Help: Tascam 644 Newbe Questions

[vintagefreak]

I know I should RTFM .... that's wat I am doin' daily....
but I still can't figure out

howto record 4 tracks and being able to play back 4 tracks with post recording mixing and EQing the prerecorded mix?

manual doest give real live examples xplaned clearly :(

grazzie Mille, merci beacoup, thanks a million, Große Dank, dank u wel, tussen takk, ??????? ???????, alvast bedankt

[vintagefreak]

Originally Posted by vintagefreak

I know I should RTFM .... that's wat I am doin' daily....
but I still can't figure out

howto record 4 tracks and being able to play back 4 tracks with post recording mixing and EQing the prerecorded mix?

manual doest give real live examples xplaned clearly :(

grazzie Mille, merci beacoup, thanks a million, Große Dank, dank u wel, tussen takk, ??????? ???????, alvast bedankt

[vintagefreak]

Any Tascam 644 users.... ?

[Jidis]

Vintagefreak-

Did you get a chance to check over there at their forum? The time I needed it, there was an analog something section down near the bottom over there that had most of the Porta Studio posts in it.

I think the user base for your particular machine might land in a weird area, as it's probably from around the time some of that stuff was phasing out, which might be why there are so fewer users than for the machines most of us in that other thread have.

Sorry you're not finding much info,

George

[vintagefreak]

Originally Posted by Jidis

Vintagefreak-

Did you get a chance to check over there at their forum? The time I needed it, there was an analog something section down near the bottom over there that had most of the Porta Studio posts in it.

I think the user base for your particular machine might land in a weird area, as it's probably from around the time some of that stuff was phasing out, which might be why there are so fewer users than for the machines most of us in that other thread have.

Sorry you're not finding much info,

George

Than you George for taking time to look into my problem and replying.

i've posted on gearslutz and even in homerecording forum... but no reply yet ...

i am lost with the Tascam 644 Midistudio screen that's the heart of the mashine's internal routing .....
:(

[Stevil]

i've had my 644 since the late 90's & just got done with a belt replacement, which i guess makes me a guru.

a decent high res shot for reference
http://minipop.de/wordpress/wp-content/tascam.JPG

the manual
http://www.dustblow.com/tascam/TASCA...STUDIO_644.pdf


I really had to take a step back & think of the thing as several units i was already familiar with to wrap my head around everything this unit does.

1. the tape deck: noise reduction, the usual play ff, rewind. loc, rtz (return to zero), memo are fancy rewind options to locate specific track points.

2. the mixer: eq, gain ect are pretty self explanatory. dual mode i typically use for playback & group channels & aux are also great for routing options.

3. routing options: communication matrix between the 2. this is where things get interesting. you have your input & assign options down the left side of the screen & enable/ disable tracks 1-8, across the bottom. 9, 0 are also there for data entry.

so say you want tape routed to dual 1-4, select input "tape" then input "dual", then highlight channels 1-4 with the buttons across the bottom. be sure to switch on the "Dual" mode button on the moitor channel.
once you have the routing configured the way you like you can store it for later recall.

record function enables recording to a track.
Display scene input output: these i use a lot to see wtf is going on. "meter" "input" & "output" will show meter levels of where your signal is coming from & going to based on the current selections in the routing options.

[Stevil]

be careful with the monitor outs. mine broke off just like this guys.


my dopey bandmate used a couple 1/4 Female to RCA Male adapters & then laid a bunch of cables coming across the back of the 644 across them. the weight yanked off the RCA outs.
tutt


i'd use regualr RCA connectors on the outputs & change to another format with adapters further away from the unit if nessicary.

[vintagefreak]

Originally Posted by Stevil

i've had my 644 since the late 90's & just got done with a belt replacement, which i guess makes me a guru.

a decent high res shot for reference
http://minipop.de/wordpress/wp-content/tascam.JPG

the manual
http://www.dustblow.com/tascam/TASCA...STUDIO_644.pdf


I really had to take a step back & think of the thing as several units i was already familiar with to wrap my head around everything this unit does.

1. the tape deck: noise reduction, the usual play ff, rewind. loc, rtz (return to zero), memo are fancy rewind options to locate specific track points.

2. the mixer: eq, gain ect are pretty self explanatory. dual mode i typically use for playback & group channels & aux are also great for routing options.

3. routing options: communication matrix between the 2. this is where things get interesting. you have your input & assign options down the left side of the screen & enable/ disable tracks 1-8, across the bottom. 9, 0 are also there for data entry.

so say you want tape routed to dual 1-4, select input "tape" then input "dual", then highlight channels 1-4 with the buttons across the bottom. be sure to switch on the "Dual" mode button on the moitor channel.
once you have the routing configured the way you like you can store it for later recall.

record function enables recording to a track.
Display scene input output: these i use a lot to see wtf is going on. "meter" "input" & "output" will show meter levels of where your signal is coming from & going to based on the current selections in the routing options.

