Tascam Remote Control Unit RC-898 Owners Manual

							È
RC-898
Remote Control Unit
D00376100AOWNERÕS  MANUAL 
						

							TO THE USER
This equipment has been tested and found to
comply with the limits for a Class A digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits
are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference when the equipment
is operated in a commercial environment. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instruction manual, may
cause harmful interference to radio
communications.
Operation of this equipment in a residental area is
likely to cause harmful interference in which case
the user will be required to correct the interference
at his own expense.
CAUTION
Changes or modifications to this equipment not
expressly approved by TEAC CORPORATION for
compliance could void the users authority to
operate this equipment.
For the consumers in Europe
WARNING
This is a Class A product. In a domestic environment, this
product may cause radio interference in which case the
user may be required to take adequate measures.
Pour les utilisateurs en Europe
AVERTISSEMENT
Il sagit dun produit de Classe A. Dans un environnement
domestique, cet appareil peut provoquer des interfŽrences

des mesures appropriŽes.
FŸr Kunden in Europa
Warnung
Dies is eine Einrichtung, welche die Funk-Entstšrung nach
Klasse A besitzt. Diese Einrichtung kann im Wohnbereich
Funkstšrungen versursachen ; in diesem Fall kann vom
Betrieber verlang werden, angemessene Ma§nahmen
durchzufŸhren und dafŸr aufzukommen.For U.S.A
i Ð 1.00 
						

