I just got an HR16 and started recording on my DP24SD, and started panicking when I thought I was limited to 2 tracks output and wouldn’t be able to overdub. Then I found this video which was EXACTLY what I needed to see! You won a new subscriber. You’re great at explaining this stuff! 👍 I really dig your presentation style.
I know, it's amazing isn't it? I used the J.L. Copper PPS2 Sync Box back then. I also have the 1st Generation DP-24 that has built-in MIDI, so I'm good. I wanted to make this video to help others who are struggling with this to show there are other ways to get this done. Even if they're old school.
Additional suggestion: Once the DP-24 sync track is recorded and tested to ensure proper MIDI playback, select a good rhythmic reference from one of the synced MIDI instruments (drums from the HR-16, for example), or a submix of all of the synced MIDI instruments and record this to another track in the DP-24. Use this track (not the MIDI sync track) as a reference while recording other analog tracks on the DP-24. Using this method, you can record analog instruments without having to start from the beginning every take, due to the MIDI Start/Stop signals of the sync track. This will save tons of time during the recording process and once all analog instruments have been recorded, this reference track can be deleted. Use the original MIDI sync track for final playback/mixdown, which still allows you to edit the various MIDI instrumentation after the fact for the optimal mix.
FANTASTIC information thank you. Was great to learn how an alesis hr16 or 16b or mmt8 can run the midi sync for the 24sd or 32 sd. I have decided to hunt down a phillip rees ts1 as this peice of kit will allow the clock to locate at any point in a track. I think I would go crazy having to start at the beginning of each song for processes such as drop ins. Great info. Thank you
Hello Sir! I am so glad I found your channel and especially glad I found this video. I recently picked up the Zoom R20 and was initially dismayed that since that unit only has the main L and R outputs that this method wouldn't work for me. UNTIL I saw that you used the headphone out to send your tone back to the Alesis unit (I have the HR16B). I have an extremely limited understanding of the ins and outs (no pun intended) of MIDI functionality but your method looks like it would work on the Zoom R20 as well. I may eventually go down the road of getting a synch box that will store song pointer info but I want to try out your method first (without having to buy any more hardware)! Thank you again for creating this video and the information it contains!
Been using a MOTU Micro Express with a DP32 and a MPC2500 as my sequencer/clock trigger to do something similar to this. A couple of nice things about the MOTU is that 1) you can still buy them new and it is a very flexible piece of midi hardware with lots of features that has 4 midi in and 6 midi out; and 2) it supports SMPTE and MTC, and most importantly, can convert SMPTE input to MTC midi output. Since the MPC reads MTC, as I scroll through the track on the DP32 it will sync into time and the correct song position on the MPC. Awesome! 😎👍 It's not perfect, and can be a bit fiddly at times, but it unlocks old school multitracking/hardware sync on the DP32.
Hey my friend, you know it. That's a good way to go with MIDI and the SD models. So many configurations work with just a little time and patience. I also own a MOTU Micro Express, and that little gem has worked well for me in the past too. Thanks so much for watching and sharing. It is greatly appreciated!
Hi spookypen, I'm new to music recording........Isn't midi used to create synth songs only and not blues & rock? Also If I'm using the Tascam DP 32 for voice recording/mixing why buy the MOTU? Thank you :)
I bought the same to use with an Alesis drum machine and a Yamaha PRS-SX900 only to discover they both us Midi Clock not MTC for timing. As I noted above I got the JL Cooper PPS-2 which will do my sync through it's FSK. However I like the routing and patch bay of the MOTU for my midi stuff so much I decided to keep it too. Make sure you know which sync timing your equipment uses.
This MIDI synchronization method with multitrack tape recorders was the standard back in the 1990s. I have used this process on countless projects during that time, and it served me well. Since the DP-24SD has no MIDI ports when it comes to synchronization, what’s old is new again. This video shows one of many ways to sync a MIDI device to the Tascam DP-24SD. This method uses a popular vintage hardware MIDI sequencer and drum machine. Through these devices, you can also connect other MIDI units and much more without any additional hardware. I hope this video serves useful.
