Tascam RC-848 User Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1: Introduction ...........................................

The RC-848 multi-function remote control unit is the
heart of a professional production system of digital and
analog audio and video tapes ; it has Accessory I and 2
connectors to control TASCAM analog machines, and a
standard RS-422 interface to control VTRs or others,

The RC-848 can control a maximum of 6 DAs or
synchronize a system of up to I6 DAs to sample
acc”mcy.

Chapter 2: Accessing the Menu Screens
Chapter 3: Features and Controls..
Chapter 4: Operations Guide..

4-1 Pre-Operating Procedures..

........................ 3 . I

................................ 4 - I

............................. 4 * I

4-2 Autolocator Functions ....................................

4-3 Variable Speed Playback

................................ 4 . 9

4-4 Entering a Track Delay Time..

4-5 Relative Reference Time Indication.. ...........

4-6 Punch-In Recording ......................................

More specifically the RC-84X’s capabilities include the
following :’

0 Menu names you use most frcquemly can be stored in

battery backup memory for instant access.

0 Battery backup of the last menu screen displayed

before selecting another machine, allowing you to
directly return to that menu when selecting the
corresponding machine again. This is also true of the
LOCATE TIME display.

0 Park position, this helps to eliminate a lag between a

tnaster and slave,
0 Crossfade time for click free punch-in recordings,
0 Instant reset of settings at multiple specific menus
0 Automatic offset entry
0 99.point autolocator functions
0 Jog/Shtmle wheel for locating specific points on audio

or video tapes at variable speeds

0 Split mode for punch-in recording referenced to a

video picmre.

SOFTWARE UPDATES

4-7 Copying Tracks (DA-3X Only).
4-8 Shuttle Monitor (DA-38 Only).
4-9 Selecting a TDIF Input Bit Length

(DA-38 Only). ..............................................

4-10 Enabling the Dither Function

(DA-38 Only) .............................................

Chapter 5 Synchronizing Multiple DAs
Chapter 6: Controlling Other Equipment

From ACCESSORY “1”.
6-1 Machines with a Parallel Port..
6-2 Event Output Facility (Available upon

Request Only). ................................................

Chapter? Controlling Other Equipment

From ACCESSORY

7-1 TASCAM Multitrack Cassette Recorders..
7-2 TASCAM Open-Reel Recorders..
7-3 TASCAM CD Players

7-4 Remote Functions Not Operational..

Chapter 8 : Controlling Other Equipment

....................................

From RS-422 Port

S-l Turning the Chase Mode of DA-60 MKII

On or Off .......................................................

.................... 4 . I4

................ 5 * I

....................... 6 - I

“2”. ........................ 7 . I

.............. 7 - 4

I - I

2 . .............. I

4 * 6

4 * ........................ 9

4 . IO
4 * 1 I

. .................... 4 I4

4. I5

4 . I5

6 - ........................ I

6 . I

.... 7 * I

7 . .................. 2

7 .

,X . ................................... I

.8 . I

-

3

-

8-2 Having a DA/VTR System Drop Into and

Many capabilities which were not available on earlier
models have been implemented on the RC-X4X ROM
version 4.00 and above. Information on all changes and
new feamres are included in this manual. If you wax to
make sure of the version number of your model,
simultaneously press REW, I FWD, and STOP after
switching on power to the RC-848 and before a
momentary illumination of all LEDs stops. The initial
screen will change to read 4.00 or a higher number. To go
back to the initial screen, switch the unit off, then powa
on again,

3 Using this manual

Before actually using the FlG348, skim through this

manual, so you will know where to look to when you
need answers.

Use of capital letters : Gcncrally, we use all upper case
type to designate a particular switch, indicator, control or

Out of Record (Function Available Upon

Request Only) ................................................

USING THE IX-s46 WITH THE SY-68

Chapter 9 : Accessing the Menu Screens
Chapter 10 : Striping Timecode..

.......................... IO * I

............. 9 - I

IO-I Preliminary.. ...............................................

IO-2 Recording Timecode on the DA-XE..

.......... IO s 1

IO-3 Timecodc Out Select ..................................

Chapter 11 : Syncing with DA-88 as Slave

I l-l Setting a Park Position..

Il.2 Synchronization ..........................................

I I-3 Offset sync

.................................................

.S . 1

IO. 1

IO . 2

......... 1 I - 1

I I . .............................. I

I I * I
11 *

I

1 I-4 Dubbing Audio and Timecodc

at One Time Between Two DA-X&.