							Table of Contents
 TOC-i
1 –Introduction
1.1 Key features
.............................................. 1-1
1.2 Unpacking
................................................. 1-1
1.3 About this manual
.................................... 1-1
1.4 Precautions and recommendations
........ 1-2
1.4.1 Environmental conditions............................  1-21.4.2 Battery backup..........................................  1-2
1.4.3 Digital audio cables....................................  1-21.4.4 Reference clock in a digital studio................  1-3
1.5 Accessories
............................................... 1-3
2 –RC-898 features
2.1 Front panel
................................................ 2-2
[1] REC FUNCTION keys...................................... 2-2[2] INPUT MONITOR keys..................................... 2-2
[3] ALL SAFE key............................................... 2-2[4] ALL INPUT key and indicator........................... 2-2
[5] AUTO MON key and indicator........................... 2-2[6] CLOCK indicators (INT, WORD and VIDEO)........ 2-2
[7] TC indicators (24, 25, 29, 30, DF)....................... 2-2
[8] MACHINE number indicators (1 through 6, E1, E2)2-3[9] LOCK STATUS indicators................................ 2-3
[10] OFFSET, PULL UP/DN, CONFIDENCE, DELAY, 
TC REC, VARI indicators................................... 2-3
[11] LCD display screen...................................... 2-3[12] Time Mode indicators.................................... 2-3
[13] TAPE TIME display....................................... 2-3[14] MEMORY NO. display.................................... 2-3
[15] LOCATE TIME/VALUE display........................ 2-3
[16] Numeric keypad........................................... 2-3[17] STR key...................................................... 2-3
[18] RCL key...................................................... 2-3[19] CANCEL key................................................ 2-3
[20] ENTER/LOAD key......................................... 2-4[21] PRESET key................................................ 2-4
[22] F1 through F10 function keys......................... 2-4[23] SHIFT key................................................... 2-4
[24] ESCAPE key................................................ 2-4
[25] Cursor keys................................................. 2-4[26] SELECT key................................................ 2-4
[27] DATA INC/DEC key and indicator.................... 2-4[28] JOG dial and SHUTTLE wheel......................... 2-4
[29] CAPTURE key.............................................. 2-4[30] REPEAT key and indicator............................. 2-4
[31] MACHINE key.............................................. 2-4[32] CHASE key.................................................. 2-4
[33] AUTO PLAY key and indicator........................ 2-5
[34] PRRL key and indicator................................. 2-5[35] RHSL key and indicator................................. 2-5
[36] AUTO PUNCH key and indicator...................... 2-5[37] MARK IN key............................................... 2-5
[38] MARK OUT key............................................ 2-5[39] CUE STR key............................................... 2-5
[40] Transport controls........................................ 2-5
[41] LOC key...................................................... 2-5
2.2 Rear Panel
................................................. 2-5
[42] EXT 1 – parallel and GPI port.......................... 2-5[43] EXT 2 - serial port......................................... 2-5
[44] REMOTE OUT connector............................... 2-5[45] DIP switches (1 & 2)...................................... 2-6
[46] Contrast..................................................... 2-6
3 –Connections
3.1 Connection to DTRS units
....................... 3-1
3.1.1 Machine IDs..............................................  3-1
3.2 Connections (parallel units)
.................... 3-2
3.2.1 Connections (GPI event units)......................  3-23.2.2 Parallel control/GPI pinout...........................  3-23.3 Connections (RS-422 units)
..................... 3-2
3.4 A note on system clocks
.......................... 3-2
3.5 Memory and batteries
............................... 3-3
4 –Menu and basic operations
4.1 Navigation
.................................................. 4-1
4.1.1 Invalid operations......................................  4-1
4.2 Data entry
.................................................. 4-2
4.2.1 Resetting values to zero..............................  4-24.2.2 Fast setting of values..................................  4-2
4.2.3 Setting values using the VALUE display.........  4-24.2.4 “Fine-tuning” values...................................  4-3
4.3 Selecting the unit controlled by the 
menus
............................................................ 4-3
4.4 Commonly-used menus
........................... 4-3
4.4.1 Assigning menus to function keys................  4-44.4.2 Recalling menus using the function keys.......  4-4
4.5 Storing and recalling user setups
........... 4-4
4.5.1 Saving the current setup.............................  4-44.5.2 Recalling a user setup or restoring factory 
settings
.........................................................  4-5
5 –Basic DTRS operations
5.1 Transport controls
.................................... 5-1
5.1.1 Selecting the unit to which operations refer....  5-1
5.1.2 Formatting tapes........................................  5-15.1.3 Arming tracks............................................  5-2
5.1.4 ALL SAFE.................................................  5-2
5.1.5 Transport controls......................................  5-25.1.6 Shuttle mode.............................................  5-2
5.2 Monitoring
................................................. 5-2
5.2.1 ALL INPUT................................................  5-3
5.2.2 INPUT MONITOR keys.................................  5-35.2.3 Shuttle monitoring......................................  5-3
5.2.4 Shuttle muting...........................................  5-3
5.2.5 Monitoring flowchart...................................  5-45.2.6 Monitoring tables.......................................  5-5
6 –Location functions
6.1 Reference modes
...................................... 6-1
6.2 Setting the precision
................................ 6-1
6.3 Setting a relative time reference
.............. 6-1
6.3.1 “Return-to-zero”........................................  6-2
6.4 ABS setting
................................................ 6-2
6.4.1 A note on ABS frame rate............................  6-2
6.4.2 Selecting Time Mode..................................  6-2
6.5 Location operations
.................................. 6-3
6.5.1 Setting the location pre-roll value..................  6-3
6.5.2 Auto play..................................................  6-36.5.3 “Instant” location.......................................  6-3
6.5.4 Manual entry of a location point....................  6-46.5.5 Editing a location.......................................  6-4
6.5.6 Storing the location in a memory..................  6-4
6.5.7 Recalling a location memory........................  6-46.5.8 Repeated entry of location points..................  6-5
6.5.9 Editing a location memory...........................  6-5
6.6 Repeating a section
.................................. 6-5
6.7 Punch operations
...................................... 6-6
6.7.1 Setting punch points..................................  6-66.7.2 Checking punch points...............................  6-6
6.7.3 Editing punch points..................................  6-66.7.4 Undo function............................................  6-6
6.7.5 Setting pre-roll and post-roll times................  6-76.7.6 Crossfade times.........................................  6-7
6.7.7 Rehearsing the punch recording...................  6-76.7.8 Performing the punch recording...................  6-7 
						

