Topic: HD-P2 Line (XLR) in does not work

[tapjunkie]

I can't get the deck to take an XLR (line in) signal.  It will take the RCA in, but the directions do not make note of what to do to get the XLR in to work.  ARe other people having this problem?

[kirk97132]

switch it from line to mic in order to get the XLR's to work

[kirk97132]

To answer your question from the PM:
"Really?  How does it know not to use the mic pre when you do that?  That is strange.  Thanks for the info." 
I'd suggest spending some time in the HD-P2 threads in order to understand the in & outs and the signal flow through the P2.  It has some quirks just like any other deck out there and reading up could save you a lot of headaches out in the field. 

From page 9 of the manual:
Located on top of the HD-P2, next to
the data wheel are switches for controlling
the analog audio inputs and
dynamics.
The input switches (LINE/MIC) switch
between the XLR and RCA jack
inputs. The PAD switches only apply to
signals coming in the XLR jacks.
Limiting can be turned on or off and
the STEREO LINK switch enables stereo
limiting of the left & right channels.
When STEREO LINK is disabled, each
channel has its own mono limiter.


Team Tascam HD-P2
Part 1:  http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,58807.0.html
Part 2:  http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,76560.0.html
Part 3: http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=87719.0.html

[taper420]

Had a lot of trouble with this early on.... started a thread here, and finally got it figured out....
to set the XLR to line-in and bypass the preamps (yes they are bypassed), set the control on top to mic in, -20 pad, and both preamp dials to 0. Here is a quote from Oade explaining the quirky functions of the HD-P2:

Tascam HD-P2: The record level control in the HD-P2 is unique in that it actually allows you to set levels by adjusting the gain (this is how much the preamp amplifies or increases the signal from the microphone) of the mic preamp with a mic preamp gain control that is continuously adjustable. This insures that your signal quality is always optimized for the best possible signal quality by design, a very good design ! If you are new to the HD-P2, it's input selection labeling can be confusing. When the deck is set to line in, that selects the RCA inputs while the setting labeled mic selects the XLR inputs. You record XLR line in by setting the deck to XLR in and the PAD to -20dB. The controls might be more properly labeled with the LINE/MIC switches labeled RCA/XLR and the Left/Right PAD switches labeled MIC/LINE.

and here's the original thread I started where that quote came to light, and everything got figured out:
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=113926

[George2]

Had a lot of trouble with this early on.... started a thread here, and finally got it figured out....
to set the XLR to line-in and bypass the preamps (yes they are bypassed), set the control on top to mic in, -20 pad, and both preamp dials to 0. Here is a quote from Oade explaining the quirky functions of the HD-P2:

Tascam HD-P2: The record level control in the HD-P2 is unique in that it actually allows you to set levels by adjusting the gain (this is how much the preamp amplifies or increases the signal from the microphone) of the mic preamp with a mic preamp gain control that is continuously adjustable. This insures that your signal quality is always optimized for the best possible signal quality by design, a very good design ! If you are new to the HD-P2, it's input selection labeling can be confusing. When the deck is set to line in, that selects the RCA inputs while the setting labeled mic selects the XLR inputs. You record XLR line in by setting the deck to XLR in and the PAD to -20dB. The controls might be more properly labeled with the LINE/MIC switches labeled RCA/XLR and the Left/Right PAD switches labeled MIC/LINE.

and here's the original thread I started where that quote came to light, and everything got figured out:
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=113926

Doesn't make sense to me. Think about it, if you set to mic and connect a XLR and turn the pad on, you are say preamp is bypassed? I don't believe this. I would be a mic pre with 20dB of pad.

[taper420]

It's the same way the V3 works in line in mode. You open it up and hit a dip switch which engages a -20 pad.

Putting the preamp dial at 0 (it is gain only, not trim), and setting the pad to -20 effectively bypasses the preamp circuit.
I've done extensive research on this, and while I don't have the links handy, I do trust the conclusion that I came to some time ago. I trust my ears as well. And I trust that if there was any preamp in the circuit at all, it would blow the hell out because my V3's analog outs are hot as hell.... yet when setup as I indicate, the levels on the V3 match up perfectly with the HDP2.