Tascam DA-38 User Manual
lASCAM
TEAC Professional Division
DA-38
Digital Multitrack Recorder
DA-38
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OWNER’S MANUAL
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D00224500B
SECTION 1 : INTRODUCTION
Thank you for choosing the TASCAM DA-38 Digital
Multitrack Recorder, The DA-38 is a product in the direct
line of the worldwide successful DA-88 and was designed
to meet the needs of video/film production, broadcast
production, recording studios, project studios, and the
musician.
Among the important features of DA-38 are the
following:
• Menu-selectable machine ID, pre-/postroll time, and
others
• Syncing up to 16 units for 128 tracks
• Syncing with the DA-88
• Can be slaved to external word clock
• Shuttling for reel rocking to identify specific points
on tape
• 2-point autolocator with or without preroll
• Trial punch in and out
• Crossfade action to ensure seamless punch in and out
• Track delay function to correct the timing discrepan
cies between tracks
• Digital copy between tracks within one DA-38 or
from tracks of one DA-38 to tracks of another
• Can be controlled from the TASCAM RC-848 or
RC-808 remote
1 . 1
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION
Table of Contents
Important Safety Precautions
Safety Instructions
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Section 1 : Introduction.................................................1
l-I. Unpacking................................................
1-2, Precautions and recommendations.
1-3. Compatible cassette tapes...................
1-4. Available recording/play time........
1-5. Backup facility.......................................
Hookup example
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Section 2 : General Guide.................................................2
Section 3 : Formatting a Tape
3-1. How to format a tape (basic operation)
3- 2, Real-time, simultaneous tape format
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Section 4 : Recording........................................................4
4- 1. Recording analog input (basic operation)
4-2. Recording digital input
4-3. Punch in/out editing.................................................4
4-4. Crossfade time setting.............................................4
4-5. Preroll time setting...................................................4
4-6. Postroll time setting.................................................4
4-7. Copying tracks..........................................................4
4-8, Dithering the re-quantization noise
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4*14
2
3
3
3
3
4
4
Section 8 : Controlling the DA-38 from Menus
8-1. General...................................................................8
8-2. Using the built-in oscillator
8-3, Initializing the backup memory
8- 4. Selecting a TDIF input bit length...................8
Section 9: Monitor and Other Capabilities
9- 1. Monitor functions..
9-2. Capabilities to assist in saving your time...........9
9- 3, To see the system version
Section 10: Maintenance
10- 1. Error rate display.............................................10
10-2. Cleaning the heads..............................................10
10- 3. Head drum utilized time display
Section 11 : Appendices....................................................II
11- 1. Specifications
11 -2. Optional accessories...........................................II
11-3. Error messages explained
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S
8
8
9
9
9
10
10
11
11
Section 5 : Playback......................................................5
5-1. Basic playback procedure.......................................5
5-2, Shuttling the tape.....................................................5
5-3. Variable speed play..................................................5
5-4. Setting locations
5-5, Repeat play
5- 6, Delaying tracks....................................................5
Section 6 : Autolocation
6- 1. Autolocating to either of two location points.. 6
6-2. Setting autolocation preroll time
6- 3. The auto play function.........................................6
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6
Section 7 : Syncing Multiple DA-38s..............................7
7- 1. Hooking up multiple DA-38s
7-2. Selecting a machine ID number..............................7
7-3. How to sync the slave units to the master
7-4. Offsetting slave units...............................................7
7-5. Digital dubbing between DA-38s
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5
5
6
7
7
7
1 *2
SECTION 3 : FORMAHING A TAPE
Audio can be recorded while formatting a tape (discussed
later). But it's wise of you to format the tape from the
beginning all the way to the end before recording audio.
The tape formatting process writes sub-code data such as
ABS time and setup data such as ATF (Automatic Track
Finding) signal onto a non-audio section of the tape.
