Tascam Digital Mixing Console DM-24 Owners Manual

							1 – Introduction—Word clock issues
 TASCAM DM-24 Reference Manual 11
Word clock issues
The “word clock” in a digital audio system is the tim-
ing information that enables the digital audio sam-
ples in a system to be synchronized between the 
different devices. It is completely unconnected with 
timecode clocks, etc.
There must be one, and only one, word clock master 
device in a digital audio system. The DM-24 is capa-
ble of acting as a word clock master or as a slave.
WARNING
There should be one, and only one, word clock master 
in a setup. Multiple word clocks in a setup may result in 
noise. which can damage monitoring equipment 
(speakers and amplifiers).
Check with the other equipment that you are using to 
see whether it can be a master or slave, and work out 
which device will be your word clock master. If the 
DM-24 is to be a word clock slave in your system, it 
can accept word clocks from the following sources:
 An external clock connected through the dedicated 
connector
 The TDIF-1 interfaces The integral ADAT interface
 Either of the two 
DIGITAL IN interfaces
 Either of the slots occupied by an optional digital 
interface card. In the case of an AES/EBU interface 
card, any of the four stereo signal pairs may be 
individually selectable as the word clock source.
 If two DM-24 units are being cascaded, the clock 
source on a cascaded DM-24 will always be the 
cascade master DM-24 unit. The master of the cas-
cade chain can select its clock from any available 
source.
The clock can be at 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz or 88.1 kHz 
or 96 kHz with some variation possible for varispeed, 
etc. at ±6%. 
NOTE
When the DM-24 is linked to an external word clock, it 
can only use a base frequency clock. Even when many 
external devices are operating at high sampling fre-
quencies, they output such a base frequency clock. If 
the external device does not do so, and only outputs a 
high sampling frequency clock, the DM-24 must be used 
as the word clock master for the system. 
						

							12 TASCAM DM-24 Reference Manual
2 – User interface
Scope of controls
The DM-24 has three main types of control screen: 
system screens, which control parameters for the 
whole of the system, “global” control screens which affect a certain parameter for a number of channels or 
modules at once, and the “module” control screens 
controlling all the parameters for one module.
Global screens
As the name suggests, the “global” screens allow you 
to see all the parameters for many channels (the pre-
post settings for Aux 3 in this example), and to edit 
them using the POD system as explained here 
(“PODs” on page 13).
These global display screens are selected using the 
SCREEN MODE keys to the right of the display 
screen.Sometimes a key will have two labels. The function 
described by the lower label (white on blue) is 
accessed by pressing the 
SHIFT key so that the 
SHIFT indicator is lit, and then pressing the appropri-
ate key.
In this example, the 
EXT. CTRL key becomes the 
MIDI/MC key when the SHIFT indicator is lit.
The 
SHIFT key is a “smart” key. Pressing and releas-
ing it within a short time (somewhat less than half a 
second) latches it on and off as shown by the indica-
tor being lit.
Pressing and holding the key for more than about half 
a second and then releasing it will cause the indicator 
to go out when the key is released (non-latching).
While the 
SHIFT indicator is lit, the shifted function 
(the white on blue) is always active. 
Module screens
Alternatively, the screen can be used to show and set 
the parameters of one module (similar to a channel 
strip on a conventional console).
However, since the number of parameters and fea-
tures available on the DM-24 is more than a single 
screen can display, four screens are available for each 
module, accessed through the soft keys (“Soft keys” 
on page 15).
To use a module:
1Press the 
MODULE key situated to the left of 
the display.
2Use the soft keys (“Soft keys” on page 15) to 
select a sub-screen (
DYNAMICS, EQ, AUX or 
SETUP).
3Press the 
FADER LAYER key containing the 
module whose parameters you want to edit.4Press the 
SEL key of the module you want to 
edit. The screen changes to show the settings 
for the selected module: 
						