The DP24SD was advertised as a standalone unit. And one of your older videos led me to believe they all had midi. In good faith, Tascam should send a synchronizer (that'll start at any point) to everyone who bought one. Sweetwater told me just time tracks in your DAW, some standalone.
The former CEO of Sweetwater; who established Sweetwater and was an awesome visionary, musician and marketing genius, retired. It's been going downhill ever since. I've been researching other music outlets to buy from. Even the website at Sweetwater isn't what it used to be. The management there now are DEI disciples. Customers and competence are secondary. It shows. Their profits are also way down.
Glad for this. It just so happens I have everything you demonstrated in your video. I can repurpose my units for sync recording without any additional gear.
@@PowercoatMusic Works great on the Roland R-5 Drum machine (1989). • Connect the 'tape out' (R5) to input A (DP24/32). •Assign input A to track 1 (DP24/32), or another track you want to use as sync. Set the input level at about 0Db by pressing the ‘Mixer’ button on the DP24/32 • Set the R5 on the desired tempo and select a Song or a Pattern/ • Start recording on the DP24/32 • After a few seconds, press ‘Start’ on de R5. • Play the R5 for the desired time and after that, press Stop. • Stop recording on the DP24/32. • Press ‘Select’ on Track 1 on the DP24/32 • Press ‘Mixer’ on the DP/24/32 • Set ‘Send eff 1’ and ‘Send master 1’ on 127. • Connect output ‘Effect Sends 1’ (DP24/32) to Tape-in (R5) • Press the buttons ‘Shift’ and ‘Sync’ on the R5 and select sync mode ‘tape’. • Rewind the DP24/32 to zero • Press ‘start’ on the R5 and the R5 will act as ‘slave’ and start playing when it hears the sync track after you press ‘play’ on the DP24/32 Extra note: you can also make ‘songs’ on the R5 with varying tempo’s. This means you can also record the tape-sync from an R5 song to the DP24/32 with varying tempos.
@@honkoop68 Thanks so much for the update and sharing all of this valuable information. It is greatly appreciated, and another win for this platform. Like I always say, "Sometimes old school is the best school". 👍
Hey, PowercoatMusic! Love your videos, been watching for a very long time. Thanks so much! I have a question. May I record MIDI Keyboard onto my Tascam DP24SD using a DAW from my MacBook Pro to the Tascam?? Kind of as a preamp? I could easily be defined as an amateur, so, thanks in advance!
If I'm understanding your question correctly, I believe so. If you're recording onto your DP-24SD directly from your MacBook then you should be good to go. Thanks for watching.
Well explained! I have kept my MMT-8 from years gone by simply for this purpose--just use an effects send. Only drawback is you are fixed to the tempo you lay down on the track. Does the Midi DP-32 have a parameter to select what the BPM is for the midi clock? How does that work?
Thanks for the video and the in depth explanation. I’ve watched it 3 times and took notes. I intend to connect an Akai MPK Mini Plus to the Tascam Portastudio SD 32 Track, but how do I also connect another beat machine and 2 more keyboards without having to unplug. Meaning, what device do I need to get so all midi keyboards and beat machines can stay connected to the Portastudio? Thanks in advance.
It may have come down to cutting hardware and firmware support costs for the newer SD units. In regards to higher profit margins in mass production, every little thing counts. Thanks for watching and sharing. 👍
How I enjoyed this video! Hahahah, I had both Alesis Drum Machine and Sequencer - used them live in the mid 80's before we went to computer. (Remember how lazy the buttons would get after a few years of use? Hahahah) Also did the SMPTE time sync trick with a Tascam 424. You could turn off dbx in channel 4 and sync to sequencer, PC, etc. Now I have a Korg Pa700 with great, built in sequencer but doesn't do SMPTE to my knowledge. Two steps forward, one step back.
