TAScam DM-24 User Guide
Digital Mixing Console
to
AUTOMATION MANUAL
Table of Contents
1 – Introduction
Using This Manual ....................................... 3
Automated Controls .................................... 4
A Note on Touch-Sensitive Faders ......................... 4
Setup ............................................................ 5
LTC ......................................................................5
MTC ......................................................................5
2 – Quick Start
Starting out with the time code ............................ 6
Access the automation screens ..............................6
Turn on the automation ......................................... 6
Make the initial settings ......................................... 7
Store the current settings .......................................7
Write some fader moves ........................................7
Write some mute moves ......................................... 7
Write some Aux send moves ..................................8
Writing POD moves ................................................. 8
Trimming existing mix moves ................................ 8
Finishing up .............................................................8
3 – Automation Overview
Modes ........................................................... 9
Auto ......................................................................9
Write ......................................................................9
Trim .................................................................... 10
Static .................................................................... 10
Safe .................................................................... 10
Off ....................................................................10
Rehearse ................................................................ 11
Displays .......................................................11
AUTO MAIN ............................................................11
AUTO FILES .............................................................14
AUTO CONFIG ........................................................15
Channel LED Indicators ..............................15
4 – Operation
Setting Up Your Mix ..................................16
Writing Mix Moves ....................................16
Revert Time ............................................................16
Write To End: .........................................................21
Writing Switch Events ...............................23
Revert Time ............................................................23
CONTROL SENSE TIME OUT & Switch Events ......23
Auto Revert Choices: .............................................24
Write To End: .........................................................26
Trimming Mix Moves .................................27
Revert Time: ...........................................................27
Auto Revert Choices: .............................................28
Trim To End ............................................................30
Initial Status ................................................32
Editing the Initial Status .......................................32
Automating Library Recall .........................34
Writing Library Recall Events Over Existing
Static Control Positions ......................................34
Combining Library Recall With Dynamic
Mix Moves ..........................................................34
Automating Groups ...................................35
Grouping Non-Automated Controls .....................35
Grouping Automated Controls .............................35
Hierarchical Groups ...............................................35
Mix File Management ................................36
The Mix Data ..........................................................36
2 TASCAM DM-24 Automation
1 – Introduction
The DM-24 is capable of writing and reading mix
moves as well as editing and refining mix moves during replay, all synchronized to time code. No external
computer is necessary, as all control of the automation is made from the DM-24ís control surface.
Automated mixes are stored internally on the DM-24
and can be off-loaded via a System Exclusive
(SysEx) MIDI dump to anything capable of storing
such data, such as a MIDI sequencer or MIDI data
filer.
Here are a few reasons to use mixer automation:
• Tedious moves, (such as mutes), that occur at the
same place in the program each time can be written
Using This Manual
The following type conventions are used in this manual:
BOLD CAPS for physical keys on the mixerís control
surface (Automation keys are color coded purple.)
to the automation system for playback. This allows
you to focus on the creative aspect of listening and
mixing, instead of the mechanical aspect of pressing the mute keys at the right time, every time.
• Mix moves can be refined to your satisfaction then
the automation system will read those moves back
every time in exactly the same way.
• A mix can be recalled at a later time for further
refinement.
The DM-24’s automation system was designed to be
intuitive, using the mixer’s familiar control surface
and a minimum number of keystrokes, to stay out of
the way of the creative process of mixing.
LIGHT CAPS or Light First Letter Caps for on-screen con-
trols in the display
First Letter Caps for names of operational modes and
functions
TASCAM DM-24 Automation 3
1 – Introduction
Automated Controls
The following mixer controls of the DM-24 can be
automated:
• Fader levels
•Mutes
• Panning (including surround panning)
•
EQ settings:
• Gain, Frequency, Q, EQ On/Off switching
• Individual EQ band
TYPE switching between
High/Low Pass Filter, Peaking & Shelving
• Auxiliary send levels and Pre/Post switching
• Auxiliary master send levels
• Buss master levels
•
GATE settings:
•
THRESHold
• RANGE
• HYSTeresis
•ATTACK
•HOLD
•DECAY
• COMPressor settings:
•
THRESHold
•RATIO
•ATTACK
• RELEASE
• Library recall
The following mixer controls of the DM-24 cannot
be automated:
•
DIGI-TRIM
• Individual EQ band On/Off switching
• Effect settings
• Buss assignments
• MIC TRIM
• Control Room monitor switching
• LCD navigation
• Transport control
• Fader layer switching
• Global mixer setup parameters
Moves for different mixer controls do not have to be
automated in the same pass. Just as in multi-track
recording, it is possible to concentrate on one specific control at a time, building up the automated mix
over a number of passes. The DM-24’s automation
system allows this to occur by intelligently switching
automation modes transparently on a per control
basis.