Chapter 12 : Controlling a VTR..
Appendix : Pin Assignment Charts B

Dimensional Drawing

........................... 12 - I

11 . ........... 2

connector label, as in :“Press CLOCK until INT lights.”

CHAPTEf32: ACCESSINGTHEMENUSC

3EENS

.------__-----_____-------__----------____

O”,” wile” we8 is hS,#,,d

CHAPTER 2 : ACCESSING THE MENU SCREENS

GROUP I (“DA-88 Ver.4” & “DA-88”)

2.2

CHAPTER 2 : ACCESSING THE MENU SCREENS

GROUP 2 rDA-88 Ver.4” 8 “DA-88”)

CHAPTER 2 : ACCESSING THE MENU SCREENS

~rwm&!@am# ‘mmm~mm,~m

OVERALL (DA-38)

2.4

-

GROUP I (DA-38)

CHAPTER 2 : ACCESSING THE MENU SCREENS

km

g

fu

.

m

OVERALL (EXT 1-3)

CHAPTER 2 : ACCESSING THE MENU SCREENS

2.7

CHAPTERZ: ACCESSINGTHEMENUSCREENS

MACHINE 7 car 8

-

-

mm

CHAPTER2: ACCESSINGTHEMENUSCREENS

CLEAR/RESET

Time Entry Method A

Time Entry Method B

Time Entry Method C

2.9

INSTANT ACCESS TO THE MENUS YOU USE
MOST FREQUENTLY

A maximum of I0 menus can be stored so you can
directly accas them by pressing SHIFT at the same time

as a numeric key (0.9) at the initial screen (which can
read “TASCAM RC-848”, “DA-88 Ver. 4”, “DA-88” or
“DA-38”, depending on yaw setup). This feature can be
used when any of machines 1-6, or machine 9, is under
colltrol,

If you are using the optional SY-88 Sync Board, we
suggest that yott also review the section with the

corrcspottdittg heading in Chapter 9,

You can select whatever me”” you want, as follows :

At the initial screen, press SHIFT + CLEAR (not
CLR). The screen will change to look like this :

Each time yo” press the plus (+) key, the menu names
will be displayed in order on the second line. To go
back to the previous men” name, press the minus (-)

key.

You are now selecting a nxnu that you can diretly

access when pressing SHIFT + 0 a.t the initial screen,

Rotate the SHUTTLE knob or press SHIFT + MENU,

The screen will change to look like this :

MENU SCREENS EXPLAINED

Those maw sxxns with no page reference are referred

to only in this section of the manual,

Menus which can be accessed only when you use the SY­88 syttc board are explained in the section, USING THE

RC-848 WITH THE SY-88.

FORMAT FS

Selects sampling rates 44.1 and 48 kHz when fomxming

a tape (p.4.2).

hlput Select
Selects Digital/Analog as the source of the DA under

control (pp. 4 - 4 & 11 . 3).

Output Timing
Determines whether the DA-88 times its timecode output
to coincide with the analog output or with the digital
output (pp.5 .6 & 11 .3).

Key Mode

Determines, in a multiple DA systetn, whether the
following keys have effect only on a master DA or on all
slave DAs as well :

ALL SAFE/REC READY, ALL INPUT,
AUTO IWUT, and INSERT

When Individual is selected, they are effective only on a
machine under control (pp.5 ~4 & 5).

Then, select another men” by operating the + and ­keys, a menu that you will be able to access when
pressing SHIFT + I,

In the same manner, program other menus,

DIRECT RETURN TO MENUS

Each time you select another machine, the tnen” yen
were at is stored in a backup tnemory so you can
promptly go back to that menu when selecting the
machine again.

2.10

Key Operation
D&mines whether or not all controls on the DA under

control are locked wt.

X-Fade Time
For selection of a crossfade time for click-free dropping

into and out of record (p.4 - 1 I),

Frame Display
The frame dispIay is hidden when you select Off at this
menw This allows you to begin entering “seconds” when
entering on the numeric keypad. “00” is then
automatically entered in the frame section though it
remains hidden. This feature is NOT effective when
machine 7 or 8 is under control,

Event (Poi and Width)

This me”” is where yo” select a polarity and pulse width
depending on event devices in “se. Event points can be
programed “t “n Event On/Off me”” (Group 2) (p.6 . I).