							2 – User interface—Scope of controls
 TASCAM DM-24 Reference Manual 13
5Use the cursor keys, the soft keys and the 
PODs to make changes to the module’s 
parameters. See below for details.
PODs 
The DM-24 features four rotary controls immedi-
ately below the screen, called PODs. 
These are used as “soft” controls to adjust parame-
ters; that is, they have no fixed assignment to control 
any single parameter in the console, but are used to 
control a parameter which is currently highlighted on 
screen.
The POD controls have no end-stop, but are continu-
ously moveable. The value of the parameter con-
trolled by the POD is shown by the graphical on-
screen representation of the control.
As part of the POD system, cursor keys are included, 
which move the cursor to the appropriate part of the 
screen. 
In addition, the dial can usually be used to move the 
cursor around the screen. Usually when we mention 
that the cursor keys can be used for navigation, the 
dial can also be used, even when this is not explicitly 
stated.
Use the § and ¶ keys or the dial to move the cursor 
row (shown by a blinking box surrounding the row) 
up and down. Sometimes in some global screens (as 
shown here) the box does not cover the full width of a screen row, and the Ó and Á keys or dial must be 
used to move the box within the row.
When a number of on-screen controls are highlighted 
by a box surrounding the row containing up to four 
on-screen knobs, the appropriate PODs are used to 
control the on-screen controls.
If the row also contains on-screen buttons, these are 
“pushed” by using the Ó and Á keys or dial to nav-
igate to the button in the row (if necessary), and then 
pressing the 
ENTER key.
Fine value settings using the PODs
By pressing and holding the 2ND F. key while turn-
ing a POD, the value set using the POD can be 
changed more precisely.
This feature is useful when the parameter being 
changed has many possible values (for example, the 
digital delay setting) which are first set using the 
default “coarse” setting, and then fine-tuned using 
the fine mode with the 
2ND F. key.
This feature can also be used with the rotary encod-
ers (“Rotary encoders (ring LEDs)” on page 15) to set values entered using these controls with more 
precision.
There is also an option setting which allows PODs 
and encoders to be used for fine setting of values 
without the use of the 
2ND F. key (“ENCODER 
OPERATION MODE” on page 20). If this is 
enabled, pressing the 
2ND F. key and turning the 
POD or encoder changes values in “coarse” or accel-
erated mode. 
						

							2 – User interface—Scope of controls
14 TASCAM DM-24 Reference Manual
Other ways of changing values
The JOG/DATA dial can also be used to change 
parameter values.
1Use the cursor keys to move the cursor 
(sometimes shown by a blinking thick box 
surrounding the parameter to be changed, 
and sometimes by a 
ƒ symbol beside the 
parameter to be changed.
2When the parameter to be changed is high-
lighted as described above, use the entry dial 
to set the value (it starts to flash), and the 
ENTER key to confirm the value set with the 
dial.
Alternatively, if the parameter is an on-off 
switching button or a checkbox (a number of 
checkboxes can be checked individually), 
press the 
ENTER key when the cursor is next 
to the button or checkbox.
If the parameter is a “radio button” (one of a 
number of alternative options), simply high-
light another radio button in the same group, 
and press the 
ENTER key to change the state 
of the buttons in the group.
NOTE
In some screens, (for example the module screens), the 
active area is marked by a flashing box. The dial is then 
used for navigation, rather than for setting values.
There are other screens, where the dial is chiefly, but 
not exclusively, used for navigation (e.g. the 
OPTION 
SETUP
 screen (“SETUP” on page 20). If the dial is used 
for numerical data entry in such cases, it is necessary to 
press 
ENTER (the value flashes) before starting to edit 
the value with the dial, and 
ENTER once again after 
editing to confirm the value.
Using the faders to change values
In the global screens, there is often a special on-
screen button, allowing the setting of the values in 
the screen directly using the faders.
To enable this feature, turn the on-screen 
FADER 
CONTROL
 button to ON.
The name of this button is prefixed by the title of the 
screen (here it is an 
AUX LEVEL screen which is being 
edited).
When the button is turned on:
 The faders move to reflect the values set for the 
current parameter
 The fader layer key starts to flash (if it is a channel 
module layer and not the master layer—see “Fader 
layers” on page 18). This flashing key shows that 
the faders are not currently acting as channel faders and that moving the faders will change the cur-
rently selected parameter, not the module’s signal 
level.
 Moving the fader of a channel changes the value of 
the current parameter.
 Using the POD to change the value of a channel’s 
parameter moves the corresponding fader if the 
layer is active. If the layer is not active, the fader 
will be moved to the new position when the layer is 
made active.
The status of the fader control setting is memorized 
between screens (and even when the DM-24 is turned 
off and on again). It is therefore possible for the fad-
ers to move when the screen is changed.
The layer continues flashing as long as the faders are 
not controlling the channel levels.
Parameter values Checkboxes
Radio buttons
On/off buttonedited without the
ENTER key. 
						

