Tascam Remote Control Unit RC-898 Owners Manual

							Section 4.3 - Selecting the unit controlled by the menus
4-3
4.2.4 “Fine-tuning” values
The JOG/SHUTTLE
 controls [28] may also be 
used to “fine-tune” the values entered and dis-
played on the LED VA L U E
 display.
1) Press the DATA INC/DEC
 key [27] so that the 
indicator lights.
2) Use the jog dial to change the value shown on 
the VA L U E
 display in the same way as you 
would use them to locate a tape (i.e. the jog dial 
increments (clockwise) or decrements (counter-
clockwise) the numbers.
4.3 Selecting the unit 
controlled by the menus
As explained above, the Machine parameter 
which appears in many menus cannot be changed 
directly using the UP
 or DOWN
 keys.
The DTRS units connected to the RC-898 are 
numbered in order, starting at 1. The machine with 
the lowest logical number (see 3.1.1, “Machine 
IDs”), i.e. the one connected directly to the RC-
898, is Machine 1, the next in the chain is 
Machine 2, and so on.
However, as you can see from the front panel of 
the RC-898, the UP
 and DOWN
 keys have 
another meaning when used in combination with 
the SHIFT
 key [23], and they change to being 
NEXT
 and PREVIOUS
 keys, allowing you to 
select the next unit in the chain, or the previous 
one, respectively.
If the display screen shows a menu with a 
Machine parameter, and you want to change the unit controlled by the menu’s other 
parameters, as in the example menu below.:
1) Press and hold down the SHIFT
 key
2) While holding down the SHIFT
 key, press the 
UP
 or DOWN
 (NEXT
 or PREVIOUS
) key to 
increment or decrement the 
Machine 
number.
The machine number can be set from 1 through 
6.
Other menus will present the 6 units on one screen 
(where there is only an on/off parameter). In these 
cases, use the LEFT
 and RIGHT
 keys to select the 
machine, and the UP
 and DOWN
 keys to enable 
or disable the function:
4.4 Commonly-used menus
The F1
 through F10
 function keys [22] may be 
used to recall the ten functions (menu screens) 
that you use most often. 
When the SHIFT
 key [23] is held down, these 
keys can be used as an additional ten function 
keys; F11
 through F20
.
NOTE
The jog dial can only be used for data entry and editing of 
values which may be entered through the VA L U E
 display, 
not for values which may be entered only on the LCD dis-
play screen.
NOTE
This selection has no effect on the transport or location sec-
tion of the RC-898 and vice versa
. The unit shown on the 
MACHINE
 indicator [8] selected with the MACHINE
 key 
[31] is independent of any settings made on the LCD dis-
play screen to select the unit whose parameters are to be set.
TC Frame Mode
Machine 1
30DF
Shuttle Mute
on » »»»
off » »
Machine123456
NOTE
The menu-to-key assignments made on the RC-898 are 
entirely independent of any menu-to-key assignments made 
on the RC-898. 
						

