TASCAM TEAC Professional Division 488 5700123804 Table Of Contents Safety Instructions 3 Using Effects with the PORTASTUDIO 488 33-34 Introduction 4 Setting effect send levels 33 The Recording System 5-6 Setting the output level of effect devices 33 The three steps to multitrack 6 Setting the mix/balance control Understanding the Mixer 7-8 on effect devices 33 Signal flow in the 488 mixer 7 How to connect your effects devices 34 Cue monitor system 7 Recording with TAPE SYNC 35 Multitrack Cassette Recorder 9 Features and Controls 36-43 Track Format and Tape Recommendations 9-10 488 Mixer Block Diagram 11 Input section 36 Brief Guide 12-15 Tape monitor section 37 Step-By-Step Operations Guide 16-24 Channel controls 37 Let's tray the 488 mixer 16 Channel assignment section • 37 How to record on track 1 18 Effect send section 38 How to make an overdub on track 2 20 Stereo input section 38 How to record all other tracks 20 Group master section 40 How to record many sources Monitor section 40 onto a single track 22 488 Recorder How to record multiple tracks Cassette loading and dbx system 41 simultaneously 22 Transport-controls 41 How to mix down 23 Track controls 42 Using Memory Location Points 25-26 Displays 42 Loading MEMO points 25 Auto locators 3 Locating the tape 26 Sync features 43 Repeat Play 27 Care and Maintenance 44-45 PUNCH-IN or INSERT Recording 28-30 Cleaning 44 REHEARSE function 28 Degaussing (demagnetizing) 45 Punch-in/out procedure 28 How the dbx Works 45 Punch-in/out with RECORD 29 Troubleshooting 46 Using RECORD FUNCTION switch 30 Specifications 46-48 Using the remote footswitch (RC-30P) 30 Level Diagrams 49-50 Bouncing Tracks (Ping-Pong) 31-32 Optional Accessories 51 Ping-pong procedure 31 Ping-pong in stereo procedure 32 Safety Instructions CAUTION: 13. Cleaning — The appliance should be cleaned only as recom¬ • Read all of these instructions. mended by the manufacturer. • Save these instructions for later use. 14. Power Lines — An outdoor antenna should be located away • Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the from power lines. audio equipment. 15. Outdoor Antenna Grounding — If an outside antenna is 1. Read Instructions — All the safety and operating instructions connected to the receiver, be sure the antenna system is should be read before the appliance is operated. grounded so as to provide some protection against voltage surges and built up static charges. Section 810 of the 2. Retain Instructions — The safety and operating instructions National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA No. 70 - 1984, pro¬ should be retained for future reference. vides information with respect to proper grounding of the 3. Heed Warnings — All warnings on the appliance and in the mast and supporting structure, grounding of the lead-in operating instructions should be adhered to. wire to an antenna discharge unit, size of grounding con¬ 4. Follow Instructions — All operating and use instructions ductors, location of antenna-discharge unit, connection to should be followed. grounding electrodes, and requirements for the grounding electrode. See Figure below. 5. Water and Moisture — The appliance should not be used near water — for example, near a bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink, laundry tub, in a wet basement, or near a swimming EXAMPLE OF ANTENNA GROUNDING pool, etc. AS PER NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE 6. Carts and Stands — The appliance should be used only with a cart or stand that is recommended by the manufacturer. 6A. An appliance and cart combination should be moved with care. Quick stops, excessive force, and uneven surfaces may cause the appliance and cart combination to overturn. (DISCHARGE UNIT (NEC SECTION 810-20) GROUNDING CONDUCTORS (NEC SECTION 610-21) GROUND CLAMPS POWER SERVICE GROUNDING ELECTRODE SYSTEM (NEC ART 250. PART H) 7. Wall or Ceiling Mounting - The appliance should be mount¬ NEC - NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE ed to a wall or ceiling only as recommended by the manu¬ facturer. 8. Ventilation — The appliance should be situated so that its 16. Nonuse Periods — The power cord of the appliance should location or position does not interfere with its proper venti¬ be unplugged from the outlet when left unused for a long lation. For example, the appliance should not be situated period of time. on a bed, sofa, rug, or similar surface that may block the ventilation openings; or, placed in a built-in installation, 17. Object and Liquid Entry — Care should be taken so that such as a bookcase or cabinet that may impede the flow of objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled into the en¬ air through the ventilation openings. closure through openings. 