							2 – User interface—Rotary encoders (ring LEDs)
 TASCAM DM-24 Reference Manual 15
Soft keys
At the bottom of a display screen, there may be some 
“tabs” displayed, which lead to further related 
screens or pre-defined action.The four keys at the bottom of the screen, beside the 
PODs, are used as “soft keys” to jump to the screens 
shown on the “tabs”. In this example, the 
MONITOR 
and 
OSC/COM tabs are controlled by soft keys 2 and 3.
NOTE
It is also possible to jump to the different screens by 
repeated presses of the key which brings up the screen 
(in this case, the 
MONITOR key).
These keys are sometimes used to perform a unique 
“one-off” action, as shown in this screen, where the 
oscillator can be turned on and off using soft key 1.
Soft key pull-up menus
In a few screens, for example, the library screens, 
where many soft keys are used for the “one-off” 
actions, a soft key (usually soft key 1) is used to bring 
up a small menu at the bottom of the screen:When such a menu pops up, either the dial or the 
POD corresponding to the soft key (usually POD 1) 
is used to select the desired option (which is high-
lighted in inverse video).
Use either the 
ENTER key or the soft key which was 
used to pull up the menu to make the selection from 
the menu.
Rotary encoders (ring LEDs)
These controls allow you to set commonly-used 
parameters such as EQ parameters, pan and balance, 
and Aux send levels.
These are not dedicated controls, as the parameters 
which may be controlled using them are changed 
using selection keys, but their action is confined to 
fewer parameters than the POD controls.
Like the PODs, these controls are continuously 
moveable, and have no end-stop. Unlike the PODs, 
though, the parameters that they control may not nec-
essarily be shown on screen. In order to gain an indi-
cation of the current value, the eleven LED indicators arranged in a ring around the knob light to show the 
current value, as explained in the sections below.
These encoders have three different functions:
EQ controls and pan controls to control the EQ 
settings (gain, frequency and Q) as well as the cur-
rent channel pan/balance of the currently active 
module. In this mode none of the encoder indica-
tors (to the left of the encoders) is lit, and the band 
controlled is determined by the appropriate 
EQUALIZER key. 
						

							2 – User interface—Rotary encoders (ring LEDs)
16 TASCAM DM-24 Reference Manual
EQ gain controls, where the gain of the four EQ 
bands is adjusted using these encoders. The 
encoder 
EQ GAIN indicator is lit in this case.
AUX send level controls, where either the encoder 
AUX  1 through 4 indicators or the AUX  5 and 6 
indicators are lit (in the latter case, only the two 
leftmost encoders have any function).See the appropriate section on module operations 
(“Module operations” on page 49) for full details of 
the parameters controlled here.NOTE
The option described in “Fine value settings using the 
PODs” on page 13 also affects the operation of these 
encoders when used in conjunction with the 
2ND F. 
key.
Encoders used as EQ gain controls
When the encoders are used as EQ gain controls, a 
unity gain (neither cut nor boost) is represented by 
the sixth (center) LED being lit, and the two LEDs at 
the extreme clockwise and counterclockwise posi-
tions “half-lit” (dimmed).
When the encoder is near the center position, but not 
quite there, the LED next to the center is lit, as well 
as the “end” LED on the appropriate side:If the EQ band is set as a high-pass for low-pass filter 
or is used as a notch filter (depending on the band), 
all LEDs around the rotary encoder are off:
When the encoder is turned either clockwise or coun-
terclockwise, to boost or cut the gain respectively, the 
end LEDs go out, and the LEDs on the appropriate 
side of the center light (the more the cut or boost, the 
more LEDs will light). “Half steps” are shown by 
dimmed LEDs at the end of the chain. The illustra-
tions below show a relatively small amount of gain 
applied, and then a little more gain:
Encoders used as EQ frequency controls
When the encoders are used to set the frequency con-
trolled by an EQ band, only one or at most two LEDs 
are lit at any one time.
As the knob is turned clockwise, the ring LEDs light 
in turn, representing the position of the knob 
“pointer”. For greater accuracy, intermediate values are shown by two LEDs being lit simultaneously, as 
in the illustration below:
Encoders used as Q controls
The Q of an EQ band refers to the width of the filter 
when it is in notch or peak mode (but not in shelf or 
= on
= dimmed 
= off
= on
= dimmed 
= off
= on
= dimmed 
= off
= on
= dimmed 
= off
= on
= dimmed 
= off
= on
= dimmed 
= off 
						

