Akai GX-230 User manual

X-230/230D
STEREO TAPE RECORDER/TAPE DECK
OPERATOR’S MANUAL
CEE, CSA, UL, and LA standard models are not equipped with a Voltage
Selector. Therefore, voltage conversion is not necessary. If your machine
corresponds to any of these standards, please disregard all references to voltage
adjustment throughout this manual.
CEE Models 220V, 50 Hz
CSA Models 120V, 60 Hz
UL & LA Models : 120V, 60 Hz
WARNING:
To prevent fire or shock» hazard, do not expose this appliance to rain or
moisture.
MANUFACTURED & DISTRIBUTED BY AKAI ELECTRIC CO., LTD./AKAI TRADING CO., LTD./AKAI AMERICA LTD.

CONTROLS
INTRODUCTION
Your
ALL
GX
HEAD
unit
is
constructed
of
the
very
finest
materials
and
incorporates
the
very
latest
in
recording
and
playback
techniques.
This model employs a 3-motor system including an AC Servo
motor
for
direct
capstan
drive.
This
new
system
assures
perfectly
stable
motor
revolutions
and
tape
speed.
The
precision
mechanisms
of
this
machine
matches
the
famous
wear-free
GX
Head
character-
istics
for
unequalled
performance.
Thus,
with
proper
care,
your
unit
will
give
you
many
years
of
service.
We,
therefore,
urge
you
to
READ
THIS
MANUAL
CAREFULLY
prior
to
operation.
REEL RETAINER (Left)
SUPPLY REEL TABLE
HEAD COVER
Houses
GX
Forward
Playback,
GX
Reverse
Playback,
and
Combination
GX
Recording/Erase
Heads.
TENSION ARM/SENSING POLE.
Provides
proper
tension
for
smooth
tape
travel.
Also
functions
as
a
sensing
pole
for
automatic
reverse
(Refer
to
Automatic
and
Manual
Reverse).
IMPEDANCE ROLLER:
POWER SWITCH:
TAPE MONITOR SWITCH
To
monitor
recorded
signals
or
for
playback,
set
to
TAPE
position,
and
to
monitor
program
source,
set to SOURCE
position.
Monitoring
during
recording
cannot
be
accomplished
when
using
the
DIN
Jack.
HEADPHONE JACK
Accomodates
stereo
headphones
of
8
ohms
impedance.
MICROPHONE JACKS (Left/Right)
TAPE SPEED SWITCH:
VOLUME
CONTROLS
(Left/Right)
(GX-230D
OUTPUT
LEVEL
CON-
TROL)
Adjusts
output
level at playback
time.
TAPE SELECTOR SWITCH
LOW NOISE: Set to this position when using Low Noise Tape.
WIDE RANGE: Set to this position when using Wide Range Tape.
* — Scotch #211 Low Noise Tape is considered standard for this machine.
The use of regular tape is not recommended.
Set
to
Wide
Range
position
only
when
using
special
Wide
Range
Tape
of a grade higher than Low Noise Tape.
AC CORD.
UNIVERSAL VOLTAGE SELECTOR (CEE, CSA, UL and LA models not
equipped with this facility)
Offers six selections of AC voltage for worldwide operation. (Refer to
VOLTAGE CONVERSION procedure).
i
INDEX COUNTER AND RESET BUTTON
Provides an easy reference for quickly locating positions on the tape. To
reset to 0000", depress Reset Button.
PINCH ROLLER
Presses against capstan to transport tape.
TAPE GUIDE
RECORDING (REC) KEY
Depress this key and the PLAY Key simultaneously to effect recording
mode.
REEL RETAINER (Right)
TAKE UP REEL TABLE
REWIND -a-a KEY
Rewinds tape at high speed.
RECORDING INDICATOR LAMP
Lights when the REC Key is depressed.
STOP EEH KEY
Depress to stop tape travel.
TENSION ARM/AUTOMATIC STOP LEVER
Provides even tension for smooth tape travel. Also functions as Automatic
Stop
Lever
(At
the
end
of
the
tape,
or
if
the
tape
is
accidentally
broken,
this
lever
drops,
activating
the
automatic
stop
mechanism
and
reel
movement
is
stopped).
MANUAL REVERSE BUTTONS
Depress to reverse tape direction during playback.
PLAY KEY
Advances tape for recording or playback mode.
FAST FORWARD &-»- KEY
Forwards tape at high speed.
MICROPHONE INPUT LEVEL CONTROLS (Left/Right)
Controls microphone input volume. Adjust while observing VU Meters.
LINE
INPUT
LEVEL
CONTROLS
(Left/Right)
Controls
line
input
volume.
Adjust
while
observing
VU
Meters.
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]
Tiri
PAUSE SWITCH
Depress to temporarily suspend tape travel during recording or playback.
Especially convenient for editing tape. Simply depress when a certain
portion of the program is not desired.
* — Pause Control does not function during Fast Forward or Rewind Mode.
CAPSTAN
VU
METERS
(Left/Right)
Indicates recording and playback levels. Normal recording should not exceed
“Or MU.
SPEAKER
JACKS
(Left/Right)
(Model
GX-230
only)
CYCLE
CHANGE
SWITCH
(CEE,
CSA,
UL
and
LA
models
not
equipped
with this facility)
Set to 50 Hz or 60 Hz position according to area power source.
DIN JACK
Enables inter-connection with an external amplifier through a single Din
connection cord.
* Monitoring during recording cannot be accomplished when using the
DIN Jack.
LINE INPUT JACKS
Connects to outputs of external source.
LINE OUTPUT JACKS (Left/Right)
Connects to tape inputs of external amplifier or recorder.

