Connecting Mix-Pre to Tascam DR-100 mk2 using CS3

[Tom.Florek]

Hey, not an audio guy here, but I've been assembling a kit to be able to start learning and recording audio. Very close to purchasing DVXuser's video on sound as I have the Lighting one and it was very helpful.

I have a mix-pre (not D), Tascam DR 100 mk2, and CS3. I'm trying to record using the Tascam and use the mix-pre's preamps. Only thing is, I don't know exactly how to do that and so far searching google hasn't yielded the best results. The Tascam has 2 XLR inputs.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Jim Feeley]

Working from memory here, but I do own an old MixPre (my backup's backup at this point). I'd connect a short 3.5mm (1/8-inch) TRS cable from the MixPre's Tape Out to the DR100's Line In.

[I just looked up the DR100mkII manual; my earlier comments reflected mk1 features not mkII, so I'm updating this section]
The MixPre's XLR outputs are line-level only. The DR100mkII has XLR inputs that can be set to mic or line level. So you could buy two short XLR cables, set your DR100mkII XLR inputs to line level, connect, and go. But that'd be a bit more more expensive than a simple 3.5mm-to-3.5mm cable and probably wouldn't yield greatly improved results. The approach suggested above (Male-male 3.5mm TRS cable) is cheaper and simpler and will probably give you dandy recordings.

If you go 3.5mm, get a decent-quality cable; they're inexpensive. I might want right-angle connectors at each end; depends on how I have everything set up. I'd think one of these cables might do the trick for you:
http://www.markertek.com/product/ms...5mm-trs-male-to-3-5mm-trs-male-1-5-foot-black
http://www.markertek.com/product/lo...-3-5mm-stereo-male-to-right-angle-male-3-foot

Or maybe something from Remote Audio:
http://remoteaudio.com/single-interconnects/

Tons of options...key point is don't just buy a $2 cable.

To learn more about audio for video, after you've checked out the DVXuser video on sound, maybe dig into Jay Rose's book, Producing Great Sound for Film and Video (let me disclose that I worked on the first edition of this book and consider Jay a friend; but the book really is good).
http://www.greatsound.info


Good luck!

 

[Tom.Florek]

Working from memory here, but I do own an old MixPre (my backup's backup at this point). I'd connect a short 3.5mm (1/8-inch) TRS cable from the MixPre's Tape Out to the DR100's Line In.

[I just looked up the DR100mkII manual; my earlier comments reflected mk1 features not mkII, so I'm updating this section]
The MixPre's XLR outputs are line-level only. The DR100mkII has XLR inputs that can be set to mic or line level. So you could buy two short XLR cables, set your DR100mkII XLR inputs to line level, connect, and go. But that'd be a bit more more expensive than a simple 3.5mm-to-3.5mm cable and probably wouldn't yield greatly improved results. The approach suggested above (Male-male 3.5mm TRS cable) is cheaper and simpler and will probably give you dandy recordings.

If you go 3.5mm, get a decent-quality cable; they're inexpensive. I might want right-angle connectors at each end; depends on how I have everything set up. I'd think one of these cables might do the trick for you:
http://www.markertek.com/product/ms...5mm-trs-male-to-3-5mm-trs-male-1-5-foot-black
http://www.markertek.com/product/lo...-3-5mm-stereo-male-to-right-angle-male-3-foot

Or maybe something from Remote Audio:
http://remoteaudio.com/single-interconnects/

Tons of options...key point is don't just buy a $2 cable.

To learn more about audio for video, after you've checked out the DVXuser video on sound, maybe dig into Jay Rose's book, Producing Great Sound for Film and Video (let me disclose that I worked on the first edition of this book and consider Jay a friend; but the book really is good).
http://www.greatsound.info


Good luck!

Thanks for the reply! I ended up getting another XLR cable and feeding it from the Mix-Pre Line out into the Tascam XLR input. works great!

 

[Noiz2]

The MixPre has two line outs, the XLR you are using which are +4 and for field work have the advantage of a locking connector, and a 1/8" -10dB jack, which is good for connecting to consumer gear which expects a -10 line level. The old MixPre is a great front end for audio recorders of all stripes.

 

[Rick R]

As I recall, the DR-100 MkII has selectable mic/+4 line XLR inputs. The first gen Tascam only has unbalanced (-10dB) line in, so in that case, I concur, using the MixPre 'Tape out' connection.