Tascam Digital Multitrack Recorder DA-98 Owners Manual
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Section 12 – Menu and parameter reference 12-6 – 1.00 – 06/97 12.1.9 Menu group 8 12.1.10Menu group 9 a. If Tape is selected, there will be another parameter automatically appended. This parameter will be Assem- ble , ABS, ABS/Offset, ABS/Auto13 or ABS/Auto23 depending on the setting made in the Tape TC Mode menu (page 12-4). Menu itemParameter(s)Va l u e sReference Generate Start TimeTime value Defaults to 00:00:00:0010.5.2, “Recording timecode using the generator” Generate ModeRun/Stop ModeStop, Run Reset , Continue 10.5.2, “Recording timecode using the generator” Fs Shift ModePull up/down parametersoff, Pull Down 30NDF, Pull Up 29.97NDF, Pull Up 29. 97 D F, Pull Down 30DF 10.3.1, “Pull up and pull down (Fs shift)” TC Record SourceTimecode sourceExternal TC, Genera tor TC , Tapea10.5.1, “Selecting the timecode source” Menu itemParameter(s)Va l u e sReference Cleanin g Modeon/off Counteroff, on Automatically incremented14.1.1, “To clean the heads and trans- port” Block Error RateTape areaTapeEdge,Tape Center14.1.2, “Checking error rates” SetupSetup memories Load/Save1, 2 , 3 and F (factory) Load, Save 14.3.1, “Saving user setups” GenStartFsShift GenModeTcRecSrc CleaningSetup BERDisp
Section 12 – Menu and parameter reference 06/97 – 1.00 – 12-7 12.1.11Menu group E 12.1.12Menu group F Menu itemParameter(s)Va l u e sReference Ext TCThere are no user-settable values in this menu. Moving the cursor to the menu item will display the relevant value on the bottom line of the display.10, “Operations related to timecode” Tape TC Gen TC Abs Diff 10.7.8, “Absolute and relative differ- ence” Rel Diff Menu itemParameter(s)Va l u e sReference Sys VerThere are no user-settable values in this menu. Moving the cursor to the menu item will display the relevant value on the bottom line of the display.14.4, “Checking ver- sion numbers” Front Ver Servo Ver Sync Ver Dr Total 14.1.3, “Checking head time” Dr Search ExtTCAbsDiff TapeTCRelDiff GenTC SysVerFrontVer ServoVerSyncVer DrTotalDrSearch
Section 12 – Menu and parameter reference 12-8 – 1.00 – 06/97 12.2 Menu item index Use this alphabetical list when you want to find out quickly to which menu group a menu item belongs. Menu ItemMenu groupMenu ItemMenu group Abs DiffEPark Position4 Analog In/Out Reference Level2Power-on Message2 Block Error Rate9Pre-roll Post-roll1 Cleaning Mode9Punch-in Point1 Control Protocol3Punch-out point1 Crossfade Time1Rechase mode4 Cueup Tally6Record Delay6 Dither1Record Mute1 Dr SearchFRel DiffE Dr TotalFRemote Track Arming3 Emulation Device6Servo VerF Error Bypass4Setup9 Ext TCEShuttl e Mu te2 Fast LTC Mode5Sine Oscillator2 Fast Wind Speed6Sync VerF Front VerFSys VerF Fs Shift Mode8Tape TCE Function Key Mode Select7Tape TC Mode5 Gen TCETc Chas e Indiv. Rec4 Generate Mode8TC Frame Mode5 Generate Start Time8TC Record Enable6 Level Meter Mode2TC Record Source8 Locate Position (Function Key)7TDIF Word Lengt h2 Locate Pre-roll0Time Mode3 Machine ID3Timecode Offset4 Machine Offset3Track Copy0 Memo 1 & Memo 2 0Track Delay Time0 MIDI /Bus ID7Track Mapping6 MTC Output7Vari Speed0 Output TC Source5Video Resolve5 Output TC Timing5
Section 13 – Example setups 05/30/97 – 1.00 – 13-1 13 – Example setups This section gives a few examples of how the DA-98 might be used in real-world situations together with other equipment. 13.1 An all-DA-98 setup In this example, a small audio studio offers its clients 24 digital tracks by using three DA-98s synchronized together. Many of the clients bring in worktapes or basic tracks recorded on their home DA-38s or from smaller project studios using a DTRS machine. The DA-98s in the studio can, naturally, use these tapes. If a client brings in a different model of (timecode-based) machine and tape from a project studio, the DA- 98’s timecode facilities are used. Usually, though, timecode synchronization is not used, and the DA-98s are synchronized using DTRS synchronization. The mixing console is a TASCAM M-5000 console. Since the integral patchbay of this console is already fit- ted with D-sub connectors, the cabling requirements are reduced – all track inputs and tape returns are carried on six cables, rather than 48. EFFECTORS MIXING CONSOLE DAT REMOTE CONTROLLER SYNC SYNC CASSETTE DA-98 METER UNIT MD NEAR FIELD MONITORLARGE MONITOR POWER AMP POWER AMP LARGE MONITOR REMOTE METER CD FROM STUDIO TO STUDIO
