Tascam DM 24_manual
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Table of Contents 2 TASCAM DM-24 Automation 1 – Introduction Using This Manual ....................................... 3 Automated Controls .................................... 4 A Note on Touch-Sensitive Faders ......................... 4 Setup ............................................................ 5 LTC ...................................................................... 5 MTC ...................................................................... 5 2 – Quick Start Starting out with the time code ............................ 6 Access the automation screens .............................. 6 Turn on the automation ......................................... 6 Make the initial settings ......................................... 7 Store the current settings ....................................... 7 Write some fader moves ........................................ 7 Write some mute moves ......................................... 7 Write some Aux send moves .................................. 8 Writing POD moves ................................................. 8 Trimming existing mix moves ................................ 8 Finishing up ............................................................. 8 3 – Automation Overview Modes ........................................................... 9 Auto ...................................................................... 9 Write ...................................................................... 9 Trim .................................................................... 10 Static .................................................................... 10 Safe .................................................................... 10 Off .................................................................... 10 Rehearse ................................................................ 11 Displays ....................................................... 11 AUTO MAIN ............................................................11 AUTO FILES .............................................................14 AUTO CONFIG ........................................................15 Channel LED Indicators .............................. 15 4 – Operation Setting Up Your Mix .................................. 16 Writing Mix Moves .................................... 16 Revert Time ............................................................16 Write To End: .........................................................21 Writing Switch Events ............................... 23 Revert Time ............................................................23 CONTROL SENSE TIME OUT & Switch Events ......23 Auto Revert Choices: .............................................24 Write To End: .........................................................26 Trimming Mix Moves ................................. 27 Revert Time: ...........................................................27 Auto Revert Choices: .............................................28 Trim To End ............................................................30 Initial Status ................................................ 32 Editing the Initial Status .......................................32 Automating Library Recall ......................... 34 Writing Library Recall Events Over Existing Static Control Positions ......................................34 Combining Library Recall With Dynamic Mix Moves ..........................................................34 Automating Groups ................................... 35 Grouping Non-Automated Controls .....................35 Grouping Automated Controls .............................35 Hierarchical Groups ...............................................35 Mix File Management ................................ 36 The Mix Data ..........................................................36
TASCAM DM-24 Automation 3 1 – Introduction The DM-24 is capable of writing and reading mix moves as well as editing and refining mix moves dur- ing replay, all synchronized to time code. No external computer is necessary, as all control of the automa- tion is made from the DM-24ís control surface. Automated mixes are stored internally on the DM-24 and can be off-loaded via a System Exclusive (SysEx) MIDI dump to anything capable of storing such data, such as a MIDI sequencer or MIDI data filer. Here are a few reasons to use mixer automation: Tedious moves, (such as mutes), that occur at the same place in the program each time can be written to the automation system for playback. This allows you to focus on the creative aspect of listening and mixing, instead of the mechanical aspect of press- ing the mute keys at the right time, every time. Mix moves can be refined to your satisfaction then the automation system will read those moves back every time in exactly the same way. A mix can be recalled at a later time for further refinement. The DM-24’s automation system was designed to be intuitive, using the mixer’s familiar control surface and a minimum number of keystrokes, to stay out of the way of the creative process of mixing. Using This Manual The following type conventions are used in this man- ual: BOLD CAPS for physical keys on the mixerís control surface (Automation keys are color coded purple.) LIGHT CAPS or Light First Letter Caps for on-screen con- trols in the display First Letter Caps for names of operational modes and functions
1 – Introduction 4 TASCAM DM-24 Automation Automated Controls The following mixer controls of the DM-24 can be automated: Fader levels Mutes Panning (including surround panning) EQ settings: Gain, Frequency, Q, EQ On/Off switching Individual EQ band TYPE switching between High/Low Pass Filter, Peaking & Shelving Auxiliary send levels and Pre/Post switching Auxiliary master send levels Buss master levels GATE settings: THRESHold • RANGE HYSTeresis ATTACK HOLD DECAY COMPressor settings: THRESHold RATIO ATTACK RELEASE Library recallThe following mixer controls of the DM-24 cannot be automated: DIGI-TRIM Individual EQ band On/Off switching Effect settings Buss assignments • MIC TRIM Control Room monitor switching LCD navigation Transport control Fader layer switching Global mixer setup parameters Moves for different mixer controls do not have to be automated in the same pass. Just as in multi-track recording, it is possible to concentrate on one spe- cific control at a time, building up the automated mix over a number of passes. The DM-24’s automation system allows this to occur by intelligently switching automation modes transparently on a per control basis. This work done by the DM-24 automation system provides a high degree of flexibility while not requir- ing constant attention from you. Of course, the DM-24’s automatic mode switching may be over-rid- den at any time for “power user” operation. The automation is synchronized to external time code. This could be Linear Time Code (LTC or com- monly referred to as SMPTE/EBU) or MIDI Time Code (MTC). The event resolution for mix moves on the DM-24 is one event per quarter time code frame. At a time code rate of 30 frames per second, non-drop, this equates to about 5 milliseconds per event. A Note on Touch-Sensitive Faders When using the touch-sensitivity of the faders in automation, you should always use your fingers to touch the faders. If you use a pencil or ruler, etc., or even your fingernails to touch them, the fader will not register as having been touched.
