External effects ?

[Bravohorn1]

Hey everyone,
I have a Helicon VoiceTone R1 with only XLR in and out inputs. Its a vocal reverb processor, but doesn't have 1/4" inputs to connect with effect sends on DP24SD back panel. Im just curious. Will it still function with just the XLR connections alone? I searched available videos, and couldn't find anything relative. Thanxabunch in advance....

 

[-mjk-]

Bravo, using the TC-Helicon is not specific to the Tascam or any other machine. Of course it will work. The 1/4" send jacks are unbalanced, so you'll have to take that into consideration when using a 1/4" plug-to-XLR cable, but my TC-Helicon device works perfectly. Bring the returns back to inputs of the DP and route them as needed.

 

[Bravohorn1]

Hi, and thanks for responding. No I did not see it, but I ran XLR cables directly to dp from r1, and I'm good to go.

 

[-mjk-]

Bravo, those Tascam XLRs are expecting a microphone, so be extremely careful with your levels. If I were you I'd use the TRS inputs, because one accidental press of the Phantom Power button and it's probably all over.

 

[Mark Richards]

send jacks...be extremely careful with your levels

Might someone who wasn't very careful or not paying attention inadvertently send (no pun intended) a 2 Volt overload into a circuit designed to handle a maximum signal of 1 Volt?

DP-xx Send Out:
rated output -10dBV = -7.78 dBu = 0.316V
Maximum + 6dBV = +8.21 dBu =2.0V
Impedance 200Ohm

Tc-Helicon Input:
Mic @0dBFS -42dBu to +4dBu = 1.9dBV = 1.2V
Impedance 3.0kOhm Balanced
1.5kOhm Unbalanced

I suggest using one of these (in reverse mode: 1/4 for DP Send and an XLR cable into the Tc-Helicon) to connect the DP Send to the Tc_Helicon input:
https://www.amazon.com/Shure-A85F-T...TF8&qid=1545264650&sr=1-1&keywords=Shure+A85F

 

[Bravohorn1]

Hey again. I really appreciate your pointing out potential hazards of being careless. I was my usual impatient self, and proceeded to set the Helicon up, albeit very carefully. I used a shure dynamic microphone initially, and it worked great. I then shut down, and transferred to a condenser microphone with phantom power on, and to my surprise its functioning perfectly. I read in the dp manual that using a pedal with a guitar was possible, so kept going forward. I know the dp has dynamics, and effects available, and will use the system provided, but I could not - not do this. Thanks again. Since you, and others we're willing to interact with new guys on the forum my recording have improved.h

 

[-mjk-]

Might someone who wasn't very careful or not paying attention inadvertently send (no pun intended) a 2 Volt overload into a circuit designed to handle a maximum signal of 1 Volt?

DP-xx Send Out:
rated output -10dBV = -7.78 dBu = 0.316V
Maximum + 6dBV = +8.21 dBu =2.0V
Impedance 200Ohm

Tc-Helicon Input:
Mic @0dBFS -42dBu to +4dBu = 1.9dBV = 1.2V
Impedance 3.0kOhm Balanced
1.5kOhm Unbalanced

I suggest using one of these (in reverse mode: 1/4 for DP Send and an XLR cable into the Tc-Helicon) to connect the DP Send to the Tc_Helicon input:
https://www.amazon.com/Shure-A85F-Transformer-Female-4-Inch/dp/B0006NMUHW/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1545264650&sr=1-1&keywords=Shure A85F

Excellent question Mark. After I read that the Voicelive Touch could be used in the studio too, I wrote to TC-Helicon for clarification, since it only has an XLR input connector and is expecting a mic. They said to use the XLR and turn the gain knob fully CCW and it would be ok. I took the additional step of turning the mic boost to OFF. It actually works very well - better than I expected. It also has TRS outputs.