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 right of the virtual channel 
strip (“Virtual Channel Pots” on page 9). 
						

							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 crucial connections on the units rear (MIDI, VGA output, mouse, PS/2 key-
board, expansion ports, and digital I/O). When posi-
tioning your SX-1 you should make sure there is 
ample space to reach the rear panel connections. The 
SX-1s rear panel also requires a minimum of 3 
inches (about 75 mm) clearance for proper ventila-
tion—make sure not to push the back of the unit 
flush against a wall or other surface.
CAUTION
To avoid overheating and the risk of fire, do not install 
or operate the SX-1 in a confined space (such as a 
bookcase).
The speakers should be placed at eye level and equi-
distant from each other and the listener. 
						

							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 for proper moni-
toring (see the illustration above).
TIP
If you plan on positioning your speakers within 3 feet 
(1 m) of your VGA display and your hard drive (remem-
ber, theres a hard drive in the SX-1), we recommend 
using shielded monitors. This will protect your display 
and hard drive data from damage caused by the mag-
netic fields of unshielded speakers.
VGA Monitor Placement
While you do not have to use a VGA display with the 
SX-1 (it is possible to perform most operations on 
the SX-1 via its onboard LCD screen), the full power 
of the unit is only truly realized by adding an external 
display. We recommend a 15-inch or larger screen 
(the VGA output resolution of the SX-1 is preset to 
1024 by 768 pixels).As well, though there appears to be space on top of 
the SX-1 for setting a VGA display, we do not rec-
ommend this. Placing a VGA display (especially a 
large screen unit) on the top panel can cause ventila-
tion and magnetic problems and may damage the 
SX-1s finish. However, a lightweight, flat-screen 
display can sit comfortably atop the SX-1.
Mouse and Keyboard
There are dedicated knobs and keys surrounding the 
LCD screen for navigating windows and pages 
(“LCD Screen Navigation” on page 10). These con-
trols make it possible to get around the LCD screen 
without a mouse and PS/2 keyboard. However, the 
provided mouse and keyboard are required for navi-gating an external VGA display (the mouse and key-
board ports are found on the units rear—“Important 
Rear Connections” on page 17. When using an exter-
nal display, make sure to have enough space near by 
your SX-1 to set the keyboard and mouse.
Plugging Into Power
The process of recording, storing, and reading back 
digital audio data from a hard drive is a complex task 
that is very sensitive to changes in your AC line’s 
current. These line irregularities can interrupt data 
transmission and cause file write errors - which can 
lead to audio signal degradation and dropouts. To 
avoid such pitfalls, we suggest keeping your SX-1 
plugged into a power regulator. Power regulators 
work to keep the incoming AC power at a constant 
120 VAC (or whatever you use for your local volt-
age), and this will help keep your machine healthy 
and running smoothly. You may also consider the use 
of a surge protector and/or a UPS (uninterruptible 
power supply). Make sure that all such items have 
power and voltage ratings compatible with the SX-1.
Dont Interrupt! Consider buying an Uninter-
ruptable Power Supply (UPS) for your SX-1. This is 
not a prerequisite, but it can be a real life saver—or 
should we say, data saver. Even though your SX-1 autosaves regularly, a loss of power while saving 
could possibly result in data loss.
However, with your SX-1 plugged into a UPS, you 
can avoid this hazard. A good UPS will provide 
enough power to run your SX-1 for several minutes, 
without power from a utility company. This extra 
power gives you time to complete your current action 
and perform a proper shutdown, ensuring that data is 
not lost.
“Safe” startup On rare occasions, the SX-1 may 
not be able to load the last project you worked on 
when it starts up (disk problems, etc.). If this happens 
to you:
1Turn on the SX-1 as usual, but before the 
screen shows the “ghost” TASCAM and SX-1 
logos, press and hold the 
PA N I C key for a few 
seconds.
2The SX-1 now boots, but does not automati-
cally load the last project.  
						

