Tascam DA-98 Owner's Manual

Also see for DA-98: Setup guide

Contents

Tascam DA-98 Owner's Manual Manual pdf 56 page image

Section 10 – Operations related to timecode06/97 – 1.00 – 10-110 – Operations related totimecodeThe DA-98 contains synchronization facilities,including a timecode generator, which allow it toact either as a timecode master or a timecodeslave.If timecode is recorded, a special discrete subcodetrack is used, which leaves all eight tracks free forrecording and playback of audio material.However, the DA-98 is able to synchronize withexternal timecode devices, even if the DA-98 tapehas not been striped, by converting its internalservo subcode (ABS) to timecode “on-the-fly”.A full range of options is provided for full com-patibility with the widest possible range of otherequipment.10.1 ABS and SMPTE/EBUtimecodeIn some menus, by the time value, you may seeeither ABS or TC. Here, we explain these two dif-ferent timing reference methods and the differ-ences between them.10.1.1 ABS time“ABS” stands for “Absolute”, and is the absolutetime of the tape as recorded on the subcode of thetape. This timing starts at the beginning of the tapewith a value of 00:00:00:00. This is the timing ref-erence used when the DA-98 is not using SMPTE/EBU timecode.Timecode (whether SMPTE or EBU) contains afixed number of frames per second. However, theABS method of timing works in a slightly differ-ent way.In three seconds of time, there are 100 frames.These frames are allocated as follows:This pattern is repeated every three seconds, asyou will notice when you set frame values usingthe menu system in ABS mode. When multipleDTRS units are connected together in DTRS syncmode, the master unit always outputs ABS tim-ings to the slave unit(s).10.1.2 Tape timecode“TC” stands for timecode, and is shown whenevera SMPTE/EBU timecode value is used rather thanthe ABS value. The timecode may be internal orexternal and can be SMPTE/EBU, received andtransmitted via the TIME CODE IN/OUT jacks [37],or SMPTE/EBU timecode synthesized from theABS subcode (see 10.2, “Tape timecode mode”).Whether the SMPTE/EBU timecode is generatedor synthesized, we will refer to it as “timecode” inthis manual, to distinguish it from ABS timingvalues.SMPTE/EBU timecode can be re-produced inde-pendently of ABS timings and can be of any frameformat supported by common timecode standards.When multiple DTRS units are connected, and themaster unit’s CHASE mode is set on, the masterwill chase to any incoming timecode, regardlessof whether timecode or ABS timings have beenselected as the time mode (see 10.1.3, “SelectingTC or ABS timing” below).Timing information received and transmitted fromand to external controllers (e.g. RS-422, MIDI orBus) will always be referenced to timecodevalues.When the DA-98 is referenced to its absolutetimecode, the ABS indicator to the left of the tapecounter [2] will light, and when referenced totimecode (internal or external), the TC indicatorwill light.10.1.3 Selecting TC or ABS timingSecond Number offramesMaximum framevalue displayed00 – 01 33 3201 – 02 33 3202 – 03 34 33NOTEThis procedure is fundamental to synchronization oper-ations. If you select absolute timing mode when youwant to synchronize with timecode, you will be unableto synchronize the DA-98.