Akai GX-77 User manual

STEREO TAPE. DECK
:, ‘Remarques:
Opmerkingen:
Anmérkningar:
Anmerkungen:
Notas:
* This manual is applicable to. both silver and black panel models.
* Supply reel and .tape.shown in photogsaph not included in standard accessories.
* Cemanuels ‘applique aussi aux modéles avec panneaux argent et noir.
*
La bande et ja.bobine sur ta photo ne sont pas comprises dans les accessoires standards.
: Deze gebruiksaanwijzing is van toepassing op modellen.met zilver en zwart paneel..
De afgebeelde aanvoerspoel met tape behoort niet tot het standaardtoebehoren.
*. Bruksanvisningen galler bade fér modellen med silverpanet och modetien med mattsvart pang}.
Matarspoten och bandet pa bilden tillhdr inte standard tillbehdren.
* Diese Betriebsanieitung gilt auch fur die Ausfilhrung mattsilber und mattschwarz.
Der auf dem Foto abgebildete Ablaufbandspule und das Band sind.im Standardzubehd: nicht
enthaiten,
* Este manual cubre ambos modelos, el de.panel-plateado y el de panel negro.
*. El carrete de suministro y la cinta mostrados en ta fotografia no estan incluidos como accesorios
estandar.
aim COS .
rain or moisture.
Operator’ s Manual..
Manuel de lutilisateur
Gebruiksaanwijzing.
MANUFACTURED. & DISTRIBUTED BY AKAI'E
AKA! TRADING CO.,LTD. /AKAL /AMERICA LT:

CONTROLS
10.
11.
12.
13.
14,
15.
16.
17,
18.
19,
21,
POWER Switch
Press once to switch on the GX-77 and once again to switch off the GX-77.
* The REAL TIME COUNTER and the standby indicator (POrd) will light as the power is
turned on.
Supply Reel Tabie
Real Stopper
Tension Arm
Takes up the tape smoothly and prevents sudden tightening of the tape.
Capstan
Head Cover
Pull the bottom towards you to open.
REAL TIME COUNTER and RESET Button
Displays the amount of tape travel in real time (minutes and seconds) up to 99 minutes 59 sec-
onds and decreases when travelling in reverse. Press the RESET button and the counter will
revert to ‘0000’.
* When 200% tape (740m=2,400ft) is used at 9.5cm/sec, the tape counter will be reset to ‘0000°
once 99.59 is exceeded.
Pinch Roller
Presses the tape against the capstan during playback and recording.
Tension Arm
Takes up the tape smoothly and prevents sudden tightening of the tape. It works in conjunction
with the auto stop mechanism,
Reel Stopper
Take Up Reel Table
TIMER START Selector
Use during absentee recording and timed playback. Always ensure that this switch is at OFF posi-
tion and the timer start mechanism released during normal recording and playback.
* If the timer start mechanism has not been released and the power is on with a tape loaded, the
GX-77 will automatically go into either the recording or playback mode.
Reverse (REV) SELECTOR
Set the REV SELECTOR to one way (—) recording or playback, one cycle ( >) recording or
playback or continuous {C>) playback.
Headphone (PHONES) Jack
Plug in headphones for monitoring recording or playback with headphones.
OUTPUT Controt
Enables simultaneous adjustment of the line output level and the headphone level.
* This cannot alter the Digital Bar Meter.
Recording Input Controls [REC-L, REC-R}
Adjust the recording input level and the balance between left and right channels. Adjust REC-L
for the left channel and REC-R for the right.
MONITOR Selector
Set to SOURCE when adjusting the recording input level and to TAPE when monitoring play-
back or monitoring the just recorded signal.
BIAS Adjustment (ADJUST) Control
Set to the type of tape being used for recording and adjust within +30%.
Recording (REC) MASTER Control
Adjusts the overall recording input level independently of the Recording tnput controls. Useful
for fade-in, fade-out recording etc.
TAPE Selector
Adjusts to the type of tape being used for recording or playback.
Tape selector with a special EE (extra efficiency) position for the high performance tapes.
TAPE SPEED Selector
Display the recording input and playback levels. A built-in peak hold holds maximum levels over
0 dB for about one second. The upper meter (L) indicates the léft channel and the lower (R)
indicates the right.
* The display cannot be altered by the OUTPUT control.
23. CUE/REVIEW Lever
24.
27.
31,
32.
Press this lever to cue in the beginning of a song from fast forward or rewind during playback.
Press once more to release.
* f€nsure this lever is not pressed when recording or playing back.
LOADING ROLLER UP/DOWN Button
Operation Buttons
Recording Button ( @ REC) and indicator
To record forwards, press this button and the forward button ( » } simultaneously. To record in
reverse, press this button and the reverse buttan ( <1 } simultaneously.
* The indicator will light during recording and recording standby.
PAUSE Button ( IE } and indicator
Press to stop tape travel temporarily during recording or playback.
* The indicator will light during the pause mode.
Reverse Button ( <)
(Press this button for reverse playback and for reverse recording press this button and the record-
ing button ( @ REC) together. The reverse STANDBY/DIRECTION indicator will light.
Forward Button ( > )
Press this button for forward playback and for forward recording press this button and the re-
cording button { @ REC) together. The forward STANDBY/OIRECTION indicator will tight.
Rewind Button ( << )
Press to rewind the tape in the direction of the arrows.
Stop Button { mi)
Press to stop playback, recording, fast forward, rewind pause.
Fast Forward Button ( >> }
Press this button to fast forward the tape in the direction of the arrows.
Note: To ensure stable operation of the timer start mechanism, please allow about 5 seconds to
elapse after switching the power on and before pressing the operation buttons,
STANDBY/DIRECTION Indicators { ~« and » }
Indicate standby during pause, rewind or fast forward. During playback and recording indicate
the direction of tape travel.
REMOTE Controt Jack
Plugin the optional Remote Contro! Unit RC-21 for remote control operation.
* Please use only the remote controt unit specified above.
External Power Supply Jack (INPUT DC 15V-200mA)
Plug in the optional AC Adapter MP-515. This enables the figures on the tape counter to be re-
tained even after the power has been turned off. Please do not use any AC adapter other than the
MP-515 (sold separately).
Power Cord
LINE IN Jacks *
These are the line input jacks for recording from other tape decks or through an external ampli-
fier.
LINE OUT Jacks ; ;
These are the line output jacks for dubbing to another tape deck or for monitoring while con-
nected to an external amplifier.
Loading Roiler
Rises up during tape travel to enable recording and playback.
Sensing Pins
When the sensing tape affixed to the tape reaches these sensing pins, during auto reverse record-
ing and continuous playback, the direction of tape travel is reversed. The one on the supply reet
side is for forward to reverse and the one on the take up reel side is for reverse to forward,
Head Section
From bottom left hand side, are the reverse playback GX head, recording GX head, erase head
and tape guide.
From bottom right hand side are the forward playback GX head, recording GX head, erase head
and tape guide.