							Section 4.5 - Storing and recalling user setups  
4-4 
If you have not assigned a menu to a function key, 
the default (factory) menu-to-key assignments 
will be used as follows:
4.4.1 Assigning menus to function keys 
To assign a menu to a function key:
1) Use cursor keys and the SELECT
 key until you 
see the menu you want to assign to a function 
key.
2) Press the PRESET
 key [21]:
The “Shuttle Monitor” screen is an example only. 
The current menu title will be displayed on the 
bottom line of the display.
3) Press the function key to which you wish to 
assign the menu.
To use the second “bank” of function keys, press 
and hold down the SHIFT
 key [23] before pressing 
the function key.
4.4.2 Recalling menus using the function 
keys
1) Simply press the function key where you have 
previously assigned the menu you want to 
recall.
If you have not assigned a menu to the function 
key that you press, the display will remain 
unchanged.
2) If you used the SHIFT
 key [23] to assign the 
menu to F11
 through F20
, press and hold down 
the SHIFT
 key before pressing the function key 
to recall the “shifted” menu.
4.5 Storing and recalling user 
setups
The RC-898 allows you to store and recall almost 
all parameters set using the menu system, so the 
same remote control unit can be used with a vari-
ety of different equipment setups with the mini-
mum of reconfiguration.
This is a great time-saver, as not only are the RC-
898’s parameters stored and recalled, but the set-
tings for the DTRS units connected to the RC-898 
are also stored and recalled. In this way, up to six 
DTRS units can be reconfigured to preset configu-
ration patterns with the press of one key.
4.5.1 Saving the current setup
1) From the top menu, move the cursor to menu 
group F, and press SELECT
:
2) Move the cursor to 
Setup (as shown above), 
and press SELECT
:
As you can see, there are 10 user setups, numbered 
from 
0 through 9, and a factory setup (F). Natu-
rally, you can reload the factory settings, but you 
cannot overwrite them with your own settings; you 
must choose one of the 10 user areas. Key MenuMenu 
group
F1
Track Delay Time
0
F2
Track Copy
0
F3
Vari Speed
0
F4
Locate Preroll
0
F5
Machine Offset
3
F6
Time Mode
3
F7
Timecode Offset
4
F8
TC Frame Mode
5
F9
Generate Start Time
8
F10
Generate Mode
8
F11
Crossfade Tome
1
F12
Confidence Mode
9
F13
Output TC Source
5
F14
Repeat Start/End
3
F15
Analog In/Out
2
F16
Ext TC
E
F17
Abs Diff
E
F18
Tape TC
E
F19
Rel Diff
E
F20
Gen TC
E
Function Preset
Push Function Key
Shuttle MonitorKey Mode FrameDisp
DispTime >Setup
Setup
Setup
Load 0123456789F 
						

							Section 4.5 - Storing and recalling user setups
4-5
3) Highlight the Load field, and change it so that 
it reads 
Save, using the UP
 key.
4) Use the LEFT
 and RIGHT
 keys to highlight the 
user memory into which you wish to store the 
current settings, and press the UP
 key.
5) Press SELECT
 to confirm the save, or any of 
the following: ESCAPE
, DOWN
, LEFT
 or 
RIGHT
 keys to cancel.
The display will briefly show Execut-
ing...
, and the current settings will be saved 
into the user setup.
4.5.2 Recalling a user setup or restoring 
factory settings
Any of the ten user setups, as well as the factory 
defaults, can be recalled, using the screen above.
1) From the top screen, select menu group F, and 
select the 
Setup menu:
2) Make sure that the left parameter shows 
Load by moving the cursor under it, and the 
DOWN
 key to change its value to 
Load from 
Save.
3) Move the cursor under the user area (or 
factory setting, represented by 
F), and press 
the UP
 key to recall the setup.4) Press SELECT
 to confirm the load,or any of 
the following: ESCAPE
, DOWN
, LEFT
 or 
RIGHT
 keys to cancel
The selected user setup will replace the current 
settings.
If you try to load from a setup into which data has 
not been saved, the display will briefly show 
No 
Data
, and the load operation will not take place.Setup
Are you sure?
0
Save 123456789F
Setup
Load 0123456789F
Setup
Are you sure?
0
Load 123456789F 
						

