Tascam Remote Control Unit RC-898 Owners Manual
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Section 2.1 - Front panel 2-3 To change the timecode type used by the system, see 8.1.3, “Selecting a timecode type” . [8] MACHINE number indicators (1 through 6, E1, E2) This indicator shows the machine currently selected for control with the transport keys. , using the MACHINE key [31]. 1 through 6 refer to DTRS units. E1 and E2 refer to VTRs, etc. which may be connected to the RC-898. E1 is connected to the parallel port, and E2 to the 9-pin RS-422 port [9] LOCK STATUS indicators These indicators show the current lock status of the DTRS units as they chase to external synchro- nization sources. For units 2 through 6, the exter- nal synchronization master will typically be the first DTRS unit (1) in the chain. There are four modes displayed by these indicators: [10] OFFSET, PULL UP/DN, CONFIDENCE, DELAY, TC REC, VARI indicators These indicators are used to show the status of the appropriate mode on the currently-selected unit. The status is changed using the menus on the dis- play screen. In addition, changing the values from the front panel of a DTRS unit connected to the RC-898 will change the status of this indicator, if the unit’s number corresponds to the current MACHINE number [8]. [11] LCD display screen This 20-character x 4-line backlit display screen is used to show and set the different parameters available with the RC-898. [12] Time Mode indicators Only one of these indicators will be lit at any one time. They indicate the timecode reference (time-code; TC , or absolute time; ABS ) in use by the currently-selected DTRS unit and shown on the TAPE TIME indicator [13]. The REL indicator, when lit, shows that the cur- rent time, relative to a user-defined reference point, as explained in 6.3, “Setting a relative time reference”, is currently being displayed. [13] TAPE TIME display This display shows the current tape time on the currently-selected unit. The time reference is shown by the indicators at [12]. [14] MEMORY NO. display This 2-digit counter shows the location memory which is currently in use (for storage, recall or location). [15] LOCATE TIME/VALUE display This display shows the time of the location mem- ory currently referenced by the MEMORY NO. indicator [14] or entered using the numeric keypad [16]. It is also used to show time values which are set as control parameters in various menu screens. [16] Numeric keypad The ten number keys are used for direct entry of values for location memories, etc., to select loca- tion memories for store, recall, etc., or for the entry of time values into LCD display menu parameters. The +/– key is used to change a posi- tive to a negative value, or vice versa. The +/– key is also used with relative times, as explained in the relative time setting section in see 6.3, “Setting a relative time reference”. [17] STR key This key is used to start the process for storing a timecode value to a location memory. See 6.5.6, “Storing the location in a memory” for details. [18] RCL key This key is used to start the process for recalling a timecode value from a location memory. See 6.5.7, “Recalling a location memory” for full details. [19] CANCEL key This key is used to cancel the selection of a loca- tion memory with the number keys, before storing a time to it or recalling a time. It may also be used to cancel the setting of a numerical value if it has been wrongly entered. NOTE 30 fps drop-frame is only supported by DA-98 units. On The slave unit is chasing the master and is locked to it. Fast flashing The slave unit is in chase mode, is in fast for- ward or rewind mode, and is not locked to the sync master. Slow flshing The slave unit is in chase mode, stopped, and is not locked to the sync master. Off The unit is not in chase mode.
