TASCAM 788 Operational Tutorial • 8/2000 Edition
Mixer Functions
7
Section II
Mixer Functions
IN THIS SECTION:
Mixing Overview
Input Section
Routing Input & Tracks
EQ Section
Effect & Aux Sends
Input Submixer
TRACK CUE
Monitor Section
Routing Library
Scene Library
Assignment Map
Bouncing Tracks
Fader Matching
RELATED TOPIC:
MIDI Control
Effects
p 07
p 07
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p 08
p 09
p 10
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p 11
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p 12
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.......... See MIDI Functions,
p 25
.... See Built-In Effect Processing,
p 20
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TOPICS
The 788 offers a very flexible mixing surface. There are
6 inputs on the back panel, 8 tracks from the recorder,
plus two effects which can all run at the same time. This
adds up to 14 audio sources plus two stereo effects all
running at the same time.
NOTE: While you're reading this section, it may be helpful
to refer to the foldout chart titled "788 Road Map".
Input Explanations
There are 6 audio inputs on the 788. These inputs can
accept a wide variety of input levels, as listed:
INPUT A, B, C - These are balanced 1/4" TRS inputs,
capable of accepting signals from mic to line level. It's
a "worry-free" input, since it will accept balanced or
unbalanced plugs, at mic or line levels.
INPUT D - This can accept mic or line level at balanced
or unbalanced levels just like INPUT A, B and C, but it
also has a switch for plugging a guitar or bass directly in.
AUX INPUT - The AUX INPUT provides two unbalanced
1/4" inputs for line levels inputs from synths, effects, etc.
These inputs can be assigned to any channel on the main
mixer section of the 788 with the intuitive input routing
scheme.
Mixing Areas
There are three distinct mixing areas on the 788:
The main mixer can accept 8 sources and has feature
rich channel strips. (Channels 1-6 are all independent,
channels 7-8 have some functions linked.) Each
channel strip has a three band EQ, with two sweepable
shelf EQ bands and a parametric EQ band. There are
also two stereo sends (labeled EFFECT SEND and
AUX SEND), each of which can be adjusted as pre or
post fader sends. Analog inputs and recorder tracks
can both be routed to these channels.
An input sub-mixer is available with simple level and
pan controls; the output of this submixer can be routed
directly to the L/R buss. This is useful for creating a
submix to track, or for simply allowing the inputs to be
monitored while the recorder tracks are routed to the
main mixer section.
A TRACK CUE section is available with simple level and
pan controls; the output of this sub-mixer appears in the
monitoring section. When recording parts, the channels
of the mixer are used for feeding the recorder. So, the
MIXING SECTION OVERVIEW
ROUTING INPUTS & TRACKS
TRACK CUE section is available for listening to the return
from the multitrack section. (This is especially important
when doing overdubs and punch-in recording.) Tracks
are always routed to this section.
The 788 has two libraries related to the mixer. There is
a SCENE LIBRARY, and a ROUTING LIBRARY. The
ROUTING LIBRARY only stores the routing of inputs,
tracks, and assignment of effect processors. The SCENE
LIBRARY can store entire mix set-ups, remembering EQ,
settings, track levels, panning, effect patches, as well as
the routing set-up. The SCENE LIBRARY resides in the
song, but the ROUTING LIBRARY is global to all songs.
On the surface of the 788, there are a row of buttons
under the "SOURCE" grouping representing the various
inputs of the 788. Directly below that is a list of buttons
grouped as "ASSIGN". All you need to do is hold down
the buttons for the input and the channel simultaneously.
If you want to assign the input to multiple channels, you
can do that by holding down the input button and pressing
all the channels you want that input to go to. Just to
make this clear - you can't route multiple inputs to the
same channel, but you can route the same input to
multiple channels.
For example, to route INPUT D to channel 6 on the
mixer, press and hold INPUT D, press SELECT for