							Section 4.5 - Storing and recalling user setups  
4-6  
						

							Section 5.1 - Transport controls
5-1
5 – Basic DTRS operations
This section covers the basic operations of con-
trolling the DTRS units connected to the RC-898. 
For details of how to make parameter settings, etc. 
and timecode operations, see 4, “Menu and basic 
operations”, 7, “Making settings on the DTRS 
units” and 10, “Menu and parameter reference”.
5.1 Transport controls
The transport controls on the RC-898 replicate 
those on the DTRS units.
The logic of the transport controls is such that any 
mode can be entered from any other mode. There 
is no need to go through STOP
.
5.1.1 Selecting the unit to which 
operations refer
Generally speaking, the unit controlled by the 
transport keys will be the first unit in the chain 
(the other units in the chain are assumed to be 
using the ABS chase protocol through DTRS 
synchronization. 
However, transport operations, etc. can also be 
performed on individually-selected machines 
other than the first one:
1) Press the MACHINE
 key [31].
The word MACHINE will start to flash in the 
LOCATE TIME/VALUE
 display [15].
2) Use the numeric keypad to enter the 
number(one digit only) of the machine that you 
want to control .
This number will be shown in the LOCATE TIME/
VA L U E
 display [15], and the appropriate 
MACHINE
 number indicator[8] will light.
If you enter a machine number of 0, this is equiva-
lent to setting all DTRS units except the first into 
slave mode, to follow the first unit.
Machine 7 is equivalent to a unit attached to the 
parallel port [42], and machine 8 is equivalent to a 
unit attached to the serial port [43].
5.1.2 Formatting tapes
The Hi8 tapes used in DTRS units must be for-
matted. This can be done either from the DTRS 
units themselves, or from the RC-898.1) Insert a new tapeor tapes into the DTRS unit 
or units. Make sure that it is rewound to the 
beginning of the tape.
2) From menu group 9, move the cursor to 
Format, and press SELECT
:
3) In this menu, as well as using the NEXT
 (SHIFT
 
+ UP
) and PREVIOUS
 (SHIFT
 + DOWN
) keys 
to select an individual unit, all DTRS units 
connected to the RC-898 can be selected to 
format tapes together.
4) Move the cursor to the sampling frequency 
field, and use the UP
 and DOWN
 keys to choose 
between 
44.1 and 48 (kHz).
5) Move the cursor to the “control” field and use 
the UP
 key to change the setting from 
off to 
ready 
6) Press the UP
 key again to change 
ready to 
on.
The FORMAT
 indicator on each selected DTRS 
unit will light.
The three values for this parameter prevent acci-
dental formatting of a tape.
7) Press and hold the RECORD
 key and press the 
PLAY
 key.
The tape will start to be formatted.
It is possible to record audio and format a tape at 
the same time. This is done by arming the tracks 
before step 5 above. However, if you do this, you 
should not interrupt the formatting process half-
way through a tape. Once you start formatting a  NOTE
Do not use a tape which has previously been used for 
recording video.
Format
Machine 1
off 44.1 k
NOTE
If a digital signal is received at the DIGITAL IN
 connector 
of the DTRS unit, and digital input has been selected (see 
7.2.9, “Input selection”), the sampling frequency is decided 
by the frequency of the incoming signal and cannot be 
changed. 
						

							Section 5.2 - Monitoring  
5-2 
tape from the beginning, you should wait until the 
end of the tape before rewinding and ejecting it.
5.1.3 Arming tracks
The tracks of the DTRS units are armed using the 
REC FUNCTION
 keys with their indicators. 
These keys and indicators only work for tracks of 
units that are actually connected. 
Armed tracks, i.e. those which are ready for 
recording, are shown by their indicators flashing. 
Tracks which are actually recording are shown by 
their indicators being steadily lit.
When a DA-88 or DA-38 track is recording, the 
INPUT MONITOR
 indicator will light, showing 
that the monitoring for the tracks is from the input 
source, rather than being off-tape. The INPUT 
MONITOR
 keys are not operational with a DA-88 
or DA-38 unit.
When operating a DA-98 unit, the INPUT MONI-
TOR
 keys are operational, and can be used to 
change between off-tape and source monitoring.
5.1.4 ALL SAFE
The ALL SAFE
 key [3] prevents accidental arm-
ing of tracks. When lit, all REC FUNCTION
 indi-
cators go out, and the keys of both the RC-898 and 
the DTRS unit or units (see 7.2.2, “Key Mode” 
below) are locked (pressing them will not arm 
tracks).
When the ALL SAFE
 key is pressed to turn off 
the safe operation, the arming status of all tracks 
will return to what it was before the ALL SAFE
 