1 – Introduction TASCAM DM-24 Automation 5 Setup There are two possible sources of time code to which the DM-24’s automation can lock. Both are equal in functionality and accuracy. Your choice will depend on what you have available in your situation. The choices are: LT C There is an RCA jack (TIME CODE on the back of the DM-24 which accepts Linear Time Code (SMPTE/EBU). To use LTC with the automation system, go to the SYNC/TC tab in the OPTION display, and then select TC IN as shown below: Figure 1 – OPTION / SYNC/TC display showing LTC choice MTC This refers to MIDI Time Code being received at the DM-24’s MIDI Input. The source of MTC could be a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), hardware recorder that does not support LTC, or any other source of MTC. To use MTC with the automation, go to the SYNC/TC tab in the OPTION display then select MIDI IN MTC as shown below. Figure 2 – OPTION / SYNC/TC display showing MTC choice
6 TASCAM DM-24 Automation 2 – Quick Start While the DM-24 automation system is extremely powerful, it is also very easy to use. This Quick Start covers much of what you need to know to run the system. The rest of the manual provides details on the concepts of the system and how to use it to its fullest potential. Starting out with the time code 1Connect a LTC or MTC (time code) source to the Time Code or MIDI input on the rear panel of the DM-24. Choose the appropriate setting in the OPTION – SYNC/TC display. Be sure your recorder is set to output the correct type of time code. Access the automation screens 2Press the AUTO M AT IO N key to access the automation screens on the display. If you do not see the AUTO MAIN display, press the AUTO M AT IO N key repeatedly until you see AUTO MAIN. Turn on the automation 3Move the cursor to the onscreen AUTOMATION ENGINE button and press the ENTER key to turn on the automation system:. 0 EDIT ENTERCLR UNDO SHIFTMIDI/MC EXT.CTRLAUTOMATION40 30 -dB
2 – Quick Start TASCAM DM-24 Automation 7 Make the initial settings 4Operate your recorder and navigate the DM-24 as you normally would during a mix. The DM-24’s automation system stores con- trol settings as you change them. NOTE You are not writing mix moves yet! Store the current settings 5Store the current mix data using the AUTO FILES display. Press the AUTO MATI ON key until the AUTO FILES screen is shown on the display. Press the STORE soft key (the second). Use the cursor keys, the data wheel and the ENTER key to name your mix. See the main manual section on libraries for further details of naming and editing library entries. See “AUTO FILES” on page 14 of this man- ual for further details of this screen.Press the STORE soft key again. Write some fader moves 6Once you have the mix basically set up, write some fader moves:With time code running, press the WRITE key. Touch a fader with your finger and move it up or down. Release the fader when your mix move is complete. When you release the fader, it automatically returns to its previous setting. Rewind the recorder and play the section again. The DM-24 plays back the moves you just wrote. You can press the WRITE key, and touch the faders to write new mix moves at will. Write some mute moves 7Now write some Mutes (also called Switch Events): With time code running, press the WRITE key. Press some MUTE keys to change the mute settings to on or off.Rewind the recorder and play the sections again. The DM-24 will play back the Switch Events you just wrote to the MUTE keys (in other words, the MUTE indicators and status will change in sync with the incoming time code. ALL INPUT REW F FWD STOPPLAYRECORD RHSL IN/OUT CH1-16 MASTER CH17-32 LAYER STATUS CLEAR MACHINE CONTROL AUTO PUNCH IN/OUTAUTO MONREPEAT REHEARSE WRITE TRIM REVERTAUTOMATION ALL SAFE EDITDISCARD AUTO FADEINTIAL EDIT
2 – Quick Start 8 TASCAM DM-24 Automation Write some Aux send moves 8Write Auxiliary Send moves using the touch-sensitive faders: To place the Auxiliary Sends 1 & 2 under fader control, press AU X 1 -2 and choose Aux- iliary Send 1 by pressing the first soft key under the display. With time code running, press the WRITE key.Touch a fader and move it up or down to write a mix move for Auxiliary Send 1 for that channel. Release the fader when your mix move is complete. When you release the fader, it automatically returns to its previous setting. Writing POD moves 9Write a POD Control move (EQ or Aux Send): With time code running, press the WRITE key. Select the appropriate screen on the display, and turn the desired POD control to write the mix move.After the POD movement has stopped for one second, the control will automatically return to its setting before being moved. NOTE You may want to disable AUTO REVERT or adjust the CONTROL SENSE TIMEOUT using the AUTO MAIN screen, when automating POD controls. See “Auto Revert Choices:” on page 28 Trimming existing mix moves 10This allows you to trim an existing mix move (that is, to adjust the overall level of the move). For example, the move you wrote in step #6 is good but the move itself need to be louder. With time code running, press the TRIM key.At the desired time, touch the fader to be trimmed with your finger and raise it. You will hear the previous moves with the addi- tion of the amount of trim you’re adding. Release the fader when you are finished trim- ming. The fader returns to reading previous, untrimmed mix moves. Finishing up 11Remember to store your mix (as described in in “AUTO FILES” on page 14 and “Mix File Management” on page 36). Also, remember to store any effect settings that were used in your mix into the libraries.Happy mixing!