Ah, the good old days. You bring back so many memories. What’s old is new again on many devices these days. It’s still fun though. Thanks for sharing! 👍
I know so little about MIDI, so your video served as a good starting point. Thanks. I had a Tascam SD model, so would something like ‘Korg SQ-1 Step Sequencer and Sync Box’ be what you are referencing as a sync box, or is that overkill and I could find something cheaper to serve the function?
Sync devices come in many forms. The primary point in this presentation is that any device that will allow you to strip a track with SMTPE, MTC, or other time code and convert it to MIDI should work. It's your choice of which one you want or need to use. The result should be the same. Thanks for watching and sharing. 👍🏿
Great information. If my Tascam DP 24 takes a dive, I can use this information. I bought my DP in 2012; it has the midi ports. I guess Tascam cut them out because of cost$
Not having to support the firmware and hardware for the CD Player and MIDI functionality is more cost effective. Leaving the MIDI would have been great, but Tascam just didn’t agree. Thanks for watching. 👍🏿
Found a simple MIDI sych fix that works pretty good: I record my MIDI tracks on a DAW, then export to a WAV file. I then import the WAV into the DP24 to record "live" instruments and vocals. Then import them back into DAW for mixing. So far no sych issues at all. It's a little more work but it's worth it! Try it out for yourself...
@@PowercoatMusic No problem! I generally just export a stereo MIDI mix to the Tascam so I have 22 tracks to record on. If I run out of tracks I just export all the Tascam tracks back to the DAW, make another stereo mix, then send another stereo WAV of the mix back to the Tascam to get 22 more tracks. Try it and see how it works for you.
You’re most welcome and thanks for watching. To answer your question, the DP24 is not a PC audio interface. The USB feature was designed for file transfers to and from a PC. You cannot record via USB on this unit from a DAW or anything else. However, you can import and export audio files to and from the DP-24 using a PC for use with a DAW via the USB feature.
Based on my understanding of your question, my answer is yes. After you configure Aerodrums with your PC, you would then run your PC’s audio output to a Track input of the DP-24 for recording. Aerodrums looks like very cool and fun product. Thanks for watching!
Is it possible to connect a midi interface via USB? I have an ESI MUX8 which has 3 usb ports apart from the host port and wondered if this would do the trick? The ESI manual states that the ports are there for 'other devices' like usb drives etc. Thoughts?
If I'm understanding your question properly based on your gear, the answer is no. For that to work, the USB interface would need to produce an audio sync tone according to the process described in this presentation. Thanks for watching and sharing. 👍🏿
Mark a question for you... Do you know if the Alesis SR 16 drum machine can send a sync tone to the DP24/32sd. The SR 16 has a function called Clockout that sends a sends midi timing data out... Just wondering because I own a SR 16... Thanks...
The tape out function on the SR-16 is not a MIDI sync tone timing function. It's for backing up data only. The SR-16 can save the data in memory by converting this data into audio tones and recording these tones on a standard audio tape machine (usually cassette). Data can also be converted into a special type of MIDI code and stored in a MIDI data storage device such as the Alesis DataDisk, or transferred to another SR-16. As you build up a library of Patterns and Songs, data can be reloaded from tape or MIDI into the SR-16. Thanks for watching.
If I'm understanding your question as intended, whichever unit is the master, whatever temp changes have been recorded on that unit will then be transmitted to the slave. Thanks for watching.
@@PowercoatMusic I think you've answered it - so long as you can program tempo (and time signature?) changes into one of them, it will be transmitted to the other. x
I have do 24, I dont quite understand I you would sync to daw. But I need to find a mm8. I need to figure out how to sync midi from mpc one and Yamaha synths
One reason why I could see syncing to DAW would be if you are collaborating with someone on a project who uses one. An MMT-8 would surely help your situation. Check for them on eBay and Reverb.com. They come up for sale from time to time. Best of luck.