							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 some, or all, of your data increases drastically. 
When it comes to your hard work, dont take any 
chances; always perform a proper shutdown and 
backup of your projects after each session. See 
“Shutdown Procedure” on page 24.
Being Grounded Never plug your SX-1 into an 
ungrounded outlet. Nor should you plug a power reg-
ulator or a UPS into an ungrounded outlet. Neither 
the power regulator nor a UPS can automatically turn 
an ungrounded outlet into a grounded one. 
Ungrounded power can introduce hums and buzzes to your audio signal and can lead to serious equip-
ment damage (especially in the event of an electrical 
storm). If your residence does not have grounded 
outlets, contact a professional electrician about 
installing an earthed ground.
Avoiding Ground Loops A ground loop occurs 
when a piece of equipment sees more than one path 
to ground. Ground loops cause hums, buzzes, and 
sometimes even radio signals in your audio.
Needless to say, hearing the local weather station in 
the background of your recordings is not desirable. 
Ground loops can often be avoided by running all of 
your equipment from a single wall outlet. Plug your 
power regulator into one outlet and then plug all of 
your equipment into that one power regulator. Most 
power regulators have several outlets, and these out-
lets can be multiplied using standard power strips to 
create plenty of free sockets. Setting your equipment 
up in this fashion will direct every ground circuit to 
one ground terminal and prevent a ground loop.
A ground loop can occur when two devices are 
plugged into separate wall outlets on the same cir-
cuit, and the devices are also connected to each other. 
This allows each device to reach ground by both 
going through the other device and directly to the outlets. The result is a ground loop through which 
noise and radio waves can enter your audio. To avoid 
ground loops, make sure all of your equipment sees 
just one path to ground by drawing all power from 
one main power outlet. 
						

							 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 already familiar with the differences between 
the monitor outputs, you may want to skip ahead to 
the wiring diagrams on “Basic Wiring Diagram” on 
page 16.
Phones
1PHONES There are two headphone outputs. 
Each headphone output has its own level control.TIP
If you dont have speakers handy and just cant wait to 
hear the SX-1, you can plug in some headphones and 
listen to the Demo Song.
Studio
2STUDIO The Studio outputs are most com-
monly used to send signal to monitor speakers in the 
recording studio (or isolation booth). These outputs 
can provide a mix for singers and session musicians 
to audition and perform to that is different than the 
mix going to the Control Room (where the engineer 
and producer are working).The STUDIO section is equipped with a Talkback 
mic for communicating with singers and session 
musicians in the studio. By default, the Talkback mic 
is assigned to the Studio outputs. However, it is pos-
sible to send the Talkback mic to a variety of other 
destinations (for more on this feature, see the chapter 
that explains the Talkback mic in the Owners 
Manual).
Control Room
3CONTROL ROOM The Control Room out-
puts are used to send signal to the monitor speakers 
in the control room (the same room where the SX-1 
resides). The Control Room outputs’ volume control 
(located on the SX-1s face) allows you to change the 
control room monitoring level independently of the 
master stereo out level. The Control Room outputs 
can also receive a different mix than the mix going to 
the Studio outputs.
The key labeled 
LARGE/SMALL operates the SX-1’s 
speaker switcher. In the Control Room Output sec-
tion of the top panel, there are separate output jacks 
labeled 
LARGE and SMALL, which can be used to 
feed two different sizes or types of speakers. Most 
big studios often have a large set of speakers installed 
in wall mountings (soffits), as well as a set of smaller nearfield speakers to switch between. The 
LARGE/
SMALL
 key switches between these two outputs, 
allowing you to audition your mix from a number of 
different sonic perspectives.
The 
DIM key in this section allows you to lower the 
Control Room speakers’ level by a preset amount 
without affecting any settings on the console itself. 
For example, use 
DIM to lower the Control Room 
speakers’ output quickly to a reasonable volume for 
talking over without touching the Master Stereo out-
put level. The 
MONO key, also in the CONTROL 
ROOM
 section, allows you to quickly audition a mix 
in mono. This is an essential feature during a mix-
down, as many situations still require a mix to fold 
well to mono.
12 3 4 
						

							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 Room outs so that you can adjust your moni-
toring levels independently, without affecting the 
level going from the Master out to a 2-track mix-
down deck.
Basic Wiring Diagram
The SX-1’s CONTROL ROOM and STUDIO outs can 
be connected directly to self-powered speakers; 
speakers that are not self-powered must first be con-
nected to a power amp. Line level sources can plug 
straight to the SX-1’ s line inputs, while dynamic 
mics, or condenser microphones needing phantom 
power, should be connected to the mic inputs.TIP
The SX-1 is equipped with +48V phantom power on all 
of its mic inputs (enabled in groups of 4). If your micro-
phone requires phantom power, avoid damaging your 
mic by turning on 
PHANTOM power after you have 
connected the microphone (reverse this order to discon-
nect the mic). 
						