Section 13 – Example setups 13-2 – 1.00 – 05/30/97 The tape returns and inputs are fed directly using cables such as the PW-10D and PW-4D into the patchbay’s 25-pin D-sub connectors. The studio is a small one, so there is no separate machine room, but the compact size of the DA-98 allows 24 fully-digital tracks to be kept in only 12U of rack space. A remote control and metering unit allows the whole studio to be controlled from one central location. Mastering mixdown is carried out to DAT (TASCAM DA-30 MK II), with “take-home” copies made on MiniDisc (TASCAM MD-801) and analog cassette (TASCAM 302). 13.2 Post-production work. In the post-production world, the DA-98 excels, thanks to its flexible and sophisticated synchronization capa- bilities, which give it more control than ever before. The three DA-98 units are linked together in a timecode “daisy” chain, allowing them to function as one 24-track recorder, whether or not timecode is being received from the master source. The first (master) DA-98 has its timecode output set to TC Track, which means that EFFECTORS MIXING CONSOLE (AUTOMATION) DAT REMOTE CONTROLLER/EDITOR SYNC SYNC VTR SYNC GENERATOR TC OUT TC IN VIDEO IN TC IN VIDEO INREF IN VIDEO OUT TV MONITOR CD DA-98 METER UNIT MD NEAR FIELD MONITORLARGE MONITOR POWER AMPPOWER AMP LARGE MONITOR REMOTE REMOTE METER ANNOUNCERS BOOTH TC IN TC IN VIDEO IN VIDEO IN
Section 13 – Example setups 05/30/97 – 1.00 – 13-3 when timecode is received, it is re-transmitted, together with the offset set on the master unit(see 10.7.5, “Set- ting timecode offset on-the-fly”) . The slave DA-98s output reshaped timecode. When timecode is not being received, and the 3 DA-98s are to act as a single independent multitrack recorder, the CHASE key of the mas- ter DA-98 is the only key that needs to be pressed to change modes. Each track can be individually delayed, with the delay units being selectable between milliseconds and sam- ples, allowing even more precise synchronization. Telecine facilities can also benefit from the extensive range of pull-up and pull-down sampling frequencies, allowing easy synchronization, even with the non-integer ratios imposed when converting standard 24fps film material to NTSC drop-frame color. The DA-98 has the advantage of media compatibility with the DTRS tapes received from smaller suites and project studios, allowing a complete multitrack soundtrack to be built up from different sources. In addition, the integration of the DA-98 into the post-production environment is completed by its extensive emulation facilities, allowing it to interface with a wide range of editor/controllers, reducing the need for additional investment. As new equipment is introduced, the “future-proof” nature of the DA-98 makes it ready for future developments
Section 13 – Example setups 13-4 – 1.00 – 05/30/97 13.3 Project studio (‘B’ room) The DA-98 provides an excellent recording solution for the smaller project studio. Since the machine itself is relatively small and portable, it can be transported to larger assembly studios which are not equipped with DTRS recorders. When the assembly studios use DTRS units, of course, the small size and compact nature of the Hi8 cassette medium makes it easy to transport working (and even mas- ter) tapes between locations. Should the DA-98 be moved between locations, the different user setup memory banks allow instant switch- ing of the DA-98 from the “master recorder” role in the project studio, to the “secondary recorder” role in the larger studio. Digital dubbing involves no loss of quality, so project studio tapes may be duplicated as often as required, and the quality