Tascam Digital Production Environment SX-1 Quick Start Guide

Chapter 1 –Introduction
 TASCAM SX-1 Quick Start Guide 11
Fader Banks
It’ s important to remember that the SX-1’s faders 
control more than just one group of levels. Besides 
the first 32 mixer channels, the faders also control the 
cue mix, MIDI tracks, sends, returns, and busses. 
Different groups of faders, called “ fader banks” , are accessed by the keys in the FADER BANKS section 
on the SX-1’ s slanted front panel (see “FADER 
BANKS” on page 26). The cue mix bank is reached 
via the 
CUE key to the...

12 TASCAM SX-1 Quick Start Guide
Chapter 2 – Getting Started
The first thing to consider after unpacking the SX-1 
(and verifying the contents of the box) is where to 
put it. Since the SX-1 weighs in at nearly 100 lbs 
(over 45 kg), it is very important to place the unit on 
a sturdy, flat surface able to support its weight, plus 
the weight of any additional equipment.
Many of the SX-1’s most often reached analog con-
nections are conveniently located on top of the con-
sole, but there are also several...

Chapter 2 –Getting Started
 TASCAM SX-1 Quick Start Guide 13
Speaker Placement
We recommend against putting your speakers on top 
of the SX-1. Though it looks like there might be 
space for speakers on the consoles top, putting 
speakers here can obstruct heat dispersion, and 
improperly shielded speakers may damage the 
machines hard drives—remember, the SX-1 is a 
computer. Instead, we suggest putting your speakers 
on their own individual speaker stands, making sure to position your speakers correctly...

Chapter 2 –Getting Started
14 TASCAM SX-1 Quick Start Guide
3You can now restore the offending project 
from a backup, or take whatever steps are 
necessary to restore the integrity of your 
data.
Shutting down your SX-1 Proper shutdown 
and regular backup of your SX-1 is extremely impor-
tant. Failure to shutdown your SX-1 correctly before 
powering off can increase the possibility of corrupted 
data in your saved files. Without regular backup, the 
possibility that an unforeseen problem could wipe 
out...

 TASCAM SX-1 Quick Start Guide 15
Chapter 3 – Making Connections
Getting Sound
The monitor outputs are conveniently located on top 
of the SX-1, and their associated level controls are 
found on the unit’s face (“Taking Control” on 
page 25).One of the first things you will want to do is plug 
speakers into the SX-1. However, the SX-1 has sev-
eral monitor outs which may require some explana-
tion. Here is an illustration of the unit’s output 
section, followed by definitions of each output. If 
you are...

Chapter 3 –Making Connections
16 TASCAM SX-1 Quick Start Guide
Master Stereo Outs
4MASTER STEREO OUTS There are two 
sets of stereo outputs: balanced XLR and unbalanced 
RCA. The level of these outputs is controlled by the 
MASTER fader, found on the SX-1s control surface. 
These outputs are normally used to send a stereo sig-
nal to 2-track recording devices such as a TASCAM DA-45HR DAT deck (but they can be configured on 
the routing pages).
The Master output is separate from the Studio and 
Control...

Chapter 3 –Making Connections
 TASCAM SX-1 Quick Start Guide 17
Important Rear Connections
NOTE
The position of some of the boards fitted in your SX-1 
may differ slightly from the positions shown here..
There are many connections and ports on the SX-1’ s 
rear. It is not necessary to understand all of them in 
order to begin using the machine. For now, the areas 
highlighted above (and explained below) are the 
most important. (To learn more about the other con-
nections and ports, see the Owner’s...

Chapter 3 –Making Connections
18 TASCAM SX-1 Quick Start Guide
Loading the Demo Song
The SX-1 ships with two demonstration songs: an 
audio and a MIDI demonstration. If your monitors 
are connected properly, you can load the song as 
described here, press 
PLAY and you hear the song.
Note that when you load either of the demo songs, 
the actual demo song does not load. What happens is 
that the SX-1 automatically makes a copy of the song 
and loads that copy instead (meaning that there is 
always a...

Chapter 3 –Making Connections
 TASCAM SX-1 Quick Start Guide 19
3Press the LOAD button in that same window 
and the SX-1 will load the currently selected 
project, and then display the songs 
Track 
window.
4Press 
PLAY to hear the song.TIP
If you dont hear anything, make sure that the source 
feeding your monitors is the stereo output. Look at the 
CONTROL ROOM section and verify that the source 
selected is stereo, as indicated by the illuminated 
 LED. 

20 TASCAM SX-1 Quick Start Guide
Chapter 4 – MIDI Basics
Connecting MIDI
The back of the SX-1 has six MIDI connections:two 
MIDI INs and four MIDI OUTs. The jack labeled 
MIDI IN accepts MIDI controller data, while the MTC 
IN
 jack accepts incoming MTC (MIDI Time Code) 
for synchronization. The four MIDI outputs can be configured indepen-
dently and can send both performance and synchro-
nization data. Connect your controller’s MIDI output 
to the SX-1’s jack labeled MIDI IN, and connect the 
SX-1’s...