Alba DR-160 User manual
ALBA
INSTRUCTION
MANUAL
PORTABLE
CASSETTE
RECORDER
WITH
DIGITAL
COUNTER.
DIN
DR-160
COPYRIGHT
NOTICE
WARNING.
MOST
RECORDS,
COMPACT
DISCS,
AUDIO
AND
VIDEO
CASSETTES,
RADIO
AND
TELEVISION
BROADCASTS
CONTAIN
MATERIAL
WHICH
IS
THE
SUBJECT
OF
‘COPYRIGHT.
IT
IS
UNLAWFUL
TO
RECORD
SUCH
MATERIAL
IN
ANY
FORM
WHATSOEVER,
WHETHER
ON
DISC
OR
TAPE
WITHOUT
THE
PERMISSION
OF
THE
COPYRIGHT
OWNER
CONCERNED.
ANY
PERSON
WHO
MAKES
A
RECORDING
OF
SUCH
MATERIAL
WITHOUT
THE
CONSENT
OF
THE
COPYRIGHT
OWNER
INFRINGES
COPYRIGHT
AND
MAY
BE
LIABLE
TO
PAY
SUBSTANTIAL
DAMAGES
TO
THE
COPYRIGHT
OWNER
AND
IN
SOME
CASES,
TO
CRIMINAL
PROSECUTION.
For
your
own
safety
read
following
Instruction
carefully
before
attempting
to
connect
this
unit
to
the
mains.
IMPORTANT
The
wires
in
the
mains
lead
are
coloured
in
accordance
with
following
code:
BLUE
-—
NEUTRAL
BROWN
—-
LIVE
As
the
colours
of
the
wires
in
the
mains
lead
may
not
correspond
with
the
coloured
markings
identifying
the
terminals
in
your
plug
PROCEED
AS
FOLLOWS.
The
wire
which
is
coloured
BLUE
must
be
connected
to
the
terminal
which
is
marked
with
the
letter
N
or
coloured
BLACK.
The
wire
which
is
coloured
BROWN
must
be
connected
to
the
terminal
which
is
marked
with
the
letter
L
or
coloured
RED.
lf
a
13A
plug
is
used,
fit
a
3A
Fuse.
If
any
other
plug
is
used,
protect
with
a
5A
fuse
in
the
plug,
adaptor
or
at
the
distribution
board.
CAUTION
TO
PREVENT
ELECTRIC
SHOCK
DISCONNECT
FROM
THE
MAINS
BEFORE
REMOVING
COVER.
NO
USER
SERVICEABLE
PARTS
INSIDE,
REFER
SERVICING
TO
QUALIFIED
SERVICE
PERSONNEL.
SAFETY
PRECAUTION
THIS
EQUIPMENT
BE
DISCONNECTED
FROM
THE
MAINS
WHEN
NOT
IN
USE.
DO
NOT
ALLOW
THIS
UNIT
TO
BE
EXPOSED
TO
RAIN
OR
MOISTURE.
FEATURES
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
CASSETTE
DOOR
BUILT-IN
CONDENSER
MIC.
(10)
(11)
HIDE-AWAY
CARRYING
HANDLE
(12)
PAUSE
BUTTON
STOP/EJECT
BUTTON
F.F.
BUTTON
REW
BUTTON
LOAD/PLAY
BUTTON
SAVE/RECORD
BUTTON
POWER
SUPPLY
This
unit
is
designed
to
operate
on
AC
(
~)
240
volts
50
Hz
mains
supply
or
DC
6V
by
using
4
batteries,
type
UM-2
or
equivalent.
(13)
(14)
(18)
(16)
(17)
a
oo
J
VOLUME
CONTROL
EXTENSION
MIC.
SOCKET
REMOTE
CONTROL
SOCKET
EARPHONE
SOCKET
BATTERY
DOOR
‘MAINS
LEAD
SOCKET
TAPE
COUNTER
DIN
SOCKET
DC
OPERATION
Your
tape
recorder
operates
on
GV
DC
power
by
using
4
batteries,
type
HP-11
or
equival-
ent.
Remove
the
lid
of
the
battery
compartment
by
depressing
latch
and
pulling
outwards.
Insert
the
batteries
as
shown
on
the
diagram
provided
inside
the
battery
compartment.
When
operating
your
tape
recorder
on
batteries,
please
ensure
the
mains
lead
is
detached
from
MAINS
LEAD
socket
(15)
of
the
unit.
The
batteries
will
last
longer
if
you
keep
the
volume
down.
Remember
that
the
higher
the
volume,
the
shorter
the
life
of
the
batteries.
Old
batteries
can
leak
and
cause
corrosion,
so
never
leave
run-down
batteries
in
your
tape
recorder.