Section 2.1 - Front panel 2-4 [20] ENTER/LOAD key This key is used to confirm the entry of numerical values of location times or memories or when used with the SHIFT key [23], transfers the data shown in the LOCATE TIME/VALUE display [15] to the parameters being set in the display screen. [21] PRESET key This key is used to assign specific software menus to the function keys [22]. See 4, “Menu and basic operations” for details of menu operations. [22] F1 through F10 function keys These keys are used with frequently-used menus, so that one keypress will bring up these menus. The keys may be “shifted” [23] to provide a sec- ond bank of 10 less frequently-used menu keys. [23] SHIFT key This key is used to provide a second bank of ten function keys for quick access to frequently-used menus. It is also used with the UP and DOWN keys [25] to use them as NEXT and PREVIOUS keys for the selection of machines in the display screen menus. It is also used in conjunction with the ENTER/ LOAD key [20] to transfer entered values to the parameters being set in the display screen. [24] ESCAPE key This key is used to move “up” through the menu tree to the preceding menu screen. [25] Cursor keys The cursor keys are represented in this manual by the words: • up keyUP • down keyDOWN •left keyLEFT • right keyRIGHT These keys are used to navigate through the menu system and the parameters available. The UP and DOWN keys are also used with the SHIFT key [23] to choose the connected unit on which the menu operation will be performed (when shifted, they are known as the NEXT and PREVIOUS keys, repsectively). within each screen. For details of menu operations, see 4, “Menu and basic operations”. [26] SELECT key This key is used as an “enter” key, to select an item or to confirm the entry of a value. [27] DATA INC/DEC key and indicator This key, with its integral indicator, is used to change the function of the JOG dial [28] between controlling the transport (indicator is unlit) and incrementing or decrementing the values being edited in the LOCATE TIME/VALUE display [15] (indicator is lit). [28] JOG dial and SHUTTLE wheel These controls work with DTRS units and with units connected to the EXT 2 control port [43]. They are used to simulate the “rock and roll” of an open-reel tape deck, allowing precise positioning of the controlled units. The indicators above the controls show the current direction of the medium’s movement. When the DATA INC/DEC indicator [27] is lit, the JOG dial acts as a data editing control for the least significant field of the value shown in the LOCATE TIME/VALUE display [15]. [29] CAPTURE key When this is pressed, the current time is displayed on the LOCATE TIME/VALUE display [15] where it may be edited and stored as a location memory, or used for “one-shot” location purposes. [30] REPEAT key and indicator This key serves the same function as the REPEAT key on the DTRS units, repeating playback between the memory locations assigned for repeat (see 6.6, “Repeating a section”). The integral indicator will light steadily when repeat mode is selected and the current time is between these two locations, and flash when repeat mode is selected, and the current time is outside these locations. [31] MACHINE key Pressing this key repeatedly will cycle the machine number indicators [8]. The indicator which is lit shows which machine will be con- trolled by the transport controls of the RC-898. [32] CHASE key Pressing this CHASE key together with the unit number toggles the chase mode of the appropriate unit. See 7.2.1, “Chasing to ABS sync” and 8.1.8, “Chasing to external timecode” for further details.
Section 2.2 - Rear Panel 2-5 It is also possible to select “Machine 0” (only with this CHASE key). This will control the second (first slave) DTRS unit, and toggle the chase status of this unit, with all other slave units in the chain then changing to reflect the chase status of this first slave unit. [33] AUTO PLAY key and indicator This key with its integral indicator works with DTRS units. It allows the units to start playing back automatically when a location point is reached. [34] PRRL key and indicator This key with its integral indicator works with DTRS units. It is used to locate the tape to the punch-in position, minus the pre-roll time set for punch operations (see 6.7.5, “Setting pre-roll and post-roll times”). For instance, if the punch pre-roll value is set to 5 seconds, and the punch-in point is “00:55:12:12”, the unit will finish locating at 00:55:07:12. [35] RHSL key and indicator This key allows you to rehearse auto-punch opera- tions on the units connected to the RC-898. For full details, see 6.7, “Punch operations”. [36] AUTO PUNCH key and indicator This key allows you to perform auto-punch opera- tions on the units connected to the RC-898. For full details, see 6.7, “Punch operations”. [37] MARK IN key This key allows you to set and check the punch-in point for automatic punch operations. For full details of how to use this key, see 6.7.1, “Setting punch points”. [38] MARK OUT key This key allows you to set and check the punch- out point for automatic punch operations. For full details of how to use this key, see 6.7.1, “Setting punch points”. [39] CUE STR key This key is used to capture a series of location points (a cue list) “on the fly”. Successive presses of this key will store the current position to a loca- tion memory, and automatically increment the location memory number, ready for the next store operation. The memories can later be “fine-tuned” using the jog dial [28] in the appropriate mode. [40] Transport controls These transport controls duplicate those available on DTRS units. They may also be used to control units connected to the E1 (parallel) and E2 (9-pin serial) ports when the appropriate machine is selected ([8] and [31]). [41] LOC key This key provides one-touch operation to allow location to the memory position shown on the LOCATE TIME/VALUE display [15]. If a loca- tion pre-roll time has been set (see 6.5.1, “Setting the location pre-roll value”) the pre-roll offset will be subtracted from the location value, and the location will be to that new calculated value. 2.2 Rear Panel [42] EXT 1 – parallel and GPI port This port provides parallel control and tally sig- nals or GPI control for event control, which may be triggered from a small “cue list” in the RC-898. The pinout for this 15-pin ’D’-sub connector is given in 3.2, “Connections (parallel units)”. You will need to make your own cable, referring to the the table above, and to the equivalent table in the manual of the other equipment if you wish to con- trol an external unit through parallel control, or if you wish to send GPI events from the RC-898. [43] EXT 2 - serial port This 9-pin ‘D’-sub connector is used for the con- trol of devices implementing the Sony P2 proto- col. A cable designed for P2 connections may be used with this port. [44] REMOTE OUT connector This connector is used for the control of the DTRS units. It should be connected to the REMOTE IN/ SYNC IN of the first DTRS unit in the chain. Only use a TASCAM cable, as supplied with the RC-898, to make this connection. If your DTRS units are at a greater distance than the cable pro- vided (e.g. your machine room is some distance from your control room), consult your TASCAM dealer for details of the availability of longer DTRS control cables. NOTE The two keys above do not work in the same way as the rehearsal and auto punch keys on DTRS units. Even if you are an experienced user of DTRS equipment, we recom- mend that you read 6.7, “Punch operations” to get a full understanding of punch operations when using the RC-898 to control recording operations.
