Akai GX-221 User manual

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STEREO TAPE REGORDER
OPERATOR'S MANUAL
THIS MANUAL IS ALSO APPLICABLE TO MODEL GX.221D STEREO TAPE DECK.
MANUFACTURED & DISTRIBUTED BY AKAI ELECTRIC CO., LTD./AKAI TRADING CO., LTD./AKAI AMERICA LTD.
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GLASS & CRYSTAL FERRITE
HEAD
Akai has equipped this model with its
new and amazing Glass & Crystai Ferrite
Recording and Playback Heads to bring
you unequalled open reel high fidelity
sound. With the Glass & Crystal Ferrite
Head, superbly wider frequencies, with
clear highs can be recorded in ail their
true fideiity covering 25,000 Hz with low
noise tape. In other wotds, with this
completely new Glass & Crystal Ferrite
Head, high dynamic range and excellent
signal-to-noise ratio are achieved. The
secret of this success lies in the head
materials, superior processing technique
and the focused-field recording systern-
The core of this quality head is made of
single crystal ferrite and is mounted and
set in glass. The superior high range
characteristics are contributable to the
structure of the head gap which focuses
the magnetic field into a sharp oblong
radius. This focused-field recording
system minimizes high frequency loss,
eliminates undue equalization and
achieves a wider dynamic range.

INDEX
Controls
vottage&cycleco.u.rrion :...:. :.. : :. :.........
Tape Speed Selection
Fast Forward & Rewind
Automatic Stop & Shut-Off
PauseControl....
Operating Precautions
For Better Recording Resuits
Sound Monitoring .
Tape Selector Switch
Pilch Wheel & Capstan Cleaning
Head Demagnetizing
How To Use The Dia Jack
Tape Erasing
2
4
4
4
+
5
5
5
5
6
6
6
6
7
ConnectionsForPlayback ,..... i
Tape Loading )
4-TrackRecording/PlaybackSystem .,,.1
PlaybackOfPre-RecordedTape ......, E
Automatic&ManualReversePlayback .. . .. 9
ConnectionsForRecording..... .,,...10
RecordingUsingMicrophones. ...,....11
RecordingFromAnExternalAmplifiei . . .,, . .1:
RecordingFromATurntable,.,,,....lj
TapeDubbin1.... ,....11
Sound-On-SounCRecordin1.... . ....11
Playback With Model GX-221D Tape Deck , . . , .13
TechnicalData.. .......14
StandardAccessories ....15
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CEE, CSA and UL Standard models are not equipped
with Voltage Selector a,nd Cycle Conversion Switches.
Therefore, voltage and cycle conversion is not neces-
sary. If your machine corresponds to any of these
standards, please disregard all references to voltage
and cycle adjustment throughout this manual.
CEE Models : 220 Y ,50 Hz.
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CONTROLS
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I. INDEXCOUNTER&RESETBUTTON 25. RECORD/PLAYBACKLEVER
For use in locating positions on the tape. For effecting playback or recording mode. For playback, set to
PLAY position. For recording, rvhile depressing Recofding
2. PINCH WHEEL Safety Button, set to REC position.
PÍesses against capstan to transport tape. 26. FAST FORWARD/REWIND LEVER
3. CAPSTAN For effecting fast forward or rewind mode (transports tape at
Transports tape. high sPeed).
4. SUPPLYREELTABLE 27. PAU§ELEVER
Convenient for temporarily suspending tape movement during
5. BUILT-IN SPEAKER recording or playback. To release, depress Start Button.
6. SUPPLYREELRETAINER 28. STARTBUTTON
pull tip of retainer outward and turn to left or right to firmly Releases Pause Lever.
lock reel into place' 29. 'HUT-.FF swrrcH
7. CYCLE CONVERSION SWITCH (A) This srvitch is linked to the Automatic Stop/Shut-Off Lever.
Set to 50 t-{z or 60 Hz according ro area power source. For Set to STOP position for automatic stop, and to SHUT-OFF
details refer to Voltage & Cycle Conversion procedure. position for automatic shut-off.
8. TAPESPEEDSELECTOR 30. EQUALIZERSWITCH
Set to desired tape speed and set Equalizer Switch accordingly. Set to correspond with Tape Speed Selector.