Hey man, I have a boss DR 880 drum machine that I’m using with my tascam DP 24SD. I’m a bass player by trade so any electric guitar riffs that I get are going to be wav files that I want to import into my tascam. Of course any guitar wave files that I import are going to be altered and looped for ‘x’ amount of times depending on how long my song is going to be. I would also arrange my drum tracks into my boss drum machine as well but the problem is, how do I sync up the two together to play in unison without constantly stopping and starting and trying to find that beginning point of the guitar riff and the beginning of my drums. So another words when I press Record on my tascam I would like the guitar riff and drums to come in together at the same time
If I’m understanding your question, and I’m not sure that I am exactly, you’re basically asking how to sync your drum machine to the DP-24? You will need a separate hardware snyc box like the one described in the video to connect to the drum machine, since it does not generate a sync tone. Check out the video again and start at 0:55 and watch to the end. That explains how this all would work. No matter the hardware, the process works basically the same way. I hope this helps.
@@PowercoatMusic ok so then with the sync box I would be able to match up the tempo together with my pre recorded drum track on the tascam is what your saying. Like I said before I'm just a bass playing one man band so any guitar riff I get I'm importing into the tascam as a wav file, then I would add the drums on another track, I was just worried how I would sync the two together to play in time
The key here is that you should strip a track for the sync tone first using the sync box, then lay your drum track after that. In this way you can have the tempo, and can record the rest of your tracks to that. This should keep eveything in sync. I hope this helps.
@@PowercoatMusic Hey man I have one more question for ya and I may have worded it wrong this whole time and I apologize for that so I'm reiterating what I had said before, I grabbed one of my guitar loops and layed it down on one track in my tascam, and now I have my drums already composed in my drum machine and ready to lay it down on a track as well, Now I would have to try to sync up the 2 tracks and find the exact start points of each since I don't have a real guitar player to play with so Is this where the sync box comes into play?
Any help appreciated. I get MIDI sync box that does tape time code (SMPTE), I stripe channel on my DP-24 and then use FX send of my DP-24 to go to sync box. Sync box goes to MIDI IN on my Korg, I set Korg time clock to SLAVE. Will this work? Any other suggestions? Many thanks in advance!
Thanks for watching and sharing. Ensure that the SMPTE signal volume from the DP-24SD is loud enough. Sometimes if it’s too low it won’t be read/understood. Make sure the SMPTE striped track on the DP-24 has no effects on whatsoever. The track must be completely dry. Ensure your MIDI sync box is set to MASTER. I hope this helps.
I'll tell you what, it would be nice if you can make a video of yourself going through the actual recording process with the MMT-8, the Tascam DP24SD, and your drum machine because I would be able to learn so much quicker that way than just explaining it because hands on is the way to go. I did everything that you had said as far as the set up goes but then I get stumped after that. How does the actual physical recording process come into play with all 3 is what I would like to see.
This video was created as a presentation on how to sync to MIDI with the DP-24SD with no additional hardware. Its intent was not to be a complete recording tutorial, but to show one of many solutions for using MIDI with non-MIDI multitrack devices like the DP-24SD. Once you have the suggested platform setup, there are various ways you can record with it. Naturally, the DP-24SD will always be the “Master Clock” in this setup, and is used to start and stop all devices connected via MIDI with this solution as well as its own tracks. To record, you would simply follow the recording process for each separate device in the chain (see the Owner’s manual for each). For example, you can choose to record drums first on the drum machine, then keyboards on the MMT-8, then guitar and vocals on the DP-24SD, and so on. All devices will start and stop at the same time when you press the start and stop buttons on the DP-24SD. It’s all synchronized so the order in which you record does not matter. What matters is that you simply record, and experiment to find a process that works best for you. I did the best I could with the time I had to explain this solution. I hope this further explanation helps.
the whole object to having this many tracks,(24, or 32), is to make multi-track recording easier, however; by not having midi I/O, makes the process of synchronizing without additional hardware impossible. As soon as I unpacked my DP-32SD, and noticed there was not midi input or output, almost makes this multi-track recorder useless to me. There are many other multi-track recorders on the market that still incorporates midi, making the process of sync-ing tracks much easier, ("smarter not harder"). I think I pack this recorder up, and fire up my VS, or DPS or AW, or even my TASCAM DP-2488, and stop wasting my time.