Wow, Stevil , you Are defenitely
à guru of Tascam Midistudio 644!
thanks for reply... i've been desperate for a week trying to figure out the matrix screen on 644 :(

I've finally figured howto record 4 tracks and assign them to Left Right stereo monitors and 4 outs ... i've made my own preset and saved it - wohoo !
but for some reason i hear strange "radio" like noise in the Right master out channel ...its not recorded .. its the Right Master fader that is noisy when i match its level with the Left channel ??!! Hope there is nothing wrong with the inside electronics....?

any idea?

[Stevil]

Originally Posted by vintagefreak

but for some reason i hear strange "radio" like noise in the Right master out channel ...its not recorded .. its the Right Master fader that is noisy when i match its level with the Left channel ??!! Hope there is nothing wrong with the inside electronics....?

any idea?

could be gain cranked on a channel panned right.

i'd start with the "meter" "input" & "output". see if the display shows you your "radio" signal.

then move to the "mute" button on the matrix. you'll see the word mute at the top of the screen & as you highlight tracks 1-8 some black dots will fill in the grid. see if that disables the sound. one at a time so you can pinpoint it's location.

if that doesn't work, then start trouble shooting the mixer & make sure the gain isn't cranked on a channel. unplug any input cables. top row of knobs on the mixer is gain, turn those all the way down. i'd set eq's to normal & pan knobs to center. set aux1 & 2 (fx send) knobs in each channel to 0. dual mode channels to 0 & pan center. work your way across the board top to bottom one channel at a time til you can isolate the sound.

if you get to the master channel & it still hasn't gone away drop effect returns to 0. aux master & group returns to 0. unclick your dual, group, aux, aux 1+2 switches. we're eliminating all other possibilities til we get to the master right fader where the symptoms are apparent. if that ends up being where the noise lives i'd hit it with an air duster & maybe some fader lube. but try & find the source first. i'm guessing it's from somewhere else & it'll be a good exercise in learning the routing of your 644.

[Gibripper75]

I am going to be in the same boat as you soon OP. I used to have and fully know the ins and outs of my 688, but sold it years ago. So I have to basically re-learn it all overagin with the 644. I think they made it overly complicated imo.

[vintagefreak]

Originally Posted by Gibripper75

I am going to be in the same boat as you soon OP. I used to have and fully know the ins and outs of my 688, but sold it years ago. So I have to basically re-learn it all overagin with the 644. I think they made it overly complicated imo.

yes its a bit complicated , without reason, they should have wrote more
real life routing examples in the manual for the beginners.

Just wonder if other 4/8 track tascams without the MIDI matrix screen
are easier to re-route with just mechanical switches?

[vintagefreak]

Originally Posted by Stevil

could be gain cranked on a channel panned right.

i'd start with the "meter" "input" & "output". see if the display shows you your "radio" signal.

no all is fine there

then move to the "mute" button on the matrix. you'll see the word mute at the top of the screen & as you highlight tracks 1-8 some black dots will fill in the grid. see if that disables the sound. one at a time so you can pinpoint it's location.

if that doesn't work, then start trouble shooting the mixer & make sure the gain isn't cranked on a channel. unplug any input cables. top row of knobs on the mixer is gain, turn those all the way down. i'd set eq's to normal & pan knobs to center. set aux1 & 2 (fx send) knobs in each channel to 0. dual mode channels to 0 & pan center. work your way across the board top to bottom one channel at a time til you can isolate the sound.

if you get to the master channel & it still hasn't gone away drop effect returns to 0. aux master & group returns to 0. unclick your dual, group, aux, aux 1+2 switches. we're eliminating all other possibilities til we get to the master right fader where the symptoms are apparent. if that ends up being where the noise lives i'd hit it with an air duster & maybe some fader lube. but try & find the source first. i'm guessing it's from somewhere else & it'll be a good exercise in learning the routing of your 644.

i've tried to isolate the high pitched sound..
no mutes or zero levels/gains/panning can eliminate the noise on the
right master fader 3-4

the noise clearly comes out Group Out 3 & 4 both RCA connectors

but i can only hear it with the master fader 3-4 all the way up.....

maybe there is some electronic capacitor that needs a change ( like on many old EMU-SP12/1200 samplers with noisy outputs)
or something?

[Stevil]

Originally Posted by vintagefreak

the noise clearly comes out Group Out 3 & 4 both RCA connectors but i can only hear it with the master fader 3-4 all the way up.....

maybe there is some electronic capacitor that needs a change ( like on many old EMU-SP12/1200 samplers with noisy outputs)
or something?

does the sound not appear in the Main & Group 1-2 outs?
does enable & disable of the Group 3-4 switch have any effect?

it's possible i guess. the board with ins & outs is a bitch to get to. it's one big chunk of dual layered circuit board strapped to the back with all the connections packed in. trying to isolate & fix something in that section is over my head especially considering the potential "capacitor" problem could be located on another board & there are several large populated sections inside. (mixer, track channels, master section, tape machine controls, midi/power)

i've got a problem with no signal from tape track one & have been nosing around inside with a line tester. it came back at half volume for a while, but when i turned it back on the other day it was dead again. reminds me of why i was eager to switch to software in the first place.