							Table of Contents
TOC-ii
7 –Making settings on the DTRS units
7.1 Track operations
....................................... 7-1
7.1.1 Track delay...............................................  7-17.1.2 Track copying...........................................  7-1
7.1.3 Rec Mute function......................................  7-2
7.2 Unit-related functions
............................... 7-2
7.2.1 Chasing to ABS sync..................................  7-2
7.2.2 Key Mode.................................................  7-27.2.3 Chasing with an offset................................  7-3
7.2.4 Auto Offset function...................................  7-37.2.5 Checking the offset....................................  7-4
7.2.6 Clock selection..........................................  7-47.2.7 Output timing............................................  7-4
7.2.8 Varispeed (pitch control).............................  7-57.2.9 Input selection...........................................  7-5
7.2.10 Word length.............................................  7-5
7.2.11 Dither.....................................................  7-57.2.12 Confidence mode.....................................  7-6
7.2.13 Reference levels.......................................  7-67.2.14 Meter modes............................................  7-6
7.2.15 Sine oscillator..........................................  7-6
8 –Timecode functions
8.1 Primary timecode functions
.................... 8-1
8.1.1 Selecting the timecode source.....................  8-1
8.1.2 Synthesizing timecode from ABS times.........  8-1
8.1.3 Selecting a timecode type............................  8-28.1.4 Setting the generator start time....................  8-2
8.1.5 Starting and stopping the generator..............  8-38.1.6 Checking the generator progress..................  8-3
8.1.7 Recording the timecode on a DTRS 
timecode track...............................................  8-3
8.1.8 Chasing to external timecode.......................  8-48.1.9 Chasing with a timecode offset.....................  8-4
8.1.10 Auto Timecode Offset function...................  8-5
8.1.11 Independent clock settings........................  8-5
8.2 Advanced timecode functions
................. 8-5
8.2.1 Timecode output source.............................  8-58.2.2 Synchronization of timecode........................  8-6
8.2.3 Pull up and pull down.................................  8-68.2.4 Error bypass.............................................  8-6
8.2.5 Rechase mode...........................................  8-6
8.2.6 Fast LTC...................................................  8-78.2.7 MIDI Timecode output.................................  8-7
8.2.8 Park position.............................................  8-78.2.9 Individual recording status while chasing 
timecode
.......................................................  8-88.2.10 Video resolve...........................................  8-8
9 –External control and settings
9.1 Controlling the parallel port device
........ 9-1
9.2 Controlling GPI devices
........................... 9-1
9.2.1 Setting up GPI devices................................  9-19.2.2 Setting the trigger points.............................  9-1
9.3 Controlling the serial port (9-pin) 
........... 9-2
9.3.1 Selecting the serial port device.....................  9-29.3.2 Location pre-roll on the serial unit................  9-2
9.3.3 Serial unit timing source.............................  9-39.3.4 Split mode on the serial unit........................  9-3
9.3.5 Controlling  recording operations on the serial 
unit..............................................................  9-3
9.4 Other DTRS control functions
................. 9-4
9.4.1 Choosing a control protocol........................  9-49.4.2 Track mapping functions.............................  9-4
9.4.3 Timecode track mapping.............................  9-59.4.4 Remote track arming..................................  9-5
9.4.5 Device emulation.......................................  9-59.4.6 Recording delay.........................................  9-5
9.4.7 Fast wind speed.........................................  9-6
9.4.8 Cue-up tally...............................................  9-6
9.4.9 MMC ID.....................................................  9-6
10 –Menu and parameter reference
10.1 Menu groups
......................................... 10-1
10.1 Menu group 0...........................................  10-1
10.1 Menu group 1 ..........................................  10-2
10.1 Menu group 2...........................................  10-210.1 Menu group 3...........................................  10-3
10.1 Menu group 4...........................................  10-310.1 Menu group 5...........................................  10-4
10.1 Menu group 6...........................................  10-410.1 Menu group 7...........................................  10-5
10.1 Menu group 8...........................................  10-510.1 Menu group 9...........................................  10-6
10.1 Menu group A...........................................  10-6
10.1 Menu group E...........................................  10-610.1 Menu group F...........................................  10-7
10.2 Alphabetical list of menu items
........... 10-8
10.3 Specifications
....................................... 10-9
10.4 Dimensions
........................................... 10-9 
						