Section 2.2 - Rear Panel 2-6 [45] DIP switches (1 & 2) The two DIP switches are both on when in the down position. As shipped from the factory, switch 1 is off (up) and switch 2 is on (dow), and you probably will not need to change them. However, when a passive device is connected to the EXT 1 connector and power is not provided from the device to the tally supply pin, this switch 1 (TALLY POWER ) should be set to the on (down) position, allowing the RC-898 to use its own power for this purpose. Switch 2, GND LIFT (ground lift) controls the isolation of the ground of the RC-848/DTRS sys- tem from the ground of devices attached to the EXT 1 and EXT 2 ports. Usually this switch is in the on (down) position, but you may need to turn it off (up) if your system suffers from hum prob- lems. However, a full discussion of ground loops and their associated problems is outside the scope of this manual, and we recommend that you con- sult one of the many reference works on this sub- ject if necessary. [46] Contrast This control alters the contrast on the backlit LCD display screen [11]. Use it to set the screen so that it is easily visible from your preferred viewing angle.
Section 3.1 - Connection to DTRS units 3-1 3 – Connections This section describes not only the connection of the RC-898 to other equipment, but also provides some information on setting up a digital audio system using the RC-898. 3.1 Connection to DTRS units The RC-898 and DTRS units form a “daisy- chain”, with the RC-898 being at the head, and the “tail” unit being terminated with the terminator supplied with the RC-898. Use the suppled cable to connect the RC-898 to the REMOTE IN/SYNC IN of the first DTRS unit, and a PW-88S cable to connect the SYNC OUT of the first unit to the REMOTE IN/SYNC IN of the next unit, and so on, until the terminator is connected to the SYNC OUT of the last unit in the chain. The RC-898’s REC FUNCTION and INPUT MONITOR keys 1 through 8 now control the first unit, Keys 9 through 16 control the next unit in the chain, and so on (regardless of the actual Machine IDs of the units). Tighten the screws holding the cable connector to the RC-898 and to the DTRS unit. This will pre- vent accidental disconnection of the RC-898 in the middle of a session. No power connection is needed for the RC-898. All power for the operation of the RC-898 is sup- plied by the first DTRS unit. 3.1.1 Machine IDs Set the machine IDs of the DTRS units so that the IDs run in a sequence from the unit at the “head” of the chain, closest to the RC-898 (lowest possi- ble ID) to the “tail” unit (highest ID). There should be no gaps in this sequence. A DA-88 uses a rotary switch to set the ID and uses 0 as the lowest ID, and a DA-38 or DA-98 uses software to make this setting, and uses 1 as WARNING All connections to the RC-898 should be made with the power to all units turned off. If this is not done, the opera- tion of the units may become unstable, and damage may possibly occur. NOTE When you connect a number of DTRS units which are of different types, including DA-98s, the DA-98 units should be at the head of the chain immediately following the RC- 898. Any DA-38 and DA-88 units should then be connected following the DA-98s. If there is more than one DA-98 in the chain, they should be connected together, before the DA- 38s and DA-88s. The order of the DA-38 and DA-88 units is not important. If a DTRS unit other than a DA-98 is used as a master unit, the automatic Output TC Source function and Timecode Offset functions of the DA-98 may not work correctly (see the DA-98 Owner’s Manual, 10.5 and 13.2). In additoin, remote control operation may not work correctly. If the DTRS units are DA-88s and DA-38s only, they may be connected in any order. However, if you are operating a mixed set of DA-38s, and DA-88s fitted with the SY-88 synchronizer board, we sug- gest that the SY-88-equipped