POCKETSTUDIO 5
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D00649020A
POCKETSTUDIO 5
4-Track Recorder/MIDI Arranger/MP3 Encoder
GETTING STARTED
Ü
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert
ÿ
Ÿ
This appliance has a serial number
located on the rear panel. Please record
the model number and serial number
and retain them for your records.
Model number
Serial number
the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure
that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature
accompanying the appliance.
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT
REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS
INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
WARNING: TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK
HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS
APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
Table of Contents
1 – Welcome
About this manual.......................................3
What’s in the box? ......................................3
Powering up the Pocketstudio 5................4
The AC adaptor............................................... 4
Using batteries ...............................................4
2 – About multitrack recording
Cards and memory ......................................... 5
Multi-track recording ..................................5
Tone generator rhythm ............................. 5
Tone generator MIDI files .......................... 5
Punching ..................................................... 5
Mixdown ..................................................... 5
Effects ......................................................... 6
3 – Parts of the Pocketstudio 5
Rear panel....................................................7
Front panel...................................................7
Right panel...................................................8
Top panel .....................................................9
Navigating around the Pocketstudio 5......10
The “home” screen......................................... 10
The menus....................................................... 11
The wheel .......................................................11
Enter and exit (“Yes” and “no”) ....................11
MENU ..............................................................11
Function key ................................................... 11
The cursor pad................................................ 12
Naming songs, etc.......................................... 12
4 – Basic use of the Pocketstudio 5
Playback ...................................................... 13
Stopping ..................................................... 13
Recording .................................................... 13
Fast forward and rewind ........................... 13
Special location (RTZ) ................................. 13
Special location (LRP) ................................. 13
Patching and routing on the
Pocketstudio 5 ..........................................13
Routing an input to a track ........................... 14
Track bouncing ............................................... 14
Routing on mixdown ..................................... 14
Marks ...............................................................14
Punch recording ..............................................14
Editing data.....................................................14
5 – Your first song using the
Pocketstudio 5
Before you start recording.............................15
Setting up a new song to record into ...........15
Setting up the rhythm....................................16
Selecting the pattern ..................................16
Adding the rhythm guitar..............................16
Tuning the guitar............................................17
Adding a guitar effect ....................................17
Adding EQ .......................................................18
Saving the song ..............................................18
Making the recording.....................................19
Adding vocals..................................................19
Adding the lead guitar ...................................20
Mixdown .........................................................20
Transfer to computer......................................22
6 – Managing songs and data on your
Pocketstudio 5
Managing songs ......................................... 23
Naming songs .............................................23
Deleting a song from the card ...................23
Using CF cards............................................. 24
Before you start using a new CF card ...........24
Checking how full the card has become .......24
Optimizing a card............................................25
Connecting the Pocketstudio 5 to a
computer .................................................. 25
Disconnecting the Pocketstudio 5 ............. 25
Windows 98(SE) ..........................................25
Windows Me/Windows 2000
/Windows XP ...........................................25
Macintosh ....................................................25
Exiting USB mode (any system) .................25
Pocketstudio files........................................ 26
How to share your Pocketstudio 5 files.... 26
Some notes on keeping files..........................26
2 TASCAM Pocketstudio 5 Getting Started
1 – Welcome
Welcome to the TASCAM Pocketstudio 5. This
exciting device allows you to record yourself and
friends, and to build up a multitrack recording and
mix down to a stereo mix, adding effects such as
reverb and delay, just like a professional recording
studio.
All of the recording and mixing is done digitally, in
memory, so the Pocketstudio 5 has no tapes or discs
to wear out or replace. It uses easily-obtainable, reusable CompactFlash™ cards, which hold a large
amount of data.
If the card becomes full, you can connect the Pocketstudio 5 to your computer, and store the data from the
Pocketstudio 5 on your computer’s hard disk.
About this manual
This manual is intended to get you started and working easily with your Pocketstudio 5.
It does not contain all the information about the
Pocketstudio 5. You can find more detailed explanations of many of the functions, as well as lists of
effects in the Reference Manual contained on the
CD-ROM which comes with your Pocketstudio 5.
To read this manual, which is in PDF format, you
will need a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0 (or the
full Adobe Acrobat 5.0 program). Your computer
may already have this software installed. If it does
not, there is a copy of the Acrobat Reader 5.0
installer provided on the CD-ROM.