of the tapes produced “at home” is equal to those produced in the larger studio. The DA-98 can be considered, in many ways, as a modular multitrack system, and hence the number of tracks available to the project studio can be incremented at relatively little cost and with no learning curve for the expansion. For project studios which are already using DTRS machines and require a little more function- ality than is available from, say, the DA-38, the DA-98 represents an attractive upgrade path, adding addi- MIDI OUTMIDI OUT MIDI INDA-98 MIDI OUT MIDI IN AMP MONITOR SPEAKERSMIDI INTERFACE SOUND MODULE SEQUENCER MIXER MIDI OUT MIDI INKEYBOARD EFFECTORS MMCMIDI IN MIDI IN MIDI INMTC DA-38 DA-38SYNC SYNC
Section 13 – Example setups 05/30/97 – 1.00 – 13-5 tional tracks and integrated synchronization to the existing DA-38 system, while providing total media compatibility with existing recordings, as well as a familiar user interface. The MIDI capabilities of the DA-98 are also of great value to the smaller studio, allowing the integration of the DA-98 with existing MIDI systems, synchronized using MIDI Time Code and, through MMC integration, effectively turning the digital audio tracks of the DA-98 into extra tracks of the sequencer. Since recording can be carried out at the same time as formatting, it is possible to record whenever inspira- tion strikes, rather than being held back by the limitations of technology.
Section 14 – Maintenance and memory setups 06/97 – 1.00 – 14-1 14 – Maintenance and memory setups 14.1 Head and transport cleaning The DA-98 incorporates an internal cleaning mechanism that not only cleans the rotary head, but also the tape as it enters the tape path. The pro- vision of this cleaning mechanism significantly reduces the need for manual cleaning. If, despite the internal cleaning mechanism, the PB CONDI- TION indicator (page 2-1) lights, the heads are dirty and manual cleaning procedures should be followed. Use a TEAC HC-8 cleaning tape (recommended) or a dry cleaning tape specially designed for Hi8 8mm video equipment. We recommend the following schedule (based on our experience with the DTRS system) for clean- ing and maintenance schedules. See 14.1.3, “Checking head time” below for details of how to check head usage time. The above cleaning cycle timings are based on the assumption that the DA-98 is being operated in a clean environment. A dusty or smoky atmosphere will shorten the time between cleaning operations. 14.1.1 To clean the heads and transport 1) Use the cursor keys [25] so that the cursor is by menu group 9, and then press ENTER [27]. If you do not see the screen above, press the ESCAPE key [27] until it appears. 2) Within menu group 9, move the cursor so that it is by Cleaning, 3) Press ENTER: 4) Press the UP or DOWN key to set the cleaning mode to on. If a tape has already been loaded, it will automati- cally be ejected. 5) Insert the cleaning tape. 6) The cleaning tape will “play” for about 5 seconds and then be ejected automatically. The cleaning counter (number of times the heads have been cleaned) will be incremented by one. WARNINGS NEVER use a wet-type cleaning tape, as this will result in winding problems. The use of the dry tape will reduce the head life of the DA-98 by about five hours. Use of manual cleaning is therefore discouraged. Every 350 to 400 hoursPerform manual cleaning of heads and guides as described below. Check the tape path alignment after cleaning. This requires proper test and measure- ment equipment, and should be per- formed only by qualified service personnel. Every 1000 hours (every third cleaning)A complete alignment check should be performed. NOTE Most name brand tapes are of very high quality. How- ever, it is sometimes possible to receive “bad” stock which exhibits execssive shedding characteristics. If you receive such tape stock, stop using it immediately, and follow the cleaning procedure as described below. Select Menu Group 01234567 89....EF Clen/BER/Setup Cleaning Setup BER DISP Count:0000 off Cleaning Mode Count:0001 off