HIGH
POWER
BATTERIES
ONLY
SHOULD
BE
USED
TO
OPERATE
THIS
UNIT
DURACELL
BATTERIES
RECOMMENDED
MAINS
OPERATION
To
operate
the
set
on
mains
power
use
the
mains
lead
provided.
insert
the
socket
end
of
the
lead
into
the
mains
input
socket
(15)
located
at
the
side
of
the
set.
Connect
the
bare
ends
of
the
lead
to
a
fused
piug
and
plug
into
240
volt
AC
~
50Hz
electric
socket.
Con-
necting
the
mains
lead
to
the
set
automatically
disconnects
the
internal
battery
circuit.
The
wires
in
this
mains
lead
are
coloured
in
accordance
with
the
following
code:
Blue
=
Neutral
Brown
=
Live
The
wire
which
is
coloured
Blue
must
be
connected
to
the
terminal
marked
with
the
letter
N
or
coloured
Black.
The
wire
which
is
coloured
Brown
must
be
connected
to
the
terminal
which
is
marked
L
or
coloured
Red.
The
plug
shoutd
be
protected
by
a
3A
fuse
if
a
13A
(BS1363)
Plug
is
used
or
if
any
other
type
of
plug
is
used,
by
a
5A
fuse
either
in
the
plug
or
adaptor
or
at
the
distribution
board.
DO
NOT
REMOVE
COVER
WITHOUT
FIRST
DISCONNECTING
UNIT
FROM
THE
MAINS
SUPPLY.
THIS
EQUIPMENT
SHOULD
BE
DISCONNECTED
FROM
THE
MAINS
WHEN
NOT
IN
USE.
IT
tS
RECOMMENDED
THAT
THIS
UNIT
IS
NOT
USED
IN
VERY
HOT
OR
HUMID
CONDITIONS.
CASSETTE
OPERATION
1,
Depress
the
STOP/EJECT
button
(5)
to
open
the
CASSETTE
DOOR
(1).
2.
Insert
a
recorded
cassette
in
the
CASSETTE
DOOR
(1).
Ensure
open
end
of
the
cassette
tape
exposing
the
tape
is
facing
forward.
Close
the
CASSETTE
DOOR
(1)
firmly.
Depress
LOAD/PLAY
button
(8).
Adjust
the
VOLUME
control
(10)
as
required.
To
stop
playing
cassette
tape,
depress
the
STOP/EJECT
button
(5)
to
mid-position.
If
you
wish
to
rewind
tape,
depress
REW
button
(7).
If
you
wish
to
forward
tape,
depress
F.F.
button
(6).
NOTE:
1.
When
any
button
is
in
depressed
position,
before
pressing
any
other
button,
always
be
sure
to
press
STOP/EJECT
button
(5)
first
to
release
previous
operation
button.
If
this
is
not
done,
damage
may
result
to
both
tape
mech-
anism
and
cassette
tape.
MOOS
w
.
This
cassette
mechanism
is
designed
with
a
built-in
tape
end
sensor
which
automatically
cancels
the
LOAD/PLAY
button
(8)
and/or
SAVE/RECORD
button
(9)
when
the
tape
reaches
the.end
of
its
travel.
However,
please
note
this
‘AUTO
STOP’
function
wil!
not
work
when
the
unit
is
in
REWIND
or
FAST
FORWARD
mode,
in
such
case,
the
STOP/EJECT
button
(5)
should
alweys
be
used
to
release
these
buttons
to
avoid
excessive
strain
to
cassette
mechanism
and
motor.
This
unit's
mechanism
aiso
includes
a
PAUSE
button
(4)
which,
when
pressed,
instantly
stops
the
tape’s
movement
in
the
‘LOAD/PLAY’
and
‘SAVE/RECORD’
modes
of
operation.
When
released,
the
tape
movement
resumes
instantly.
However,
please
note
even
though
the
tape
will
be
station-
ary
when
the
PAUSE
button
(4)
is
depressed,
the
mechanism’s
motor
is
still
running
and
power
is
still
being
consumed.
Therefore,
do
not
leave
the
unit
with
PAUSE
button
(4)
pressed
for
long
periods
as
this
will
drain
the
batteries
almost
as
fast
as
if
in
actual
Play
or
Record
modes.
RECORDING
This
unit
incorporates
3
methods
of
recording
on
the
cassette
tape
by
using
:
BUILT-IN.
MICROPHONE
(2),
EXTENSION
MIC.
socket
(11)
and
DIN
socket
(17).
NOTE:
1.
When
recording,
be
sure
the
accidental
record
prevention
tab has
not
been
removed
from
rear
of
cassatte
tape,
otherwise,
recording
cannot
proceed
(see
‘Prevention
of
Accidental
Erasure’
paragraph).