You should refer to the “electronic” manual (which
of course, you can print out, should you wish to do
so), for detailed explanations of some of the functions which are described in this quick manual.
Read through this manual for an overview of the
Pocketstudio 5.
The Pocketstudio 5 uses the MP3 format to record
and store the finished mix files, allowing you to share
your finished files with a whole world of other musicians using the Internet.
In addition to being able to record your voice and
instruments, the Pocketstudio 5 also contains a full
MIDI (GM standard) tone generator. You can use this
tone generator to produce backing tracks for your
music using a wide variety of patterns supplied with
the Pocketstudio 5, or you can import standard MIDI
files and play over the top of them.
1, “Welcome” This section.
2, “About multitrack recording” With spe-
cial reference to the Pocketstudio 5
3, “Parts of the Pocketstudio 5” And some
notes on menu, etc. operations. READ THIS SECTION, otherwise the rest of the manual, and the
Pocketstudio 5 itself will not make sense!
4, “Basic use of the Pocketstudio 5” Some
basic functions explained. READ THIS to learn what
the Pocketstudio 5 can do for you.
5, “Your first song using the Pocketstudio
An example song. We strongly suggest that you
5”
work through this example to learn the way of working with the Pocketstudio 5 to create music.
6, “Managing songs and data on your
Pocketstudio 5”
nection to your computer.
Songs, memory cards and con-
What’s in the box?
When you open the Pocketstudio 5 package, you
should also find in the box:
• The Pocketstudio 5 itself, with a CompactFlash
card installed.
• An AC adaptor
• A stereo headphone/microphone headset
•This guide (Getting Started)
• A CD-ROM containing the Reference Manual,
reader software, and various utilities and data to
help you with the Pocketstudio 5
If any of these items are missing, or appear damaged,
contact your TASCAM dealer.
TASCAM Pocketstudio 5 Getting Started 3
1 – Welcome
Powering up the Pocketstudio 5
The Pocketstudio 5 has two methods of receiving
power: from six dry-cell batteries, or from the supplied AC adaptor.
The on/off switch is located on the “rear panel”,
together with the AC adaptor input, the USB jack and
the
MIDI IN jack.
Slide the switch towards the AC adaptor jack (
ON is
towards the center) to turn on the Pocketstudio 5. The
The AC adaptor
When using the Pocketstudio 5 with the AC adaptor:
Make sure that you only use the Pocketstudio 5 with
the AC adaptor supplied with it. If you use any other
AC adaptor, there is a serious risk of damage to the
Pocketstudio 5.
Make sure that the voltage of your AC supply
matches the voltage requirements printed on the
Pocketstudio 5 AC adaptor. If you are in any doubt,
consult a qualified expert.
Disconnect the AC adaptor from the power supply
when you are not using it, but note the following:
display lights and a welcome message appears
briefly before the home screen is shown.
NOTE
In this manual, we use the term “top panel” to refer to
the main colored control surface with the display and
the control keys, “front panel” to refer to the surface
with the input jacks and level controls, and “rear panel”
to refer to the surface with the MIDI, USB and power
connector and switches.
Even when the Pocketstudio 5 is plugged into the AC
adapter, there is a slight drain on the batteries.
If the Pocketstudio 5 becomes unplugged from the
AC power supply, the batteries will be used unless
the power is turned off.
In order to avoid draining the batteries by mistake,
always turn off the power on the Pocketstudio 5
before disconnecting the adaptor.
NOTE
There is a hook on the bottom of the unit. You should
loop the power cord round this hook to prevent the
Pocketstudio 5 from becoming accidentally disconnected from the power when you are using it.
Using batteries
When using batteries with the Pocketstudio 5, note
the following:
• The Pocketstudio 5 requires six AA-type batteries.
• Always remove and replace batteries with the
power to the Pocketstudio 5 turned off.
• Always use the same type of batteries in the Pocketstudio 5 at one time. We strongly recommend the
use of alkaline batteries. Standard manganese batteries are not suitable for use with the Pocketstudio
5, as they will not provide sufficient battery life for
use of the unit.
• Although you can use Ni-MH rechargeable batteries (Ni-Cad batteries will not give sufficient life),
you must make sure that all such batteries are
charged together when replacing the batteries.
Always follow the maker’s instructions when
charging these batteries. You cannot use the Pocketstudio 5 as a charger for these batteries.