OPERATING PRE TIONS
* Your machine requires constant voltage for optimum perform-
ance. If voltage change is necessary, refer to VOLTAGE
CONVERSION procedure.
As dirty or magnetized heads become the source of loss of
sound, sound drop-out, distortion, and other recording and
playback failures, the heads should be kept clean and de-
magnetized at all times.
Place machine on a flat level surface and operate in either a
vertical or horizontal position.
Do not place unit near appliances etc. which generate noise.
Avoid using your machine in extremely hot and humid or dusty
places.
Do not block the ventilator.
For clear sound, avoid over-level recording. Normal recording is
^9 NU.
If the sound sources are so far away from the microphones that
the input level controls must be turned to maximum, some hum
or noise will inevitably be recorded. A test recording is
recommended before making a final recording.
Scotch #211 Low Noise Tape is standard for this machine. The
use of regular tape is not recommended.
Set Tape Selector Switch to Wide Range position only when
using special wide range tape of a grade higher than low noise
tape.
As tapes which have not been used for a period of time may
have become sticky, run tape once before using.
Always store tapes in a cool, dry place.
Proper tape tension and automatic stop, cannot be effected if
the tape is not threaded through the Tension Arm/Automatic
Stop Lever. Refer to Tape Loading.
If your machine will not record or playback, check input and
output connections and controls and position of Pause Switch.
Should there be a problem with your machine, write down the
model and serial numbers and all pertinent data regarding warranty
coverage as well as a clear description of the existing trouble and
contact your nearest authorized Akai Service Station or the Service
Department of Akai Company, Tokyo, Japan.
VOLTAGE AND CYCLE CONVERSION
(CEE, CSA, UL and LA models are not equipped with
Voltage and Cycle conversion apparatus.)
VOLTAGE
pum oltage
Selector Plug
Fuse
Pn Post
Your
machine
is
equipped
with
a
universal
voltage
selector
offering
six
selections
of
voltage
from
100V
to
240V
AC.
Voltage
is
preset
at
the
factory
according
to
destination.
However,
the
operator
is
requested
to
reconfirm
setting
and,
if
necessary,
readjust
as
follows:
(1)DISCONNECT
POWER
CORD
and
remove
the
Fuse
Post
by
screwing
in
direction
of
arrow.
(2)Remove
the
Voltage
Selector
Plug
and
reinsert
so
that
proper
area
voltage
shows
through
the
plug
cut-out.
(3)Change
fuse
to
correspond
with
fuse
post.
(Refer
to
standard
accessory
spare
fuse
tag
instructions
for
proper
fuse).
To maintain optimum performance and prolong the life of your
machine, it is important that the line voltage be held within 1096 of
standard area voltage
CYCLES
Correct tape speed cannot be attained if the Cycle Change Switch
is not properly positioned. Set to 50 or 60 Hz position according to
area power source.
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 illustrated by
the dotted lines in the figure. Lock reels into place with Reel
Retainers provided on reel shafts.
* Be sure to thread tape through Tension Arm/Automatic Stop
Lever.
TAPE SPEED SELECTION
This model operates at 7-1/2 and 3-3/4 ips tape speed. Select
desired speed with Tape Speed Switch.
Stereo recording time using an 1,800 ft. tape is 3 hrs. at 3-3/4 ips
and 1-1/2 hrs. at 7-1/2 ips.
4-TRACK RECORDING/PLAYBACK SYSTEM
This model employs a 4-track, 2-channel stereo recording and
playback system.
STEREO RECORDING AND PLAYBACK
STEREO
|
Track
1
B
Steene
Track
1
cS
2
R2—
2
E
R2-—
3
B
Stereo
RI
3
RI
=>
4 La 4 | | w=
SJ [zou]
Stereo recording and playback requires the simultaneous use of
two tracks. The first stereo recording and playback takes place on
tracks 1 and 3. The second 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 tracks 2 and 4, invert reels.
* This model does not record in reverse direction.
AUTOMATIC
&
MANUAL
REVERSE
PLAYBACK
This model features automatic and manual reverse playback which
eliminates the trouble of inverting reels by hand. For automatic
reverse (from forward to reverse playback), simply apply about a
3/A" (2 cm) piece of sensing foil to the outside of the tape at

