Tascam DP24 SD DIY Footswitch

[Dominik]

After a Tascam 2488 and a 2488 Neo, I have now bought the DP24 SD.

Phew, why Tascam has thrown out some things here that are really relevant and some functions are programmed completely incorrectly is probably only known by Tascam itself. Too bad.
Otherwise top device.

In any case, today I built a footswitch for the device using an ATMega8.
Since the signal is transmitted serially to the Tascam, a microcontroller was unavoidable.
I also implemented a midi control.
So you can either operate the Tascam using a foot switch or a MIDI. Awesome

If anyone is interested, I could put the circuit diagram and .hex file in here.

 

[shredd]

That's just ULTRA-kewl.
I also progressed through all 3 2488's, to arrive at the O/G DP-32 w MIDI.
And I VIVIDLY remember bemoaning some of the 88's features that were excluded from the DP...some that I reallllly valued. In fact, I kept my 2488neo installed/operational in my studio for nearly a year after I got the DP, until I decided to let go/move on/live without them (required a few workflow changes, mostly).

It so happens that the DP-32 will take a MOST functional proprietary footswitch that's actually configurable within the DP's Preferences.
While I loved the 88's punch in/out function, this thing has proven TEN times as utile. It's permanently connected to my DP.
I dunno what sort of challenge it was to design/build yours...but considering I have post-it's on my condensers to remind me to turn the phantom power on, that'd be a bit outta my league. So I'm pretty happy with the Tascam one (and that they designed the DP to use it!).

We'd love to see it (pics?) - and function descriptions...

 

[Dominik]

Thank you
Yeah I really miss the catching fader Functions. Thats a MUST on devices with not motorized fader.
Also when I creat a new song, all the EQ settings and send effects of my song before are applies on the new song. So I have to clear it all. And so on... really annoying. Cant belive this.

The original footswitch doesnt work with just switches which shorten a circuit. The footswitch comes with batteries. Why? Theres a controller in it which sends a serial signal which switch is pressed.
The protocoll is made public by Tascam. Yeeha.
The rest is programming.

I will take pics tomorrow

 

[shredd]

Yes - the 88’s f/sw was just make/break circuit. Not like the DO’s pedal.

Oh, yeaaah…the “scenes”-saving feature watch a CRUCIAL tool for me, not to mention fader-matching capability.

Another thing I mourned greatly was the elimination of NAMEable point location in songs. I made MAJOR use of that in my workflow, which tended to have LOTS of edits & punch in/outs (kinda still does…)

 

[shredd]

Also when I creat a new song, all the EQ settings and send effects of my song before are applies on the new song. So I have to clear it all. And so on... really annoying. Cant belive this.

FYI - this IS something of a headache - until you use it to your advantage - by creating a “default”/template song (with everything set exactly as you want as a starting point) that you load just before you create a new song, thus starting the new project with those default settings.
I actually found this extremely helpful: I have several templates that I use to start a new project, depending on its requirements.
This was @Phil Tipping ‘s brilliant guidance. It’s in the forums here (and in one of his videos, IIRC…)

 

[Dominik]

After writing my post I watched the videos of Phil
Oh yes, what a great idea with these templates. Very good!!!

Yes you are right. The marks just habe numbers now. What a mess. I loved it to name my parts CHORUS or INTRO and so on.
I cant believe that. The machine has more power than the ones before but now you cant make any individual stuff.
Templates for EQ? Nope. Marks, scenes, and so on.

I am really disapointed of these missing features.

 

[shredd]

I am really disapointed of these missing features.

Yup. You said it…it was a very painful transition going from 15 years on ‘88’s to the DP.
NOW I’m happy w it - but I still miss some of those great capabilities…and (as mentioned) it made it realllly hard to switch over. It took me a year to decide.

Not surprisingly, the ‘88’s still have a pretty rabid following. I’mma considering worn-out 2488 button/control repair as a new career field, and will retire so rich that I’ll hire Elon to scrub my toilets. Though that’s probably too noble a fate for that cretin…