							2 – User interface—Rotary encoders (ring LEDs)
 TASCAM DM-24 Reference Manual 17
filter mode). Low Q values affect a wide portion of 
the spectrum, as shown below: and high values affect a narrow frequency band:
Note that “intermediate values” are shown on the 
encoders by dimmed LEDs, as above. The LED pat-
tern in Q mode is always symmetrical about the 
upper center indicator.
Encoders used as pan controls
When the encoders are used to make pan settings, the 
center pan position is represented in the same way as 
unity gain on the EQ gain controls:
“Almost center” positions are shown in a similar way 
to the “almost unity” gain position (that is, the center 
LED is lit, along with the LED immediately next to 
it, with the end LED on that side being dimmed).When the pan position is moved to either the left or 
the right of center, one (or two, to represent interme-
diate settings) LEDs light to show the current pan 
position.
The illustrations below show the pan position at the 
hard left position, and then at a position just right of 
hard left.
Encoders used as aux send controls
When the encoders are used as aux send controls and 
the control is turned clockwise, the LEDs light up, 
following the “pointer” of the knob.
The number of LEDs lit depends on the aux send 
level relative to unity position (0.0 dB).
Below this position, the LEDs light clockwise, with 
intermediate positions shown by dimmed LEDs:At the 0.0 dB point, the LEDs representing values 
below this point are dimmed, and the “0” LED lights.
When aux sends are set above the 0.0 dB level, the 
LEDs above the unity point light in sequence (inter-
mediate positions shown by dimmed LEDs), with the 
LEDs below the unity point being dimmed. The dia-
gram here shows a setting just below maximum 
(9.6 dB):
= on
= dimmed 
= off
= on
= dimmed 
= off
= on
= dimmed 
= off
= on
= dimmed 
= off
= on
= dimmed 
= off
= on
= dimmed 
= off
= on
= dimmed 
= off
= on
= dimmed 
= off
= on
= dimmed 
= off
= on
= dimmed 
= off 
						

							2 – User interface—Fader layers
18 TASCAM DM-24 Reference Manual
When two aux channels are linked together, the 
encoders work in a slightly different way for the 
selected channel. The first encoder (
GAIN) controls 
the pan for the first two aux sends (
1-2 or 5-6) and 
the second (
FREQ) controls the level for these sends. 
The third (
Q) and fourth (PA N) control the pan and 
level respectively for aux sends 
3-4 in the first AUX encoder setting (they have no effect in the second 
AUX encoder setting).
The operation of the pan settings is as described for 
channel operations (“Encoders used as pan controls” 
on page 17).
Fader layers
The DM-24 has sixteen physical “channel” faders 
and one master fader. However, it is capable of 
accepting more inputs than faders (up to 32 chan-
nels), and also has eight output busses and six aux 
sends, which are often controlled on conventional 
mixers using their own faders.To allow the sixteen faders to control the different 
parts of the console, the faders are arranged in “lay-
ers”. The layers are arranged as follows (as shown 
above each fader on the console itself):
Use the 
LAYER STATUS keys located to the right of 
the master fader, to switch between the three fader 
layers. The selected key lights and the keys are of dif-
ferent colors, as shown in the table above, so that it is 
easy to see which layer is currently active, even from 
a distance.These fader layers also affect the use of the module 
REC keys (used for arming the tracks of external 
control devices), the 
SEL keys, and the MUTE keys.
When the fader layer is selected, the faders move to 
show the current status of the layer.
Machine control keys
As well as the keys controlling the DM-24 functions, 
there are also dedicated keys to control external 
devices connected to the DM-24. 
Among these keys there are dedicated transport keys 
which allow basic transport control, as well as con-
trols for auto punch and repeat control of external 
devices.
There are also 
REC keys at the top of each channel 
strip, which are used to arm tracks on a connected 
device.See “Machine Control/Location” on page 80 for full 
details.
A strip of location keys to the right of the display 
mode keys controls the location facilities on the con-
nected machine. When these keys are used for loca-
tion, the 
DISPLAY MODE keys take on their 
NUMERIC ENTRY functions. The digits entered with 
these keys are labelled at the left of the keys.
These keys are also used to enter digits when naming 
or renaming library entries (“Setting and editing 
titles” on page 101).
Automation keys
The DM-24 has self-contained automation facilities. 
The dedicated keys to control these functions are all 
colored purple for easy identification.These keys are the AUTOM AT I ON block by the trans-
port controls, and the purple key near the rotary 
encoders.
There is a separate “shift” key to control the second 
function of some of the automation keys (and the 
LAYER 12345678910111213141516
Ma
1–1612345678910111213151516M
17–32 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 M
MASTERB1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8 A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 — — M
a. Master fader 
						