0 Menu Functions Available Only When DA-38 Is

Under Control

(Group I)

F&c in Event

Allows to overcome the response or reaction time
discrepancies between event devices yo” select at an In
Event menu (Group 2), so that they xe timed to st”rt
exactly “t an IN memory point yo” select “s ” Ret In

Shuttle Monitor
Used to activate or disable the corresponding function.

Remember, for the function to be actually available, both

the Insert and the Auto Input monitor functions must
additionally be activated (p.4. 14).

point for a recorder or recorders to drop into record (p.6 *

3.

TDIF input Bit

At this men” yo” can and have to select zi bit length for

Remember, this me”” is related to the In Event menu, but
has nothing to do with the Event On/Off men”.

-

0 Group 2

Mechine Offset
For entering offset values for individual machines 2-6

either manually on the numeric keypad or automatically

the DA-38 to send or receive digital data through its
TDIF-I !JO port (p.4. IS).

Dither

The re-quantization noise is or is not be ‘dithered’ (or
masked), as selected at this me”” (p.4 * 15).

(Group 2)

by pressing ENTER (p.5 - 3).

Machine Offset

Delay lime

For inserting delays in individual tracks I-8 (p.4 - 9).

Pitch ConVoi

For having ““y machine under control play at vari”bie

speeds. You c”” enter pitch changes before or during play
(pp.4 - 5 AL 9).

Allows the DA-38 to le”d or lag ” master within the

limits of +/-2 hours.

Track Copy

Tracks can be copied within one DA-38 or from tracks of
one DA-38 to tracks of another, “s controlled from this
“le”” (p.4 - 14).

Locate Preroii

This screen is where a preroll time is entered for the LOC
key to offer preroll “p to a point recalled from memory

0 Menu Functions Available Only When Machine

7 Or 8 Is Under Control

into the LOCATE TIME window (p.4 * 7). Not to be

-

confused with the “punch-in” preroli (p.4 * 13). Also
remember that this men” and the DA-38’s Autolocation
Preroli function are independent of each other.

Display Time
The TAPE TIME display shows elapsed time from ” “ser
selected point or from the beginning of the tape, as

Auto Cue

Switches the corresponding function on and off on CD-

601 or other TASCAM CD players.

Single
Determines whether the CD player under control only

plays ” single track or continues to play.

controlled from this men” screen (pp.4 - IO & I I).

Unit

Event (On and Off)
Allows yo” to switch individual events 1-5 on and off,

S&m CD-701~ when the RC-848 is used with the RC-

701.

and to select first and second shot points from memory
for each event (p.6 . I).

Search Mode
Determines whether the pickup of the CD player under

In Event

Used to select events (1.5) for them to be told to stwt

control skips directly to a specific index signal or to the
desired track (p.7 . 3).

“ser entered times before ” Ret In point, overcoming thus
the reaction or response time discrepancies between them
(p.6 . 2).

See also Ret /II Event (Group I).

Display Select
The TAPE TIME display will read one of two track times

(Elapsed and Remain), a.s selected here, or when the RC-

701 is used, options are expanded to include two disc

times (Total Elapsed and Total Remain).

0 Others

These menus are accessible when any of machines I-6 is

under control.

Function Reset
Allows you to reset the following pxameters to theit

factory preset values at 0”ce :

CHAPTER 2 : ACCESSING THE MENU SCREENS

X-Fade Time (Group I), Machine Offset, Delay Time,
and Pitch Control (Group 2).

To do so, proceed as follows :

Press SHIFT + CLR (not CLEAR) at the initial screen, the

display will change to look like this :

Then, press ENTER. Or if you change your mind, you can
press ESCAPE ; you’ll then go back to the initial screen.

Memory All Clear
From this menu you can clear all cw points and a relative
reference point in memos at once, as follows :

Turn the SHUTTLE knob or press SHIFT + MENU at the
Function Reset menu above. The display will change to
look like this :

-

Then, press ENTER, All memories 00 to 99 for the DA
under control (any of machines 1-6) is cleared.

Or, if you change your mind, press ESCAPE. You’ll go
back to the initial screen.

If you turn the SHUTTLE knob or press SHIFT + MENU
(instead of pressing ENTER or ESCAPE), you’ll go back

to the Function Reset menu.

2.12

CHAPTER3: FEATIJRESANDCONTROLS

7. Displays
MACHINE : Shows which machine is currently under

renlote colltrol.

