TASPUNCH v1.5 March 1997 (c) Mark Mitchell TASPUNCH Automated timecode-synchronized punch-in and out for Tascam TSR-8, MSR-16, MSR-24, 238 and 688 multitrack recorders For the PC with Windows 3.1 Copyright 1995, Mark Mitchell Mark Mitchell P.O. Box 111116 Carrollton TX 75011 Compuserve: 72560,1604 Internet: sonarte@itesocci.gdl.iteso.mx What the TASPUNCH Program Does TASPUNCH is a Windows program that allows you to remotely control your Tascam TSR-8, MSR-16, MSR-24, 238 or 688 multitrack tape recorder from your PC. TASPUNCH can also perform automated, timecode-synchronized punch-in and punch-out with punch points referenced to a SMPTE timecode track on your tape. The punch points can be rehearsed before committing to record, and can also be adjusted with a resolution of one timecode frame. TASPUNCH can run simultaneously with your Windows sequencer. To perform automated punch-in and out while your sequencer is running, the device driver for your MIDI interface must support multiple clients. What You Need to Utilize TASPUNCH The TASPUNCH program will be useful to you only if you have: A Tascam TSR-8, MSR-16, MSR-24, 238 or 688 multitrack tape recorder. According to Tascam, if the serial number of your TSR-8 is "59999" or less, it will need a modification to work with the Accessory-2 protocol (which TASPUNCH uses), for which you will need to contact Tascam customer service. If you have such a TSR-8, I suggest you at least try Taspunch before concluding it won't work with your TSR-8, as I have never had access to one of these early machines to determine exactly what their shortcoming is with regards to the protocol. A PC-compatible computer with a 386 or higher processor and a serial port, and Windows 3.1 or 3.11 or higher. You will also need a special cable for connecting the serial port of your computer to the Accessory-2 connector on the Tascam machine. A wiring diagram for making this cable is provided in the TASPUNCH user's manual. If you want to use TASPUNCH to do automated timecode- synchronized punch-in and out, you also need a MIDI interface with SMPTE to MTC conversion ability and the appropriate Windows MIDI driver for the interface. Here is a list of some of the more popular MIDI/SMPTE timecode interfaces, but there are others that will also work. * Music Quest MQX-32M * Music Quest MQX-16M * Music Quest 2Port/SE * Key Electronics MP-128S * Any MPU-401 compatible (Roland MPU-IPC-T, Music Quest PC MIDI Card, Creative Labs Soundblaster, etc.) plus an external SMPTE-MTC converter such as the Music Quest FrameLock or Midiman Syncman. * Music Quest Note/1 or Note/1+ plus an external SMPTE- MTC converter such as the Music Quest FrameLock or Midiman Syncman. To utilize the auto-punch features you will also need SMPTE time code recorded on a track of the tape. TASPUNCH supports all SMPTE formats. If you want do automated punch- in and out simultaneously while your Windows sequencer is playing a sequence clocked by the time code, the Windows driver for your MIDI interface must support multiple clients. The Music Quest driver and the Key Electronics MP- 128S driver support multiple clients. The generic MPU-401 driver that comes with Windows and the Creative Labs Soundblaster MIDI driver do not. Using TASPUNCH TASPUNCH is a very simple program to install and use. Just connect the TASPUNCH cable to a COM port on your PC and the Accessory-2 interface of the MSR machine, connect an audio cable to the tape out for the SMPTE track and to the SMPTE in of your midi interface or SMPTE/MTC converter, and configure TASPUNCH to use the correct COM port and MIDI interface. TASPUNCH has two small windows that it places on your screen, called the Remote window and the Punch window. The Remote window contains a set of buttons and indicators similar to the remote control units manufactured by Tascam for the TSR-8, MSR-16 and MSR-24 multitracks. Using the mouse or keyboard you can control the machine just as you would by pressing buttons on the Tascam remote control unit. You can control the tape transport, set and seek the two locate points, arm and disarm tracks, and control the Insert and All Input settings. This window is small and always stays on top of other windows, to facilitate using TASPUNCH simultaneously with your sequencer. The Punch window is used for controlling the automated punch- in and out capabilities. This window also remains on top of other windows. It can be minimized when not required. When you want to see as much of your sequencer as possible while punching, you can move the Punch window on top of the Remote window, since the Punch window has buttons for the transport controls most needed when punching. Automated Punch-in and Out Although the Tascam TSR/MSR-series machines have automated punch-in and out built in as a feature, there are two slight weaknesses in it. One is that the only way to set the points is using your ears and fingers, listening and hitting the RECORD and PLAY buttons at the desired punch-in and out points. It can often require several tries to get the points at the right place if the window for punching is short. The other weakness is that the TSR/MSR machines reference the punch points to the tachometer pulses generated by the rotation of the roller which is in contact with the tape, not by anything on the tape itself. After carefully setting your punch points, if it takes several tries to record a performance you are happy with, the repeated play and rewind of the tape can cause the punch points to drift a small amount from their original locations. TASPUNCH addresses these two weaknesses. TASPUNCH performs automated punch-in and out with punch points that are referenced to the SMPTE time code recorded on a track of the tape. This provides several advantages over the built-in auto-punch capabilities of the TSR/MSR machines: The punch-in and out points have a precision accurate to one frame of time code. Since the points are referenced to a signal on the tape itself, once they are set, they will not drift with respect to the audio on the tape, no matter how many times you play and rewind the tape. You can repeat your punch as many times as you like and it will always be in the same place. The points are editable. You set some initial points using your ears. Then you can listen to them without actually recording to see if they are where you want them. If they are not, you simply adjust adjust them earlier or later in one-frame increments until they are where you want. The demo version The demonstration version of TASPUNCH is different from the fully- functional version in only one aspect: the demo version limits the punch in and out points to be within 3 to 5 seconds of each other. Pricing and ordering information You can order TASPUNCH by mail directly from me. The price is $50, shipping included. If you also want the cable, a 20 foot cable is $20 additional. If you are handy with a soldering iron you can make your own cable by following the wiring diagram included in the user's manual. To order, simply mail a check or money order payable to Mark Mitchell, along with a note that mentions the word TASPUNCH. Mark Mitchell P.O. Box 111116 Carrollton TX 75011