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Post by surfguy13 on Jan 25, 2015 19:47:02 GMT
I take it your Tascam doesn't have a USB PORT? I would have said 'no' without looking but just have and.......it does!! I had absolutely no idea at all. Does this increase connectivity options?
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Jan 25, 2015 20:04:52 GMT
I take it your Tascam doesn't have a USB PORT? I would have said 'no' without looking but just have and.......it does!! I had absolutely no idea at all. Does this increase connectivity options? ...yes! Save yourself a wad of cash and plug a Zoom directly into it! Keith
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Post by surfguy13 on Jan 25, 2015 20:28:59 GMT
I would have said 'no' without looking but just have and.......it does!! I had absolutely no idea at all. Does this increase connectivity options? ...yes! Save yourself a wad of cash and plug a Zoom directly into it! Keith OMG! That sounds great!! Can I just use the Zoom as I would a mike when plugged into an XLR on the deck?
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Post by ocarolan on Jan 25, 2015 21:13:06 GMT
...yes! Save yourself a wad of cash and plug a Zoom directly into it! Keith OMG! That sounds great!! Can I just use the Zoom as I would a mike when plugged into an XLR on the deck? I use my Zoom plugged in via USB (it comes with a suitable lead) to my PC software - ie just as a mic would into an XLR socket on mixer. But, not knowing anything about your deck I think it would be wise to check your manual to be certain the usb socket can be used as a record in though. Keith
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Post by surfguy13 on Jan 25, 2015 21:25:16 GMT
OMG! That sounds great!! Can I just use the Zoom as I would a mike when plugged into an XLR on the deck? I use my Zoom plugged in via USB (it comes with a suitable lead) to my PC software - ie just as a mic would into an XLR socket on mixer. But, not knowing anything about your deck I think it would be wise to check your manual to be certain the usb socket can be used as a record in though. Keith Thanks Keith....very good point about the USB being capable of a 'record in' though. I'll check the manual and see. Once again, very much appreciate your help. Guy
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Post by surfguy13 on Jan 25, 2015 21:45:22 GMT
Keith...I have checked the manual and, as I suspected, it makes no sense to me at all. I don't know if I could ask you to have a very quick look at page 42 of the manual using this link? tascam.com/content/downloads/products/241/E_DP-02&02CF_web.pdfIf it's a bridge too far I completely understand but I must stress there is NO rush whatsoever, just when you get a minute!!!
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Post by andyhowell on Jan 25, 2015 21:58:54 GMT
You are in luck as you can import .wav files as well as export them using the USB port.
You have some options.
Firstly, you could just buy a mic which uses USB connection rather than XLR. This could well get around you onboard pre problem.
Secondly, you could use a Zoom. The in built mics are good but the Zoom 4 gives you 2 XLR which offers you the later choice of adding better mics later.
The Zoom would have another advantage. Using it as an interface might still give you level problems in the Tascam. But you can record a guitar track on the zoom and then export it later to the Tascam for editing or mixing.
I'd be inclined to use the Zoom, it depends though I suppose if you want a decent vocal mic.
An SE mic into the Tascam will still need some kind of pre, we know that. So that's the price of a mic and a preamp. Compare that against the price of just a Zoom - the Zoom solution will certainly be cheaper.
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Post by surfguy13 on Jan 25, 2015 22:25:31 GMT
Thank you Andy, brilliant that the connectivity will work as it offers so much more in the way of options. I will check out the zoom in detail tomorrow and also look through the other options like preamp/mike etc etc. The zoom looks like a no brainer though and i'm starting to think it might be worth a try just regardless. Thanks again gents, it has been a VERY useful and educational thread and i have loads!!!! I shall report back........
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Post by ocarolan on Jan 26, 2015 0:18:25 GMT
Had a look at your manual, Guy - thanks for the link Much of it is gobbledegook to me too!
I'm not the most tech savvy person, but it looks to me like the USB connection on your deck is there to act simply as a transfer point for wav files in and out, rather than as a record input. But, as Andy says, you could record on the Zoom and transfer the wav files from its SD card onto your deck via the USB, or onto your PC for any further stuff you want to do with them
Also, you might just possibly find that you can record direct to your deck from the Zoom using the Zoom minijack headphone output (via mini to standard jack adapter) connected to a jack input on your deck.
