Hello There,

Now this one is REALLY puzzling me. I'm trying to record AUDIO into Logic pro 9 from my Roland RD-700NX. I am doing this by going out the XLR outputs into a Tascam US-122 left and right input. I get a brilliant sound, with a slight hum but nothing very noticeable, however, when really listening carefully, the notes do this CRAZY random sound after they are played, like a phasey high pitch sound the same frequency as the notes played, it's kind of like a weird hiss... very hard to explain.

I'm guessing the reason this is going on, is because I have selected on the Tascam 'Mic/Line' (However I thought the fact its also LINE in should be fine) so using the other setting which is 'Guitar' it seems that this crazy after note effect doesn't happen, however there is a constant HISS/SINE sort of sound, which happens the moment the XLRS are plugged into the back of the Roland (even when the Roland isn't turned on) .... The same thing happens when plugging both Jacks into the tascam from the Roland.... as a test I plugged my iPod into the line in on the Tascam and the hiss stops as soon as you plug the jack into the iPod.

What on EARTH is going on, because my cables work, my Roland works, my Tascam seems to work... and I would just record using the 'MIC/LINE' setting as it comes out very clear and nice but with this crazy note after sound... which I may be able to post audio examples of if needed.

In short, HOW can I record the Rolands audio from the XLRS going into my Tascam without any crap going on!!?

Many thanks!!

James

60 cycle hum maybe? Try plugging the the Roland and Tascam into outlets on separate circuits (one into one outlet and the other into a more distant outlet).

Also try turning off fans, a/c, unplug transformers not in use.

As a last resort, you could use your ipod conenctor with a 1/4" adapter on the end and use the Rolands headphone out. Adjust volume as needed.

Useful link:

http://tascam.com/support/

JHbackingtracks,

I may have a different take to others regarding this issue... is the Roland hooked to the computer via USB (or MIDI out and MIDI in) as well? When my FP-7F is hooked via MIDI (be it USB or MIDI cables) the computer is also outputting the MIDI signal back into the DP and you are actually playing the same note twice in a weird way that makes this random notes sound like their octave sound!

Try setting the keyboard to LOCAL OFF, or to unhook any MIDI connections (this includes the USB cable) or turn off midi-record-through on the DAW to see if this solves the issue.

So, bottom line, I believe this could be a 'midi feedback' issue rather a problem with the TASCAM product. Of course, I could be COMPLETELY mistaken!

Rafa.

Until you figure it out, James, could you not record to USB internally, and then import the wav file to Logic?

Because the D/A and A/D steps are avoided, recording to WAV on a thumb drive plugged into the NX gives you the best signal to noise ratio. I've done this several times on our NX and it works quite well.

Many thanks to ALL your replies and attempts to help.

Firstly, RafaPolit it's not the weird phasey issue where the same MIDI notes are being sent to the Roland twice. It's not the midi feedback thing (which I have had before, but soon figured this one out)This is an actual AUDIO problem to do with the Tascam.

I have tried plugging into different wall sockets, and turning off unused things etc. But no difference.

Unfortunately in my case, recording straight onto the USB as WAV also doesn't work, as I'm doing Jazz tracks, and I'm sure you're all aware of the famous RD-700NX note decay samples missing ... with a lot of my chord stabs, I get the same issue I'd get when trying to play over a WAV on the USB, when it's recording to the USB stick it seems to bring the problem back. That would have been a good solution though, and may work for most people that aren't vamping all over the place

I've tried both jacks and XLR out the Roland into different inputs with every setting tried on the Tascam, and the buzz is there. However I CAN use it without the buzz with the Tascam set to 'Mic/Line' but i get this insane random added sound after high notes played over G1. I'll try and upload an example so you can see what I mean.... very hard to describe. It would work perfect doing it this way if this 'thing' wasn't happening. The same thing happens when Plugging into my active speakers 'mic in' rather than line in. So I'm guessing its the same principle, just I can't use the line in without my tascam buzzing!

People have suggested a DI box, but that shouldn't be needed should it? As I'm going out of BALANCED XLR outputs from the Roland, and that's the whole point in them??? to do away with things like DI boxes and go straight into the mixer??

Again, I appreciate all your help, hopefully we can sort this one

Best Regards,
James

James, I still believe that this issue should be raised with Tascam.

Cheers,
James
x

I did try that one... and they 'fobbed' me off and suggested it was to do with the way thing's are plugged in etc. But everything is fine! Very strange issue.

One thing I do plan to try... is the Tascam plugged into a macbook not plugged into the wall, and downstairs... so every thing should be different signal flow wise.

But my previous post, is just some more info if that'll help anyone give me any good suggestions maybe.

Thanks again

Have you tried recording another line-level audio source into the Tascam?
Another DP, or even an iPod, perhaps?

Cheers,
James
x

Yes! I tried an iPod going into the line in. Mini jack to big jack, and there was no buzz.... however, that's using the jack, and ideally i'd be going from the XLR's of the Roland. I do always get a buzz when going from the line out on the Roland though.

