Hi,
I just bought a DP32 and made a quick test while rehearsing with my band. First of all, let me say that I am a TascamDP32 newbie, but I have solid audio background so I clearly understand gain, signal amplitude, signal path and so on,
I plugged in several inputs to the Tascam:
- 3 inputs coming from the insert connector of our mixer (2 voices and a bass guitar after a DI).
- DI output of a guitar amp.
- SM57 in my snare.
- D112 in my kick.
I had to set the gain knobs for all the 6 inputs at lowest value and some of the inputs were already clipping! Let me explain it a little bit more.
The 3 inputs coming from the mixer they are already amplified so it could make sense that output is too big for the Tascam. I expected to set the knob something around unity gain, but my mixer outputs levels and Tascam input may not be the same, so I could understand it. It seems a little bit strange because this outputs are meant to be connected to an external compressor, so signal amplitude should be quite standard, but I can accept it.
The DI output of the amp may have the same issue. I use this output with a Behringer mixer and I had to set the gain at some value. I actually unplugged the cable from the mixer and connected to the DP32. In this case, I could somehow reduce the output level in the amp, but I would need to change my guitar player amp settings and I would prefer not to do this. Again, this output level was ok for the mixer, but extremely loud for the Tascam.
Last inputs do not make sense for me. I placed an SM57 right on top of the snare, in the normal studio/live position. Input track level was getting in the "blue meter area" and both input and track were even overloading some times when I hit the snare. Same happens with the D112 in my kick. These are standard mics at standard positions, and I had to trim (reduce) the signal coming from them because signal was clipping?
Regarding the Tascam configuration, I did a factory reset and updated the unit to last fw right after I received it. I set a demo song with default 8 input to 8 track assignment. I just set record buttons on the 6 inputs and read the track meters in the screen and the red OL light in the inputs, I did not raised the faders and I did not set any output while recording to avoid any feedback/side effect since it was the first time I used it.
I have some questions I would appreciate someone would answer to me, because I may be doing something wrong or maybe I did not understand something in the manual / signal path...
1. The trim input knobs are supposed to reduce or amplify the signal, having the unity gain set around 1 0'clock (info coming from Tipping's tutorials). Is that correct? I know I cannot set input level to -inf as a fader or a mixer gain input would do, but I expected it to "almost kill the signal".
2. Is there any configuration or preset or something that I should configure within the menus? This trim is before the ADC, so it would not make 100% sense, but maybe the hardware may have some gain set configurations via menus.
3. Has anyone experienced this? I mean, I tried to record the kick and snare as a quick test with normal dynamic mics. What will happen when I place some bigger output condenser overheads in the cymbals? I cannot be the first one struggling with this.
4. Trim knob behaves different if I use the jack or the XLR inputs? I did not find it in the manual, but people's experience is always one step beyond
5. Do you see anything I may be doing wrong?
Thanks in advance!
I just bought a DP32 and made a quick test while rehearsing with my band. First of all, let me say that I am a TascamDP32 newbie, but I have solid audio background so I clearly understand gain, signal amplitude, signal path and so on,
I plugged in several inputs to the Tascam:
- 3 inputs coming from the insert connector of our mixer (2 voices and a bass guitar after a DI).
- DI output of a guitar amp.
- SM57 in my snare.
- D112 in my kick.
I had to set the gain knobs for all the 6 inputs at lowest value and some of the inputs were already clipping! Let me explain it a little bit more.
The 3 inputs coming from the mixer they are already amplified so it could make sense that output is too big for the Tascam. I expected to set the knob something around unity gain, but my mixer outputs levels and Tascam input may not be the same, so I could understand it. It seems a little bit strange because this outputs are meant to be connected to an external compressor, so signal amplitude should be quite standard, but I can accept it.
The DI output of the amp may have the same issue. I use this output with a Behringer mixer and I had to set the gain at some value. I actually unplugged the cable from the mixer and connected to the DP32. In this case, I could somehow reduce the output level in the amp, but I would need to change my guitar player amp settings and I would prefer not to do this. Again, this output level was ok for the mixer, but extremely loud for the Tascam.
Last inputs do not make sense for me. I placed an SM57 right on top of the snare, in the normal studio/live position. Input track level was getting in the "blue meter area" and both input and track were even overloading some times when I hit the snare. Same happens with the D112 in my kick. These are standard mics at standard positions, and I had to trim (reduce) the signal coming from them because signal was clipping?
Regarding the Tascam configuration, I did a factory reset and updated the unit to last fw right after I received it. I set a demo song with default 8 input to 8 track assignment. I just set record buttons on the 6 inputs and read the track meters in the screen and the red OL light in the inputs, I did not raised the faders and I did not set any output while recording to avoid any feedback/side effect since it was the first time I used it.
I have some questions I would appreciate someone would answer to me, because I may be doing something wrong or maybe I did not understand something in the manual / signal path...
1. The trim input knobs are supposed to reduce or amplify the signal, having the unity gain set around 1 0'clock (info coming from Tipping's tutorials). Is that correct? I know I cannot set input level to -inf as a fader or a mixer gain input would do, but I expected it to "almost kill the signal".
2. Is there any configuration or preset or something that I should configure within the menus? This trim is before the ADC, so it would not make 100% sense, but maybe the hardware may have some gain set configurations via menus.
3. Has anyone experienced this? I mean, I tried to record the kick and snare as a quick test with normal dynamic mics. What will happen when I place some bigger output condenser overheads in the cymbals? I cannot be the first one struggling with this.
4. Trim knob behaves different if I use the jack or the XLR inputs? I did not find it in the manual, but people's experience is always one step beyond
5. Do you see anything I may be doing wrong?
Thanks in advance!