9. Heat — The appliance should be situated away from heat 18. Damage Requiring Service - The appliance should be ser¬ sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other viced by qualified service personnel when: appliances (including amplifiers) that produce heat. A. The power-supply cord or the plug has been damaged; or B. Objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled into the 10. Power Sources — The appliance should be connected to a appliance; or power supply only of the type described in the operating in¬ C. The appliance has been exposed to rain; or structions or as marked on the appliance. D. The appliance does not appear to operate normally or 11. Grounding or Polarization — The precautions that should exhibits a marked change in performance; or be taken so that the grounding or polarization means of an E. The appliance has been dropped, or the enclosure dam¬ appliance is not defeated. aged. 12. Power-Cord Protection — Power-supply cords should be 19. Servicing — The user should not attempt to service the routed so that they are not likely to be walked on or pinch¬ appliance beyond that described in the operating instruc¬ ed by items placed upon or against them, paying particular tions. All other servicing should be referred to qualified attention to cords at plugs, convenience receptacles, and service personnel. the point where they exit from the appliance. 3 Introduction The PORTASTUDIO 488 is... Using this manual : To get the most out of your 488, please take the time to read through this The PORTASTUDIO 488 is an 8-track "Multitrack manual. Some time spent now will keep you Master" cassette tape recorder and a full-function from overlooking some of the features that make mixer with 12 inputs/4 outputs combined into a the 488 a more creative tool. You may discover single workstation. some new tricks you haven't tried before. Its high audio quality and creative flexibility Use of capital letters : In general, we use all reflect the experience and innovation that have upper case type to designate a particular switch, allowed TASCAM to earn its reputation in control, jack name or label (like PAN). Transport professional audio production fields, and its modes and some features are described with an user-friendly design makes the 488 suitable for upper case first letter (like Record mode). anyone, from expert to novice. NOTE FOR U.K. CUSTOMERS THIS DIGITAL APPARATUS DOES NOT EX- U.K. Customers Only: CEED THE CLASS B LIMITS FOR RADIO Due to the variety of plugs being used in the NOISE EMISSIONS FROM DIGITAL APPARA- U.K.; this unit is sold without an AC plug. Please TUS AS SET OUT IN THE RADIO INTER- request your dealer to install the correct plug to FERENCE REGULATIONS OF THE CANADIAN match the mains power outlet where your unit DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS. will be used as per these instructions. IMPORTANT The wires in this mains lead colored in in accordance with the following code: BLUE: NEUTRAL BROWN: LIVE As the colours of the wires in the mains lead of this apparatus may not correspond with the coloured markings identifying the terminals of your plug, proceed as follows: The wire Which is coloured BLUE must be connected to the terminal which is marked with the letter N or coloured BLACK. The wire which is coloured BROWN must be connected to the terminal which is marked with the letter L or coloured RED. This product is manufactured to comply with the radio interference of EEC directive "82/499/EEC." 4 The Recording System The PORTASTUDIO 488 is a complete audio additionally need these: Input devices production facility in a single box. It is divided (microphones, instruments). Output devices into two major sections: a full-function mixer and (headphones), 2-track recorder, Effects an 8-channel, multitrack cassette recorder. To processors, etc. complete the recording system, you'll 5 The Three Steps to Multitrack The diagram below depicts how signals from equipment connected to the 488 can be routed. In TRACKING and Overdubbing, the mixer inputs are usually microphones or instruments, going IC. different tracks of the recorder. In OVERDUBBING, the MONITOR section and TAPE CUE of the mixer must be used to listen to previous tracks while you record new ones, so there is a two-way flow through the console. In MIXDOWN, signal comes from the multitrack and is sent to an external 2-track recorder. 6 Understanding the Mixer Signal Flow in the 488 mixer The illustration below shows how the input OUT jacks and the multitrack recorder (not signal passes through the 488 Mixer section. shown). This is the most important signal route After the MASTER faders they go to the GROUP in the mixer and is called "Main Mix". To Tape (RECORD FUNCTION switches) Cue Monitor System The CUE mix and MONITOR switches are also The five MONITOR Source switches choose crucial for successful multitrack recording, which mix(es) you can hear in the PHONES - the because they control what you hear in the CUE mix, and any of the four GROUPS.