desired reversing point.
For manual reverse in either direction, operate Manual Reverse
Buttons at any time during playback.
DIRECT FUNCTION CHANGE CONTRO
This machine features direct function change from Play or
Recording mode to F. Forward or Rewind and between F.
Forward and Rewind. i
* Depress STOP Key to stop F. Forward or Rewind.
STEREO PLAYBACK
Make necessary connections as shown in CONNECTING DIA-
GRAM and load a pre-recorded tape.
. Turn on Power Switch.
. Set Monitor Switch to TAPE position.
. Select tape speed.
. Depress PLAY Key to begin playback.
. Adjust Volume Controls (GX-230D Output Level Control) and
external amplifier controls.
. Depress Manual Reverse Button -æ for playback of tracks 2-4.
Because Model GX-230 is equipped with a built-in amplifier, a
pair of speakers is all that is necessary for playback. However,
this model can also be connected to a pair of speakers through
an external amplifier in the same way as Model GX-230D (Refer
to CONNECTING DIAGRAM).
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*
STEREO RECORDING
Make
necessary
connections
as
shown
in
CONNECTING
DIA-
GRAM and load a tape (New tape gives best results).
A. Turn on Power Switch.
B. Select tape speed.
C. Set Tape Selector Switch according to tape being used. (Refer
to
Tape
Selector
Switch
under
CONTROLS).
D.
With
Reset
Button,
set
Index
Counter
to
“0000”.
(Provides
an
easy
reference
for
locating
positions
on
the
tape).
E.
Set
Tape
Monitor
Switch
to
SOURCE
position.
F.
Depress
Recording
(REC)
Key.
(Recording
Indicator
Lamp
will
light).
G.
Adjust
and
balance
input
level
with
appropriate
Input
Level
Controls.
H.
When
an
optimum
recording
level
has
been
determined,
while
holding
the
REC
Key
at
depressed
position,
depress
PLAY
Key
to begin
recording.
.
Invert
reels
to
record
on
tracks
2-4.
x
Dual Monitoring (comparing signals being recorded with source)
can be accomplished by switching the Tape Monitor Switch to
and from TAPE and SOURCE positions. This enables more
precise adjustment of input level for professional recording
results.
Caution: Monitoring during recording cannot be accomplished when
using the Din Jack.
*
For Microphone and Line Mixing, connect microphones to
Microphone Jacks and other source to Line Input Jacks. Adjust
microphone
input
with
Microphone
Recording
Level
Controls
and line input with Line Input Level Controls.
ABSENTEE
RECORDING
(timer
recording)
By
using
an
external
timer,
absentee
recording
can
be
accomplished
with
this
machine,
Load
a
tape
for
recording,
avoiding
tape
slack.
Adjust
input
level
following recording
procedure
and,
with
the
Power
Switch
turned
ON
and
the
REC
and
PLAY
Keys
locked
into
recording
mode
positions,
set
timer,
following
manufacturer's
instructions.
If timer
is set to coincide
with
source
timing,
the
recorder
will
automatically
begin
recording
according
to
setting.
*
This
machine
features
Automatic
Stop
which
is
effected
at
the
end
of
the
tape
(The
Tension
Arm/Automatic
Stop
Lever
drops
and
the
automatic
stop
mechanism
is
activated
to
stop
reel
movement).
EAD CLEANING
While GX Heads do not require a great deal of cleaning, if old tape
which has been spliced, etc. is used, head cleaning is recommended.
It is especially important that the heads be clean prior to recording.
Remove head cover and clean the heads with a cotton swab stick
which has been dipped in Akai Cleaning Fluid (from Head Cleaning
Kit HC-500). Also clean the pinch roller, capstan shaft, and tape
guides, etc. over which the tape travels.
* |f Akai Cleaning Fluid is not available, use alcohol. Do not use
other chemical cleaners as the rubber parts will deteriorate.
HEAD DEMAGNETIZING
Normally,
the
steel
pole
pieces
which
form
part
of
the
recording
and playback
head become slightly magnetized.
The effect of
magnetization
is
considerable
drop-out
and
noise.
Therefore,
it
is
recommended
that
head
demagnetizing
be
performed
periodically.
This can be accomplished
with a bulk Head Demagnetizer
by
bringing the prongs of the demagnetizer
close to the heads and
making several small 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.
Avoid switching the demagnetizer on and off near the head
block area or VU Meters.
Do not use magnetized tools in the vicinity of the heads.