• Do not mix different types of batteries, and do not
mix old and new batteries together.
• Always make sure that the batteries are the right
way round (
+ and –) as shown by the markings in
the battery compartment.
If the batteries drop below a usable voltage, the Pocketstudio 5 shows
Low Battery! on the dis-
play. If you see this message, do not attempt to use
the Pocketstudio 5 (there is a risk of losing your
work) replace the batteries as soon as possible and/or
connect the Pocketstudio 5 to the power supply, using
the AC adaptor.
4 TASCAM Pocketstudio 5 Getting Started
2 – About multitrack recording
Even if you already know something about multitrack recording, you may find it useful to read this
section in order to refresh your memory regarding the
basic concepts involved in producing a recording.
Cards and memory
The Pocketstudio 5 stores all information on standard
CompactFlash™ (CF) cards. Using a USB connection to a computer, the Pocketstudio 5 containing the
CF card can be used as a hard disk and files transferred to and from a personal computer.
Multi-track recording
You are already familiar with stereo, the standard for
the overwhelming majority of music produced today,
which produces a realistic 3D audio image from two
speakers. Each sound source in the stereo image is
precisely placed (panned) and at the correct volume
relative to the rest.
This explanation has been written specially with the
Pocketstudio 5 in mind, and some of the ways in
which you work with a Pocketstudio 5 are slightly
different to the way in which you would work with a
tape recorder, for example.
A 32 MB card is supplied with the unit. Any other
cards must be formatted before use and some files
copied onto it before it can be used by the Pocketstudio 5. See “Managing songs and data on your Pocketstudio 5” on page 23 for further details.
Working with multitrack has the advantage that if the
lead vocalist, for example, makes a mistake in the
final chorus, the whole band doesn’t have to berecord the whole song. Only the lead vocals have to
be re-recorded (and probably not even for the whole
song).
In order to produce this effect of a sound which is
similar to the one you would hear in real life, there
are two different ways of working: live recording and
multitracking. In live recording, microphones are set
up around the artistes and the performance is
recorded directly to a stereo recorder, as it actually
takes place.
In multitrack recording, the sound is built up a layer
at a time (tracking), usually starting with the rhythmic instruments, and adding others one or two at a
later time (overdubbing).
The Pocketstudio 5 has four tracks you can use for
recording, labelled
1 through 4.
Tone generator rhythm In the Pocketstudio 5,
the rhythm instruments (drums, bass, chords) can be
replaced by the built-in tone generator playing
rhythm patterns. Later, if you want to replace these
instruments with real ones, or add a real sound to the
synthesized sound, you can do this.
Tone generator MIDI files Another way of
achieving the same effect with the Pocketstudio 5 is
to take a standard MIDI data file containing the notes
of the backing for a song and play this as a backing
track to your singing or solo instrumental work (like
karaoke).
Punching If part of a recording is not perfect, it is
possible to play back the recording up to the point
where the mistake occurs, re-record over the mistake
and then stop recording. This is called punching. The
Pocketstudio 5 allows you to punch in and punch out
to correct the little mistakes that creep into all recordings (nobody’s perfect).
Mixdown Once all the layers are recorded, they
are mixed to stereo (mixdown) and the levels and pan
positions are adjusted so that they sound the way you
want them.
TASCAM Pocketstudio 5 Getting Started 5
2 – About multitrack recording
In a recording studio, the usual mixdown device is an
analog or digital stereo tape recorder (or sometimes a
CD recorder).
On the Pocketstudio 5, the mix is made to an MP3
file inside the Pocketstudio 5 itself. No cables or
external equipment are needed, and you can share the
resulting mix with friends immediately, as the sound
is digitized, ready for storing and transmitting using a
personal computer.
Effects Either when recording or when mixing
down, effects are often added to the dry recorded
sound to add life and interest to the recording.
The Pocketstudio 5 provides you with a wide range
of effects which help to give your recordings a professional touch.
Special guitar and bass-based effects are available for
input A, and vocal-type (and drum) effects for input
B, with a reverb being available for all recorded
tracks at mixdown. In addition, the tone generator
has its own flexible reverb and chorus effects, to add
a wide range of different colors to your recording.
6 TASCAM Pocketstudio 5 Getting Started
Rear panel
3 – Parts of the Pocketstudio 5
1234
1 MIDI IN jack Use this to connect a MIDI
instrument to control the Pocketstudio 5’s internal
tone generator.
