old school tips for a total newbie idiot

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Member Since: Jul 22, 2006

Hello, all--

I'm a musician who recently came upon a Tascam 22-4 deck and a Teac 2A mixer for free--both were used for a few hours years ago, and then put in storage since. They're in great shape, and I'm looking forward to doing some very simple (obviously) 4-track analog recording.

I'm a total newbie to recording (other than playing when told, I mean). After reading the manuals and such, I'm still confused as to what plugs into what, and I'm hoping someone can get me started with the basics. When I read the processes, I mostly understand what's going on; I just can't figure out how to connect it all.

In addition to the 22-4 and the 2A, I have a Roland DEP-5 effects processor and a NADY XA-300 stereo power amp. Below are the inputs/outputs for each component. If you can help me out, I'd be forever indebted. Thanks!!

Tascam 22-4: 4 RCA line in, 4 RCA outputs (not using a dbx unit or remote)

Teac 2A (6 channels): 6 RCA line in, 6 1/4" mic in, 6 RCA cue out, 4 RCA line out, 4 RCA aux out, 4 RCA accessory rcv/send (w/ jumpers connecting "rcv's" and "sends"), 4 RCA buss in

Roland DEP-5: 2 (A/B) 1/4" input, 2 (A/B) 1/4" output (not using MIDI or remote)

Power amp: 2 (A/B) 1/4' or XLR inputs, 2 sets of r-l posts for output to speakers

Help! Thanks!

Nic Arp
Iowa City IA
[email protected]
www.nicarp.com

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Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Jul 22, 2006 08:21 pm

Hey Nic, welcome to HRC. IF someone else doesnt get here to give you the scoop on hooking that gear up I will be arond to write one for you later tonight or tommorrow. Just walked in the door from a long day and am dog tired and need to veg for awhile.

Nice old gear you have there. I have a buddy who still has that exact system set up in his basement. Its more for looks now, but it still gets used to playback some of our old 4 track stuff.

Noize

Member
Since: Jul 22, 2006

Jul 22, 2006 09:04 pm

Thanks, Noize! I really appreciate it--

Nic

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Jul 23, 2006 06:29 pm

OK Nic, I'm gonna try and do this from memory as I couldn't get ahold of my friend with the mixer to take a look at exactly what connections we had set up. But it should go something along these lines.

If you could post though for me the markings of the knobs and buttons starting from top to bottom for one channel strip on the mixer that will help make sure I get you hooked up proper. As well if there are any differant markings on any of the 6 channel strips.

Anyway, you will be starting with the mixer and of course the 1/4 ins will be for your mic or other inputs. If I am not mistaken two of the 3 buttons on the channel strip should be to assign the channel to line out 1/2 and 3/4. These will go to the inputs on the 22-4. I believe each channel has the cue out as well and can be used for a direct line to the inputs of the 22-4 as well.

I'm a bit confused that there is no stereo summed line out on the 2A though.

Your accessory send/recv can be used for the Roland processor. That will simply be hooked up with the outputs a/b to pair of rcv channels and the inputs a/b hooked to the matching send channels from the 2A. I believe there is a knob for the send from each channel, but again I am not sure of that.

For playback I believe you can feed either the buss in 1,2,3 and 4 respectivly from the 22-4 or send them back to the line in of 4 channel strips and then there should be a button to choose to moiniter the line in of that channel instead of the mic in.

Not exactly sure if that is completely correct. But if you can post the info from the knobs and buttons on the channel strip taht will really help. As well have a look on the back of the mixer and see if the 4 line outputs are set up with 2 jacks each or just one.

Its been a very long time since I have puttered with one of those so this is completely flying blind on my part.

Another thing is if the manual has a schematic section for hooking up for the mixer that will be a big help.

Noize

I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003

Jul 23, 2006 07:49 pm

Hey how's things in Iowa City? I went to college at Cornell in Mt. Vernon just a little ways away from you.

I don't know what we'd do without Noize around here...he seems to have used every piece of recording hardware on the planet :)

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Jul 24, 2006 05:06 pm

Thanx Tad. But remembering how to hook em up is another story. Old age is making my memory less usefull these days.