“1” refers to the DA-XX which is ID-numbered “0” or to
the DA-38 which is ID-numbered “1” ; “2” to the DA-XX
which is ID-numbered “I” or to the DA-38 which 1s ID­numbered “2” ; and so on. “El” refers to ~II tmalog
machine connected to the remote’s 37.pin EXT l
(ACCESSORY 1) parallel port ; “E2” to a TASCAM
analog machine connected to the 15.pin EXT 2
(ACCESSORY 2) serial port ; and “E3” to a VTR
connected to the 9-pin EXT 3 (RS-422) port.

LOCK STATUS : When a slave machine is chasing the
master, the corresponding number blinks rapidly. It blinks

slowly when the slave is parked at the sane address as
the master. It glows solid when the slave starts playing
sy”c locked to the master.

LCD xrwn : Shows MENU-selectable options.

MEMORY POINT : Identifies the register into which XI
tape location is stored, or the register from which it is
recalled into the LOCATE TIME window,

IN and OUT will light when the respective keys we
pressed after STR and LOCAIE TIMES (which you ma.y

have entered with the numeric keys or have captured on
the fly with the v key) are stored into tnernory as the
punch-in and out points, If you hold the IN key and press
the OUT key, both the IN and OUT indicators will light

-

and the display will show the difference between the two
time addresses,

TAPE TIME : Shows elapsed time from the beginning of

the tape inserted in the machine currently under retnote

control, or time code numbers if available on that tape,

The TAPE TIME display a.” alternatively act as a tape
counter, showing elapsed time from an optionally set
reference point. See page 4.10, “Relative Reference Time

Indication.”

ABS and TC : ABS will light to show that the TAPE
TIME display is showing elapsed time from the
beginning of the tape. Or, TC will light when the display

is showing time code numbers as read off the tape
inserted to the machine currently under retnote control,

When both indicators (ABS and TC) are turned off, the
TAPE TIME display is showing a Relative Reference

time (p.4 - IO).

LOCATE TIME : Every tape location you capture on the

fly or enter with the nwneric keys is displayed in this

window. Tape locations recalled from memory are also

displayed here.

Each time you select another machine, the LOCATE
TIME reading at that tnotnettt is stored in a backup
memory. That reading is automatically read into the
LOCATE TIME window from tnemory when you select

the machine again.

8. GROUP switch
This brings you from one group of menus to another. For
more, see Chapter 2.

9. - and + keys
These keys have multiple uses, depending on menu : they

select options, enter numbers, tnove the cursor, etc.

PRE- and POSTroll times axe first entered with the

numeric keys into the LOCATE TIME window, then they
are stored into rnetnory when the respective keys are
pressed after STR (p.4.13).

START and END points tray either be captured on the fly
with the v key or be specified with the numeric keys,
Then they are stored into tnen~ory when the respective
keys are pressed after STR.

MEMORY NO. : Identifies the register into which you just
stored a tape location either captured on the fly with CUE
STORE or v, or entered with the numwic keys. For more
information, see page 4. 6. This display also shows the
register from which a tape location is currently recalled
into the LOCATE TIME window.

Pressing the plus key at the same time as the minus key at

the following menu screens :

Machine Offset, Delay Time, Pitch Control, Locate
Preroll, and Ret In Event

resets these parameters to the factory preset vahtes.

lO.ESCAPE key

This aborts operations if pressed when a warning is
displayed. The key is also used to store selections/
numbers at specific menus, as discussed later.

ii.SHlFT key

Holding this key and pressing the -/+ tnoves the cursor on

some specific tnenus such as the “Locate Preroll”
(p.4 - 7).

CHAPTER3: FEATURESANDCONTROLS

12. MENU switch

Each time yo” press this switch, menu will switch in

seqwnce on the LCD screen. ‘Ilx menu will switch in
reverse order if yo” hold the MENU switch and press the
minus key.

13. ENTER key

Some menu-settings arc stored into memory only when
ENTER is finally pressed. The key is also used to select
men” options,

14. 4, l , and b indicators
“4” and “b” will light to show the direction in which
the t”pe is rolling “s yo” rotate the JOG/SHUTTLE wheel

to the left or right. “w” will light solid when yo” detach
the hand from the wheel and the tape stops moving, It
will flash when a local SHUTTLE wheel is operaed on
the DA currently under remote control and the remote
SHUTTLE is overridden.