[vintagefreak]

the noise from group 4 out is permanent ...
wonder if I could somehow route
the track 4 trough some alernative output with the use of Tascam EQ's other than tape 4 output , cause tape outs are before EQ's?

are the AuX outs after or before EQ's?
P.S. sorry if it's a stupid question
I will just test all alternative out myself.....

[Stevil]

Originally Posted by vintagefreak

are the AuX outs after or before EQ's?
P.S. sorry if it's a stupid question
I will just test all alternative out myself.....

left is pre eq - right is post eq on green
i usually route tape thru the dual mode & if i want EQ i'll wire the outs to a pair of channels.

[Silverhealer]

I had one of these many years ago and did a lot of work on it - including paid work recording other people and many instrumental tracks for use as library/production music and jungles, as well as writing projects with vocalists. I used it in conjunction with C-Lab Creator (the ancestor of Logic Pro) on the Atari ST, using the built-in FSK time code to lock with MIDI.

I recently revisited some of the work I did on it, as one of the singers I did some writing with on this machine is now lead singer of Hot Chocolate! We are back in touch after a long gap and he was interested in seeing whether some of our original material could be used on a new Hot Chocolate album. I was impressed at how well the results stood up. I lifted the tracks from an on-its-last-legs CD-R (they had been mixed to DAT, but that machine went years ago) and ran them through some EQ and limiting I didn't have access to then, but the vocal sound was good and clear.

As I recall:
*You can use 2 FX sends if you work in mono, so you could have reverb and delay/chorus/whatever;
*The EQ was quite useable;
*You could use MIDI program change messages to change scenes;
*You could set up and save scenes for each recording scenario, eg record track 1, or track 2, or track 1 & 2;
*You could use MIDI note messages to mute/unmute channels to clean up or edit recorded tracks.

I liked it as a basic mixer and continued to use it for a while even after I got a Mac Logic and an audio interface. The only downside was the lack of phantom powering, but there were ways round that too.

[vintagefreak]

Originally Posted by Silverhealer

I had one of these many years ago and did a lot of work on it - including paid work recording other people and many instrumental tracks for use as library/production music and jungles, as well as writing projects with vocalists. I used it in conjunction with C-Lab Creator (the ancestor of Logic Pro) on the Atari ST, using the built-in FSK time code to lock with MIDI.

I recently revisited some of the work I did on it, as one of the singers I did some writing with on this machine is now lead singer of Hot Chocolate! We are back in touch after a long gap and he was interested in seeing whether some of our original material could be used on a new Hot Chocolate album. I was impressed at how well the results stood up. I lifted the tracks from an on-its-last-legs CD-R (they had been mixed to DAT, but that machine went years ago) and ran them through some EQ and limiting I didn't have access to then, but the vocal sound was good and clear.

As I recall:
*You can use 2 FX sends if you work in mono, so you could have reverb and delay/chorus/whatever;
*The EQ was quite useable;
*You could use MIDI program change messages to change scenes;
*You could set up and save scenes for each recording scenario, eg record track 1, or track 2, or track 1 & 2;
*You could use MIDI note messages to mute/unmute channels to clean up or edit recorded tracks.

I liked it as a basic mixer and continued to use it for a while even after I got a Mac Logic and an audio interface. The only downside was the lack of phantom powering, but there were ways round that too.

yes its a very usable machine , i've got it on ebay for not much a while ago ... and after a bit of a learning curve with the scenes and routing interface,
i've finally feel comfortable in using it for live jazz recordings or just a sketch pad for my jazzy beat production.
The only thing that bugs me that on my unit the master outs 3/4 have some buzzing noise... wish i could pin down the source of it ...
but i am not very skilled in radio electronics

I am wondering , how to keep this recorder/mixer in good shape for years?

for example :
Can i use it as a stand alone mixer for long hours , while i hear motor spinning, or is it a bad idea?

Shall i live the tape inside , while using it as a mixer , or should i remove it?

How to maintain and keep moving parts in good shape?

What needs to be cleaned ( besides the heads) , what needs to be lubed?

what parts i should be looking for for purchasing ( now) in case they might worn out in the future ?

etc....

If anyone likes to share some important maintenance/upkeeping tips for Tascam 644 -
that would be great !

[RiF]

Just wanted to log me in to this thread abd say that my 644 should arrive in a few days.

[vintagefreak]

Originally Posted by RiF

Just wanted to log me in to this thread abd say that my 644 should arrive in a few days.

wow! you'r gonna love it!

[RiF]

I got my 644, but I haven't figured out how the routing from the inputs of the mixer to the 4 tape tracks really works. Are the Groups 1+2 & 3+4 somehow related to the 4 tracks?
How do I do a simple stereo recording that comes in through channel 1&2 of the mixer and shall go to the tape tracks 1&2?
How do I do the same (ch 1&2) but go for tape tracks 3&4?

[RiF]

Let's say, I want to record the signal coming from mixer ch 1 & 2 onto track 1 & 2.
Is it correct that I have to pan ch 1 hard left and ch 2 hard right to route the ch 1 signal to Group 1 and the ch 2 signal to Group 2, although I did set up the input from ch 1 to Group 1 and the input from ch 2 to Group 2 in the scene matrix?