Adding an audio interface to my do 24 sd

[Kirk Smith]

Hello everyone,
I am wanting to hook an audio interface to my do tascam 24 sd. I am totally confused as to how to power it. I see the small usb port on the tascam but I am not using a computer with it that would take the normal size USB that looks like the cord that comes say with the scarlet. Also, how do you hook up the cables step by step please. thank you for the help, this is all new to me

 

[shredd]

Hi Kirk...I'll take a stab at it...although I'm currently the resident moron here, and I'm not sure I would take advice from me!!!

ANYway.
I have NO experience using external audio interfaces...and you don't specify what one you have. But I do know, from drooling over my gear porn (um, that means the big Sweetwater catalog) that MOST interfaces have "audio" type outputs - either 1/4" or XLR, sometimes both - and THOSE are the connections you'll wanna make to your Tascam 24, going into channel input/s.

SO - you'd use either a 1/4" TS/TRS, or an XLR patch cable, to go from the interfaces' outputs the channel inputs of your Tascam.

Again - I don't have one, never used one - but chances are that USB connection on the back of the audio interface is for firmware updates and whatnot.
IF the only way to power your interface is by USB (meaning no power-supply connection or batteries) than you could try connecting the USB connector of the interface to a USB port on a computer, which will provide 5V power to the USB cable.

But - like I said - I'm stewpyd and no expert on ANY of this. I'm like Lloyd Braun on Seinfeld selling computers...my phone isn't even connected...

 

[Mark Richards]

audio interface...scarlet...I am totally confused as to how to power it. I see the small usb port on the tascam but I am not using a computer

Audio interfaces are for use with a computer/D.A.W.

Power and audio is handled via the computer's USB port, the audio driver, and the control software appropriate to the computer's OS. Once integrated with the computer/D.A.W. and returned via USB to the audio interface, the signal then goes to the physical analog outputs of the audio interface, which then can be connected to an amplifier and speakers, powered monitors, headphones, analog mixer or any other analog audio input you wish to use.

 

[Kirk Smith]

Thank you both for your expertise but I do not have access to a computer in my music room but could I somehow use a USB 3.0 hub to power the Audio interface, just wondering.

 

[Kirk Smith]

The reason I like using the interface is because you get better vocals out of it than straight out of the tascam. I had before this a tascam a 788and the focusrite I had just plain cleaned up the vocals and gave it more boost but I am not sure about this unit.So far I am not that impressed with my vocal sound using a Rode Nt1-A but then again this machine is so much different than my last digital portastudio.

 

[-mjk-]

Powering it by USB is easy. But the audio comes out of it through the USB port.

 

[Mark Richards]

The reason I like using the interface is because you get better vocals out of it than straight out of the tascam...So far I am not that impressed with my vocal sound using a Rode Nt1-A...

The Rode Nt1-A is a well respected condenser mic that requires phantom power, which the DP-24SD has, and should work very well with the DP-24SD onboard mic pre-amp.

Even if you think outboard gear will improve your vocal sound, I'm not getting why you're trying to adapt a USB powered audio interface meant specifically for use in a computer/D.A.W. based studio setup.

But, since you're

...wanting to hook an audio interface to my do tascam 24 sd...how to power it...Also, how do you hook up the cables step by step please.

let's explore that, even though you didn't specify which computer/D.A.W. audio interface you want to use.

To work with the DP-24SD, any computer/D.A.W. audio interface product will require a "Direct Monitor" pass-through function built into the hardware to facilitate real-time monitoring. Not all audio interface products have this hardware based function.

If you can find a USB power source (or a computer/D.A.W. audio interface that can also use AC power); and if the computer/D.A.W. audio interface has the Direct Monitor pass-through function; then simply run a cable from each output jack to an Input on the portastudio, Trim Knob set to "Line". If needed, more can be read in the "Equipment Related Tips" sticky thread posts that discuss outboard gear.

 

[Felonious Punk]

I use a Behringer UMC404HD interface that gives you the option of powering with DC or USB. It's a good unit.

