Syncing MIDI-Tape Using the Tascam MTS-30 | Tascam 414MKII specification

Syncing MIDI-Tape — Using the TASCAM MTS-30

MIDI clocks are themselves a computer type digital

1 Connect the TAPE OUT of the MTS-30 to the

language and cannot be recorded on analog tape; it is

SUB IN "R" of the 414 MKII, and the SYNC

necessary to convert them to recordable FSK

OUT of the 414 MKII to the TAPE IN of the

(Frequency Shift Keying) signals using an appropri-

MTS-30.

ate converter, such as the MTS-30.

2 Set the track 4's RECORD FUNCTION switch

The MTS-30 is not a mere MIDI-FSK converter but

to R.

translates MIDI clocks into an FSK sync signal con-

3 Set the DBX switch on the 414 MKII to the

taining score "bar" information or "Song Position

Pointer", allowing the associated MIDI equipment to

SYNC position. This defeats the dbx

stay in sync and follow the tape no matter where you

encode/decode for track 4 only.

move the tape within a given song. The maximum

stability or resolution of the synchronization is

– When recording FSK signals, adjust the MAS-

ensured by a TASCAM-exclusive error correction

TER fader of the 414 MKII to get a reading on

circuit in the MTS-30.

the track 4 meter of from –10 to 0 dB.

	Problem	Possible Cause

	Playback sounds dull	Dirty heads

	Playback level is too low	Dirty heads

	Transport keys not effective	Power turned off, or tape not loaded

	No recording	RECORD FUNCTION set to SAFE, or cassette tab broken

	Wrong tracks recorded	PAN improperly set

	Incorrect playback pitch	PITCH CONTROL set to a different position than during
	Incorrect playback pitch	recording
		recording

	Feedback occurs during ping-pong	Level is too high or EQ HIGH is excessively boosted
	recording

	Problem	Solution

	Old tracks are always recorded along	Use the TAPE CUE section instead of the main mixer for
	with new material	monitoring previous tracks

		Make sure that all mixer channel faders are turned down to
		the minimum level except the ones that you are using. Also,
	Recording is noisy	increase the volume controls of the instruments you are
		recording — the 414 MKII channel and master faders should
		not have to be "full up" at any time

	Incorrect tape sync	Try re-recording sync tones by adjusting the channel fader
	Incorrect tape sync	so that the track 4 meter reads between –10 dB and 0 dB
		so that the track 4 meter reads between –10 dB and 0 dB