CONTROLS
COMMANDES
BEDIENINGSORGANEN
" @ ® ® ® ©
MANOVERORGAN
BEDIENUNGSELEMENTE
CONTROLES
® @® O O®D a

CONNECTIONS
Switch
off
all
the
components
before
connecting.
Insert
the
connection
plugs
firmly
into
the
connection
jacks.
Please
keep
plugs
and
jacks
clean.
Dirt
causes
noise
and
distortion.
When
using
a
timer
connect
this
deck’s
power
cord
into
either
the
amplifier’s
AC
outlet
or
directly
to
the
timer’s
switched
outlet.
Headphones
>»
Speaker System
LEFT
LINE OUT
RIGHT LINE OUT
LEFT
PLAY
RIGHT
PLAY
+ +
SPEAKER
SSS
oo
§
6
OB
88s
Turntable
Cassette
Deck

Tapes
Tape Care
e@ Fingering the magnetic surface of the tape
causes signal dropout. Particular care should be
taken with open reel tapes.
e@ Recordings cannot be made on the leader tape
at the beginning and end of the tape. Forward
the tape until! there is no feader tape in the head
path before recording.
@ Please do not leave tapes loaded on the deck
over long periods of time. Remove after use,
replace in their boxes and store in a cool, dry
place away from units producing magnetic
fields such as speakers or TVs.
e@ Long-period storage of tapes that was taken up
in a fast forward or rewind mode will cause
damage to the tape, leading to unexpected
troubles or will make them unfit for use. There-
fore, the tapes should be stored in a condition
as taken up in an orderly manner with the tape
traveling at the fixed speed of recording or
playback. However, either rewind or fast forward
the entire tape before using the tape after
storage.
Do not bend or force the tapes. Faulty reels
Can cause unstable tape travel so avoid loose or
warped reels.
Tape Recording Time
Marketed tapes are available in lengths of 740m (2,400ft), 550m (1,800
ft) and 370m (1,200ft) etc. The TAPE SPEED selector on this deck can
be set to either 19 cm/sec. (7-1/2 in.) or to 9.5 cm/sec. (3-3/4 in.).
Please refer to the chart following for the length of recording and play-
ing time at each speed.
* A fast speed gives good wow and flutter and frequency characteris-
tics but it also shortens playing time.
Tape Length 740m 550m 370m
Tape Speed 2400ft) (1800ft) (1200ft )
ee p (
One-way 60 45 30
19em/sec (7)4in)
Two-way 120 90 60
One-way 90 60
9.5em/sec (3% in)
Setting The Tape Selector
Please refer to the chart for the correct TAPE SELECTOR settings for
marketed tapes.
k
eee NORMAL
AKAI LN, WR
ec eae oc
The standard reference tape is the 150% (550m) in beled type. Each
tape position has been adjusted for the reference tape.
* Please set the BIAS Adjustment (ADJUST) Control to ‘0’ when
recording with tapes designated as standard reference tapes.
4 as
Extra Efficiency (EE) Tapes 3
The TAPE SELECTOR has a position (EE) for the high
performance Extra Efficiency tapes. When recording
with EE tapes, set the TAPE SELECTORto EE and set
the BIAS ADJUST control to “0”,
A
EXTRA EFFICIENCY
GX Head
When compared with other heads the GX heads in this deck are highly
efficient with their decreased magnetic change loss ad subsequent
corresponding decrease in the amount of compensation to the equalizer
circuit. This decrease in compensation can thus be attively used to
improve the tape’s magnetic characteristics. tn particularthhe compensa-
tion for high frequency characteristics improves the high frequency
high level recording. Moreover although the noise inhermt in the tape
and the built-in amplifier is increased by the equalizr circuit, the
amount of decreased compensation decreases the noise tontributing to
an improved signal to noise ratio.