9. TAPE TENSION LEVER (Sensing Pole) 31. POWER SWITCH
Provides proper tension for better tape stabiiity. Also functions
as Sensing pole tor reverse playback. 32. TAPE SELECTOR SWITCH
Depress when using Akai Super Range Tape or other make low
10. SENSING POLE noise tape.
Irunctions as Sensing Pole for continuous reverse playback. 33. RECORDING LEVEL CONTROLS (left & right) (Model
ll. HEAD COVER Gx-221D: Right RECORDING LEVEL CONTROL)
Houses (from lelt to right) Erase, Recording, lnd Forlvard/
Reverse Playback Heads. 34. MICROPHONE JACKS (left & right)
12. MANUALREVERSEBUTTONS 3s. SOUND-ON-SOUNDBUTTON
For effecting manual reverse pla-vback' For sound-on-sound . operatioÍl. Refer to sound-on-Sound
13. TRACK SELECT0R swITCHEs Recording procedure'
For easy selection of, racks for stereo or monaural perfor' 36. RECORDING INDICATOR LAMp
mance' Lights when machine is set to recording mode.
14. MONITOR SWITCH * 37. CyCLE CONVERSION SWITCH (B)
To monitor program source, set to SoURCE position' To setthisswitchandcycleconversionSwitch(A)onfrontpanel
monitor rgcorded signals or for playback. set to TAPE position. L so È, or 60 Hz to correspond with area po$,er source.
15. VOLUME CONTROLS (left and right) (Model GX-221D:
Left Recording Level control) 'e' v^-LLtu ' "' ::Ià*3§:yJÏ:}r,. speaker output, and to oÈ t r,osition ro
16. HEAD*HONE JACK cut speaker output for monitoring or private headphone
For monitoring or private headphone listening. use stereo listening'
headphones of I §) impedance. 39. UNMRSAL VOLTAGE SELECTOR AND FUSE ,OST
17. TONE CONTROLS (bass and treble) Refer to voltage and cvcle conversion procedure
Clockwise increases bass and treble respectively. 40. AC CORD
18. VU METERS (left and right) 41. SPEAKER JACKS (Left/Right)
Indicates recording and playback levels. 42. LINE OUTPUT JACKS (Left/Right)
19. TAPE GUIDE Connects to tape inputs of ixternal amplifier or recorder.
20. RECORDINGSAFETYBUTTON 43. DINJACK
For effecting recording mode, depress this button and set Enables inter-connection with an external amplifier *ith rhe
Record/Playback LeYeÍ to REC position. use of a single Din cord connection.
21. AUTOMATIC STOPISHUT-OFF LEVER 44. DIN JACK HIGH/LOW INPUT S\!'ITCH
22. rAKE.up REEL rABLE i::J ïi'# ?fJï:-,:ï"i;"i1?à'J'r';',:?;'"1"^ï."'iTJ,'i'lï.ï
23. BUILT-IN SPEAKER 50 MV, SEt tO LO\ï POSitiON-
24. TAKE.UP REEL RETAINER 45. LINE INPUT JACKS (LEft/Right)
pull tip of retainer outward and turn to left or right to firmly connects to outputs of external source'
lock reel into place. tr

6O Hz
TAPE SPEED SELECTION
This model operates on three tape speeds {1-1i),3-3/4. and
i-7/8 ips). Tape speed is determined by the position of the
Tape Speed Selector. For proper equalization, the Equalizer
Switch must be set to correspond with tape speed.
Recording time using an 1800 ft. tape : (Stereo) : 6 hrs. at
1-718 ips ; 3 hrs. at 3-3,14 ips ; i.5 hrs. at '7-1 12 tps.
(Monaural) : 12 hrs. at 1-7r8 ips ; 6 hrs. at 3-314 ipst 3 hrs.
at 7-1l2 ips.
FAST FORWARD & REWIND
For fast forward or rervind, operate Past Forward/
Rewind Lever. This feature peÍmits rapid selection of
recordings on the tape. This lever locks into position and
cannot be operated while the Recordi Playback Lever is in
operation and viee-versa.
E
VOLTAGE AND CYCLE CONVERSION
VOLTAGE
Your machine is equipped with a universal voltage selector
offering six selections of voltage from 100 V to 240 V AC
for worldwide operation. Voltage is preset at the factory
accordiag to destination. Please confirm setting prior to
operation and if read.justment is necessary, proceed as
follows : (A) Disconnect power cord and remove the Fuse
Post by screwlng in direction of arrow. (B) Remove the
Voltage Selector Plug and reinsert so that proper area
voitage is shown through the plug cut-out. (C) Change fuse
to correspond with voltage and tighten the Fuse Post.
100 V to 720 Y : 1.5 A, 250 V fuse ;
200 V to 24OY : 1 A, 125 V fuse.
x Be sure to disconnect power cord before attempting to readjust
voltage.