							2 – User interface—Automation keys
 TASCAM DM-24 Reference Manual 19
undo/redo function of the library. This key is the 2ND 
F.
 key (above and to the left of the rotary encoders). 
These second functions are labeled below the key in 
inverse lettering:
To use these second functions, press and hold the 
2ND F. key and press the key whose second function 
is to be used.The 
AUTOMATION UNDO key is used in automation 
operations in order to undo any unwanted changes to 
automated mixes.
The operation of the automation facilities is 
explained in a separate manual.
Automation status
As explained in the automation manual, the automa-
tion engine can be turned on or off in the main auto-
mation screen.When the automation engine is enabled, the word 
AUTO appears at the top of the screen, together with 
any automation mode currently enabled.
Press and 
hold this keyto access 
this function 
(KEEP) and press 
this key 
						

							20 TASCAM DM-24 Reference Manual
3 – System-wide options
The DM-24 provides a number of options which con-
trol the overall functionality of the console.
These are accessed through the 
OPTION and DIGITAL 
screens.
Within these screens, you can (in the 
OPTION screen):
 Set up various interface preferences
 Set up the way in which soloing works Set up timecode preferences for synchronization 
with other units
and in the 
DIGITAL screen
 Set up the word sync clock
 Choose the digital input and output formats
 Define and make settings for the optional slot cards
These options are described in detail below:
OPTION screen
To access the OPTION screen:
1Press the 
SHIFT key so that the indicator is 
lit.
2Press the 
AUX 1-2/OPTION key.The screen changes to show the 
OPTION 
screen. There are four screens available using 
the soft keys immediately below the display: 
SETUP, PREFERENCES, SOLO and SYNC/TC.
SETUP
The following options are available from this screen:
Use the § and ¶ cursor keys (or dial) to move the 
cursor to the appropriate fields, and then press the 
ENTER key to change the value. 
UPPER BAR DISPLAY This parameter has two 
options: 
TIMECODE and SYSTEM. When set to 
TIMECODE, the top right field of the display shows 
incoming timecode, and when set to 
SYSTEM, certain 
system parameters (clock source, solo mode, etc.) are 
displayed.
LOCATE DISPLAY MODE This parameter deter-
mines how a location entry will be shown on the dis-
play: in the timecode position (
TIMECODE DISPLAY) or 
as a separate popup display in the center of the screen 
(
LCD Screen Popup).
ENCODER OPERATION MODE When using 
the encoders (“Rotary encoders (ring LEDs)” on 
page 15), or the PODs, the parameter being edited 
may sometimes have too many values to allow easy 
setting using the encoder (for example, there are 127 
different pan positions). Using the 
1Step setting, one 
“click” of the encoders corresponds to one step in the 
parameter values. Using the 
Coarse option allows the 
changing of the parameter values to be accelerated, 
with fewer clicks of the encoder.
Holding down the 
2ND F. key while turning the POD 
or encoder reverses the usual acceleration mode (if 
1Step is chosen, 2ND F. + POD/encoder = acceler-
ated, and if 
Coarse is chosen, 2ND F. + POD/encoder 
= accelerated.
LIBRARY DIRECT KEY OPERATION This 
parameter controls the type of library accessed by the 
RECALL and STORE, and the + and – keys in the 
LIBRARY section to the left of the screen. There are 
six choices: 
Snapshot refers to the overall mixer set-
tings, 
Gate/Expand to the dynamics processor settings 
for gate and expander effects, 
Comp to the dynamics 
processor settings for compression effects, 
EQ to the 
equalization setting library, and 
Effect1 and Effect2 to 
the first and second internal effector settings, respec-
tively.
If the 
+/- Key Direct box is checked, this allows instant 
recall of a library entry selected using the 
+ and – 
keys.
OL/STATUS LED TYPE The OL/STATUS LED 
indicators above each fader can serve one of two pur-
poses: firstly, if either of the two “overload” options