This work done by the DM-24 automation system
provides a high degree of flexibility while not requiring constant attention from you. Of course, the
DM-24’s automatic mode switching may be over-ridden at any time for “power user” operation.
A Note on Touch-Sensitive Faders
When using the touch-sensitivity of the faders in
automation, you should always use your fingers to
touch the faders. If you use a pencil or ruler, etc., or
The automation is synchronized to external time
code. This could be Linear Time Code (LTC or commonly referred to as SMPTE/EBU) or MIDI Time
Code (MTC).
The event resolution for mix moves on the DM-24 is
one event per quarter time code frame. At a time
code rate of 30 frames per second, non-drop, this
equates to about 5 milliseconds per event.
even your fingernails to touch them, the fader will
not register as having been touched.
4 TASCAM DM-24 Automation
Setup
1 – Introduction
There are two possible sources of time code to which
the DM-24’s automation can lock. Both are equal in
functionality and accuracy. Your choice will depend
LTC
There is an RCA jack (TIME CODE on the back of
the DM-24 which accepts Linear Time Code
(SMPTE/EBU).
Figure 1 – OPTION / SYNC/TC display showing LTC choice
on what you have available in your situation. The
choices are:
To use LTC with the automation system, go to the
SYNC/TC tab in the OPTION display, and then select TC
IN
as shown below:
MTC
This refers to MIDI Time Code being received at the
DM-24’s MIDI Input. The source of MTC could be a
Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), hardware
recorder that does not support LTC, or any other
source of MTC.
Figure 2 – OPTION / SYNC/TC display showing MTC choice
To use MTC with the automation, go to the SYNC/TC
tab in the
shown below.
OPTION display then select MIDI IN MTC as
TASCAM DM-24 Automation 5
2 – Quick Start
While the DM-24 automation system is extremely
powerful, it is also very easy to use. This Quick Start
covers much of what you need to know to run the
Starting out with the time code
1 Connect a LTC or MTC (time code) source to
the Time Code or MIDI input on the rear
panel of the DM-24. Choose the appropriate
system. The rest of the manual provides details on
the concepts of the system and how to use it to its
fullest potential.
setting in the OPTION – SYNC/TC display. Be
sure your recorder is set to output the correct
type of time code.
Access the automation screens
2 Press the AUTOMATION key to access the
automation screens on the display. If you do
not see the
AUTO MAIN display, press the
Turn on the automation
3 Move the cursor to the onscreen AUTOMATION
ENGINE
button and press the ENTER key to
AUTOMATION key repeatedly until you see
AUTO MAIN.
EXT.CTRL
0
CLR
AUTOMATION
SHIFTMIDI/MC
EDIT
UNDO
ENTER
30
40
-dB
turn on the automation system:.
6 TASCAM DM-24 Automation
Make the initial settings
2 – Quick Start
4 Operate your recorder and navigate the
DM-24 as you normally would during a mix.
The DM-24’s automation system stores control settings as you change them.
Store the current settings
5 Store the current mix data using the AUTO
FILES
display.
Press the
FILES
Press the
Use the cursor keys, the data wheel and the
ENTER key to name your mix.
See the main manual section on libraries for
further details of naming and editing library
entries.
See “AUTO FILES” on page 14 of this manual for further details of this screen.
AUTOMATION key until the AUTO
screen is shown on the display.
STORE soft key (the second).
NOTE
You are not writing mix moves yet!
Press the
STORE soft key again.
