TASCAM 788 Operational Tutorial • 8/2000 Edition
Mixer Functions
9
Section II
Mixer Functions
(Continued)
On vocals, perhaps 2kHz will add an edge, 6kHz might
take some "honk" out of the sound, and 10kHz will add
an airy quality to the sound.
A parametric EQ goes a step beyond the sweepable EQ
by offering variable Q width. This controls how wide an
area the EQ will affect around the center tone. This may
take some practice to really use
effectively. However, the
parametric EQ can be used as a
tool to eliminate ringing noises,
or it can be used with great
precision to sweeten the sound
by focusing in on the specific range of the sound you want
to affect. The mid band of the EQ is a parametric band.
Example - By focusing the frequency on a ringing tone
from a floor tom and narrowing the bandwidth, offending
rings can be reduced without greatly affecting the
original tone of the recording.
The other common shape of an EQ is called a shelf. The
shelf will rise up to a point, just like a boost/but band will,
but the shelf EQ continues that peak level of boost
through the rest of the frequency
band. So, a high shelf will slope
as it approaches the center
frequency, then it maintains that
boost or cut forever. The low
shelf does the same thing, but
the shape is inverted. On the 788, the high and low
bands are shelf bands, with a sweepable center frequency.
Effect & Aux Sends
The EFFECT SEND and AUX SEND operate similarly to
each other, although they are not identical. First, we'll
cover their similarities, then
we'll point out the few
differences at the end.
Both the EFFECT SEND and
AUX SEND are stereo sends,
with level and panning
controls. In the
screen (at right), each
send is arranged in a row
with the EFFECT SEND on
top and the AUX SEND on
the bottom.
To the right of the and dials is a dial labeled ,
which adjusts the overall level of the send. ( controls
the amount of one particular channel in the send,
affects the level of all the channels.)
The other control on the sends is the PRE/POST fader
switch. This switch determines whether the send gets its
signal before or after the channel fader. The significance
of that is whether or not the channel fader level has any
affect on the level of the send.
PRE FADER - When a send is placed before the fader,
the send level is totally independent of the fader. This
is typically used for headphone monitor mixes, allowing
the performer to have an independent mix from what the
engineer is listening to. (The engineer can tweak the
levels of channels without affecting the talent's cue mix.)
POST FADER - When a send is placed after the fader, the
send level is affected by the channel fader. This is the
popular mode for effect sends, since the balance between
the effect and dry signal will be maintained.
OFF - For convenience, the send can also be turned off.
This is good for A/B comparisons of a signal with and
without an effect or muting a channel from a headphone
mix created on the aux sends. It can also be a simple
way to bring in specific effects for a channel without
moving the dial all the way up and down. (i.e. adding a
delay on a vocal for the chorus, and keeping the vocal
dry during the verse.)
The only real differences between the EFFECT SEND and
AUX SEND is what they feed. These are listed below:
EFFECT SEND can feed the internal processor EFFECT 1.
The signal before the EFFECT 1 processor can be
monitored at the MONITOR section. If EFFECT 1 is not
assigned to EFFECT SEND, then EFFECT SEND will be
muted.
AUX SEND always feeds the AUX OUTPUT on the back
panel of the 788. AUX SEND can also feed the internal
processor EFFECT 2, if EFFECT 2 is assigned as a stereo
processor on AUX SEND. The signal before the EFFECT 2
processor can be monitored at the MONITOR section.
Fader, Pan & Linking Channels
These functions are fairly straightforward, but this will
make sure you understand the screen layout, and show
you some short cuts.
Channels 1-6 on the 788's main mixer can be linked into
stereo pairs, if so desired. Linking the channels saves
time by automatically assigning the same values for
volume, send levels, and EQ for both channels. This is
extremely useful for stereo pairs of audio.
Linking channels use an odd channel with its following
even channel. (ie - Channels 1-2 can be linked, but 2-3
cannot.) To link the channels, press SELECT for the two
channels at the same time. SELECT for both channels
20Hz
20kHz
Wide/Narrow
Mid Parametric Q
Selector for
PRE/POST
fader or OFF
PAN and
LEVEL
controls
MASTER
send
level
EFFECT SEND and
AUX SEND labels
Channel
Indication
20Hz
20kHz
Shelf EQ
High & Low Shelf