* To maintain optimum performance and prolong the life of your
machine, it is important that the line voltage be held within a
lo% deviation of standard area voltage.
CYCLE
Correct tape speed cannot be obtained if the Cycle
Conversion Switches are not properly positioned. Cycle
Conversion Switch (A) is located on the upper center of the
face panel and (B) is located at the rear of the recorder.
Using a screw driver, rotate Cycle Conversion Switch (A)
counter-clockwise approximately one-eighth of a turn. The
switch can then be moved either OUT or IN. 50 Hz
operatlon is obtained by moving the switch OUT and 60 Hz
operation by moving the switch IN. The switch must be
rotated back to its originai position after it has been reset.
Cycle Conversion Switch (B) must be set aecordilgly. With
a minus screw driver, ioosen adjustment scre\M and move to
50 Hz or 60 Ftrz position. Tighten screw.
* Do not attempt to rotate the Cycle Conversion Switches when
the motor is not running.
AUTOMATIC STOP & SHUT.OFF
One of the exclusive features of this model is the automatic
stop & shut-off function of the unit. For Automatic Stop
(to stop reel movement at the end of the tape), set the
Shut-Off Switch to STOP position, and for Automatic
Shut-Off (to cut off the power of the entire unit at end of
tape), set to SHUT-OFF position.
PAUSE CONTROL
To momentarily stop the tape during recording or play-
back, lift Pause Lever. Pause control is especially useful for
editing tape during recording. To reiease Pause Lever,
depress Start Button.
* Pause Control will not function during Fast Forward or Rewind
operation.
5O Hz
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OPERATING PRECAUTIONS
The conditions listed below do not indicate mechanical
failure of your unit. If your machine exhibits any of the
following, please check for trouble as indicated.
Loss of sensitivity oÍ tone quality may be due to :
* Wrong side of tape facing heads.
* AC power voltage lower than the voltage to which your
machine is adjusted.
* Magnetized heads. See Head Demagnetizing procedure.
Irregularity of tape transpoÍt may be due to :
* Dust or magnetic particles adhering to Capstan, etc. See
Pinch Wheel & Capstan Cleaning procedure.
* Bent Take-Up Reel.
* Tape loaded improperly. See Tape Loading procedure.
If your machine will not operate, check to see that
connections are correct and controls are properly posi-
tioned.
The following notes are provided for your convenience.
* Your machine requires constant voltage for optimum
performance.
* If the sound sources are so far away from the
microphones that recording levels must be tumed up to
maximum, some hum or noise will inevitably be
recorded. A test recording is recommended before
attempting a final recording.
Should there be a problem with your machine, write down
the model and serial numbers and all perti-nent data
regarding warranty coverage as well as a clear description of
the existing troubie and contact your nearest authorized
Akai Service Station or the Service Department of Akai
Company, Tokyo, Japan.
FOR BETTER RECORDING RESULTS
With the recorder set to recording mode, the recording
input level is registered on the VU Meters, but the recordiag
level can be more precisely set by adjusting the volume
controls while monitoring input signals through stereo
headphones. Adjust during momentary maximum input,
etc. so that the VU Meters register normally. For recording
with the least possible distortion, keep the recording leve1
as high as possible within the white part of the VU meter
scale.
SOUND MONITORING
For sound monitoring or private headphone listening,
connect stereo headphones of low impedance type (8 O) to
Headphone Jack. Akai models ASE-22 and ASE-20 are
highly recommended,
TAPE SELECTOR SWITCH
Depress the Tape Selector Switch when usiag Akai SRT
(Super Range) Tape or other make 1ow noise tape. This
feature brings out the maximum response of 1ow noi.se tape
and works to change the recording equalization according
to the tape. Although this machine extribits a good
frequency response with regular tape, this is further
extended with low noise tape.
* Do not depress this switch when using regular tape. tr

PINCH WHEEL & CAPSTAN CLEANING
If foreign matter is allowed to accumulate on the Pinch
Wheel and Capstan, these particles will come off on the
tape causing deterioration of sound quality. Oil adhering to
the Capstan also causes irregularity in tape transport. It is,
therefore, recommended that these parts be wiped clean
occasionaily. For Pinch Wheel .and Capstan cleaning, use
Akai cleaning fluid (from Head Cleaning Kit HC-500) or
alcohol.
While the GX Heads usually require no cleaning, if old tape
or splicing tape is used, because the particles from such tape
are voluminous, head cleaning is recommended. In such an
instance, ciean heads with a cotton swab stick soaked in
Akai cleaning fluid or alcohol.
