Studio Calibration Procedure

Calibration is the process of setting all input and output levels on all equipment to a single reference level. The Tascam and Soundcraft mixers have sine tone generators that are used for this purpose. After properly calibrating the studio equipment, the studio mixer's VU meter levels will become the primary visual reference level for all the peripheral equipment: tape recorders, EQs, and other effects.
Studio 1, 3 and Recording Studio
On the TASCAM M50 MIXER:
1) Set the test tone oscillator to 1kHz; This frequency is selected since most audio electronics are calibrated linearly at least around 1kHz.
2) Set the signal selector to SLATE; This routes the tone generator through to the buss selector buttons.
3) Assign the slate tone to BUSS by holding down the BUSS button. The slate tone is now being sent to all the BUSS lines, but you must go to step four to get an output.
4) While holding down the BUSS tone button, adjust each Mixer Buss Master Fader (1 through 8) so its corresponding VU meter on the bridge reads 0 VU; the BUSS fader should be positioned somewhere near the gray shaded area of the fader path.
Tape Recorders
5) Continue holding down the Buss Button (use a weighted object if neccesary).
a) On tape decks A and B, switch their "Monitor" selectors to SOURCE and adjust the line input levels to 0 VU.
b) On the Panasonic DAT, -18 FS (Full Scale) is equivalent to 0 VU; adjustment of the input can only be accomplished when the DAT is in the record mode. Place a DAT in the machine and place it into record/pause; adjust the input and balance accordingly.
 

c) On theADATs, verify that all VU Meters read 0 VU 1 db; alert the studio asistant should these levels not be within 3 dB of 0.

You have just calibrated the recording equipment levels to match those of the Mixer; levels on the Mixer VU meters will now read the same as on the tape recorder VU meters. With the tape machines calibrated, they no longer need close hand monitoring and may be placed in more remote locations the eliminate their equipment noise from the studio environment.
7) Release the BUSS button and bring the BUSS masters back to 0.
After making this calibration, do not adjust the input levels on the tape recorders; if a level is too low (or too high) adjust it using the corresponding BUSS master fader.
***The VU levels you observe on the mixer meter bridge now correspond to the VU levels on the respective tape machines you use.***