User manual TASCAM MINISTUDIO PORTA 02

[. . . ] » OWNER'S MANUAL 9101411800 Table of Contents Important Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 1. An introduction to the Porta02 . . . . . . . 4 1. 1 Multitrack recording ­ a brief introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 1. 2 Some safety notes and precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 1. 3 What you need to make recordings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 1. 4 Connecting the Porta02 . . . . . . . . . . 8 2. Parts of the Porta02 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 3. Making your first recording. . . . . . . . . . . 13 3. 1 Setting up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 3. 2 Getting ready . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 3. 3 Setting the level. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 3. 4 Recording the first track . . . . . . . 15 3. 5 Recording the next track . . . . . . 16 3. 6 Recording the stereo backing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 3. 7 Mixdown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 4. [. . . ] However, you can still listen to the signals coming into the MIC/LINE jacks and view the levels on the meters. When set to a number (1 or 3 for channel 1, or 2 or 4 for channel 2), the signals input to the channel will be recorded on the track whose number has been set on the switch. This is called "assigning" or "routing" channels to tracks. [10] Tape counter and reset button The tape counter allows you to note different parts of the tape and locate to them. Press the reset button to reset the counter to "000" at any time (we suggest that you only do this at the beginning of a recording). [14] Channel meters (1 and 2) [11] OUTPUT LEVEL controls These controls change the levels of the four tape tracks in the LINE OUT and PHONES outputs. When one of these controls is turned fully counter-clockwise, the tape track corresponding to that control will not be heard in the LINE OUT and PHONES outputs. Each channel has a set of four LED indicators which show the level of the signals sent to the LINE OUT L and R jacks. Exactly what is metered depends on the REC FUNCTION switch settings, but generally, they display the signals at the MIC/ LINE IN jacks, and when the input channels are set to SAFE, the meters show the off-tape signals, whose levels and pan positions are set using the OUTPUT LEVEL and PAN controls. The best level for any input signal is when an averagely loud part of the signal lights the red 0 indicator, and the +6 indicator (also red) is only lit by the loudest parts of the signal. See 3. 3, "Setting the level" for details of how this should be set up. [12] OUTPUT PAN controls These controls change the position of the four tape tracks in the stereo LINE OUT and PHONES outputs. When one of these controls is turned fully counter-clockwise, the sound of the corresponding tape track will appear to come from the left, and when turned fully clockwise, it will appear to come from the right. When in the center position, the output will appear equally from both the left and right. [15] Channel faders (1 and 2) These faders are used to adjust the level of the signals coming into the MIC/LINE 11 Parts of the Porta02 IN jacks. They should be used together · with the TRIM controls (see 3. 3, "Setting the level") to adjust the levels of the signals routed to the tape tracks. · [16] RECORD indicator · This red indicator lights when the RECORD and PLAY keys are pressed, and at least one of the REC FUNCTION switches is not in the SAFE position. Pressing RECORD and PLAY while both REC FUNCTION switches are set to SAFE has the same effect as pressing PLAY. · If the left record-protect tab of the cassette has been broken out, or if there is no cassette loaded, the RECORD key cannot be pressed. It is not possible to go directly from recording into playback mode. The PAUSE key only pauses playback and recording. It is not possible to pause the tape in fast forward and rewind modes. All keys lock down when pressed, except for the STOP key, and only work when locked down. [18] [17] Transport controls Cassette compartment cover These work in the same way as the controls on most cassette recorders. However, there are a few points you should note: · Pressing the RECORD key will also press down the PLAY key. The hinged cassette compartment cover is opened by lifting the tab on the right side. You load and unload cassettes by hand, using a finger or fingers in the space to the right of the cassette. 12 3 Making your first recording 3 ­ Making your first recording This section describes how to make a 4-track recording using the Porta02. For this, we will assume that you are making a recording of your voice on two tracks (1 and 2), using a microphone, and recording a part of a stereo CD or cassette on the other two tracks (3 and 4). Make sure you know what you are going to say. Start by making sure that you have all the equipment listed in 1. 3, "What you need to make recordings". 3. 1 Setting up 1) Make sure all equipment is turned off. [. . . ] Is the tape properly inserted in the Porta02?Cannot press the RECORD key Is the tape record-protected?The RECORD key is pressed, the Check the OUTPUT LEVEL control for the track. tape moves, but nothing is recorded, or the level is very low Is the TRIM level set correctly (a microphone feeding a channel set to LINE will sound very faint). 22 6 Specifications If you're listening through headphones, is the Porta02's MONO switch pressed? [. . . ]