But Tascam and Teac were infamous for naming things oddly. Their buss in isnt exactly what we consider a buss these days.

Member
Since: Jul 22, 2006

Jul 24, 2006 06:41 pm

Thanks so much, Noize!

First, you said:

>>I'm a bit confused that there is no stereo >>summed line out on the 2A though.

And I have to agree! That's one of the things that has me baffled. The back end of the mixer is exactly as I described it above, though I should have noted that the "aux out" and "line out" RCA jacks are divided into 4 numbered pairs, each pair with one "aux out" jack and one "line out" jack side by side.

I want to give you as much info from the manual as possible, so please forgive my long post below.

First, to answer your questions about the channel strips: All 6 look exactly the same. From top to bottom, there are 4 sections: 1) An input knob w/ 3 choices, MIC ATT (which I understand is a padded input), MIC, and LINE; 2) Treble and Bass knobs; 3) 4 channel buttons (can either be pressed in or left out) from 1 at top to 4 at bottom; below those 4 buttons is a pan knob; 4) the fader. Again, all 6 channels look exactly the same. Other than those 6 identical strips, there's just a power button and a master fader. That's everything on the front.

The manual says this about the CUE outputs on the back: "At this output you will get whatever signal is on its way to the input fader." It mentions the advantage of "having a source of signals for a totally separate mix" and mentions as examples an "echo send" (saying "You may not want echo on everything") and "musician's mix" (if the musician wants a mix different from what's being sent to the deck).

Here's the manual on the ACCESSORY SEND-RECEIVE connectors: "At this point in the Model 2A we have a completed mix with the level at reference point. This output is used to insert a signal processing device such as a graphic equalizer or a limiter. Route your mix out here, pass through the accessory you want to use, and back into the accessory receive plug for final master gain control of the whole works."

Here's the manual on the BUSS IN jacks: "The primary purpose of this final input on the block diagram is to 'stack' or run a pair of mixers with one overall master control. The input impedance aND signal point are identical to the accessory receive jack. Any electronic device that has a compatible output impedance may be connected here and its contribution to your mix will then be controlled by the master fader."

Here's the manual on the MASTER FADER: "Provides final level control of all four output sections of the mixer. This single control operates all four faders at once. Any signal added to the system from the various jacks on the 2A will be affected by the setting of this control, if your mixed signal is taken from the last output pair on the block diagram."

Finally, here's the manual on LINE OUT-AUX OUT: "One last gain stage appears after the master fader and just before this double output jack. Since the two output jacks are connected to the same gain stage, any device connected to one pin will affect the output capability of the other pin. To determine the true value of loading on the mixer's final stage, the input impedance values of both devices must be considered even when only one of them is being used. For this reason we suggest that you unplug anything connected to the final stage that you are not using when you make your most critical mixes."

I am so grateful for your willingness to help! I've done a limited amount of recording in the past, and the little I remember doesn't match up with this set-up.

This is quite a community service you all have going here--very cool. Thanks again!

Nic
[email protected]

Member
Since: Jul 22, 2006

Jul 24, 2006 06:42 pm

Tad,

Iowa City is alive and well, thanks. Downtown and some neighborhoods got samcked by a tornado a couple months ago, otherwise, the same as ever but with more big buildings.

And I agree about Noize!

Nic

Member
Since: Jul 22, 2006

Jul 24, 2006 06:56 pm

NOIZE!!!!

I discovered the answer to one (just one) of my mysteries re the TEAC 2A mixer. After I sent my last long post, I saw, buried in the back of the manual in an "accessories" section, something about the "AX-20 Mixdown Unit." Turns out it takes 4 inputs and turns them into 2 (l-r) outputs; apparently, this is necessary for stereo mixdown. Go figger. So I did a quick E-bay search, found one for cheap, and bought the sucker. Here's a link to the page (scroll down a bit): tinyurl.com/pzu93.