^ While the FORMAT indicator is blinking, press the
3-1. How to Format a Tape (basic operation)
Q The FORMAT/Fs switch now acts as a sampling rate
Y Switch power ON,
You'll notice that a machine ID number (" id n a '"
for example) and other indications appear on the
display.
See Section 7 for an explanation of the machine ID
number.
2 Insert a new Hi8 tape into the DA-38.
7 To start formatting the tape, hold RECORD and press
• Unless you perform the next step (5) within five
seconds, the formatting mode is disabled and the
FORMAT indicator turns off. Should this occur,
press the FORMAT/Fs switch again.
FORMAT/Fs switch once more.
The FORMAT indicator will glow solid to show that
the unit is ready to format the tape.
* If you want to cancel the format ready mode at this
stage, press CLEAR and the FORMAT LED turns off.
selection switch, so press the switch until the required
rate shows on the display.
NOTE
If a digital signal is fed into the DA-38 (as indicated by
the DIGITAL IN indicator tit on the display), the unit is
automatically switched to operate at an incoming
sampling rate, and the Fs switch does not operate.
PLAY,
The RECORD button will light up. When the tape is
formatted all the way to the end, it will automatically
rewind, stopping at "u u 0 0 D D D u".
- L u Rd - - " will appear on the display to show
that the tape is being loaded.
IMPORTANT
• The DA-38 is designed to operate only with Hi8
video tapes. You cannot use any other tapes.
• The DA-38 automaticaliy ejects tapes thinner than
8.5 pm: 150-minute or longer tapes.
^ Press REW to rewind the tape all the way to the
beginning.
When the beginning is reached, "fa of' (beginning of
tape) will appear on the display,
4 Press the FORMAT/Fs switch.
The FORMAT indicator will start blinking on the
display.
3*1
Suggestion: You can record audio on a track selected
by the REC FUNCTION switch while at the same
time the tape is formatted.
IMPORTANT
• Be sure to format the tape from beginning to end in
one continuous stroke. Do not interrupt the format
process.
• When a tape is being formatted, any transport
contols do not operate except for STOP.
• When a tape is being formatted, you cannot
change the sampiing rate. (This is also true when
audio recording is in progress.)
• When the dispiay shows a negative ABS time,
audio cannot be recorded, as confirmed by a blink
ing RECORD LED.
SECTION 3 : FORMATTING A TAPE
3-2. Real-time, Simultaneous Tape Format
In some cases, when recording a live concert using multi
ple DA-3 8s for instance, you may want to format tapes
while at the same time you record audio on them, for later
master/slave sync play.
Follow these steps to perform the real-time, simultaneous
tape format;
• Hook up a mutiple DA-38 sync system a basic example
of which is shown in Section 7.
•f Switch power ON,
^ Enter the desired machine ID number by pressing the
▲ and T keys.
• Enter " on the DA-38 you intend to use as the
master machine.
• Enter other numbers ("(?" to " IS") on each of the
slave DA-38s.
IMPORTANT
Assign a different number to each of the DA-38s.
^ Press SHIFT and the display will be switched back to
show the ABS time.
0 Insert a new Hi8 tape into each of the DA-38s.
The display will show - L DRd - - " while the tape
is being loaded.
Speaking of Remembering:
• The DA-38 is designed to operate only with Hi8
video tapes. You cannot use any other tapes.
• The DA-38 automatically ejects tapes thinner than
8.5 pm : 150-minute or longer tapes.
A machine ID number ("id no. t" for example)
and other indications will appear on the display.
Assigning a machine ID number to each of the DA-38s
(steps 2 through 5)
2 Press SHIFT and the associated LED will start blink
ing to show that all the double function keys are
switched to offer their lower blue-labelled functions.
3 By repeatedly pressing MENU, access an ID selection
menu, which looks like this:
1 d
SE
1
L
1
1
7 Press REW to rewind the tape all the way to the
beginning.
When the beginning is reached, "bob " will appear
on the display.
