TASPUNCH  v1.4 June 1996                    (c) Mark Mitchell

                          TASPUNCH
 Automated timecode-synchronized punch-in and out for Tascam
                MSR/TSR 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, or MSR-24 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 or MSR-24 multitrack tape
   recorder.  If the serial number of your TSR-8 is "59999"
   or less, Tascam states that 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.

   A PC-compatible computer with a 386 or higher processor
   and a serial port, and running DOS 5.0 or higher and
   Windows 3.1 or 3.11.

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.

ú    Music Quest MQX-32M
ú    Music Quest MQX-16M
ú    Music Quest 2Port/SE
ú    Key Electronics MP-128S
ú    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.
ú    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 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 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

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