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2 – Getting started–Connecting other equipment to your 788
22 TASCAM 788 Digital PortaStudio
Connecting other equipment to your 788
For a typical recording session, you will need:
• the 788 itself
• some sound sources (instruments and/or micro-
phones)
• a stereo mastering recorder (cassette, DAT, MD).
Alternatively, you can use a CD-R or CD-RW drive
which will allow you to master the song, and also
to back up and restore your working material.
• an external effects unit (optional)
• a monitoring system (this is a grand name for a
good amplifier and a pair of good speakers which
you will use to listen to your recorded material—
this can be your stereo system)
• if you are using microphones in the same room as
the 788, you should use headphones (headphones
are also sometimes useful for general monitoring
purposes as well)
• cables to connect everything together, with the
appropriate connectors
• if you are using MIDI instruments, you will almost
certainly be using a sequencer (either as a stand-
alone unit, as a computer program, or built into a
workstation instrument)
1 Find a stable level surface on which to put your
788 and place the 788 on it.
2 Make sure that all equipment is switched off.
3 Connect the
MONITOR OUTPUTs of the 788 to
a pair of inputs of the monitoring system.
4 Connect the
STEREO OUTPUTs of the 788 to
the inputs of the mastering recorder (if it is an
analog-connected recorder). Connect the out-
puts of the mastering recorder to another pair
of inputs on the monitoring system (if they are
available).
Alternatively, if you are using a DAT, CD
recorder or MD recorder with a digital (coax-
ial) audio input, connect the 788’s
DIGITAL
OUTPUT
to the COAXIAL IN of the recording
device. Set the input selector of the recording
device appropriately.
As yet another alternative, you can make a
SCSI connection (see “SCSI issues” on
page 17) to a suitable CD-R or CD-RW drive.
Even though no audio connection is made, the
drive will be able to accept audio data through
the SCSI cable, and to transfer it back to the
788 for replay.
5 If you are using an external effects unit, con-
nect the
AUX OUTPUTs of the 788 to the inputs
of the effects unit, and the outputs of the effects
unit to the
AUX INPUTs of the 788.
6 Connect the MIDI OUT of the sequencer to the
MIDI IN of the 788 and the MIDI IN of the
sequencer to the MIDI OUT of the 788.
7 Connect the audio outputs of your instruments
to the inputs of the 788.
8 Connect the PS-P788 AC adaptor supplied
with your 788 to the 788.
9 Turn on the power, starting with the instru-
ments, and finishing with the monitoring
system.
Additional connection notes
• Make sure that you have enough space to plug and
unplug cables, etc. and that you can reach the con-
trols, read the display, etc. comfortably.
• If you are using a home stereo amplifier, do not
connect the 788 to any PHONO inputs on the
amplifier. These are the wrong kind of inputs for
this kind of equipment. Use inputs labeled AUX,
CD, VIDEO, etc.
• Always use the TASCAM PS-P788 AC adaptor
designed for use with the 788, making sure that the
input voltage marked on the adaptor matches the
power supply in your area. Never use any other
adaptor with the 788. If you are unsure, consult an
electrician. If you move to an area with a different
voltage, contact your TASCAM distributor regard-
ing the supply of a new adaptor.
• When switching on equipment, a general rule is to
work from the signal source through to the final
end result. In this case, assuming a synthesizer is
plugged into the 788, the switch-on order would
be:
Synthesizer → 788 → Mastering recorder → Mon-
itor amplifier
Switch off in the reverse order (end result through
to signal source).