DA-88 should follow the RC- 898, allowing it to serve as a timecode slave, and a DTRS chase master for the DA-38s. WARNING Turn off power to all units when making connections. If you do not do this, there is a possibility that the RC-898 will malfunction or even be damaged. WARNING Use only TASCAM cables to connect the RC-898 to the first DTRS unit, and to connect the DTRS units to each other. If the use of cables other than TASCAM cables causes or results in damage to the units, the warranty is voided. NOTE The TASCAM TM-D8000 digital mixing console also allows the control of DTRS units. However, it is not possi- ble to use a TM-D8000 and RC-898 for control of DTRS units in the same setup. Naturally, however, a TM-D8000 console can be used to mix the audio to and from DTRS units controlled by an RC-898 unit. RC-898DA -3 8DA -9 8DA -8 8 OUT OUT OUTIN IN INTerminator Cable supplied with RC-898PW-88S PW-88S
Section 3.2 - Connections (parallel units) 3-2 the lowest ID. Refer to the units’ manuals for full details of setting the ID. 3.2 Connections (parallel units) The RC-898 allows transport control of a unit con- nected to the EXT 1 parallel port. Before making this connection, check the specifications of the other unit to ensure that the control pins available match those provided by the RC-898, as shown below in 3.2.2, “Parallel control/GPI pinout”. If a passive unit that does not supply power to the tally supply pin (8) is being used, switch 1 (TALLY POWER ) of the RC-898 [45] must be set on (down) to allow the RC-898 to provide this power. 3.2.1 Connections (GPI event units) The EXT 1 parallel port may also be used for the purpose of controlling up to five GPI event-con- trolled devices. The way in which these devices may be triggered from the RC-898 is explained in 9.2, “Controlling GPI devices”. 3.2.2 Parallel control/GPI pinout The following table gives the pin assignments for the parallel/GPI connector (EXT 1 ). GPI connec- tions are shown in square brackets: 3.3 Connections (RS-422 units) The RC-898 allows control of a unit implementing the Sony P2 protocol. This connection is made through the EXT 2 serial port [43], using a serial cable designed for this purpose. The pinout for this connector is as follows: Make the connection using a cable designed for RS-422 connection (check the pinout of your P2 device before making the connection). This machine may now be controlled by the RC-898 when the E2 MACHINE indicator [8] is lit. 3.4 A note on system clocks When working with many digital audio units, all these units must be fed from the same clock source (either word or video). If this is not done, there is a risk that speakers, etc. may be damaged. Note that this clock master is entirely different from the timecode master in a studio setup. It is perfectly possible for a clock slave to be a time- code master and vice versa. Unit How the ID is set (see the unit’s manual for details) DA-98 1 1 Menu system (see 9.2)ON DA-88 0 1 Rotary switch on rear panel (see p23– 24)OFF DA-38 1 1 Tape counter menu system (see 7-2)ON NOTE When you set the machine IDs, you can set the ID of any machine first, but we recommend doing this in a standard sequence, working from the head of the chain to the tail. NOTE The RC-898 provides only transport control for a unit con- nected to the parallel port. Functions such as track arming, etc. are not possible when using the EXT 1 parallel port. 1 STOP/[Event 1] 2 PLAY/[Event 2] 3 FF/[Event 3] 4 REW/[Event 4] 5 REC/[Event 5] 6 N/C 7 Common 8 Tally supply 9 PLAY tally 10 FF tally 11 REW tally 12 STOP tally 13 REC tally 14 REC COMMAND tally 15 GND 1 Shield 2 RX+ 3 TX– 4 GND 5 — 6 GND 7 RX– 8 TX+ 9 Shield
Section 3.5 - Memory and batteries 3-3 3.5 Memory and batteries As you have noticed, 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 diaply 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.
