Tascam 788 manual Mixer Functions, Mixing Section Overview, Topics, Routing Inputs & Tracks

MIXING SECTION OVERVIEW

The 788 offers a very flexible mixing surface. There are 6 inputs on the back panel, 8 tracks from the recorder, plus two effects which can all run at the same time. This adds up to 14 audio sources plus two stereo effects all running at the same time.

NOTE: While you're reading this section, it may be helpful to refer to the foldout chart titled "788 Road Map".

Input Explanations

There are 6 audio inputs on the 788. These inputs can accept a wide variety of input levels, as listed:

INPUT A, B, C - These are balanced 1/4" TRS inputs, capable of accepting signals from mic to line level. It's a "worry-free" input, since it will accept balanced or unbalanced plugs, at mic or line levels.

INPUT D - This can accept mic or line level at balanced or unbalanced levels just like INPUT A, B and C, but it also has a switch for plugging a guitar or bass directly in.

AUX INPUT - The AUX INPUT provides two unbalanced 1/4" inputs for line levels inputs from synths, effects, etc.

These inputs can be assigned to any channel on the main mixer section of the 788 with the intuitive input routing scheme.

Mixing Areas

There are three distinct mixing areas on the 788:

The main mixer can accept 8 sources and has feature rich channel strips. (Channels 1-6 are all independent, channels 7-8 have some functions linked.) Each channel strip has a three band EQ, with two sweepable shelf EQ bands and a parametric EQ band. There are also two stereo sends (labeled EFFECT SEND and AUX SEND), each of which can be adjusted as pre or post fader sends. Analog inputs and recorder tracks can both be routed to these channels.

An input sub-mixer is available with simple level and pan controls; the output of this submixer can be routed directly to the L/R buss. This is useful for creating a submix to track, or for simply allowing the inputs to be monitored while the recorder tracks are routed to the main mixer section.

A TRACK CUE section is available with simple level and pan controls; the output of this sub-mixer appears in the monitoring section. When recording parts, the channels of the mixer are used for feeding the recorder. So, the

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Section II

Mixer Functions

TOPICS

IN THIS SECTION:
Mixing Overview		p
Input Section		p
Routing Input & Tracks		p
EQ Section		p
Effect & Aux Sends		p
Input Submixer		p 10
TRACK CUE		p 10
Monitor Section		p 10
Routing Library		p 11
Scene Library		p 11
Assignment Map		p 11
Bouncing Tracks		p 12
Fader Matching		p 12
RELATED TOPIC:
MIDI Control	See MIDI Functions, p 25

Effects .... See Built-In Effect Processing, p 20

TRACK CUE section is available for listening to the return from the multitrack section. (This is especially important when doing overdubs and punch-in recording.) Tracks are always routed to this section.

The 788 has two libraries related to the mixer. There is a SCENE LIBRARY, and a ROUTING LIBRARY. The ROUTING LIBRARY only stores the routing of inputs, tracks, and assignment of effect processors. The SCENE LIBRARY can store entire mix set-ups, remembering EQ, settings, track levels, panning, effect patches, as well as the routing set-up. The SCENE LIBRARY resides in the song, but the ROUTING LIBRARY is global to all songs.

ROUTING INPUTS & TRACKS

On the surface of the 788, there are a row of buttons under the "SOURCE" grouping representing the various inputs of the 788. Directly below that is a list of buttons grouped as "ASSIGN". All you need to do is hold down the buttons for the input and the channel simultaneously.

If you want to assign the input to multiple channels, you can do that by holding down the input button and pressing all the channels you want that input to go to. Just to make this clear - you can't route multiple inputs to the same channel, but you can route the same input to multiple channels.

For example, to route INPUT D to channel 6 on the mixer, press and hold INPUT D, press SELECT for

TASCAM 788 Operational Tutorial • 8/2000 Edition Mixer Functions