Thanks yet again--

Nic
[email protected]

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Jul 24, 2006 10:40 pm

OK, now that is making sense. If you have a bit of patience I will try and get a straight out shot for you tommorrow. The AX-20 will be the easy part in the chain. And the info you listed above gets the functions of the ins and outs so we can get you hooked up and running.
Great find on the AX-20 as well. The other alternative would have been a small 4 channel mixer from Radio Shack that is real quiet and would work the same. Although I am guessing it would have been a bit more money.

Thanx for the props for HRC. We definately try to be a cut above. No snobishness or the like here. Jstu people trying to help others. The whole place has been built around members coming and learning. Then sharing with the newer members who come in where they once were. We have a good crew of moderators from around the globe, as well as memebers from the same. So hopefully no questions go un-answered.

Glad you like it, and hope you enjoy it.

Noize

Member
Since: Jul 22, 2006

Jul 25, 2006 06:45 pm

Thanks, Noize! Looking forward to it--

Nic

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Jul 25, 2006 10:09 pm

Hey Nic, I am going to have alook at the other rig similar to yours tommorrow and that should let me give you exact directions on hooking your rig up.

I was your other post on the meter bridge. IF I locate one I will surely let you know. As well as any other older type goodies that may be about out there.

Noize

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Jul 26, 2006 08:25 pm

Allright, we will assume you will be recording with mics for the time being to get started. Completely disregard my post from above. And as well, I did not get to check theother mixer out as he never showed.

First off I will mention that this mixer does not have a conventional pre amp. I believe they incorperate a low level pre for use with unbalanced 1/4" type mid cable jacks. You can try using it this way but may find the need for a decent 2 channel pre. Lets assume for now it is without the pre amp. You will plug you mics of course into the mic input. Set the knob to mic/att or mic, whichever is going to work best for you.

Now you will take the Line out connections from 1 - 4 and hook them respectively to the inputs on the 22-4 matching 1 - 4 on the tape machine. In turn you will want to run the outputs of the 22-4 back to the mixer and hook the again 1 - 4 into the Line In on the mixer. The switch will then allow you to choose which tracks are for playback and which are for sending a signal to the tape machine. You will choose the track it goes to by using the buttons 1 - 4 to assign the tracks. If I remember correctly the pan will function only if you are sending one channel from the mixer to 2 seperate track. Like sending channel 1 to tracks 1 and 2 would result in a stereo track if you push the 1 and 2 button down. Then panning slightly right will send channel with less volume to track 1 and slightly more to track 2. I suggest recording most stuff as a mono single track and the doing the panning on mix down as once it is on tape you will have to do it over if you dont like it.

As for adding effects with you Roland processor. You can do it using the send recieve during tracking. Or do the same on mix down. Since you have 6 channels to work with you could as well use the Cue as they stated if you only want say echo or reverb on the vocal and simply send the Cue out of the vocal track or tracks to the Processor and then back into channel's 5 and 6 on the mixer, and assing those line outputs to be sent to the mixdown deck.

I hope this gets you a good start. Dont hesitate to ask whatever you need to get things clearer. THis was a bit acattered but hopefully will give you an idea of what will work.

Noize

This is where it is going to get tricky though as you will need to also use the Aux outs for running to your monitering set up, whatever that will be. This will take some messing about though as you could really make use of a patch bay for switching your line outs to a 2 track for mix down. But again things will be kind of odd unless you can locate another AX-20 so you would be able to keep one AX for the monitering set up and one for the mix down deck.

You can also use the Cue outs as well for monitering, but again it will need the AX unit to convert to a stereo signal. So either way you might end up needing 2 of the AX units in the end.

The 22-4 will also have input leve control, make sure to set them slightly below your mixer settings so as not to add too much gain. As well I believe that deck has output level control but not certain on that.

Member
Since: Jul 22, 2006

Jul 28, 2006 10:41 am

Noize,

Thanks so much! You rule.

I'll work with this and may get back with more questions.

In the meantime, I really appreciate your help--and this listserv!!

Nic

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Jul 28, 2006 08:41 pm

Your welcome Nic!

Definately hit us up if you have other questions. As I'm sure my details may have a flaw somewhere.

Noize

> > > old school tips for a total newbie idiot

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