Xref: utzoo rec.music.makers:9588 rec.music.synth:14924 comp.music:1670 Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uwm.edu!bionet!ames!haven!decuac!hadron!inco!jboggs From: jboggs@inco.UUCP (John Boggs) Newsgroups: rec.music.makers,rec.music.synth,comp.music Subject: Re: Sync'ing a Sequencer to a Tape Recorder Message-ID: <8525@inco.UUCP> Date: 24 Jul 90 17:20:38 GMT References: Reply-To: jboggs@inco.UUCP (John Boggs) Followup-To: rec.music.makers Organization: McDonnell Douglas Electronic Systems, McLean, VA Lines: 68 In article apolivka@x102a.harris-atd.com (polivka al 60047) writes: >I would like to hear from anyone who has synchronized their sequencer >with a tape recorder i.e. by recording a sync signal on one of the >recorder tracks and (analog) music on the other channel(s). This >allows playback of the sequenced music directly out of the >synthesizers in synchronization with the recorded part(s). > >In particular I'd like to know: > 1. did you have any problems (e.g. crosstalk of the sync signal into > another channel, loss of sync, etc.)? In order to avoid crosstalk of the sync signal to the audio tracks you need to experiment with the signal level of the sync signal. I have had problems occasionally with crosstalk back the other way (audio interfering with sync) but only if I record a drum track with cymbals on the adjacent track. Here, again, you need to experiment with recording levels 'till you find a combina- tion that's right for you. Keep notes as you experiment so you can re-create later. > 2. what type of recorder did you use? I have used both reel-to-reel (TEAC A2340-SX) and four-track cassette (TASCAM Porta-05) decks. The narrower the tape used (or the higher the number of recording tracks squeezed in), the greater the odds that you'll have sync interference problems. > 3. what type of sync signal did you use? My sequencer/interface combination only accepts Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) sync. > 4. did you have any noise reduction (Dolby, dbx) enabled on the sync > channel of the tape recorder? The TASCAM Port-Studio series of decks includes a special sync output which bypasses the EQ par of the deck. This allows the signal to go out unprocessed when all the other tracks are being EQed. I don't EQ the sync signal when I'm striping the tape. >The reason I am asking is that I am considering getting one of the >small multitrack cassette recorders and would like to use one of its >channels to record a sync signal from my sequencer (which >unfortunately does not have SMPTE but does have some other non-chasing >sync capabilities). Should work okay once you determine the appropriate recording levels. >I tried using it with my VHS Hi-Fi VCR last night and found that some >of the sync signal (recorded on the right channel) crosstalked into >the other (left) channel of my recorder. Try the recording level trick if you can to see if you can get rid of the crosstalk. >As mentioned above, I am thinking about getting a 4-track cassette, >but would hate to find similar problems with it. > >I would appreciate feedback from anyone having experience with this. > >Thanks, >Al Good Luck! Hope this helps. -- John Boggs McDonnell Douglas Electronic Systems Company McLean, Virginia, USA