TASCAM DM-24 Automation 9 3 – Automation Overview Modes Before going further, a brief description of automa- tion modes and functions will be helpful. More detailed explanations of how these modes operate, along with how automatic mode switching is carried out, will be included in the Operations section of this manual. (“Operation” on page 16). Auto This is the default mode for all controls when the automation system is enabled. The intelligent mode switching that occurs is done within Auto mode. When a control is in Auto mode and time code is received, the control enters write ready if the WRITE LED is lit, or trim ready if the TRIM LED is lit. The control reads previous data, if any, until moved, then enters the appropriate state (writing or trimming). If neither of these two global LED indicators is lit, the status of the control depends on whether any mix data has been written to it. If mix data already exists, the control enters write rehearsal when time code is received (any movement of the control will be heard but not written). If no mix data exists, it enters static ready (any control movement will update its Static data). It is possible for a single control, or group of con- trols, to drop into and out of writing or trimming in one pass. It is further possible to switch between Write and Trim modes on the fly; even adjusting the Revert Time during a mix pass will be recognized by the automation system. The only exception is Write to End, which must be completed by stopping the time code. NOTE Generally, a control that has dynamic mix moves written is said to be in Dynamic mode. A control that has no dynamic mix moves written is said to be in Static mode. Write Think of this as “record-ready” on a multi-track recorder. When Write is enabled, all controls that are in Auto mode will normally read existing mix moves. As soon as you adjust a control, while Write mode is enabled, that control will begin writing new mix moves, overwriting any pre-existing data.
3 – Automation Overview 10 TASCAM DM-24 Automation Tr i m During a mix there may be sections where there are good mix moves on a control but the overall level of that control needs to be raised or lowered while pre- serving the existing moves. Trim mode is used to make such relative offsets to existing mix moves for the duration of the Trim oper- ation. The diagram below will help you to understand this concept. Figure 3 – Illustration of Trim mode behavior. In the example shown above, a fader is raised at the “Begin Trim” point and released at the “End Trim” point. The upward movement of the fader would be added to the existing data. When a Trim is per- formed, the audio passing through the control includes the Trim move in real time. Static During the course of an automated mix some con- trols will require movement (Dynamic automation), and some controls will stay in one place with their settings stored in the mix file (Static automation). Any control in Static mode will automatically update its setting in the mix file whenever that control is moved. NOTE The control’s movement will not be recorded as dynamic automation as long as Write mode is not enabled Safe Any control in Safe mode will only read existing static or dynamic automation. Moving a control in Safe mode will not write any automation data nor affect the audio passing through that control. It is possible to place all mixer controls in Safe mode by holding the 2ND F. key while pressing ALL SAFE. Off This mode removes a control from the automation system completely. A control that is Off cannot record or playback mix moves. However, moving a control that is Off will affect the audio passing through that control. The setting of a control that is Off will not be stored in the mix file. 8 sec 8 sec+12 +6 +3 0 -3 -6 -12 +12 +6 +3 0 -3 -6 -121 sec 2 sec 3 sec 4 sec5 sec 6 sec7 sec 1 sec 2 sec 3 sec 4 sec5 sec 6 sec7 sec -9 Before Trim After Trim Begin Trim End TrimRevert Time