Write some fader moves
6 Once you have the mix basically set up, write
some fader moves:
LAYER STATUS
CH1-16
CH17-32
MASTER
REW F FWD
STOP
REPEAT
AUTO PUNCH IN/OUT
RHSL IN/OUT
REHEARSE WRITE
ALL SAFE
PLAY
MACHINE CONTROL
ALL INPUT
AUTOMATION
EDIT
INTIAL EDIT
RECORD
AUTO MON
CLEAR
TRIM
DISCARD
REVERT
AUTO FADE
Write some mute moves
7 Now write some Mutes (also called Switch
Events):
With time code running, press the
key.
Press some
MUTE keys to change the mute
settings to on or off.
WRITE
With time code running, press the WRITE
key.
Touch a fader with your finger and move it
up or down.
Release the fader when your mix move is
complete. When you release the fader, it
automatically returns to its previous setting.
Rewind the recorder and play the section
again. The DM-24 plays back the moves you
just wrote.
You can press the
WRITE key, and touch the
faders to write new mix moves at will.
Rewind the recorder and play the sections
again. The DM-24 will play back the Switch
Events you just wrote to the
other words, the
MUTE indicators and status
MUTE keys (in
will change in sync with the incoming time
code.
TASCAM DM-24 Automation 7
2 – Quick Start
Write some Aux send moves
8 Write Auxiliary Send moves using the
touch-sensitive faders:
To place the Auxiliary Sends 1 & 2 under
fader control, press
AUX 1-2 and choose Aux-
iliary Send 1 by pressing the first soft key
under the display.
With time code running, press the
WRITE
key.
Writing POD moves
9 Write a POD Control move (EQ or Aux
Send):
With time code running, press the
WRITE
key.
Select the appropriate screen on the display,
and turn the desired POD control to write
the mix move.
Trimming existing mix moves
Touch a fader and move it up or down to
write a mix move for Auxiliary Send 1 for
that channel.
Release the fader when your mix move is
complete. When you release the fader, it
automatically returns to its previous setting.
After the POD movement has stopped for
one second, the control will automatically
return to its setting before being moved.
NOTE
You may want to disable
CONTROL SENSE TIMEOUT
when automating POD controls. See “Auto Revert
Choices:” on page 28
AUTO REVERT
using the
AUTO MAIN
or adjust the
screen,
10 This allows you to trim an existing mix move
(that is, to adjust the overall level of the
move). For example, the move you wrote in
step #6 is good but the move itself need to be
louder.
With time code running, press the
TRIM key.
Finishing up
11 Remember to store your mix (as described in
in “AUTO FILES” on page 14 and “Mix File
Management” on page 36). Also, remember
to store any effect settings that were used in
your mix into the libraries.
At the desired time, touch the fader to be
trimmed with your finger and raise it. You
will hear the previous moves with the addition of the amount of trim you’re adding.
Release the fader when you are finished trimming. The fader returns to reading previous,
untrimmed mix moves.
Happy mixing!
8 TASCAM DM-24 Automation
Modes
3 – Automation Overview
Before going further, a brief description of automation modes and functions will be helpful. More
detailed explanations of how these modes operate,
Auto
This is the default mode for all controls when the
automation system is enabled. The intelligent mode
switching that occurs is done within Auto mode.
When a control is in Auto mode and time code is
received, the control enters write ready if the
LED is lit, or trim ready if the TRIM LED is lit. The
control reads previous data, if any, until moved, then
enters the appropriate state (writing or trimming).
If neither of these two global LED indicators is lit,
the status of the control depends on whether any mix
data has been written to it. If mix data already exists,
the control enters write rehearsal when time code is
received (any movement of the control will be heard
but not written). If no mix data exists, it enters static
WRITE
Write
along with how automatic mode switching is carried
out, will be included in the Operations section of this
manual. (“Operation” on page 16).
ready (any control movement will update its Static
data).
It is possible for a single control, or group of controls, to drop into and out of writing or trimming in
one pass. It is further possible to switch between
Write and Trim modes on the fly; even adjusting the
Revert Time during a mix pass will be recognized by
the automation system. The only exception is Write
to End, which must be completed by stopping the
time code.
NOTE
Generally, a control that has dynamic mix moves written
is said to be in Dynamic mode. A control that has no
dynamic mix moves written is said to be in Static mode.
Think of this as “record-ready” on a multi-track
recorder. When Write is enabled, all controls that are
in Auto mode will normally read existing mix moves.