TAPE SPLICING AND EDITING
Cut
tape
diagonally
with
an
overlap
so
that
the
ends
are
lined
up
(cutting
on
diagonal
eliminates
detection’
of
splice
in
recording).
Cover
aligned
ends
with
splicing
tape.
Press
firmly
exerting
pressure
to
secure
ends
evenly.
Trim
off
excess
splicing
tape,
cutting
into
tape
very
slightly.
This
eliminates
the
possibility
of
a
sticky
splice.
For
smooth
and
easy
tape
splicing,
Akai's
portable
tape
splicer,
Model
AS-3
is recommended.
TAPE ERASING
Any signal information previously recorded on a tape will be erased
automatically as a new recording is made on the same tape. For
erasing only, thread the tape and set machine to recording mode.
No plugs should be connected to the input jacks and recording
input level controls should be set to minimum.
TECHNICAL DATA
Track System ........ 4 track 2 channel stereo system
Reel Capacity .. Up to 7” reel
TapeSpeed .......... 7-1/2 and 3-3/4 ips (£0.7%)
Wow and Flutter ...... Less than 0.06% RMS at 7-1/2 ips;
Less than 0.08% at 3-3/4 ips
. 30 Hz to 23,000 Hz (+3 dB) at 7-1/2 ips
using AKAI LN-150-7 Tape.
30 Hz to 19,000 Hz (+3 dB) at 3-3/4 ips
using AKAI LN-150-7 Tape.
Distortion: 2: scans eus Less than 1% (1,000 Hz “0” VU)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio ... Better than 60 dB (measured via tape
with peak recording level of +6 VU)
Frequency Response .
Erase Ratio «esee Better than 70 dB.
Bias Frequency zen 100 KHz
Heads. «xe a5 atre (3): One GX Forward Playback,
One GX Reverse Playback, One
combination GX Recording/
Erase Head
MOTORS. caso roti ois (3): One AC Servo Motor for capstan
drive, Two eddy current motors for
reel drive
Fast Forward and Rewind
STILE ore eese 75 sec. using a 1,200 ft. tape
Output Jacks ........ Line (2): 0.775V ("0'" VU) (Required
load impedance: more than 20 K ohms)
Phone(1): 30 mV
Speaker(2): Continuous power output:
7 watts per channel minimum RMS at
8 ohms load impedance from 100 Hz to
20,000 Hz, both channels fully driven
to rated per channel power with no
more than 3?6 total harmonic distortion.
Input&acks
..:22—
2
ee
Microphone(2):
0.3
mV/4.7
K
ohms
Line (2): 70 mV
Diti Jaeke i5 ede . 0.5 V/3 mV
Semi Conductors GX-230: Transistors 41, Diodes 32,
ICs 2
GX-230D: Transistors 41, Diodes 28
U.S.A. and Canada (CSA, UL, and LA)
Models: 120V, 60 Hz only; CEE Models:
220V, 50 Hz only; Other Models: 100V
to 240V, 50/60 Hz (Switchable)
.. GX-230: 120W; GX-230D: 90W
Power Requirements ...
Power Consumption
Dimensions .......... 440(W) x 395(H) x 205(D) mm
(17.3 x 15.6 x 8.1")
Weight: esee GX-230: 16.7 kg (36.7 Ibs.)
GX-230D: 15.2 kg (33.4 Ibs.)
Specifications
determined
with
Scotch
#211
tape
unless
other-
wise noted.
For improvement purposes, specifications and design are subject
to change without notice.
STANDARD ACCESSORIES
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* Spare fuses not included with CEE, CSA, UL, and LA models.

CONNECTING DIAGRAM
MODEL GX-230 ONLY
O
apn
HA
8
w
SPEAKER
The Din Jack can be used instead of Line
Jacks. This enables connection with
amplifier through a single Din Cord.
When recording using Din Jack, adjust
input with MICROPHONE INPUT
LEVEL CONTROLS.
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TAPE
DECK
OR
RECORDER
RECORD
PLAYER
WITH
CRYSTAL
OR
CERAMIC
PICK-UP
STEREO AMPLIFIER
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RECORD
PLAYER
WITH
STEREO
TUNER
SPEAKER
SPEAKER
MAGNETIC
CARTRIDGE

MANUFACTURED & DISTRIBUTED BY
AKAI ELECTRIC CO, LTD.
AKAI TRADING CO, LTD.
12-14, 2-chome, Higashi-Kojiya,
Ohta-ku, Tokyo, Japan
AKAI AMERICA LTD.
2139 E. Del Amo Blvd., Compton, Calif., 90220, U.S.A.
TELEPHONE: [phone]
TELEX: 67-7494
Printed in Japan
M02J7506257583