Section 4.1 - Navigation 4-1 4 – Menu and basic operations The RC-898 sets parameters on the connnected units using a menu system, with the parameters and their values displayed on the LCD display screen and selected and entered using cursor and data entry keys. 4.1 Navigation The menus are arranged hierarchically, from a top (master) menu, through to individual parameters. The master “top” menu appears like this: The cursor is represented here by the > symbol. Use the LEFT and RIGHT keys to move the cur- sor along a row, and the UP and DOWN keys to move it between rows. As the cursor moves over the menu group num- bers, the bottom line of the screen will change to show an abbreviated summary of the contents of the menu group. In the example above, the con- tents of the 0 menu group are: track delay, track copy settings, varispeed and the location pre-roll setting. When the cursor is over the menu group which you wish to enter, press the SELECT key to enter the menu group (menu group 0 is shown here): Again, the bottom line of the display shows an abbreviated version of some or all of the settings made in the menu to which the cursor points. When in a menu group, use the cursor keys to move between options, and press SELECT when the cursor is to the left of the menu you wish to enter. For the purposed of this example, we will examine the Vari Spd menu. In this menu, there are two editable fields, as you will see if you move the cursor with the LEFT and RIGHT cursor keys. The cursor changes so that the field which is currently to be edited is high- lighted by an underline cursor. The first editable field is the Fix field, which may be changed between the values of Fix and Vari. The second field is the numerical field which sets the amount of the varispeed as a per- centage of normal speed. The values of both fields are set with the UP and DOWN cursor keys. As soon as a value is changed, it is set. There is no need to press any key to confirm the entry. To return to a level above the current level, press the ESCAPE key. You can continue pressing the ESCAPE key until the top menu is reached. 4.1.1 Invalid operations Some operations are only possible on certain models of DTRS recorder. For instance, timecode functions are only available on the DA-98 and DA-88 units equipped with the SY-88 board, and dithering is only possible with DA-38 and DA-98 units. If you attempt to perform an operation on a unit where this operation is impossible, the mes- sage Not available! will be shown on the display screen to let you know that you cannot perform this operation on the connected DTRS unit. Another kind of invalid operation is when a DTRS unit can perform a certain operation, but the selected operation cannot be performed under the current set of conditions (e.g. TDIF word length cannot be set while analog inputs are selected). In these cases, the word Inoperable will be shown on the display. Select Menu Group >01234567 89A EF Dly/Tr.C/Vari /Loct >Delay Trk Copy Vari Spd Loc Pre 1 0000 sample Vari Speed Machine 1 Fix + 0.0% NOTE Note that the Machine value (i.e. which machine is being controlled) cannot be set in this way (this is explained in 4.3, “Selecting the unit controlled by the menus”).
Section 4.2 - Data entry 4-2 4.2 Data entry Typically, the UP and DOWN keys are used to set the values in the display screen menus. However, there are one or two additional features regarding data entry which are explained here. 4.2.1 Resetting values to zero In the case of large numerical values, it is some- times tedious to keep pressing the cursor keys until the value returns to zero. Accordingly, to reset a value to zero: 1) Press and hold down either the UP or DOWN key. 2) While holding down this key, press the other (i.e. DOWN if you are holding the UP key, and vice versa). 4.2.2 Fast setting of values In addition to being able to reset large values to zero, it also sometimes necessary to input large values. This can be done easily in the following way: 1) Press and hold down the UP or DOWN key (as appropriate). 2) While holding down this key, press and hold down the SELECT key. As long as this key is held down, the values will change quicker than if this UP or DOWN key on its own is held down. 4.2.3 Setting values using the VALUE display As well as using the LCD display, the LOCATE TIME/VALUE LED display [15] and numeric keypad [16] may be used for entry of time values into certain parameters which are set through the menu system. The machine offset value from menu group 3, which is expressed in hours, minutes, seconds and frames, is a useful example of this operation. 1) In the top level menu, move the cursor to menu group 3 and press SELECT :2) With the cursor as shown (next to the Machine Offset menu item), press SELECT again: 3) Use the numeric keypad to enter the offset time (use the +/– key to change between positive and negative offset). The values entered using the keypad will appear in the LOCATE TIME/VALUE display [15], and “fill up” from the right. For instance, if the time to be entered is 01:23:07:10, the following keys should be pressed: The display will flash while the numbers are being entered, to show that the value has not yet been confirmed. Negative values are shown on the LOCATE TIME/ VA L U E display by a period after the last “frames” digit of the display. 4) Press and hold down the SHIFT key [23] and then press the ENTER/LOAD key [20]. If the value is a valid one (i.e. you do not attempt to enter 71 frames in a second, etc.), it will be transferred from the LED display, which will stop flashing, to the LCD display screen: Invalid values will be rounded down to the nearest valid value (e.g. a value of 78 seconds will be rounded down to 59 seconds). >McnOffset Ctrl Prt TimeMode Trk Arm +00:00:00:00 ABS Machine Offset Machine 1 +00:00:00:00 ABS Key Display shows 1 00:00:00:01 200:00:00:12 300:00:01:23 000:00:12:30 700:01:23:07 100:12:30:71 001:23:07:10 NOTE If you enter the wrong number by mistake, you can press the CANCEL key of the numeric keypad to reset the number to the previous value. Machine Offset Machine 1 +01:23:07:10 ABS