You will need a separate hardware snyc box like the one described in the video to connect to a sequencer if the Sampler or Synth in question does not have that feature/functionality onboard. Then you should be good to go. I hope this helps.
Is that a behringer mixer i see on your right? How to combine a analog mixer like the behringer mx8000 with something like the tascam dp24/32sd....why would you even? Hehe bless
Yes, that definately the Behringer MX8000. To answer your question, check out my video "A Mastering Process: Simply Explained" on this channel. That should do it. Thanks for watching. 👍🏿
You will need a separate hardware snyc box like the one described in the video to connect to a sequencer if the Sampler or Synth in question does not have one onboard. Then you should be good to go. I hope this helps.
From my perspective, I would suggest using one or the other depending on your requirements. I can’t see using both unless you’re doing MIDI automation on the DP-24 or working/collaborating with someone who has either tool. Check out the DP-24 Playlist on this channel, lots of good information there. Thanks for watching.
@@PowercoatMusic so with this method are you able to do an automated mix via midi like your other video on the dp24 OG using let's say Cakewalk etc? I purchased a Yamaha YMC-10 after watching Phil Tippings video and never used it...but after seeing your video on Mix Automation via midi on the OG DP I'm like I need that. Is it possible?
Hi...have you had any problems with any of the buttons not working? I've seen some videos of users complaining that some of the buttons have to be pushed multiple times before they work. This would be a deal breaker for me....
I have 2 DP-24 units. The one I bought new I have never had any issues with any of the buttons and I have had that unit for many years (studio environment). The second I purchased used, so I don’t know how it was treated prior, and there was a sticky Effect button on that one. I used detox spray on it and that fixed the issue. If you’re worried about this, then I would suggest you purchase a new unit. In that way you will not inherit anyone else’s issue/mistreatment. If that’s not good enough for you, then don’t buy this unit. Button wear can happen to virtually any unit over time especially if it’s mistreated or not kept in the proper environment. There’s several reasons why this unit has been a “Best Seller” for years and like anything else, there are some used ones in the wild that may not have been treated well.
@@PowercoatMusic Thanks for the quick reply! I had intended originally to buy new anyway......just wanted to make sure it wasn't a manufacturing problem.
@@PowercoatMusic Thanks for the quick reply! i'm more than likely going to make a purchase today from Amazon for either a DP-24SD OR a DP-32SD. I only have 2 Questions to ask you at this point. Other than the 32 having more channels to mix down to, which model is better and why. Second question......I would also like to take the unit out for small live gigs for mixing live sound for a small venue. Can I do this with either model? Thanks! Been watching all your videos since I discovered your channel yesterday! Keep up the good work!
Only if the drum machine can produce a sync tone, and be able to snyc to it like the Alesis MMT-8 or HR-16. Otherwise you will need a separate hardware snyc box like I described in the video. I hope this helps.
Confused, title says, no additional hardware, clearly that is incorrect. What you could do though would be to record sync tracks in all bpm's and store them on the DP24SD in a number of songs. So 24 tracks would have in sync track at a given bpm. Then when you have a new song you (if this is possible) copy sync track to your new project/song.
I believe you're misunderstanding the statement. The additional hardware statement refers to sync box, which is typically required. We all know that you need additional hardware to sync to, so that was never a factor in that statement. I hope this clears up any misunderstanding, and thanks for watching. 👍🏿
Hmmmm, to me the additional hardware is the sync box but I see what you mean and you did explain it in the video when I watched through again. Fortunately I bought a DP32 two weeks ago with the MIDI!!! Very happy with it so watching your other videos. I subbed.