2 USB port Use a standard USB cable to con-
nect this port to a suitably-equipped computer.
3 AC adapter jack Use only the supplied AC
adaptor with this jack.
Front panel
5
67 8 9ABC
4 Power switch Turn the Pocketstudio 5 on
(left) and off (right) with this switch.
NOTE
Remember to disconnect any headphones, instruments,
etc. or to turn the volume down, when turning the
Pocketstudio 5 on and off.
5 GUITAR/LINE input Use this 1/4” input to
connect either a guitar or a line-level input (synthesizer, etc.).
6 Guitar/line input level control Use this
to adjust the level of the signal fed through the guitar/
line input. Turn to the right to increase, and to the left
to decrease volume.
7 MIC/LINE input 1/4” jack Connect either
a microphone or a line-level input (1/4” jack) to this
input.
8 Microphone input level control Use
this to adjust the level of the signal fed through either
of the microphone inputs (or the built-in micro-
phone). Turn to the right to increase, and to the left to
decrease volume.
9 MIC/LINE mini-jack Connect a suitable
microphone (such as the one integrated with the supplied headset) to this jack.
NOTE
The terms “guitar” and “microphone” are used for convenience. It is possible to connect other sound sources
to these inputs, if you make the correct switch settings
(see “Right panel” on page 8). However, you can never
connect a guitar to the “microphone” input, or a microphone to the “guitar” input.
A PHONES level control Turn this to the
right to increase the headphone volume, and to the
left to decrease the volume.
TASCAM Pocketstudio 5 Getting Started 7
3 – Parts of the Pocketstudio 5
B PHONES jack Connect a pair of stereo head-
phones (such as the ones integrated with the supplied
headset) to this jack. An adaptor (not supplied) may
be required in the case of some headphones.
Right panel
DE F
D GUITAR/LINE selector Slide this switch
to the left (
bass) as the source for the guitar input
the right (
(synthesizer, CD player, etc.).
E Mic selector Slide this switch to the left
position (
or to use a microphone such as the supplied headset
microphone connected to the microphone mini-jack
7. Switch to MIC for a dynamic microphone con-
nected through the microphone 1/4” jack
the right (
GUITAR) to select an electric guitar (or
5. Slide it to
LINE) to select another type of line input
BUILT IN) to use the built-in microphone,
9, and to
LINE) to use a line input (synthesizer, CD
C LINE OUT This is a stereo 3.5 mm jack that is
used to connect to other audio equipment such as a
tape recorder, MD recorder, etc. It provides output at
standard –10 dBV levels.
player, etc.) connected to the 1/4” microphone jack
9.
NOTE
If a microphone is connected to the microphone minijack, this takes priority over the built-in microphone,
which is then disabled.
F Card slot Use this slot with the supplied CF
card, and other similar compatible cards (use Type I
cards only). Push the card in firmly to mount it and
push the eject button to the right of the slot (arrowed)
to unmount it.
8 TASCAM Pocketstudio 5 Getting Started
Top panel
G
3 – Parts of the Pocketstudio 5
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
G Display The display shows you the current
status of the song, etc. as well as the menu choices to
set up and use your Pocketstudio 5.
H MP3 key Use this key when mixing down to a
stereo MP3 file (lights red) or playing back an MP3
file (lights green). When unlit, the Pocketstudio 5 is
recording tracks or bouncing.
I EFFECTS key Use this key to set up and use
the Pocketstudio 5’s built-in effects units.
J Advanced transport keys Use these keys
to set repeat points, and automated punch operations.
K REC READY keys Used with the four audio
tracks of the Pocketstudio 5 to assign the sources to
the tracks, to check these assignments, and so on.
L Faders The four track faders (1 through 4) are
used to adjust the playback volume of the four audio
tracks. The
the built-in MIDI tone generator (that’s what “TG”
stands for!), and the
all level of the overall signal. Pull the faders away to
you to reduce the volume, and push them away from
you to increase the volume. The nominal position,
with no cut or boost, is marked about two-thirds of
the way up.
TG fader adjusts the overall volume of
MASTER fader adjusts the over-
M Built-in microphone If you do not have an
external microphone available, you can use this
microphone to record “guide” tracks, etc. The quality
will be improved, though, if you use an external
microphone, such as the one included as part of the
supplied headset.
TASCAM Pocketstudio 5 Getting Started 9
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