Now Here's a Dilemma...

[PearlcorderS701]

Okay. So the rear of my TX-8555 Onkyo stereo receiver has TAPE IN/OUT jacks. From what I understand, these are to be used when I get a turntable, and want to record from it onto my CD recorder, in that the TAPE IN/OUT will connect to the ANALOG IN/OUTs of my recorder. However, I have one small problem...I am using the recorder's ANALOG inputs right now with RCA feeds from a Numark dual CD player/mixer unit, which is going MASTER OUT to the recorder's ANALOG IN so I can capture custom DJ style mixes from the Numark.

If I need to use the recorder's ANALOG inputs once I get a turntable to connect to the receiver's TAPE IN/OUT jacks (in order to make recordings off vinyl) how can I still use the same ANALOG inputs of the recorder when I'm recording off of the dual CD/mixer? Do I have to physically change the cords out every time I want to record from either the turntable or mixer? Is there a way for the recorder's ANALOG jacks to "expand" through an adapter of some kind so it can share both the TAPE IN/OUT signals of the receiver and the Numark dual CD/mixer's output?

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

There’s no good reason to connect the Numark directly to the recorder. Connect the Numark to an Onkyo input, and connect the recorder to the Tape in/out. You’ll get the same results as you have with your current connections. And you’ll be able to record from the record player when you get it installed.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[PearlcorderS701]

There’s no good reason to connect the Numark directly to the recorder. Connect the Numark to an Onkyo input, and connect the recorder to the Tape in/out. You’ll get the same results as you have with your current connections. And you’ll be able to record from the record player when you get it installed.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Wayne,

Thanks for your response. I don't think I explained the hookups clearly enough; the Numark dual CD player/mixer unit has TWO analog outputs out back -- a MASTER OUT (to connect for playback sound to a receiver/processor/integrated amp etc.) and a RECORD OUT (which connects the unit directly to a recording component to capture custom mixes off the Numark).

Right now, I have the MASTER OUT going to the Onkyo receiver for sound, and the RECORD OUT is going directly to the CD recorder's ANALOG inputs -- that's why I said I would have a problem getting the recorder's ANALOG inputs to function for two duties once I get the turntable.

Do you still feel your suggestion would work?

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

I assume the Master and Record outputs deliver an identical signal. This would be the case unless it has the capacity to accomplish a totally separate mix for the Record output. So yes I still feel my suggestion will work.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[PearlcorderS701]

I assume the Master and Record outputs deliver an identical signal. This would be the case unless it has the capacity to accomplish a totally separate mix for the Record output. So yes I still feel my suggestion will work.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

So, go over with me once more how I need to connect this -- the mixer's MASTER OUT would to to the source input of the receiver, while the TAPE IN/OUT of the receiver would connect through two sets of RCA cables to the RECORDER'S ANALOG INs?

I'm not sure if both those outputs of the Numark have identical voltage outputs, etc. (Master and Record Out)...

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

Unless you need the adjustable output level that you get from the Master out, just connect the Numark’s Record out to a spare input on the Onkyo. See Pg. 19 of the Onkyo’s manual for details on how to connect the recorder.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[PearlcorderS701]

Unless you need the adjustable output level that you get from the Master out, just connect the Numark’s Record out to a spare input on the Onkyo. See Pg. 19 of the Onkyo’s manual for details on how to connect the recorder.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Actually I do need to adjust the levels of the Numark when I record off of it -- each CD I mix from needs level adjustment into the Tascam recorder...I use the sliding level controls on the mixer to bring the recording levels up to where they ideally should be...

Does this mean I'm SOL?

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

No, you can use the Master outputs if that serves your purposes better. However, the recording deck should have its own level-adjustment provisions...

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[PearlcorderS701]

No, you can use the Master outputs if that serves your purposes better. However, the recording deck should have its own level-adjustment provisions...

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Yes, Wayne, the recorder has dual left/right channel analog level adjustments, but I don't want to fool with that on a song-by-song basis when doing the custom mixing; I'd rather use the mixer's sliding levers to adjust song levels.

That said, if I use the recorder's MASTER OUT, and this runs into the receiver's inputs I delegate (which, unfortunately, I have to plug into "VCR/DVR" because there are really no other options ) and then I connect separate RCA leads to go from the receiver's TAPE IN/OUT to the recorder's analog inputs, would I be able to adjust the levels of the recorder via the mixer's levers?

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

Yes.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[PearlcorderS701]

Okay, I'll try that. Thank you very much for all your assistance.

 

[PearlcorderS701]

UPDATE: Thanks Wyane -- indeed, that connection suggestion of bypassing the recorder's inputs from the Numark and going through the TAPE loop of the Onkyo worked; I received a new Numark CD MIX-1 to replace my old one (one of the CD drives in that one died) and tried the connections you suggested, and I can control the recording levels this way as well in the TASCAM burner. Thank you.

The new dilemma I have now is that because of the two extra RCA leads now necessary to connect to the TAPE inputs of the receiver, I was forced to dig out some old Monster RCA interconnects from storage but these are proving too short in length to run through my Bell'O audio tower's cable management sleeve system on the side of the rack in order to connect the components.

Should I bite the bullet and buy some new Monoprice RCAs for this job, as I did when I needed new interconnects for my CD changer?