15. JOG/SHUTTLE switch and the wheel

Pressing the switch allows yo” to “sc the inner JOG
wheel and the oar SHUTTLE knob for locating and
pinpointing ” specific point on the tape inscrtcd to the DA
currently “ndcr remote control at cominuously variable
speeds dctcmined by the “mo”nt of wheel/knob rotation
(from l/l6 up to 8 times nornul play speed),

If yo” dcmch yo”r hand from the knob/wheel, the tape
will stop, the machine going into Pause (Still) mode,
Activating the JOG/SHUTTLE switch during record also,
the transport will go into Pause (Still) mode,

When the switch is off, yo” c”n “se the JOG wheel m
move the c”rsor on so”~ specific mcn”s such “s the

“Machine Offset” and the “Event”, and the SHUTTLE
knob an be used to select machines or even& at those
“X”“S.

16. T key
When pressed, the TAPE TIME location “t that moment
is read into the LOCATE TIME window. The time

location thus captwcd can then be stored into any of the
99 memories, a specified by enwring ” MEMORY NO,
with the numeric keys,

TAPE TIMES read into the LOCATE TIME window with
the 7 key can also be stored into the IN, OUT, START,
and END registers by pressing the respcctivc keys.

Ii’. DOWN and UP keys

Time points c”raly recalled or read into the LOCATE
TIME window will dccrcment or increment by 1 frame
each time yo” press DOWN/UP, so yo” c”” “fine tune”
you punch-in/out points or other time points,

18. PRE, POST, IN, and OUT
PRE and POST : The desired pre- and postroIl times for

punch- in recording can be entered into the LOCATE

TIME window with the numeric keys. Then pressing
PRE/POST after STR skxcs that time into the PRE/POST
“lenlory.

Pressing PRE c”“ses the associated LED to st”rt blinking
and the LOCATE TIME display shows not the preroll
length but the point where the preroll will start from.

-

IN and OUT : You don’t need to go through the Rehearsal
setting procedure (p.4 * 12) if yo” know in advance the
exact time points where tracks should punch in and o”t of
record. You can enter these points with the numeric keys,
and press STR then IN/OUT to store them into memory
as the punch-in/out point. If yo” press IN or OUT law
on, the respective point is recalled from “xmory into the
LOCATE TIME display,

Tlx IN and OUT points can aIso be used as independent
autolocating points.

19. RHSL switch

Rehearsal is the first stage of an automatic insert or
punch- in recording. This key allows yo” to “preview” the
punch-in recording before it is actually committed to
tape. For ““xc see pages 4. I I & 12.

20. AUTO IN/OUT switch
Lets the punch-in recording be exec”k?d acually on upe
(p.4 * 13).

21. CLEAR key
This is used to disable the RHSL and AUTO IN/OUT
functions.

CLEAR is also used together with SHIFT to store men”
nxncs for instant access, previously discussed on p”ge

2.10.

If yo” cntcr wrong numbers into the LOCATE TIME
window, press the CLR key (item 32).

22. CHASE switch

When this is pressed, the LCD screen reads “CHASE,”
asking yo” which of machines 2-6 yo” want to slave to
machine 1. Then, for example, yo” c”n press 2 on the
keyp”d. Machine 2 will then be ““tolocated to the same
time point “s machine I.

CHAPTER3: FEATURESANDCONTROLS

Enabling/Disabling Chase mode on all slave DAs at one
time, is explained in the section, Synchronizing Multiple
DAs.

For digital audio machines other than the DA to be
slaved, the optional SY-88 Sync Board needs be installed
into machine I.

23. MACHINE switch
When this is pressed, “Select” shows in the LOCATE
TIME window, and you can use the keypad to specify
which machine will be controlled from the remote. You
can select only one machine at a time.

24. TC REC switch
When a. DA-XX with SY-88 is under control, this switch

enables to record time code into the subcode area of the

tape loaded on that machine,

TC REC is also used to copy time code at the same time
as digital data from one DA to another DA. For more, see

pagesll.2&3.

25. REPEAT key
Enables the selected machine to play a loop determined

by the START and END memory points.

26. START and END keys
Pressing START after STR puts the current LOCATE
TIME (which you may have entered with the V key on
the fly or with the numeric keys) into memory as the start
point of play loop. Likewise, pressing END after STR
specifics the end point of your loop.

You can recall the start&d point into the LOCATE TIME

-

window by pressing START/END. Then you can “fine
tune” that time with the UP and DOWN keys, Pressing
LOC locates the tape to the start or end point (whichever
is currently displayed) ; so you can audition that point to
check for accumcy.