Q Press CHASE on each of the slave DA-38s to put
them into sync mode and the associated LED starts
blinking.
0 Press the FORMAT/Fs switch on all of the DA-38s.
The FORMAT indicator will start blinking on the
display of every DA-38.
¥
• If you don't perform the next step within 5 seconds,
the tape format mode will be disabled and the
FORMAT indicator will turn off. Should this occur,
press the FORMAT key again.
3*2
SECTION 3 ; FORMAHING A TAPE
12 Put the tracks to record on into Record Ready mode
by pressing the tracks' associated REC FUNCTION
switches. Their LEDs will start blinking.
^3 master DA-38, hold RECORD and press
PLAY, and both the audio recording process and the
tape formatting process will start on all the DA-38s
(RECORD LED lit).
When the end of the tapes is reached, they will auto
matically rewind, stopping at "£7 £?£?£?£?£? tj £?".
10 Press the FORMAT switch once more on every DA-
38.
The FORMAT indicator will glow solid to show that
the unit is ready to format the tape.
^ If you want to cancel the tape format ready mode at
this stage, press CLEAR, and the FORMAT indicator
will turn off.
11 The FORMAT/Fs switch now acts as a sampling rate
selection switch, so press the switch until the
required rate shows on the display.
IMPORTANT
It is imperative that all the stave machines are refer
enced to the same sampling rate as the master.
Check to see one and the same sampling rate indica
tor is lit on ali the units' displays.
• If you select a different rate from the one selected
on the master unit, "E. E iUE'' will appear on
that slave's display.
IMPORTANT
• Let the tape run until the end is reached even if
audio recording is complete at an intermediate
point of the tape. Interrupting the tape format
process results in ABS time discontinuities, making
proper operation impossible.
• The tapes you intend to use for synchronization
also must be formatted from the beginning all the
way to the end in one continuous stroke. Tapes
which were formatted in multiple strokes or were
recorded in Assemble mode and in consequence
formatted in multiple strokes could lead to unstable
synchronization when they transit from one format
ted section to the next formatted section. Such
tapes must be re-formatted from beginning to end if
you want to use.
• During the tape formatting process, any transport
controls do not operate except for STOP.
• You cannot change the sampling rate during the
formatting/recording process.
• When the display shows a negative ABS time,
audio cannot be recorded, as indicated by a blink
ing RECORD button.
NOTE
When recording from the digital input, the DA-38 is
automatically switched to operate at an incoming
sampling rate. Your selection is overridden and the Fs
switch does not operate.
3-3
SECTION 4: RECORDING
This section of the manual provides information on basic
recording procedures, punch-in/out procedure and others.
4-1. Recording Analog Input (basic operation)
There are three ways to start recording. Use whichever
one is most suitable to you.
• Hold RECORD and press PLAY.
• Press REC FUNCTION.
• Press an optional RC-30P footswitch.
They are explained in that order in the following.
• When recording on a newly formatted tape, rewind it all
the way to the beginning and allow a blank leader of 30
seconds or more of ABS time before the beginning of
recording. Recordings close to the beginning or the end
could cause drop outs. Also, create a recorded blank
trailer at the end of recording; and before continuing
recording, rewind the tape to the recorded blank trailer.
• When recording live concerts or others you have no
chance of retaking, it is wise of you to clean the heads
in advance.
• The DA-38 is designed to operate only with Hi8
• We recommend that you use pre-formatted new
• Do not use a tape once used in any different
• If the tape in use is write-protected, a "rEc mh >"
• The DA-38 automatically ejects tapes thinner than
2 Insert a pre-formatted new Hi8 tape into each DA-38.
While the tape is being loaded the display will show
-LO Rd-
IMPORTANT NOTICES
video cassette tapes. You cannot use any other
tapes.