* Do not use such chemicals as chlorothane, etc. as the rubber parts
will deteriorate.
HEAD DEMAGNETIZING
Normally, the steel pole pieces which form part of the
recording and playback heads become slightly magnetized.
The effect of magnetization is that it causes considerable
drop-out and introduces noise into your recordings. It is,
therefore, recommended that demagnetizing be performed
periodically. This can be accomplished with a bulk de-
magnetízer by bringing the prongs close to the heads and
making several circular motions over all head surface areas
as well as the head housing.
* Be sure to cut off the power of the unit prior to demagnetizing
the heads.
* Do not use magnetized tools in the vicinity of the heads.
* Read demagnetizer instructions carefully prior to demagnetizing
the heads.
HOW TO USE THE DIN JACK
The Din Jack can be used instead of REC and PB Jacks if
your amplifier has a corresponding connection. This one-
cord system eliminates the necessity of four separate
connections and disconnections. If the output level of your
amplifier is more than 50 mV, set the Din Jack Highllow
Input Switch to HIGH position, and when less than 50 mV,
set to LOW position.
TAPE ERASING
Any signals previously recorded on the tape will be
automatically erased as a new recording is made. No plugs
should be connected to the Input Jacks and Volume
Controls should be kept at minimum. For quick and
complete erasure, the use of a bulk tape eraser is recom-
mended.
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CONNECTIONS FOR PLAYBACK
TAPE LOADING
Place a full reel of tape on the Supply Reel Table and an
empty reel on the Take-Up Reel Table. Thread the tape as
shown in the figure on page 8. Lock reels firmly into place
with the built-in reei retainers provided on reel shafts.
4-TRACK RECORDING/PLAYBACK SYSTEM
This model employs a 4-fuack system which can be used for
either stereo or monaural. Select desired track(s) with the
Track Selector Switch.
STEREO RECORDING & PLAYBACK
Stereo recording and playback requires the simultaneous
use of two tracks. For stereo operation, depress the
STEREO Track Selector Switch. The first stereo recording
(playback) takes place on tracks I and 3. The second stereo
playback takes place on tracks 2 and 4, after the machine
has been set to reverse playback mode or the reels have
been inverted. To record on track 2 arrd 4, invert reels.
MONAURAL RECORDING & PLAYBACK
Monaural recording and playback sequence is 1-4-3-2.
Depress 1-4 Track Selector Switch. The first monaural
recording (playback) takes place on track 1, and the second
on track 4 after the reels have been inverted, Invert reels
and depress 3-2 Truck Selector Switch. The thud monaural
recording (playback) takes place on tÍack 3, and the fourth
on track 2 after the reels have been inverted.
This model does not record in reverse direction. For reverse
playback, use sensing tape for automatic Íeverse playback
or the Reverse Button provided on the front panel for
manual reverse, or invert ree1s.
MONAUFIAL,
#24+
42+
T
T
Trac k 1[,4ono 1+
3+
T
T
STE R EO
#2 F.2* Track 1L1+
ffi 3 R1+
Stereo R
4 L2+
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PLAYBACK OF PRE-RECORDED TAPE
For playback with Model GX-221D Stereo Tape Deck,
please refer to page 13.
Please read the operating precautions carefully before
attempting operation.
Connect power cord and load a pre-recorded tape.
STEREO PLAYBÀCK
A. Turn on Power Switch.
B. Depress STEREO Track Selector Switch,
C. Select tape speed and set Equalizer Switch to con-
sistent speed.
D. Set Monitor Switch to TAPE position.
E. Set Record/Playback Lever to PLAY position to begin
playback.
F. Adjust left and right Volume Controls.
G. Adjust Tone Controls.
If a more powerful output is desired, connect two speakers
to the Speaker Jacks or connect the Line Outputs to the
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tape inputs of an external stereo amplifier and connect two
speakers to the amplifier.
MONAURAL PLAYBACK
Only the left channel is used for monaural playback on
tracks 1 and 4. Substitute the following steps for steps B
and F of the stereo playback procedure and add step H.
B. Depress 1-4 Track Selector Switch.
F. Adjust left Volume Control.
H. Depress REV Manual Reverse Button or invert reels for
playback on track 4.
Only the right channel is used for monaural playback on
tracks 3 and 2. Substitute the following steps for steps B
and F of the stereo playback procedure and add step H.
B. Depress 3-2 Track Selector Switch.
F. Adjust right Volume Control.
H. Depress REV Manual Reverse Button or invert reels for
playback on track 2.