							Section 1.1 - Key features
1-1
1 – Introduction
The RC-898 is a fully-featured remote control 
unit, which allows you to control up to six DTRS 
units (DA-98, DA-88 or DA-38 units) with a sin-
gle cable, as well as units implementing the Sony 
P2 protocol, or using parallel control. As an alter-
native to parallel control, up to five GPI event-
controlled units can be connected.
In addition to providing almost all functions avail-
able from the front panels of the DTRS units, the 
RC-898 in some cases actually extends the capa-
bilities of the basic DTRS system.
1.1 Key features
• DTRS units controlled by the RC-898 are 
locked to sample accuracy, providing you with 
a “virtual” digital multitrack recorder, with up 
to 48 tracks.
• Up to 99 location memories may be entered (or 
captured) and edited to frame accuracy, for 
marking important points in a recording 
project. 
• Timecode values are entered and edited using a 
positive-feel numeric keypad.
• The DTRS units’ transport functions, including 
the shuttle control, are duplicated on the RC-
898. These transport controls may also be used 
to control the RS-422 or parallel external 
machine.
• The RC-898 also features a jog dial, allowing 
frame-by-frame manual location. 
• The jog dial can also be used as a data entry 
control for the entry of location point and other 
values.
• Auto-punch operations are fully supported. The 
RC-898 provides one-key operation for 
rehearsal and recording with automated punch 
points.
• System settings, for the DTRS units and for the 
RC-898 itself, are made using a convenient 
menu system, and displayed on a clear backlit 
20-character x 4-line display. 
• The most frequently-accessed setting menus 
can be assigned to function keys, so that they 
may be easily recalled.
• Lighted indicators give an instant indication of 
the status of the most important functions.
• All timecode formats are supported, as well as 
pull-up/pull-down, making the RC-898 the 
ideal choice for post-production work in both 
the movie and video fields.• Up to ten different setups can be stored and 
recalled, allowing instant re-configuration, not 
only of the RC-898, but also of all DTRS units 
connected to it.
1.2 Unpacking
The box contains the following.
• RC-898 Remote Control Unit (x 1)
• Accessories:
• Remote/sync connection cable (x 1)
• Remote/sync terminator (x 1)
• This manual (x 1)
• Warranty card (x 1)
1.3 About this manual
This manual is written in sections according to the 
function that you will be performing.
• Section 1 - “Introduction”: This section.
• Section 2 - “RC-898 features”: The front and 
rear panel features of the RC-898.
• Section 3 - “Connections”: How to hook up the 
RC-898 with other equipment.
• Section 4 - “Menu and basic operations”: How 
to use the menu system, and the basic princi-
ples of operating the RC-898.
• Section 5 - “Basic DTRS operations”: The 
main everyday transport and other operations 
that you will perform when using the RC-898 
with DTRS units.
• Section 6 - “Location functions”: Using the 
location functions of the RC-898.
• Section 7 - “Making settings on the DTRS 
units”: more advanced DTRS settings, that you 
will probably not need to make every day.
• Section 8 - “Timecode functions”: Functions 
related to timecode and DTRS units.
• Section 9 - “External control and settings”:  
Other control functions, and control of units 
other than DTRS (P2, GPI, etc.).
• Section 10 - “Menu and parameter reference”:  
A guide to the menu items, together with 
parameters and default values.
Please check both the Table of Contents and the 
Index when you are searching for a particular 
function or operation. There is also a guide to the 
different menu screens available on the RC-898 
(10, “Menu and parameter reference”).
When describing a control, display or connector, 
the name of the control is emphasized, as: “Press 
the STR
 key [17]”, or “the CONFIDENCE
 indi- 
						

