1.00 – 06/97
r0-
0(06)
GENERATOR
TIME CODE(05)
LOCK
DEVIATION(04)
AC TUAL
OFFSET(03)
REQUESTED
 OFFSET(02)
SELECTED
MASTER 
CODE(01)
SELECTED
TIME CODE(00)
reserved
r1-
0(0D)
GP5(0C)
GP4(0B)
GP3(0A)
GP2(09)
GP1(08)
GP0/LOCATE
POINT(07)
MTC 
INPUT
r2-
0(14) (13) (12) (11) (10) (0F)
GP7(0E)
GP6
r3-
0(1B) (1A) (19) (18) (17) (16) (15)
r4-
0-
0-
0-
0(1F) (1E) (1D) (1C)
r5-
0(26)
Short
GENERATOR
TIME CODE(25)
Short 
LOCK
DEVIATION(24)
Short
AC TUAL...