							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 Manual.)
1Power This is where the SX-1’s power cable 
connects. An IEC Type II detachable power cable is 
included with the unit. The 
POWER switch is used to 
turn the unit on and off.
2Peripheral Ports The PS/2 keyboard and 
mouse connect here. The port colored purple is for 
the provided keyboard, while the green port is for the 
provided mouse. The other included connections in 
this section are reserved for future expansion.
3MIDI Ports Here you will find MIDI OUT 
Ports A, B, C, and D. Connect these ports to the 
MIDI inputs of your MIDI sound modules. Also in 
this area is the 
MIDI IN, where you connect the output 
of your MIDI controller, and a MIDI Time Code 
(MTC) jack for reading incoming MTC (see the 
Owner’s Manual for more about synchronization). 
See “Connecting MIDI” on page 20 for an example 
of multiple MIDI devices connected to the SX-1.
4SCSI Port The SX1 comes equipped with a 
68-pin Ultra Wide SCSI interface. You can use this 
port to connect to compatible SCSI drives and 
backup solutions.
5VIDEO IN/THRU & Sony 9-pin These 
jacks are involved with synchronization. Connect a 
Video sync signal (also called house sync or black-
burst) to the 
VIDEO IN. VIDEO THRU will pass that 
same signal directly out, unaffected by any of the 
SX-1’s electronics.The Sony 9-pin connector (also known as P2) is used 
for connecting to devices that adhere to that protocol. 
See the Owner’s Manual for more information on 
connecting P2 devices.
6CASCADE This connector will be used in a 
future release to allow a TASCAM DM-24 console to 
act as a “sidecar” for the SX-1.
7ADAT I/O These connectors carry eight chan-
nels of digital audio in a format commonly referred 
to as ADAT lightpipe. The 9-pin D-sub connector is 
used for sync/control with an ADAT-style device.
8FOOTSWITCH Connect a momentary-style 
pedal here for remote control of recording (punching 
in or out). The polarity (that is, whether the pedal is 
normally open or normally closed) of the pedal is set 
on the LCD 
PREFERENCES page.
9TIME CODE IN Connect the LTC (Longitudi-
nal Time Code, often referred to as SMPTE) output 
of a device to this input. The SX-1 can chase this 
incoming code.
AWORD IN/OUT/THRU These jacks send 
and receive word clock signals. The 
THRU connector 
takes the signal received at the 
IN and sends out an 
exact mirror, untouched by the SX-1’s electronics. 
BLTC OUT This jack allows the SX-1 to output 
LTC (or SMPTE). The frame rate is determined on 
the 
SETTINGS pages.
CDIGITAL I/O (SPDIF) 1 and 2 These jacks 
send and receive digital audio in S/PDIF format. 
They can be directly monitored in the monitoring 
sections by selecting either 
D-IN 1 or D-IN 2.
DExpansion slots The SX-1 can have its 
available I/O expanded by the addition of 8-channel 
expansion cards in these slots. These cards are the 
same as those used in the TASCAM DM-24 console.
124B6789AC
3
D
5
VGA port
Ethernet 
port 
						

							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 “clean” demonstration song available). If you want to keep the copy after you have worked on 
it, unless you save it with another name (which does 
not include “Demo” as part of the name!), it will be 
overwritten next time you load the demo song.
TIP
For the following examples, if you are using an external 
VGA, make sure the 
MAIN DISPLAY key above the 
LCD ACCESS section is set to  (this 
LED is lit).
Loading the Audio Demo Song
1From the MAIN DISPLAY MODES section on 
the SX-1s front panel, press 
PROJECT. The 
Project page will appear.2In the 
MANAGE project tab, on the currently 
displayed screen, select the project titled 
SX-1 
Audio Demo
. 
						

							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 
MIDI OUTs to the inputs of your MIDI sound 
modules, MIDI-controlled effects, or devices requir-
ing MTC for sync.
In the above example, the MIDI OUT of the control-
ler goes to the SX-1’s 
MIDI IN. The SX-1’s MIDI 
OUT
s go to the MIDI INs of your sound modules, 
MIDI-controlled effects and devices that chase MTC. You can connect multiple devices to the same jack on 
the SX-1 by using the MIDI THRU ports on your 
external MIDI devices.