FP

 

[Kirk Smith]

Thank you for the product suggestion

 

[BazzBass]

unless it's a very expensive interface, I think you'll find the Tascam's pres to be as good.

The Rode NT1 loves Tascam pres

 

[Felonious Punk]

Thank you for the product suggestion

I haven't used it like you are suggesting but it would be a good solution. As far as the quality of the sound, that is subjective. Some mics might sound better on different pres. Also sending more than one signal at a time to one of the Tascam inputs may come in handy in some situations. I might try it myself at some point.

Good luck.

FP

 

[-mjk-]

I would like to input a word of caution. Kirk has a DP and not a computer/DAW. An audio interface, while having mic preamps and arguably, nice sounding ones, they may not be able to allow Kirk to use them as a mic pre. It depends upon the unit (i.e. passthrough capability). Since these are audio to computer interfaces, I cannot recommend one for this purpose.

There are inexpensive mic pres such as this one that runs off of the +48V phantom power supply. While I have not personally used this particular model, I do have an older ART tube preamp with compression that I use frequently with a tube mic. Sounds great.

 

[Felonious Punk]

Do you think it could damage something, MJK?

FP

 

[-mjk-]

@Felonious Punk If you are asking me if I think using a computer audio interface for a mic pre will damage the DP, no using a computer audio interface as a mic pre won't harm anything if it is properly used (gain staged) any more than a mic pre designed for that purpose. It's just that the interface might not work is there is no pass-through. And, if it's USB powered then he still has to power it with a phone charger or some such.

 

[Felonious Punk]

Thanks for the clarification, MJ.

 

[Tobermory]

Hi, Kirk. I read your comment above, about previously using the Focusrite interface with a Tascam 788. How did you power the Focusrite interface in that set up? And how did you route the signal from the Focusrite to the 788?

 

[-mjk-]

@Tobermory please don't go down that road. The Focusrite is a USB audio interface and yeah, it has mic preamps but that's not it's primary function. Kirk did not mention which interface he used and whether or not it has passthrough capablilty. If you need a mic preamp, get a mic preamp. Neither the 788 or any of the Digital Portastudios can utilize a USB interface.

 

[Tobermory]

Kirk prefers the sound he obtained using the Focusrite interface with a Tascam 788. So I think he would like us to suggest how the signal path of that set up can be replicated with a DP-24 instead. This may not be the manner in which the interface was intended to be used. But even if an interface coloured the signal more than the mic preamp of the recorder, if the result is desirable then for me it justifies the method.

 

[-mjk-]

You connect the outputs of the interface to the input of the device, in his case, the DP-24. If the interface has monitoring pass-through, it will work. If not, it won't. The setup is identical to the 788. What is not clear is what interface he has and if it will work.

His confusion is how to power it, since it is a USB powered device. It would have to be plugged into a USB supply with enough current to handle the interface.

 

[Mark Richards]

...USB that looks like the cord that comes say with the scarlet...

...using the interface...you get better vocals...than straight out of the tascam...the focusrite I had just plain cleaned up the vocals and gave it more boost...So far I am not that impressed with my vocal sound using a Rode Nt1-A but then again this machine is so much different than my last digital portastudio.

Guessing the OP had a Focusrite Scarlet (since it's implied but no brand/model was stated specifically).

All the current USB powered Focusrite Scarlet computer audio interfaces have a user selectable feature called "Air" (likely a feature also available on all past Scarlet interfaces).

According to the marketing literature Air "...adds high-end detail to vocals and acoustic instruments".

• The "Air" feature has nothing to do per se with the audio interface's mic pre-amp quality or sound. Rather, it's a proprietary Focusrite firmware FX that the user can turn on or off.

• I wouldn't be at all surprised if the Focusrite "Air" feature acts on the Rode Nt-1A condenser mic/vocal incoming signal in the same way a DP-24 Input's internal Dynamic Exciter would with the Input's phantom power engaged.

So perhaps first trying the DP-24 Dynamic Exciter on the Rode Nt-1A vocal signal is the simpler and perhaps even better path.