key was pressed.
5.1.5 Transport controls
The RC-898 shares a common interface with all 
DTRS units with regard to transport functions 
(including entering end exiting record mode). 
Consult the relevant portions of the DTRS unit 
manual if you are unsure of the way in which 
transport operations are carried out.
One exception to this is the LOC
 key [41] which 
does not appear on the front panel of DTRS units. 
It is used to locate the tape to the value shown on 
the LOCATE TIME/VALUE
 display [15]. For full 
details of how this key is used and the location 
facilities available from the RC-898, see 6, “Loca-
tion functions”.
5.1.6 Shuttle mode
The RC-898 incorporates a jog dial and shuttle 
wheel to allow precise positioning of the tape in 
the DTRS units.
When the DATA INC/DEC
 indicator [27] is not 
lit, moving either of these controls will control the 
selected unit(s) appropriately.
The indicators will go out 10 seconds after the 
jog/shuttle controls are last used.
The shuttle wheel allows forward motion at the 
following speeds (relative to normal speed): 8 x, 
4 x, 2 x, 1 x, 1/2, 1/4. The same speeds, except for 
1 x, are available in reverse mode. The further the 
shuttle wheel is turned away from the center posi-
tion in either the clockwise or counterclockwise 
direction, the faster the tape will be moved.
The jog dial allows very precise positioning of the 
tape to frame accuracy.
Monitoring during shuttling is explained below 
(see 5.2.3, “Shuttle monitoring”).
5.2 Monitoring
The monitoring of off-tape and input source sig-
nals is complex, and varies a little between the 
DA-88 and DA-38 units, and the DA-98 units, due 
to the latter being provided with track-by-track 
switching facilities between source and off-tape 
monitoring, as well as the confidence mode 
method of off-tape monitoring while recording 
(see 7.2.12, “Confidence mode”). 
NOTES
The display shows a negative ABS time for a few seconds at 
the beginning of the tape. While a negative time is shown, 
no audio can be recorded on the tape.
We suggest that you leave a blank header of at least 30 sec-
onds at the beginning of the tape. This can be marked as a 
virtual “zero point” if you like (see 6.3, “Setting a relative 
time reference”).
NOTE
Before recording, you should make sure that either digital or 
analog inputs, as required, have been selected (see 7.2.9, 
“Input selection”) and the appropriate clock settings have 
been made (see 7.2.6, “Clock selection”).
NOTE
When the currently-selected unit is recording, the jog and 
shuttle controls are disabled (this prevents accidental inter-
ruption of a take). 
						

