APS Tascam HD-P2 Operating Guide

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Revision as of 08:38, 7 April 2014 by Kisaar24 (Talk | contribs) (RECORDING SPECIFICATIONS)

INTRODUCTION

The Tascam HD-P2 is a compact, lightweight Portable High Definition Stereo Audio Recorder. It uses standard Compact Flash memory cards to record in mono or stereo, 16 or 24 bit, at samples rates from 44.1kHz to 192kHz. The HD-P2 supports digital and analog audio inputs and outputs and has a built-in microphone and speaker. The HD-P2 records audio as standard Broadcast Wave Files non-destructively. This means you can record a file, rewind, and record another file at the same location without fear of losing the first recording. A built-in, dynamic Edit Decision List orders file playback based on file record times. A file edit screen is provided for auditioning (and editing) of individual files.

POWER

The HD-p2 can be powered from the supplied AC power adapter, from eight standard AA batteries or from the Fire Wire (IEEE.1394) connection when attached to a host computer with a powered (6-pin) 1394 port.

NOTE: The HD-p2 has a compartment on the bottom that holds eight AA batteries. These can be alkaline or zinc-carbon disposable cells or NiMH or NiCD rechargeable cells. The HD-P2 will NOT recharge these batteries. For maximum battery life, alkaline batteries are strongly recommended. For environmental considerations, rechargeable batteries are strongly encouraged.

APPROXIMATE BATTERY LIFE

Continuous recording time when the overload indicator is ON, the headphone output is 80% and the back light is OFF:

8 Alkaline AA batteries - Up to 5 hours
8 Carbon-ZInc AA batteries - Up to 3 hours
8 Fresh NiCD AA batteries - Up to 3 hours
8 Fresh NiMH AA batteries - Up to 3 hours

POWERING ON

Supply power with any of the above mentioned sources, then press and momentarily hold the spring mounted POWER switch on the top left of the console.

MENU OPTIONS

FORMAT MEDIA

  1. Press MENU
  2. Select system Menu
  3. Select Media Management
  4. Select Reformat Media
  5. Select Yes/No
NOTE: The Compact Flash Media can be inserted into the media slot when the HD-P2 is powered ON or OFF. However you should always unmount the media in the main menu before removing media to avoid data corruption.

RECORDING SPECIFICATIONS

On the top of the console are a set of switches and buttons used to control recording specifications. LINE-MIC: This Switch designates the output level of your source (i.e. microphone, VCR, mixer, etc.). All microphones are MIC LEVEL. Any powered device such as a CD player or VCR puts out a line level signal (these devices would be plugged into the RCA jacks as opposed to XLR jacks).

NOTE: If taking audio from a mixer make sure to know whether its output is mic or line level. Different mixers have different outputs and some allow you to switch between either mic or line.

MIC: This switch designates whether you are using an external device plugged into one of the XLR/RCA jacks or the on-board microphone that is inside the recorder.

NOTE: It is highly preferable to use an external microphone.

PHANTOM: Phantom power provides an additional 48v to supply power to the microphone. Condenser mics, such as the EV 635A require the additional 48v to work. Dynamic mics, such as the SM-58 do not require phantom power.
LEFT PAD/RIGHT PAD: a pad is a way of lowering the output of a microphone. If you are recording something very loud and cannot keep the level from peaking. You can turn on the pad to reduce the level. Placing the switch in the "-20dB" position turns the pad on.
LIMITER: A limiter designates a threshold at which the recorder will limit the audio level to. Signals passing below that threshold will pass unaffected. Meaning, if you turn on the limiter, it will not allow your audio to reach its peak.

NOTE: Limiter is good.

STEREO LINK: Stereo link allows the same limiter to function on both channels or each channel to have its own independent mono limiter. OFF means that each channel will have its own limiter which is usually preferable.
DISPLAY: Allows you to adjust the brightness and contrast of the display screen.
PROJECT: Shortcut to the project menu.
MENU: Displays menu options on a display screen.
SELECT/CANCEL: SELECT is used to designate menu options, CANCEL goes back a step in the Menu.
SHUTTLE/DATA: Moves time forwards/backwards and navigates up/down through menu items and settings.

TRANSPORT KEYS

REW: Rewinds timline, pressing this during rewind toggles between fast and faster speeds; audible skip rewind when used during play. F FWD: Forwards timeline, pressing this during fast forward toggles between fast and faster speeds; audbile skip fast forward when used during play. STOP': Stops any transport motion, turns off monitor. PLAY: Plays timeline beginning at the current timeline location. PAUSE: Turns on input monitoring mode (PAUSE indicator slow blink, REC indicator solid). REC: Initiates new record and turns on monitoring (REC indicator solid) LOCATE: Locates to the previous (<) or next (>) marker/ file in time. MARKER: Drops a new marker at the current time. RETAKE: Undoes last record; moves file to trash, deletes markers, and repositions time to where the last record began. HOLD: Lock keys to prevent accidental use. TIMECODE: Turns on timecode chase when timecode is enabled.

PROJECT MENU SETTINGS

Sample Rate - 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 or kHZ. This cannot be charged once any audio has been recorded into this project. All audio files in a project must be of the same sample rate.

NOTE: Final Cut Pro's default sample rate is 48 kHz at a bit depth of 24 bits. A compact disc's sample rate is 44.1 kHz.

CHANNELS - This sets the record mode. The options are: Mono Left, Mono Right, Mono Summed and Stereo. Sample Width - 16 or 24 bits. INPUT SOURCE - Analog/Mic or S/PDIF (digital). CLOCK SOURCE - Internal, LTC, Video, Word Clock, or S/PDIF. TIMECODE - Enabled or Disabled. TIMECODE SETTIGNS - A submenu of timecode parameters. HEADPHONES MONITORING - Stereo, Mono Left, Mono Right, Mono Summed or Follow Record Mode. AUTO MARKERS - The HD-P2 can automatically drop markers