(blank) Hi8 tapes for new recordings.
machines from the DA-38 or DA-88 : a tape used
for video recording for example.
message will appear on the display (in step 6
below). If you want to use this tape, open the write-
protect tab. If you try to record on a write-protected
tape, the DA-38 goes into Play mode.
8.5 pm : 150-minute or longer tapes.
(1) Using RECORD and PLAY
Hook up the DA-38(s) and other devices by referencing to
a hook-up example shown in Section 1 if necessary.
WARNING
Make all connections with power OFF.
•fl When your system is all hooked up, turn on each DA-
38.
0 Check to see that VARI SPEED is not enabled on any
DA-38, as indicated by the associated LED turned off.
Recording at variable speeds is referred to in Section
5, paragraph 5-3.
^ Put the tracks to record on into Record Ready mode
by pressing the corresponding REC FUNCTION
switches. The associated LEDs will start blinking.
^ Adjust the output level of the source unit or of the
mixer in use as high as possible, without causing
overscale reading on any DA-3 8's meter.
Q To start recording, hold RECORD and press PLAY.
A machine ID number (" id. no. /" for example)
and other indications will appear on each DA-38's
display.
4*1
SECTION 4: RECORDING
Suggestion : Each time you start recording, that
point is automatically stored into memory, erasing the
previous one. You can program the DA-38 to punch in
at that point, as discussed later, page 4 • 7, paragraph
(4).
7 To terminate recording, press STOP.
Suggestion : Each time recording is stopped, that
point is automatically stored into memory, erasing the
previous one. You can program the DA-38 to punch
out at that point, as discussed later, page 4 • 7, para
graph (4).
(2) REC FUNCTION-triggered Recording
• For the hookup, refer to a diagram shown in Section 1 if
necessary.
• Understand the Important Notices on the previous page.
• Adjust the mixer's level controls or the output level of
the source unit so high as possible without causing
overscale reading on the DA-38's meter.
• Perform steps 1 through 3 under the paragraph, Using
RECORD and PLAY.
When you have the DA-38 drop out of record to
rewind or fast-forward too, that point is saved.
Q To prevent the tracks from accidentally erasing, press
the tracks' associated REC FUNCTION switches off.
NOTES
• You cannot change the sampling rate when record
ing is in progress.
• if you start a new recording at the same time as the
tape format from the end of the existing recording
("assemble"), the tape is recorded and formatted at
the previous sampling rate. When preparing to
record from the end of the previous take and to
continue to format the tape, first rewind the tape to
a formatted silence section. Avoid starting record
ing and formatting from a non-recorded and
unformatted blank section.
Then, follow these steps.
Y Making sure that all the REC FUNCTION switches
are released, hold RECORD and press PLAY. The
tape will start playing and the RECORD button will
start blinking.
2 Press the REC FUNCTION switch for the track(s)
you want to record on. The pressed REC FUNCTION
switches' associated LEDs will light solidly, and the
RECORD button the same.
"3ns-
u
-dB
-)?i
1
• If the tape is write-protected, the deck goes into
Play mode.
^ To stop recording, press STOP.
4*2
SECTION 4: RECORDING
(3) Footswitch-controlled Recording
If you are recording alone and are too busy playing an
instrument to push the switches, the use of the optional
remote footswitch (RC-30P) is really handy.
This method of recording is recommended especially for
punching in and out of record. The punch-in/out proce
dure is explained later, under the corresponding heading.
• Plug the RC-30P footswitch into the REMOTE
PUNCH-IN/OUT jack on the rear of the DA-38. For
other connections, refer to a hookup example shown in
Section 1.
• Perform steps 1 through 5 under the paragraph, Using
RECORD and PLAY.
Then, proceed as follows :
Y Press the footswitch and the tape will start playing.
4-2. Recording Digital Input
The procedure is similar to that for Recording Analog
Input, with these exceptions:
• Press the DIGITAL IN switch. The indicator DIGITAL
IN will light on the display.
