Tascam System 20 modular mixer

[bigtime]

Hello! I’m hoping someone on this board has knowledge of or experience with this modular audio mixer manufactured by Tascam (Teac) in the 1980s.

The components of the System 20 are as follows:
MM-20 - main mixer module having 2 XLR mic inputs and 4 RCA line inputs
EX-20 - expansion module adding 4 additional XLR mic inputs
MU-20 - meter bridge module having 4 very nice large illuminated analog level meters

There was another available module, the PE-20, which is an equalizer, but I don’t have that module.

This set differs from any mixer I have used in that the signal path is set up using jumper cables rather than by buttons or switches. This should yield a tremendous number of options for processing signals.

I received this in a trade quite some time ago and have never used it. It came with no manual or other documentation, and the signal routing is not intuitive to me, so I can’t really even fully test its capabilities. I have found no user manual available online.

Does anyone have experience with this or a similar mixer? Any information or leads toward obtaining a manual would be appreciated!

[PJMcK]

1. Fascinating questions!

Vintage gear is always fun and if it works properly, it can still help make good music.

Try googling Tascam User Groups. A number of different sites came up including a Facebook group and this one:

https://www.tascamforums.com/

There are several more and they might help you. You could also try Tascam’s Support:

https://tascam.com/us

What are your plans for the equipment? Do the mic inputs have pre-amps? I doubt the XLR inputs have phantom power.

Good luck!

[bigtime]

2. Thanks for the leads!

Tascam’s support page doesn’t list the manuals I need among the ones they have available for download, but I will give them a call tomorrow. I’ve been off of facebook for many years now but I may venture back to see if anyone there can help.

The mic inputs do have preamps, and they sound nice and quiet to me. No phantom power however. I’ll play around with this mixer for a bit, but unless it really blows me away I’ll likely pass it along to someone else since I have other recording and PA gear.

[Bongo Prophet]

3. Manualslib has something that might help you get started

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1242870/Tascam-Us-20x20.html

[ProfessorGAC]

4. Can't Really Help

But, wanted to chime in about the patch bay idea.
As someone who used synthesizers in the day where 20 twelve inch cables was a must.
Fortunately, later on my Oberheim had switching built in that allowed patching with cords. Wasn't "first page" obvious, but it was there. And, I could save programs.
Having to turn 8 knobs & change 3 routings with one hand, while playing the intro as the next song was starting was more stressful than a mixdown situation. You'll have that flexibility without the pressure!