							Section 1.4 - Precautions and recommendations  
1-2 
cator [10] will light”. The number in brackets fol-
lowing the name of the control is the number of 
the control as shown on the front panel illustra-
tion, as well as that used in the appropriate sec-
tions describing the front and rear panels.
A special font is used for showing the messages 
that appear on the LCD display screen [11], for 
example: 
9Pin Locate Preroll.
When describing a value as shown on the TAPE 
TIME
 [13], MEMORY NO
 [14], or LOCATE 
TIME/VALUE
 [15] displays, the following font is 
used: 
00:23:45:12 or on.
Some functions of the RC-898 apply to all DTRS 
recorders, some only to DA-98 units, some to DA-
38 units and some to DA-88 units with the SY-88 
synchronizer board fitted. Wherever appropriate, 
this manual will use combinations of the follow-
ing symbols to show what operations may be per-
formed with the different units in the DTRS range:
This manual may also make references to the 
manuals of the DTRS units and the SY-88. In the 
case of the DA-98 and DA-38, these references 
will be made in terms of section numbers (e.g. 
“4.2” and “4-5” respectively). In the case of the 
DA-88 and SY-88, page numbers will be provided 
(e.g. “p16” and “p5-7” respectively).
1.4 Precautions and 
recommendations
As with every precision piece of electronic equip-
ment, common-sense precautions apply with the 
RC-898.
However, you should note the following points in 
particular with regard to the operation of the unit:
1.4.1 Environmental conditions
The RC-898 can be operated in most environ-
ments, but we suggest that you keep the environ-
mental conditions within the following limits:
• Ambient temperature between 5° and 35° C 
(41° and 95° F).• Relative humidity should be between 30% and 
80% non-condensing
• Avoid spraying polish, insecticides, etc. near 
the RC-898.
• Avoid subjecting the RC-898 to jolts, sudden 
shocks, etc. 
TASCAM does not accept responsibility for dam-
age resulting from neglect or accident.
1.4.2 Battery backup
The RC-898 requires no power supply of its own, 
drawing its power from the DTRS units to which 
it is connected.
Location memories and configuration settings are 
stored using a battery backup system. The battery 
should provide power for several years of use. 
When the battery eventually degrades to the point 
where it cannot provide enough power to retain 
settings, the message 
Memory Error will 
be shown on the display screen (this can be 
removed by pressing the ESCAPE
 key). 
When this message appears, all memories (loca-
tion memories and configuration settings) are 
cleared and reset to the default settings.
If you see this message, contact your TASCAM 
dealer for details of battery replacement. Do not 
attempt to replace the battery by yourself.
1.4.3 Digital audio cables
When making connections between TASCAM 
digital audio units, always use genuine TASCAM 
cables. This applies particularly to any T-DIF dig-
Unit Symbol in text
All units No symbol
DA-88 with SY-88
DA-38
DA-98
88
38
98
WARNING
If you need to clean the unit, use a soft cloth, moistened if 
necessary with a little detergent and water. Do not use abra-
sive cleaners or solvents such as alcohol or thinner.
WARNING
If you have to return the unit for service or repair, use the 
original packing materials if possible. If the unit is to be 
transported to a recording location, etc., use a suitable trans-
port case with sufficient shock protection.  
						

							Section 1.5 - Accessories
1-3
ital audio connections between DTRS recorders, 
DTRS recorders and digital mixing consoles, etc.
1.4.4 Reference clock in a digital studio
It is likely that the RC-898 will be operated in an 
environment where there is more than one digital 
audio source available.
If this is the case, you must make sure that all dig-
ital audio sources in the setup are driven by the 
same reference clock signal (“word clock” or 
“Word sync”).
If different clock sources are used throughout a 
setup, it is actually possible to damage speakers, 
etc. because of mismatches.
1.5 Accessories
Despite the powerful range of functions which 
may be controlled from the RC-898, the unit is 
relatively compact. It may be found convenient to 
mount the RC-898 on a roll-around stand, avail-
able as CS-898.
Should you need extension meters from the tape 
decks, this can be achieved using MU-8824 meter 
units and appropriate mounting hardware (MK-
8924).
WARNING
Only use TASCAM-supplied and TASCAM-approved 
cables when making such connections. Though the cables 
and connectors may resemble computer cables, they serve 
different purposes, and meet a different set of specifications. 
The use of cables other than TASCAM cables will at best 
cause the equipment to work erratically, and at worst cause 
damage to the equipment.
If the use of cables other than TASCAM cables causes or 
results in damage, the warranty is voided. 
						

