Tascam Us-428 + Behringer Ub1002 Mixer = Huh?, Best method to connect the two... Options

[psanchez13]

Hey all.. I went and got a Tascam US-428 and a Behringer UB1002. I needed the mixer because the US-428's XLR inputs do not have phantom power, so it wouldnt work with my Behringer B2-Pro mic.

My issue is this, im not quite sure how to connect the mixer to the 428. The 428 has 4 inputs, 2 are XLR/1/4" Line connectors, the other 2 are just 1/4" line connectors (im not mentioning the MIDI ports cause its not important for my issue).. The mixer has a "main out" jacks, but are analog 1/4" left/right jacks.. I figured I would be clever and use a dual mono 1/4" plug to a single 1/4" jack, then use a 1 to 1 cable to hook into a 1/4" connector/jack which was plugged into the Tascam US-428. I realized I wasnt so clever as the sound wasnt that great, high static in the background. I played with the gain on the 428 and the mixer and got it better but not as well as I would like..

My question is, how do those with 428's and external mixers connect the two? I only have 1 mic to the mixer so I was gonna try using the FX Send output jack (single 1/4" jack) directly into the 428 Line A input jack and see how that sounds.. Help... PLEASE?

Also, I have a Roland Fantom-S keyboard where I make my music and hook it up into the digital input port on the Tascam. Last night, when playing with getting the mixer working, I think I changed something and cant figure it out. Now when I go to record my music from the keyboard, the playback is very low (even when free playing the keyboard the levels in Cubase SX, arent going up as high as they would normally).. Any ideas on what I could have screwed up? Sorry for all the confusion, im very new to all this (as far as recording the music, etc.. on my own.. got tired of paying someone else to do it for me)...

Thanks in advance!! Im sure ive left something out, some important detail, please ask for clarity if required

Peter

[xingu]

Funny, I have the exact same setup for the exact same reason...

If you only have one mic, you really only need to use 1 channel, so say the B-2 is in Channel 1 on the 1002 - just hard pan it left or right and then use a single cable from the left (or right) main out into your input of choice on the 428. I generally have the B-2 in channel 1 panned hard left and an SM-57 in channel 2 panned hard right, which take up Inputs A & B on my 428. I haven't had any problems with static or anything, which I guess might be due to your adapters. Hope this helps.

I don't have any experience with the digital input, so can't comment there.

[psanchez13]

Awww shoot! I accidently clicked 'report this post' and posted my response there HAH! Got a little ahead of myself.. Sorry

Anyways, I tried your suggestion and the FX trick in my original post and the sound is much better and pretty clear. The issue is though, when I playback the recorded data, its only plays back in the left channel? But doing mic checks, etc.. the vocals are played in both the right and left channel.. I thought maybe I screwed something up in cubase so I tried in audacity, same result.

I suppose it may be my cable, but I did try 2 different ones.. Although, neither was specifically designed for this I dont think. One was a straight through 1/4" to 1/4" but I think it was a mono cable (not sure if that matters).. The other was a rigged up, 1/4" to 1/8" jack/adaptors on both ends and a straight through 1/8" to 1/8" stereo cable connecting them.. Same result.. Any other ideas?

Man its good to find someone with my same setup

Peter

[xingu]

I wouldn't use the FXsend - each of the 4 channel FX sends (on the 1002) is mono, so that's why you're only hearing it on the left out of the summed stereo FX send. (I think )

Just use a single cable from whatever Main out side you have the mic panned to. It's 1 mic, so it's only a mono signal anyway.

[rickenbacker]

Awww shoot! I accidently clicked 'report this post' and posted my response there HAH! Got a little ahead of myself.. Sorry

I noticed!

[psanchez13]

OK, so I figured out my issue. But, another one has appeared to rear its ugly head.

The issue was I was recording in Stereo mode. When I record in Mono, in Audacity, it plays back in both speakers (channels). However, in Cubase, I record in Mono and the playback is still only in the left channel. I am sure its a setting in Cubase somewhere but im not sure where. Don't suppose you are a Cubase guy? Ive gone through every setting I can think of and cant seem to figure out where it is. Im assuming its something like 'Output 1 and 2' instead 'Output 1' type deal. The only option I can find is for ASIO Output and it only gives 1 option, Tascam US-428 and its selected. Any ideas?? Thanks again!

Another update, the issue with my Digital Input was something in Cubase as well I didnt have the inputs for 3 and 4 enabled * DOH! * Once I enabled them the recording from the keyboard was smooth! I think this left channel thing is my last hurtle.. thanks again to all!