With the 1st GEN MIDI units it easy. That's exactly what I do in my studio. It's also possible with an external sync box, using the process described in this presentation using a Motu MIDI Express XT for example. Thanks for watching. 👍🏿
@@PowercoatMusic Man thank you for the 411!!! I've seriously looking in the best affordable way to record 16 tracks simultaneously & debating between the Tascam mention vs. the tascam model 16 . Looking at prices and features & what's best. I'm NEED to be able to easily record 16 simultaneously tracks.
The process of syncing in this regard is generic. I have already shown how to do this and explained the process in detail in the video. Please watch again, and apply your model to the process. If your product has the functionality and you have a sync box, you should be good to go. Thanks for watching. 👍🏿
Can someone help me out? I am wanting to use Ableton to monitor and track my inputs connected to the Tascam Portastudio 564. It uses minidisk which I can't find anywhere and the only inputs in the back are MIDI in and out, and a THRU one. I have an Arturia KeyStep which also has MIDI ports and USB, so I was thinking I could interface with it somehow? Does anybody know if I wasted my money on this lol (there is also an orange input called Digital Audio and looks like an RCA cable)
Based on the equipment your using and my understanding of your question it doesn’t look as if this is possible or maybe even necessary. Since the Tascam 564 is not an audio interface you would not be able to use it with the Ableton unless you wanted to synchronize them using a SMPTE and or MTC sync box that converted an audio sync tone to MIDI like described in the video. Maybe someone else will have some other suggestions. Thanks for watching and sharing. 👍🏿
Since EZ Drummer is a software application, you would need either a hardware device like a MIDI or SMPTE sync box like the ones described in the video. This would go between your PC and the DP-24SD so that you could use EZ Drummer. The process of how to make that work is shown in the presentation. The MMT-8 was used because it has a “Sync to Tape” feature built in. However, the basic process using a hardware devices like a MIDI or SMPTE sync box is the same.
i tried it and its a total mess. the timing is barbaric. the out and inputs ohm wise and synced hardware device are being damaged over time by that. i im still mad about it. the secondhand market is exploding with these sd versions because no one can build up songs without decent timing. after all these years, the stores and shops are still selling it and the secondhand market is exploding with these sd versions. i only buy and dp32sd if I can use it as a master midi clock. so I can build up songs.
The hardware sync unit and time code used matters a lot. In the 90's it was a JL Cooper external smart FSK unit for me, and that's how I sync'd and recorded everything (3 albums & many clients). That was with a tape based 4-track unit. It worked well and was fairly reliable. If I would have had one of these machines back then it would have been heaven. Even today using SMPTE works very well in most cases as it's the industry standard for film and television, and has been for a very long time. Thanks for watching. 👍🏿
@@PowercoatMusic i bought the motu micro express and it only converts MTC so I still don't have a beat clock :( . i wrote a ticket to motu, asking for a firmware update so I t would be able to convert the beat clock (real time) instead of mtc. so all the @Tascam users can buy a motu :p
@@stefanie_m466 I did too only to discover my Alesis and Yamaha use Midi Clock not MTC. Got a JL Cooper PPS-2 which uses the smart FSK mentioned above and works perfect. Kept the MOTU though because I like the MIDI routing it can do and acts as my MIDI patchbay.
As I've said previously and in the presentation, I was referring to a sync box/device. If you're going to sync to another device, it is naturally assumed that you will require the other device to sync to. The point of the presentation was how to do it without requiring an additional/external sync device. Thanks for watching.
Depending on the the setup that is true. However, if your using a device that can generate a sync-tone (Like the MMT-8 or HR-16) then you're good to go with no other hardware. I tried to outline different scenarios for all concerned. Thanks for watching. 👍🏿