							Section 1.5 - Accessories  
1-4  
						

							2 - RC-898 features
2-1
2 – RC-898 features 
						

							Section 2.1 - Front panel  
2-2 
This section gives a brief overview of the front 
and rear panel controls and their functions.
2.1 Front panel
[1] REC FUNCTION keys
These keys with integral indicators allow you to 
set and view the track arming status of up to six 
DTRS units attached to the RC-898, or five DTRS 
units and another recorder.
Tracks 1 through 8 apply to the first unit, 9 
through 16 to the second, and so on.
The last eight are used to control tracks 41 
through 48 (the sixth DTRS unit) or may be used 
for the two analog and four digital tracks of a P2 
recorder, as marked (A1
, A2
, and D1
 through 
D4
). These keys are only available for this pur-
pose when recording is enabled for the P2 unit 
(see 9.3.5, “Controlling recording operations on 
the serial unit”). When used to control the P2 unit 
in this way, the last two REC FUNCTION
 keys 
are unused.
[2] INPUT MONITOR keys
These keys with integral indicators allow you to 
set and view the input monitoring status of the 
tracks of any DA-98 units attached to the RC-898. 
See section 7.1 of the DA-98 manual for details of 
the operation of these keys, which function in the 
same way as the keys on the RC-898.
When the RC-898 is used to control DA-88 and 
DA-38 units, the keys cannot be used, but the indi-
cators still reflect the current monitoring status, on 
a track-by-track basis, of the connected units.
[3] ALL SAFE key
This key (with integral indicator) is equivalent to 
turning off all the REC FUNCTION
 keys [1]. 
When all tracks are safed in this way, the ALL 
SAFE
 indicator lights. When the ALL SAFE
 
mode is turned off (the indicator goes out), the 
previous track arming status will be restored.
[4] ALL INPUT key and indicator
This key (with integral indicator) performs the 
function of the ALL INPUT
 key on the connected 
DTRS units. The indicator lights when the func-
tion is active.
The INPUT MONITOR
 keys on a DA-98 also 
affect the switching between source and tape. 
Changing the REC FUNCTION
 status of any 
tracks while the ALL INPUT
 function is on will 
lose the relationship between the REC FUNC-
TION
 and INPUT MONITOR
 status for individ-ual tracks when ALL INPUT
 is turned off again. 
Start recording or re-set the REC FUNCTION
 
keys to restore this.
[5] AUTO MON key and indicator
This key performs the same function as the AUTO 
MON key on a DA-98. However, the DA-88 and 
DA-38 are not equipped with a key with this label, 
so the function is slightly different when control-
ling one of these units.
Pressing this key is the equivalent of pressing the 
INSERT
 key on a connected DA-38, and pressing 
both the AU TO  I N P U T
 and INSERT
 keys on a 
DA-88. It is used in punch modes to switch auto-
matically between tape and source when punching 
in and out automatically. The indicator lights 
when this function is active.
Note that the status of the INPUT MONITOR
 
keys on a DA-98 will be overridden by the AUTO  
MON
 key. However, when AU TO  M O N
 is turned 
off again, the original status of these keys will be 
restored. 
Changing the REC FUNCTION
 status of DA-98 
tracks while AU TO  M O N
 is on will lose the rela-
tionship between the REC FUNCTION
 and 
INPUT MONITOR
 status for individual tracks 
when AUTO  M ON
 is turned off again. Start 
recording or re-set the REC FUNCTION
 keys to 
restore this.
[6] CLOCK indicators (INT, WORD and 
VIDEO)
These indicators correspond to the indicators with 
the same names on the currently-selected DTRS 
unit.
To use the RC-898 to change the clock source on a 
DTRS unit , see 7.2.6, “Clock selection”.
[7] TC indicators (24, 25, 29, 30, DF)
These indicators correspond to the system time-
code type of the currently-selected DTRS unit.
Here, the 29 
on the RC-898 panel is an abbrevia-
tion for “29.97”. The DF
 indicator will light if the 
timecode is in drop-frame format.The supported 
timecode types are therefore:
24
24fps (cine)
25
25fps (PAL/SECAM)
29
29.97 (NTSC color non-drop)
29 DF
29.97 (NTSC drop-frame)
30
30fps (NTSC mono)
30 DF
30fps drop-frame (NTSC color)