• In the most cases, the DA-38 is referenced to the same
clock as the source digital unit, so:
o Plug the clock from the source unit into the WORD
SYNC IN jack on the rear of the DA-38.
o Press the WORD IN switch. The indicator WORD
IN will light on the display to show that the DA-38 is
slaved to the external elock.
• When recording from the digital input, there is no need
of adjusting the recording level.
IMPORTANT
• If either of two sampling rate indicators blinks on
the display, it indicates that a different sampling
rate than the one present on the tape is coming in.
Then, re-format the tape with the correct sampling
rate, or use another tape.
• An 'f. J to ” warning appears on the display if your
digital source (DA-38/DA-88) or digital interface
unit (IF-88AE/IF-88SD) is not connected to the DA38 by using the optional PW-88D cable.
2 To start recording, press the footswitch once more.
• If the tape is write-protected, the DA-38 does not
go into Record mode, and remains in Play mode.
3 To stop recording, press STOP.
^ To insure against accidental erasure, press the REC
FUNCTION switches off.
Suggestion : The DA-38 remembers both the record
start point and the end point; and you can program the
unit to drop into and out of record at those points. For
details, see page 4-7, paragraph (4).
4.3
SECTION 4: RECORDING
4-3. Punch In/Out Editing
This section of the manual provides information on
rehearsal or trial punch in/out and actual punch in/out
procedures.
Quite often, it becomes apparent that the recorded mater
ial contains a mistake or could be improved. One obvious
way to correct this problem is to re-record the entire track,
but, if the mistake is minor, this is not practical or neces
sary. You can use the technique known as Punch-in or
Insert recording. This provides a way to re-record only a
small part of a track, thus covering the mistake, or to
record additional material on a blank section of a track,
augmenting the original material.
For smooth punch-ins (dropping into record) and punch-
outs (dropping out of record) we recommend you the use
of the optional RC-30P footswitch. This streamlines the
process and you can control the timing of punching in and
out with ease. Especially if you are recording alone and
are busy playing an instrument, it is really handy.
The DA-38 has a Rehearsal function, allowing you to
make a trial punch in without actually recording on to
tape. And, when you are ready, you can use an Auto
Punch-in/out function to have the deck actually drop into
record and drop out to play exactly at pre-selected points.
The DA-38 ensures seamless punch-ins and outs with a
built-in crossfade action. The crossfade time defaults to
10 milliseconds. If you want to change this time, refer to
paragraph 4-4.
(1) Rehearsal
4 6 7 5 2
• Plug the mic or instrument as required into channel 2.
Y Press the track 2's REC FUNCTION switch.
The associated LED will start blinking to show that
track 2 is record-enabled.
T5
—dE
2
2 Press the INSERT switch.
The associated LED will light to show that an Insert
Monitor mode is enabled.
~-0**SEHT
Let's say we’ve discovered a small error on track 2, here's
how to fix it.
Out Point
Postroll
Prerol!
Time
In Point
Part to be retaken
4.4
2 Press the RHSL switch.
The associated LED will start blinking to show that
the unit is in Rehearsal Ready mode.
oaHSL
"^EUY
□
^ Press PLAY to start playing the tape,
Q When the point you want to punch in the retake is
reached, press RECORD.
That point is saved to memory ; the monitor is
switched from tape to input; and the RECORD button
is blinking.
SECTION 4: RECORDING
0 When the point where you want to punch out of
record is reached, press PLAY.
That point is saved to memory ; and the RHSL LED
that was blinking glows solid to show that the unit is
now in Rehearsal mode.
After about 3 seconds of play (this post-roll time is
adjustable, as discussed later), the tape will rewind,
automatically stopping at a point about 5 seconds
lower than the punch-in point (this pre-roll time also
is adjustable, as discussed later).
7 To cycle over a sequence punching in and out, press
PLAY.
During Rehearsal mode, the monitor is automatically
switched from tape to input at the punch-in point and,
at the punch-out point, reverts to tape.