As soon as you adjust a control, while Write mode is
enabled, that control will begin writing new mix
moves, overwriting any pre-existing data.
TASCAM DM-24 Automation 9
3 – Automation Overview
Tri m
During a mix there may be sections where there are
good mix moves on a control but the overall level of
that control needs to be raised or lowered while preserving the existing moves.
+12
+12
1 sec
+6
+3
0
-3
-6
-12
1 sec
+6
+3
0
-3
-6
-9
-12
2 sec 3 sec
2 sec 3 sec
Trim mode is used to make such relative offsets to
existing mix moves for the duration of the Trim operation. The diagram below will help you to understand
this concept.
Before Trim
4 sec
4 sec
5 sec
After Trim
5 sec
6 sec
6 sec
Revert
Time
7 sec
7 sec
8 sec
8 sec
Begin Trim End Trim
Figure 3 – Illustration of Trim mode behavior.
In the example shown above, a fader is raised at the
“Begin Trim” point and released at the “End Trim”
point. The upward movement of the fader would be
Static
During the course of an automated mix some controls will require movement (Dynamic automation),
and some controls will stay in one place with their
settings stored in the mix file (Static automation).
Any control in Static mode will automatically update
its setting in the mix file whenever that control is
moved.
Safe
Any control in Safe mode will only read existing
static or dynamic automation. Moving a control in
Safe mode will not write any automation data nor
added to the existing data. When a Trim is performed, the audio passing through the control
includes the Trim move in real time.
NOTE
The control’s movement will not be recorded as
dynamic automation as long as Write mode is not
enabled
affect the audio passing through that control. It is
possible to place all mixer controls in Safe mode by
holding the
2ND F. key while pressing ALL SAFE.
Off
This mode removes a control from the automation
system completely. A control that is Off cannot
record or playback mix moves. However, moving a
10 TASCAM DM-24 Automation
control that is Off will affect the audio passing
through that control. The setting of a control that is
Off will not be stored in the mix file.
Rehearse
3 – Automation Overview
Rehearse is a special status that works with Write,
Trim and Static modes. Rehearse allows you to prac-
Displays
The three automation display screens on the DM-24
described below are used for the following purposes:
• Enabling/disabling the automation system
• Setting operational preferences
• Setting the master Auto Fade Out time
• Displaying used/available memory
• Over-riding the automation system’s automatic
mode switching
• Copy/paste of configuration between channels
• Mix file management
In all automation displays, the cursor is moved by
using the cursor keys, located to the lower right of the
display.
AUTO MAIN
tice or experiment with mix moves without recording
them.
Check boxes are enabled/disabled by moving the cursor to the check box then pressing the
Time values are entered by moving the cursor to the
desired box, changing the value with the
dial then pressing the
until confirmed with the
To access the automation displays, press the
AUTOMATION key. Repeatedly pressing the
AUTOMATION key toggles between the displays.
While viewing these, it is also possible to select a different automation display by pressing the leftmost
soft key under the display, then using the leftmost
POD to select a display, and then pressing the leftmost soft key again to view the selected display.
ENTER key. Time values flash
ENTER key.
ENTER key.
JOG/DATA
AUTOMATION ENGINE This on-screen button
enables/disables the DM-24’s automation system.
When enabled,
the display with the currently selected channel, in all
mixer displays.
No automation data will be recorded or played back
when the automation system is disabled.
When the DM-24 is powered on, the automation system will be disabled, even if it was enabled when
powered off.
AUTO is displayed in the upper left of
KEEP CONFIRMATION When enabled, a pop-up
box will ask for confirmation before performing a
Keep operation. A Keep operation saves a copy of the
current mix into the first memory bank, pushing
older mixes to the next highest memory bank. If all
memory banks are filled, a Keep operation will delete
the oldest mix. All mixes saved using Keep will be
numerically sequenced with highest numbers being
the latest mixes.
The default value of this check box is on (keep confirmation is enabled).
NOTE
This is not implemented in Version 1.xx software.
AUTOMATION MODE MULTI PASS Nor-
mally, the mixer exits Write or Trim mode when it is
no longer receiving time code.
When this check box is enabled, the mixer remains in
Write or Time mode until the mode is manually dis-
TASCAM DM-24 Automation 11
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