Pressing REPEAT lets the tape play over and over
between the START and END points,

27. AUTO PLAY key
Cases the machine currently under remote control to

start playing automatically each time it is autolocatcd to
any time point shown in the LOCATE TIME window.

26. Numeric keys

Unless you press STR or RCL before pressing numbers
on the keypad, your numbers will enter into the LOCATE
TIME window. Each time you enter one digit, the
previously cntcred digits will shift to the left.

When STR or RCL is pressed, numbers you press will
cntcr into the MEMORY NO.window

If, after having pressed STR, you notice that some figures
in the LOCATE TIME numbers arc wrong, then you can
correct them with the UP and DOWN keys. Or, if you
want to correct the hour or minute numbers, you’ll have
to clear the entire address by pressing the CLR key before
entering the correct numbers,

When MACHINE is pressed and “Select” shows in the

LOCATE TIME window, only one digit (I to 9) can be

entered.

Among the menus there are some at which you need to
enter numbers on the keypad. At such maus you can
either enter numbers first into the LOCATE TIME
window then load them on the menus shown on the LCD
screen, or you can type numbers directly in menus if you
press the CLR key then press the + key before operating
the numeric keypad,

29.2 key
When the TAPE TIME display is showing a Relative
Reference time (p.4 * IO), if the current tape time is read

into the LOCATE TIME window by pressing the V key,
that time number will be marked “-” or not, depending on

whether the tape was rolling behind or ahead of the 0
reference point. The t key is used to turn the mark on or
off to meet your requirements.

Another use of the ? key is referred to in the above
paragraph, 28.

30. STR key
When this is pressed, the current LOCATE TIME which
you may have entered with the numeric keys or captured
on the fly by hitting the V key, is ready to be stored into
memory. That time point will be stored as a cue point
when you enter numbers into the MEMORY NO.window
Or, you ca” press IN, OUT, START, or END to store the
address to these marker points,

31. RCL key
Allows you to use the numeric keypad to enter a two­digit number into the MEMORY NO. window to recall a
cue point into the LOCATE TIME window, to which any
selected machine will be located when you press LOC,

32. CLR key
Used to clear the LOCATE TIME display to zero, or to
override STR or RCL.

When used together with other keys, CLR allows you to :

0 Restorc specific parameters to their factory default

values, as discussed on page 2 - 12.

CJ T~JX numbers in menus by operating the numeric

keypad. For the demils, see pp.5 - 3, 10 * I & I I .2.

33. CUE STR key

Hitting this key capturcs the currem TAPE TIME on the
fly and directly stores it into memory. That time point is
read into the LOCATE TIME window. Each time you hit

this key, a new cue point is stored into the next available

memory, Storing cue points without specifying any
MEMORY NO. is explained in the section,
AUTOLOCATOR FUNCTIONS, page 4.6.

34. Transport controls

REW : winds the tape at high speed in rwcrsc.

F FWD : winds the tape at high speed in the forward

diwxion.

37. EXT 1 (ACCESSORY 1) connector
This 37.pin D-sub connector is connected to the parallel
port of analog tape machines,

For more information on the EXT I port, see Chapter 6.

38. EXT 2 (ACCESSORY 2) connector
This 15.pin D-sub connector is connected to the identical
connector on TASCAM analog tape machines such as

l34/l34B, 644, 688 and 238 cassette decks, and TSR-S,
MSR-l6/l6S and MSR- 24/24S open-reel decks. The
TASCAM CD-601 playcr or the RC-701/601 CD remote
controller may ahcmaGvely be connected here. Transport
or Record Functions are accessible via this port,

STOP : stops any tape motion.

PLAY : starts the tape to play. If this is pressed during
record, the transport drops out of record.

When controlling the DA-88

If you want to send playback signals from the digital
outputs, access the “Output Timing” menu, then press the
+/- key to change the “Analog” to “Dig&al”, At “Analog”
a compensation circuit is activated to override the D/A­A!D conversion time.

REC : This is a master record key. When you hold this

and press PLAY, the track or tracks whose REC
FUNCTION indicator w.s blinking will cntcr Record
mode. If you hit REC during play, the track(s) previously

selected by the REC FUNCTION switches will punch

into record.

35. LOC key

Fast winds the tape to the curvat LOCATE TIME point
which may have been recalled from memory or captured
on the fly with the v key or entcrcd with the numeric
keys.

