Does anyone out there record with a Tascam DP-02? I use one for recording and use the mic that came with the unit but I have problems recording at a good volume. I have to set the input at max and crank my amp and even then the recorded volume is very low and I'm wondering if it's the mic itself. When I use the mic plugged into my amp I have to crank the amp volume to 10, it's a Vibroverb so it's a loud amp in it's own right. I've tried moving the mic position relative to the amp but it didn't help.

Any ideas?

_________________
Tune Low, Play Hard & Floor it!

1. Try a different mic
2. Use the dedicated guitar input (any difference)
3. I don't use one, but have heard of problematic Hard Drives in these.
4. Still under warranty?

_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

Yup, I'm going to try that.



I've only miced the amp so far, I have not tried plugging directly into the recorder. There is a switch at the recorder input to select either a mic signal or a guitar signal. I've tried both option while using the mic but I have not tried plugging directly into the recorder. Guess that would help determine if it's the mic.



I've never had a problem with the hard drive.



It's 1-1/2 years old so I'll have to look into it.

_________________
Tune Low, Play Hard & Floor it!

You might be able to get tech support direct from them :

TASCAM Professional Division
TEAC AMERICA, INC
7733 Telegraph Rd.
Montebello, California 90640
Voice: (323) 726-0303
Fax: (323) 727-7635
Web: www.tascam.com


Good luck!

_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

Hi VB: just to cover the obvious first, and definitely NOT trying to insult your intelligence!

I don't know what mic would have come with that machine, but supposing it is a condenser of some kind I presume you have the phantom power switched on - right?

...These are the kinds of issues you spend hours scratching your head over, and nine times out of ten it turns out to be some silly line issue - a jack problem; something in the signal chain not turned up; yadda yadda...

Cheers - C

LOL

I remember reading about the phantom power in the users manual but the mic has a standard 1/4" plug so I didn't think it used phantom power. Maybe I'm wrong?

I did contact Tascam and they said it might very well be the mic. The mic input does not have a lot of gain to help prevent overloading. They suggested a higher quality condenser mic or a mic pre-amp.

_________________
Tune Low, Play Hard & Floor it!

Ah well, if it's not running into the XLR input then I guess it's not a phantom power issue. So the obvious next step is to check Tascam's suggestion by running another dynamic mic into the machine without changing any of the other settings. Then you'll either identify the problem, or eliminate one possibility. Is there someone to borrow a mic from...?

Next: remembering the much older Tascam machines I used to know I seem to recall that they have a tendancy to make circuits double up on their functions so that it is very easy to make simple bussing errors without realising. I recall spending ten minutes at a time puzzling over their recorders till I realised a source selector switch was set wrong, or something similar.

If that turns out to be the issue there is nothing for it but to go through the record routine methodically with the instructions till you find the tiny little setting that's wrong.

Though you've likely been doing that till you're blue in the face already!

Frustrating, isn't it? You'll be kicking yourself if it is just a fader set to the wrong level or something like that - but at least you'll be able to move on!

Cheers - C

You said that you had the input slider maxed, what about the master slider?

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

Yup, that one too.

I shouldn't have said maxed... more like 8 out of 10. When it's all at 10 the signal gets overloaded and distorts.

_________________
Tune Low, Play Hard & Floor it!

Some call that "clipping" but it shouldn't be happening. If you're sure that you've re-done the setup per the manual (it sometimes does help) and still having the problem, I'd try another mic. The AT2020 is just under $100 and a very good condenser. (Audio Technica).

_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

I've been thinking about getting a Shure SM57 as it seems to be the industry standard. Any opinions?

_________________
Tune Low, Play Hard & Floor it!

Great mic, no doubt. I also like the Sennheiser e609 for dynamic mics.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/E609Silver/

_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!