^ If you decide to exit the Rehearsal mode, press
CLEAR. The RHSL LED will then turn off.
0 Repeat the rehearsal as many times as necessary. If
you are not satisfied with the current punch-in and out
point settings, first exit the rehearsal mode by press
ing RHSL, then go back to step 3, Consider also the
possibilities explained under the next paragraph, (2)
Setting Punch In and Out Points.
(2) Setting Punch In and Out Points
You can set the punch in and out points in any of three
ways:
A. Perform a trial punch-in recording in Rehearsal mode,
as explained above.
B. Key in the desired points at menus in Rehearsal
mode.
C. Perform a normal recording (as explained earlier, the
point you start recording from and the point you stop
recording are automatically stored into memory as
punch in and out points).
Punch in and out points you select by Method A or C can
be recalled from memory onto the display, and you can
trim them to frame accuracy (Method B). Also, if the
necessary punch in and out points are known to you in
advance, you can directly enter them at menus.
Follow these steps to control the punch in and out points
from menus:
NOTE
Each time you enter a punch in or out point, it over
writes the previous one.
• Auto Play Function : If you press PLAY during the
autolocate process after postroll, the PLAY button will
start brinking to show that the DA-38 will automatically
start playing when completing autolocation.
If you are using the optional RC-848 remote control
unit and press its AUTO PLAY key, the trial punch-in
will automatically repeat over and over,
• If you are using the optional RC-30P footswitch, press
the footswitch in step 7, instead of PLAY.
•
Y Check to see that the RHSL LED is lit. If it isn't, press
the RHSL key two times and the LED will light.
\i /
—0“RHSi-
/| '®BLAV
□
Press SHIFT and the associated LED will start blink
ing to show that all the double function keys are
switched to offer their lower blue-labelled functions.
4.5
SECTION 4: RECORDING
35 7
46
• When no period in any column is blinking, the
hours, minutes, seconds and frame number change
all at once as you press the A or the ▼ key,
• To clear the display to "uuDuuD uu", hold the T
or the A key and press the other.
• You can enter any time from zero up to 23 hours,
59 minutes, 59 seconds, 33 frames.
8
B8
88
B 8
^ Press MEMO 1 and the display will momentarily read
like this before indicating the current punch in point.
H M S F
1 n
^ You'll notice that a period is blinking in the hours
column to show that you can key in the desired
number of hours using the A and T keys.
• Each time you press MEMO 1, the blinking period
moves to the next column (H, M, S, then F).
• When no period in any column is blinking, the
hours, minutes, seconds and frame number change
all at once as you press the A or the T key.
• To clear the display to"uuuuuDu u'', hold the T
or the A key and press the other.
• You can enter any time from zero up to 23 hours,
59 minutes, 59 seconds, and 33 frames.
8 8i<
^ Make sure that the entered punch in point is correct,
then press MEMO 2 and the display will momentarily
read like this before indicating the current punch out
point.
p
O 1
n h
88 88 88
7 To exit the punch in/out point setting mode, press
SHIFT The display will be switched back to show the
ABS time.
To audition the entered points:
• Pressing the LOG 1 key autolocates the tape to a
point 5 seconds (or user selected time) lower than
the entered punch in point, then press PLAY,
♦ Pressing the LOG 2 key autolocates the tape to a
point 5 seconds (or user selected time) lower than
the entered punch out point, then press PLAY.
Pre Point In Point
Log f Preroll
Time
Speaking of remembering :
The double function keys in the center of the unit
offer the upper black-labelled functions when the
SHIFT LED is turned off.
When the SHIFT LED is blinking, they offer the
lower blue-labelled functions.
Log 2 Preroll
Out Point
Time
n
u u
^ You'll notice that a period is blinking in the hours
column, so enter the desired hours using the A and T
•
keys.
• Each time you press MEMO 2, the blinking period
moves to the next column (H, M, S, then F),
t.p
O 1
n t
4 • 6
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