Setting
The
BIAS
Adjustment
(ADJUST)
Control
This
deck
has
been
supplied
with
a
BIAS
ADJUST
control
which
can
adjust
the
bias
by
+30%
at
each
tape
position.
Particularly
when
using
tape
at
the
normal
position,
please
refer
to
the
chart
below
to
set
the
BIAS
ADJUST
control.
Turning
the
BIAS
ADJUST
control
completely
to
the
left
or
right
will
change
the
bias
too
sharply
and
change
the
frequency
charac-
teristics.
Paxat[
wei
{0
|
xcs
nercnece
|
0
|
MAXELL
[UD
(REFERENCE)
[0
|
Px
5-008
|
0
dg,
|
PSA
teracreence
[0
LX35 90
ULH7 550
xe
ae
|
|
FP puapr-ssopc | 0.5 _
[pENON| Dxsso id 2.0
RECORDING AND PLAYBACK SYSTEM
4
Track,
2
Channel
Recording
and
Playback
Systems
With
the
4
track
system
each
track
occupies
1/4
of
the
tape
width
and
with
the
2
channel
system
(GX-77)
2
tracks
are
used
to
record
and
playback
left
and
right
channels.
Tracks
1
and
3
are
used
for
the
left
and
right
channels
when
recording
in
forward
direction
and
2
and*4
are
used
for
the
left
and
right
when
recording
in
reverse
direction.
Thus
on
one
tape
three
can
be
2
channel
recording
and
playback
both
ways.
Tape Loading
1.
Place
a
full
ree!
of
tape
on
the
supply
reel
table
and
an
empty
reel
of
the
same
size
on
the
take
up
reel
table.
Pull
the
reel
stoppers
at
the
tips
of
reel
table
shafts
outwards
and
turn
to
the
left
or
right
to
lock into
place.
AKAI WR 150-
UD (REF
XL 35-9
MAXELL
XL-ll
(E3
:
REFERENCE)
7
TDK
SA(E43:
REFERENCE)
'
GX35-90B
ERENCE) ' LX35-90
oB ! SONY ULH7-550
an oe
Scotch =206
= 176
= 2000
DENON DX-55C
Scotch =213
1
Recording Head
a (Right)
Forward recording ==>
Recording Head
rack Ke BS
: (Left) ‘ Track 3
Trach Track 4
<==» Reverse recording
C7) Recorded track
2.
Unwind
about
60
to
70
cms
of
tape
and
then
thread
into
the
empty
reel
as
shown
in
the
diagram.

3. Insert the end of the tape into the slot in the hub on the empty 4. Gently hold the tape in position with the right forefinger and wind
reel. the empty reel around in a counterclockwise direction once or
twice until all the tape slack has been taken up.
This new mechanism was developed to put aside the idea that loading
open reel tapes is time consuming and difficult.
1. Simply thread the tape under the tension arms and onto the take up
reel as described before.
2. Press the LOADING ROLLER UP/DOWN button and the auto
mechanism will take the tape to the heads and begin tape travel.
3. When all the tape has been transferred to the take up reel the auto
loading mechanism will release as auto Stop is activated.
4. Press the Stop button (mm) and then the LOADING ROLLER
UP/DOWN button to stop tape travel and retease the auto loading
mechanism midway.
Loading mechanism cannot be stopped by pressing the LOADING
Lone moven ROLLER UP/DOWN button during tape travel.
mi ere With auto loading it takes about one second for tape travel to begin
a<
after the LOADING ROLLER UP/DOWN button has been pressed.
«<< —O | Pe
PUSH OFe