So, still some uncertainties - I wonder if anyone in your area has a Zoom you could have a play with? Maybe a plea on here somewhere (?General section?) with your approx location might get a response....
Keith
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Post by andyhowell on Jan 26, 2015 8:02:46 GMT
I'd be inclined to do all my recording on the Zoom and then copy in, not least because the recording set up is so simple.
I use an old Edirol recorder that I simply stick on top of a cheap video tripod. I can record quickly into that. This is mostly used a s a 'notepad' but from time to time I transfer to my computer and process the files with very good results, I see to remember somebody recording an album with this setup about 5 years ago!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2015 8:30:08 GMT
Had a look at the manual, and yes, Keith is right- the USB port is there simply to be able to back up the WAV files recorded on the Tascam onto a computer, or to import WAV files from a computer onto the Tascam.
Some devices also allow the USB port to serve as a DAW control, such as controlling the mixer in Cubase etc from the digital mixer, but that doesn't seem to be the case in this Tascam.
Don't know if you have an iPad or smart phone, but there are some extremely good microphones you can get that will attach to these (such as Rode, and now Shure have a new one). These are often stereo pairs, so will produce very good recordings. But of course, this is only a cost effective option if you already have the iPad or phone.
Robbie
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Post by andyhowell on Jan 26, 2015 8:47:50 GMT
Yep as Robbie hints, so many options and so little time!
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Post by surfguy13 on Jan 26, 2015 19:33:53 GMT
Had a look at your manual, Guy - thanks for the link Much of it is gobbledegook to me too! I'm not the most tech savvy person, but it looks to me like the USB connection on your deck is there to act simply as a transfer point for wav files in and out, rather than as a record input. But, as Andy says, you could record on the Zoom and transfer the wav files from its SD card onto your deck via the USB, or onto your PC for any further stuff you want to do with them Also, you might just possibly find that you can record direct to your deck from the Zoom using the Zoom minijack headphone output (via mini to standard jack adapter) connected to a jack input on your deck. So, still some uncertainties - I wonder if anyone in your area has a Zoom you could have a play with? Maybe a plea on here somewhere (?General section?) with your approx location might get a response.... Keith Thank goodness someone else is baffled!!!! This is what I'm always afraid of when introducing new technology; irrational I know. I had hoped that I could record using the zoom and use it exactly the same way I use a condenser mike, straight into the deck and away I go. I agree that it may be possible to use the mini-jack with an adapator, which I have, to hook up the zoom to the deck and I will look into that. Going down the road of transferring Wav files from the zoom's SD card to the deck sounds like it could work but I wonder if it would mean transferring the files onto a similar storage option in the deck? If so, is the Flash card on the deck compatible? It's starting to look like the zoom may be a bit of a stretch, particularly given my lack of understanding where all things digital are concerned. I have to say that the idea of using a standard condenser into a preamp and then into the deck has great appeal due to its simplicity. Robbie asked is I have an Ipad or smartphone. I don't have a smartphone but I do have an ASUS Fonepad (K004) which is a tablet with a built in phone. Whether that's a smartphone or not I honestly don't know but I have had a quick look in the apps within Play Store and can't see anything other than pretty basic speech mikes. However, I am useless with this sort of thing so it's possible I'm just not looking in the right place! However, it would be brilliant if there was a good quality option to try as it would be brilliant to be able to use this bit of kit as an interface for recording!
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Post by andyhowell on Jan 26, 2015 21:27:24 GMT
I don't think you will get away with that.
If the technology worries you, you have a recording system you are comfortable with go back to the Mic idea. Or make the plunge to the PC. If you are worried stick to the easiest learning curve!
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Post by surfguy13 on Jan 27, 2015 12:09:21 GMT
I don't think you will get away with that. If the technology worries you, you have a recording system you are comfortable with go back to the Mic idea. Or make the plunge to the PC. If you are worried stick to the easiest learning curve! I think you're probably right Andy but it has been a really fascinating thread and I have to say I've learned more about miking up a guitar and the options than I have speaking to people that sell the stuff. I think I may well buy a zoom regardless as they are stupidly cheap considering what you get and if I can use the mini headphone jack socket as a line out with a 1/4" jack adapter then what could be more simple? It will give me exactly what I would have with a mike/preamp/deck scenario it seems. Am I right in thinking the zoom is actually a preamp as well? If so, this negates the need for a preamp I guess. A
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