							Section 5.2 - Monitoring
5-3
Use the flowchart (5.2.5, “Monitoring flowchart” 
and tables (5.2.6, “Monitoring tables”) for refer-
ence to the monitoring modes available.
The AU TO  M O N
 key [5] is used in punch record-
ing, providing automatic switching between 
source and off-tape monitoring as the punch-in 
recording progresses. See 6.7, “Punch operations” 
for full details.
5.2.1 ALL INPUT
The ALL INPUT
 key [4] allows the switching of 
monitoringso that the output from all tracks on the 
currently-selected unit, or all units if the Key 
Mode has been enabled (see 7.2.2, “Key Mode”) 
is from the input source.
5.2.2 INPUT MONITOR keys
These keys [2] are only operational when control-
ling a DA-98 unit. They are used to select off-tape 
or source monitoring on a track-by-track basis. 
For full details of how these keys are used, see 
section 7 of the DA-98 manual.
However, these indicators will always show the 
track monitoring status, regardless of the model of 
DTRS unit connected to the RC-898. This can be 
seen most clearly in punch-in mode (see 6.7, 
“Punch operations”), when in conjunction with 
the AUTO  M O N
 key [5], these indicators auto-
matically change to show the monitoring status of 
the tracks as the punch operations proceed.
Using the RC-898 REC FUNCTION
 keys to 
change the status of any tracks while the ALL 
INPUT
 function is on will lose the relationship 
between the REC FUNCTION
 and INPUT 
MONITOR
 status for individual tracks when ALL 
INPUT
 is turned off again. Start recording or re-
set the REC FUNCTION
 keys to restore this
5.2.3 Shuttle monitoring
Shuttle monitoring can be enabled or dis-
abled on a per-machine basis for DA-38 and DA-
98 units connected to the RC-898. 
Briefly, the shuttle monitoring, when turned on, 
mutes the replay from unarmed tracks, and moni-
tors the input source of armed tracks when the 
machine is in shuttle mode. A fuller explanation 
of shuttle monitoring is given in section 9.1 (4) of 
the DA-38 manual, and section 7.1.3 of the DA-98 
manual.1) From menu group 9, move the cursor to 
StlMon and press SELECT
:
2) Use the UP
 and DOWN
 keys to switch shuttle 
monitoring 
on and off on a per-machine 
basis.
5.2.4 Shuttle muting
DA-98 units incorporate a shuttle muting fea-
ture. The shuttle muting for DA-98 is enabled or 
disabled from the RC-898 in the following way:
1) From menu group 2, move the cursor to 
Shtl 
Mute
, and press SELECT
:
2) Use the UP
 and DOWN
 keys to change the 
setting between on and off for each machine.
For a full explanation of shuttle muting, see sec-
tion 8.6.2 of the DA-98 manual.
3898Shuttle Monitor
on
off»»»»»»
Machine123456
Shuttle Mute
on
off»»»»»»
Machine123456
98 
						

							Section 5.2 - Monitoring  
5-4 
5.2.5 Monitoring flowchart
This flowchart is applicable to DA-98 operations, provided that you have not made any manual monitor set-
tings using the INPUT MONITOR
 keys, and that confidence mode is off.
What do I listen to ?
ALL INPUT ?
REC
FUNCTION ?
STOP
FF,REW ?
JOG/
SHUTTLE ?
N
N
N
AUTO MON ?
SHTL MON ?
MUTE
AUTO MON ?
PLAY ?
JOG/
SHUTTLE ?
SHTL MON ?
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
TAPESOURCE
Y
N
YNN
Y
N
Y
N
N 
						

							5.2 - Monitoring
5-5
5.2.6 Monitoring tables
Table 1: DA-88 and DA-38
PLAY RECSTOP, FF. 
REWJOG/
SHUTTLE
ALL INPUT on
Source
ALL INPUT offAUTO  M O N offREC FUNCTION on
REC FUNCTION off Tape Tape Mute Tape
AUTO  M O N onREC FUNCTION on Tape Source Source
See below
REC FUNCTION off Tape Tape Mute
Table 2: DA-88 and DA-38 shuttle modes (ALL INPUT off, AUTO MON on)
JOG/SHUTTLE
JOG/ SHTL MON off Tape
JOG/SHTL MON onREC FUNCTION on Source
REC FUNCTION off Mute
Table 3: DA-98
PLAY RECSTOP, FF. 
REWJOG/
SHUTTLE
ALL INPUT onSource
ALL INPUT offAUTO  M O N offREC FUNCTION on Selectablea
a. “Selectable” means that when confidence mode is in operation, the INPUT MONITOR
 keys can be used to switch between 
source and off-tape monitoring.Source Selectable Selectable
b
b. When the shuttle mute function is active (see 8.6.2 in the DA-98 manual), output is muted in these modes
REC FUNCTION off Selectableb
AUTO  M O N onREC FUNCTION on Tape Source Source See belowbc
c. When shuttle monitoring is turned off here, monitoring is off-tape, and when it is turned on, the input source is monitored
REC FUNCTION off Selectableb 
						

							Section 5.2 - Monitoring  
5-6