Tascam FW-1884 Dedicated Computer Controls, Dedicated Modifier Keys, Midi Routing Controls

3 – Functional Overview

3.3Dedicated Computer Controls

Some surface controls are computer-dedicated; that is, they always send a MIDI data signal to the host com- puter (assuming it is connected), regardless of which control surface mode is currently selected. These con- trols are:

•Transport keys (STOP, PLAY, REW, F FWD,

RECORD)

•DATA WHEEL and SHTL (shuttle) key

•Arrow keys

•m LOCATE ,

•SET

•IN and OUT

•h NUDGE y

•SHIFT, CTRL, ALT/CMD

•CLOCK

•CONTROL PANEL

Input to the Footswitch Jack also communicates with the host computer at all times. If you have a footswitch device connected to this jack, activating it will always send a command to the host computer.

Note that in MIDI CTL mode these controls also send programmable MIDI messages to the FW-1884’s MIDI outputs.

3.4Dedicated Modifier Keys

There are four dedicated modifier keys on the FW- 1884’s control surface: SHIFT, CTRL, ALT/CMD and REC. These keys have no effect when pressed alone. However, when they are pressed and held, they will modify the functions of a number of other keys when pressed. These functions are always dictated by the host application software.

In most DAW applications, pressing and holding the REC key and then pressing a channel SEL key will gen- erally arm the selected track(s) for recording.

The SHIFT, CTRL and ALT/CMD keys will per- form various functions, depending on the host applica- tion being addressed.

3.5MIDI Routing Controls

There are eight LEDs used to display MIDI activity on a given MIDI port. The upper row of four red LEDs represents the four MIDI inputs, and the lower row of four green LEDs represents the four MIDI outputs. The presence of MIDI data at any of these MIDI ports will illuminate that port’s associated LED for about a quarter-second. A continuous stream of MIDI data will keep the LED lit.

The FW-1884 can route any of its MIDI inputs to any one or more of its MIDI outputs. This full any-to-any routing is always operational, even when the FW-1884 is not connected to a host computer.

To configure the FW-1884’s MIDI input/output routing scheme:

1First press the ROUTE key, located left of the MIDI LEDs. The ROUTE key and routing LEDs will flash, as will keys F7 through F10.

2Press the Function key corresponding to the MIDI input you wish to select – F7 for MIDI input 1, F8 for MIDI input 2, F9 for MIDI input 3 and F10 for MIDI input 4. The Func- tion keys will stop flashing. (The ROUTE key will continue to flash until you exit MIDI rout- ing mode.)

One or more of the lower row of keys (READ, WRT, TCH or LATCH) will be lit, indicating the outputs chosen for the selected MIDI input

– READ for MIDI output 1, WRT for MIDI output 2, TCH for MIDI output 3 and LATCH for MIDI output 4.

3Select any or all available MIDI ports. Their cor- responding LEDs will light, and MIDI messages from the selected input port will now be routed to the selected output port(s).

TASCAM FW-1884 Owner’s Manual 19