Tascam Portastudio 414mkII Owners Manual

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Step-By-Step-Operation Guide
5
Playback level
Press PLAY and, while listening to the tape
play, tentatively set the channel faders.
6Adjust the PAN controls to set each tracks
left-to- right position for the desired stereo
image. You may also want to use the EQ
controls to adjust the individual tracks for
the desired tonality. (For using effects, see
pp. 27 & 28.)
7Using the MASTER fader, adjust the overall
playback level.
8Review
When the signal balance, level, and tonality
sound right, rewind the...

24
PUNCH-IN or INSERT Recording
Punching in or insert recording is recording over
a small section of previously recorded track to
correct or improve a performance, while keeping the
rest of the track intact. The mixer settings should be
exactly the same as they were during the original
recording.
In the following, well use track 2 as the punch-in
track as an example.
Preliminary
1As the punch-in track is track 2 in our
example, your input must be sent to the
stereo right bus. To do so, rotate the PAN...

25
PUNCH-IN or INSERT Recording
Punch-in Procedure
There are 2 ways to initiate the punch-in recording.
The first is with the transport RECORD button, and
the second is with the optional footswitch.
Perform the Preliminary on the previous page, if
you havent yet done so.
Punching-in/out with RECORD
1Check to see that the track 2s REC
indicator is blinking showing the track is in
the Rec Ready mode. Locate the tape a little
behind the expected punch-in point. Then
press PLAY.
2When you reach JUST BEFORE...

26
Bouncing Tracks  (Ping-Pong)
The recording capability of the PORTASTUDIO 414
MKII is not limited to four tracks. You can bounce
or combine tracks you have recorded to an empty
track, and then replace the original tracks with new
material. A bounce is like a mixdown, except you are
recording to one of the tracks of the 414 MKII
instead of to an external recorder. The following
diagrams depict the process.
During a bounce you can add live sources along with
the prerecorded tracks, using the empty mixer...

27
Using Effects with the PORTASTUDIO 414 MKII
Effects and signal processing are areas where you
can really start to have fun customizing your sound,
and develop your own unique recording style.
Because there are so many possibilities, it also can
be confusing.  There are many different effect units
on the market, all with different controls, types of
inputs and outputs, and other characteristics.  Read
the manual of your effects device, and the following
sections to get the complete story of whats...

28
Using Effects with the PORTASTUDIO 414 MKII
Setting the Mix/Balance Control on
Effect Devices
When its being used in a send-return mix, set the
mix/balance of your effect device all the way to
wet or full processing with no direct original
signal.  In send/receive processing, the dry signal
goes down the 414 MKIIs channel fader to be mixed
with the effect return signal on the stereo mix.
Therefore, you dont need any dry signal coming to
the effects return. The mix/balance control is set
toward dry...

30
29
Syncing MIDI-Tape —Using the TASCAM MTS-30
Troubleshooting
Problem Possible Cause
Playback sounds dull Dirty headsPlayback level is too low Dirty headsTransport keys not effective Power turned off, or tape not loadedNo recording RECORD FUNCTION set to SAFE, or cassette tab brokenWrong tracks recorded PAN improperly set
Incorrect playback pitchPITCH CONTROL set to a different position than during 
recording
Feedback occurs during ping-pong  Level is too high or EQ HIGH is excessively boosted...

31
32
Features and Controls
414 MKII MIXER1. POWER switch (on the rear panel):Turns
the 414 MKII on and off.
2. DC IN 12 V connector (on the rear panel):
This is for connection of the provided TASCAM
PS-P414 AC adaptor only.
3. MIC/LINE IN jacks (Channels 1-4):These
1/4 jacks accept unbalanced signals ranging
from – 50 dBV (3 mV) to – 10 dBV (0.3 V),
depending on the setting of the TRIM control
(#13).
4. INPUT L & R (on the rear panel):These
XLR-type connectors accept balanced signals.
They are mainly...

33
Features and Controls
14. Channel faders:These linear controls vary the
level feeding the Master section.
The nominal setting position is between 7 and 8
(shaded area).
15. STEREO INPUTS (Ch.5-6/7-8):Connect the
outputs of your effects devices to these 1/4
jacks.
These jacks can also be used as additional line
inputs. Nominal input level is –10 dBV (0.3 V).
See also How to Connect Your Effects
Devices, p.28.
16. LEVEL controls:These rotary controls vary
the level feeding the Master section.
The...

34
Features and Controls
414 MKII RECORDER
27. Cassette compartment door:To insert or
remove a cassette, pull the door open. Once a
cassette is inserted, be sure to close the door to
prevent objects, dust or liquids from falling into
the tape path.
Tape path components
28. DBX switch :When this switch is set to its ON
position, the built-in dbx noise reduction system
for all 4 tracks is turned on. This is the normal
position for all recording and playback.
When it is set to the SYNC position, Track 4 is...