39. EXT 3 (RS-422) connector
This 9.pin D-sub connector is for connection m a VTR or

other devices with RS-422 protocol,

For more information on controlling from EXT 3, set

Chapter 8 and also the scction, USING THE RC-848

WITH THE SY-88.

40. REMOTE OUT connector
This connects to the TASCAM DA-88/38 digital
mulGtrack recorder. If you have multiple recorders,
connect the SYNC OUT of the first recorder to the SYNC

IN of the second, the SYNC OUT of the second to the
SYNC IN of the third, and so o”. If you connect seven or
more recorders (up to 16) in this way, tbc rcmow CHASE
key cannot control them. You have to press their local
CHASE keys.

-

-

0 Rear Panel

Thcrc is no connector which accepts any control signal
from the exterior,

36. CONTRAST knob
This controls the LCD display conuast in continuously
variable degrees.

CHAPTER4: OPERATIONSGUIOE

1 4-1 PRE-OPERATING PROCEDURE 1

2 Hookup

Before anything else check to see that the DA(s) and all other components of your
system are turned off, then connect the RC-848 to the DA (or to one of the DAs) as

shown.

Remote Cable

,-

m Be nue to insert the provided termination plug into the last DA’s SYNC OUT

jack. When only one DA is used, the termination plug must be connected to its

SYNC OUTjack,

Zl Formatting a Tape

Before starting audio recording on a new tape, it must be striped with absolute time,
ATF (automatic track finding) and other subcode data.

NOTES

0 Be sure to format the tape from beginning to end in one continuous stroke. Do

not interrupt the format process.

o Once formatting starts, all transport control buttons are locked out except

STOP.

o Audio can be recorded while formatting the tape (discussed later in this

section of the manual). But, to insure against noise and discontinuity of ABS
time, it’s wise of you to format the tape from the beginning all the way to the
end before recording audio.

Turn on the DA directly connected to the remote.

1.

“1” will light up in the MACHINE window above the LCD screen on the remote.

If you want to use any of machines 2-6 for formatting a tape, select it by pressing
MACHINE and entering its number into the LOCATE TIME window.

Insert a new Hi8 tape in the DA.

2.

IMPORTANT

0 The DA is designed to operate only with Hi8 video tapes. You cannot use any

other tapes.

o The DA automatically ejects tapes thinner than 6.5 pm : 150-minute or longer

tapes.
o Don’t we any tape which was once used for video recording.
o Audio cannot be recorded and the RECORD button will blink when the display

shows a negative ABS time,

CHAPTER4: OPERATIONSGUIDE

mzmm,@@8,

3, Rewind the tape all the way to the beginning.

4. Access the Format me”” scree” (Group I). It will look like this. :

5, Press ENTER The display will read :

cl

[ ;~cm~“;~;a.~ J

If you want to exit the fomnt mode, press ESCAPE. The LCD display will be

switched to show its initial scree”. Or, if you press MENU at any time before

reaching step 7, you will go to the “Input Select” menu (discussed below) quitting
the “Fomut” me”“.

-

The sampling rate can be changed in the next step.

If you don’t press ENTER within 5 seconds after having accessed the Format
screen, the display will show “Push Enter Key” again.

3 Real Time,

Simultaneous Tape
Format

6. Press ENTER once more. The display will read :

[_I

You can now toggle the sampling rate between 44.1 and 48 kHz with the + and -

keys. Remember, once formatting starts, you cannot change the sampling rate.

If you want to exit the format mode, press ESCAPE.

7. Hold REC and press PLAY to start formatting.

When the tape is formatted all the way to the end, it will automatically rewind,

stopping at the beginning.

IMPORTANT

” Let the tape run until the end is reached we” if audio recording is complete at

a” intermediate point of the tape. InterrupUng the tape format process results
in ASS time discontinuities, making proper operation impossible.

” The tapes you intend to “se for synchronization (or for any others) must be

formatted from the beginning all the way to the end in ““e continuous stroke.
Tapes which were formatted in multiple strokes or were recorded in Assemble
mode and in cooseclwoce formatted in multiple strokes could lead to unstable
synchronization when they transit from “w formatted section to the next
formatted section. Such tapes must be reformatted from beginning to end if
y”” wzm~ to “se.

-

o During the tape formatting process, soy transport controls do not operate

except for STOP.

” Audio cannot be recorded and the RECORD button will blink when the display

shows a negative AEiS time.