Tomorrow sometime, I'll do some recordings of the line in and MIC in so you can see what i mean about the weird thing's that are going on.

I've not tried another DP, I'll try the audio out jack of my old Casio sometime tomorrow too and see what happens!

How trying to record from the headphone jack on the NX?

James
x

That also gives the buzz I've tried every different combination of input settings on the tascam and outputs on the Roland. I even tried going out the LINE out and headphone out of my keyboard AMP, and that sends the buzz over too!

My Tascam and Roland just aren't friends.

I'm wondering if the buzz you are hearing could be an impediance mismatch between the Roland and Tascam recorder requiring a transformer between the two devices. Used to have this problem when using balanced output mics into an unbalanced high impediance audio input.

Maybe im missing this but, the XLR output cables to the US122, do they have mono/unbalanced jacks on the other end that you plug in to the 'line' input of the US122 or are you going to the mic preamps with XLR cables?


Regards. Rimmer

Could it be a ground coupling issue?

If you're using USB to connect the Roland to your pc, I suggest you try a midi interface and use standard MIDI cables.

Had a hum when I tried to record the FP-7F and I solved it this way. I was recording with an USB audio interface connected to my laptop which was not plugged into the power socket, but I had a hum nonetheless before I tried this.

The NX is grounded to the mains via its three prong plug. You might want to try lifting that ground with one of these:

I'm actually using an audio interface (the Tascam) and the MIDI is all going through that, so no USB cable just from the Roland.

I tried taking away the MIDI completely but nothing changes, didn't think it would though...

As for the XLR question, it's an XLR to XLR going from the Roland to Tascam. I then set the 'button' to 'Guitar' (This is what gives me the buzz) the other setting is 'Mic/Line' this doesn't give me a buzz, but adds the random sounds after notes have finished. Using Jack to Jack I only ever get buzz, and I don't have any XLR to JACK's to try that on.

I'm going to try plugging my Casio in today and see what happens...

To me. That means you're going from a balanced XLR output to a Mic matched input on your US-122.

The output of the RD is line level and the XLR input is matched to a microphone input. What you want to be doing is going from the line level output of the keyboard to the line level input of the 122 which is a 1/4" jack input. There will be no noticeable difference in a 1/4" jack output from the RD to an XLR output whilst at home.

Whether this will fix your problem or not is for you to find out but I can assure you that selecting the GTR option is NOT the way forward. Nor is putting it through a microphone preamp.

I use Logic Pro and route my FP-7F through a line level input (RME Fireface), midi or USB midi and it sounds clean and lovely..

Regards. Rimmer

Thanks Rimmer.

I've just tried the jack from the Roland to Tascam with 'Mic/Line' rather than 'guitar' selected... and the buzz sound isn't there with the volume knobs on the Tascam turned down. The signal is very weak obviously, even with the Roland volume set to full. As soon as I turn the knobs on the Tascam about a quater of the way up, the buzz comes back, and is noticeable. Interestingly, the buzz is louder on the right hand side.

I can't figure out how to add an attachment to the post, but I've done an audio file of the buzz, if that might help anyone.

Does it sound like there could actually be an issue with my Tascam or maybe Roland??? or am I Just very unlucky for some reason....

Thanks!

Considering the contents of you above post, I'd do the following.

Use an XLR ----> stereo mini jack (possible but a bit weird sounding granted) and plug the RD direct in to your Mac's line input. If you still get the buzz then it's something to do with the leads, or the output of the RD. If not, then it's likely the Tascam. I've used the 122 and it's a pretty solid machine but...

Check also that the XLR cables you are using have three wires connected inside. Some have only two which means you'd be missing a ground connection.

Regards. Rimmer

Okay - So when the jack is plugged straight into my mac input (with a big jack to mini jack adapter) there is no buzz what so ever.... how it should be! (But I can only do it mono that way)

Plus when plugged into my keyboard amp, with both the jack leads, there is no buzz, so it's not the leads.

Why the Tascam would be doing this, I don't know! I've had it for years though... and that's not the only thing that's broke on it. I'm about to upgrade to a US-800, so wouldn't it be nice if that fixes all my problems!

If you have had issues with Tascam why would you buy another ?

Take a look at this

http://www.presonus.com/products/Detail.aspx?ProductId=58

So. As far as I remember, the Tascam can run either powered from the USB port or from the wall power. If you're running it from the wall power then try it just with USB power. If that fixes it then it could be your wallwart. The other way around and maybe it doesn't like running USB or the USB current is on the edge of not being enough.

I second Presonus over Tascam at the moment as I think they have the edge.

Regards. Rimmer

P.S. You can record to a stereo minijack from two mono 1/4" jacks. You just need the lead. The conversion is however better quality using the Tascam.

To post an audio file of the buzz, create an account with www.box.net and upload it there, then post the "share" link with us.