Recording (Forwards)
Before beginning:
® is the tape correctly loaded? (See pages 6 and 7.)
1s the Power Cord connected? (See page 3.)
Is every thing correctly connected? (See page 3.)
Is the TIMER START selector set to OFF?
1. Press the POWER switch to turn on
the power.
2.
Set
the
TAPE
SELECTOR
and
the
BIAS
Adjustment
(ADJUST)
control
to
the
tape
being
used.
3. Set the TAPE SPEED selector to the
desired speed.
4. Set the MONITOR selector to
SOURCE.
5. Adjust the balance between the left
and right channels with the Record-
ing Input controls (REC-L and REC-
R) and then the overall recording
input fevel with the Recording (REC)
MASTER control.
6. Press the REC (@) and PAUSE
( BE) buttons for recording stand-
by.
7. Press the RESET button and set the
REAL TIME COUNTER to ‘0000’.
8. Press the Forward ( ™ ) button, the
tape will travel forwards and record-
ing begin.
9. Set the MONITOR selector to T APE
for simultaneous monitoring and
adjust the recording level while
checking the recording.
10. Press the Stop ( mi) button to re-
lease.

Cutting Out The Commercials During FM Recording
1. Set the MONITOR selector to SOURCE before the commercial
begins and monitor the source.
2. Press the PAUSE ( §/§f ) button as the commercial begins to stop
tape travel while keeping the deck in the recording mode.
Setting The Recording Input Level
Please adjust the recording level for a good signal to noise ratio. If the
recording level is too low, noise will result and if too high, distortion
will increase.
1. Set the MONITOR selector to TAPE while recording. (Simultaneous
Monitoring).
2. The Digital Bar Meter now indicates the level being recorded onto
the tape. Watch the Digital Bar Meters and adjust the balance be-
tween left and right channels with the Recording Input controls
(REC-L and REC-R) and the overall recording input level with the
Recording (REC) MASTER control.
3. Refer to the illustrations on the right.
This adjustment should be sufficient for normal use but there are
variations in the recording sensitivities of tapes. We advise you to
Monitor simultaneously the sound being recorded through head-
phones, etc. to adjust the recording level correctly.
The GX heads featured in this deck decrease loss during recording
and playback to give recording without distortion when wide dy-
namic range, high performance tapes are used in particular even if
O dB is occasionally exceeded. Monitor simultaneously through the
headphones to raise the recording level until just before distortion
becomes noticeable, in order to widen the dynamic range for record-
ing with a good signal to noise ratio.
Simultaneous Monitoring
Use this method to check the quality of recording during recording.
tt will help to record important programs well and to avoid the distor-
tion produced when the input level is too high.
Line
Amplifier
@) Recording
Equalizer
Amp
Erase Head
Add On Recording
During playback, if the REC ( @) button is pressed along with the
Forward ( ») or the Reverse ( «) button recordings can be made
without interrupting tape travel.
Recording GX Head
3. When the commercial finishes press the Forward ( » ) button to
resume recording.
4. Use also when jumping tracks while recording records.
Lal
i—| || —4—f- || | ——
Qa ’
-e0 S 0
Level is too high. — Distortion appears.
@ Set to the MONITOR selector to SOURCE to monitor the recording
input signal. (Routes 1 and 2 on the diagram)
@ Set the MONITOR selector to TAPE to monitor what is actually
being recorded on the tape. (Routes 1 and 3 on the diagram)
Monitor Selector Line Output Jack
Playback
Headphone
Jack
Amp
Head
Playback GX Head
Direction of Tape Travel —>

Playback (Forwards)
Before beginning:
® Is the tape correctly loaded? (See pages 6 and 7.}
® Is the Power Cord connected?
e ls everything correctly connected? (See page 3.)
»
Is the TIMER START selector set to OFF?
1. Press the POWER switch to turn on
the power.
2. Set the TAPE SELECTOR for the
tape being used.
3. Set the TAPE SPEED selector to the
speed at which the recording was
made.
5. Press the RESET button and set the
REAL TIME COUNTER to ‘0000’.
4. Set the MONITOR selector to TAPE.
6. Press the Forward ( ™ ) button, the
tape will travel and playback will
begin.
7. Adjust the headphone volume and
Output to the pre-main amplifier (or
receiver) with the OUTPUT control.
8. Tape travel can be temporarily stop-
ped by pressing the PAUSE ( §f)
button. Press the Forward ( ™ } but-
ton to resume playback.
9. Press the Stop ( @™) button to re-
lease.