Do
not
depress
the
SAVE/
RECORD
button
(9)
using
force.
2.
Since
this
unit
features
an
Auto
Level
Control
(A.L.C.)
circuit,
the
VOLUME
control
(10)
will
have
no
effect
on
recording.
Recording
from
built-in
microphone
1,
3.
insert
a
blank
tape
in
the
CASSETTE
DOOR
(1).
Ensure
open
end
of
the
cassette
tape
exposing
the
tape
is
facing
towards
you.
Close
the
CASSETTE
DOOR
(1)
firmly.
Depress
the
Pause
Key
(4)
then
depress
the
Record
Key
(9)
the
unit
is
then
ready
for
recording.
The
record
fevel
is
adjusted
automatically.
(This
unit
is
equipped
with
a
unique
design,
One-touch
recording
mechanism.
When
the
Record
Key
(9)
is
de-
pressed
the
Play
Key
(8)
will
latch
simultaneously.
The
unit
is
now
recording
through
the
BUILT-IN
MICROPHONE
(2).
NOTE:
1.
The
built-in
microphone
used
in
this
unit
has
very
high
sensitivity.
Therefore,
it
is
not
necessary
to
place
the
cassette
recorder
close
to
the
source
of
sound.
2.
*Be
sure
no
extension
Microphone
or
Jack
is
attached
to
the
EXTENSION
MIC.
socket
(11)
as
this
will.
automatically
disconnect
the
BUILT-IN
MIC-
ROPHONE
(2).
Recording
from
external
microphone
1.
2.
3.
Connect
the
external
microphone
(optionally
available)
to
the
EXTENSION
MIC-
ROPHONE
socket
(11).
Follow
steps
1
and
2
as
explained
under
the
heading
‘Recording
from
built-in
mic-
rophone’.
This
unit
is
now
recording
through
external
microphone
(optionally
available).
6
Recording
from
other
signal
source
1.
Your
unit
is
supplied
with
a
DIN
socket
(17).
With
a
cord
set
(not
included)
equipped
with
the
correct
DIN
plugs,
insert
one
end
into
the
set
and
the
other
end
to
u
record
player
or
other
signal
source.
Making
sure
the
VOLUME
control
(10)
being
on
Min.
Position.
The
recording
can
be
stopped
by
depressing
the
STOP/EJECT
button
(5).
2.
Follow
steps
1
and
2
as
explained
under
the
heading
‘Recording
from
built-in
mic-
rophone’.
3.
This
unit
is
now
recording
through
other
signal
source.
Erasure
of
recordings
When
a
new
recording
is
made,
ali
previous
recordings
on
that
part
of
the
tape
are
auto-
matically
erased
and
only
the
new
recording
remains.
TAPE
COUNTER
The
digital
Tape
Counter
(16)
enables
you
to
locate
easily
the
section
of
tape
you
wish
to
playback.
By
depressing
the
reset
button,
the
number
on
the
tape
indicator
will
go
back
to
‘000’.
REMOTE
CONTROL
(OPTIONAL
EXTRA)
Connect
an
optional
remote
control
switch
to
the
REMOTE
control
socket
(12)
of
this
unit.
Recording
or
playback
will
now
start
or
stop
(provided
the
appropriate
buttons
sre
in
depressed
position)
by
means
of
the
On/Off
switch
on
the
remote
control.
PRIVATE
LISTENING
Insert
the
earphone
into
the
EARPHONE
socket
(13).
This
wil!
automatically
disconnect
the
built-in
speaker,
MAINTENANCE
After
a
period
of
time,
especially
when
inexpensive
brands
of
tape
are
used,
the
sound
on
playback
may
become
‘muffled’
or
in
extreme
cases,
almost
inaudible.
This
is
NOT
A
FAULT
OF
THE
MACHINE
ITSELF
but
merely
a
deposit
of
oxide
and
other
contamination
on
the
tape
heads.
The
head
assembly,
the
capstan
and
the
pinctr
roller
are
in
constant
contact
with
the
tape.
If
these
parts
are
dirty
or
have
dust
adherence,
abnormal
phenomena
such
as
reduction
in
volume,
sound
distortion
or
fluctuation
or
tape
chewing
will
result.
Use
@
small
cotton
swab
with
tape
cleaning
alcoho!
to
clean
the
tape
head,
capstan
and
pinch
roller
carefully
(rubbing
or
drinking
alcohol
should
not
be
used).
REC/PB
HEAD
ERASURE
HEAD
PINCH
ROLLER
Soft
cloth
CAPSTAN
Piece
of
wood
§—
Another
easy
way
to
overcome
the
problem
is
by
using
a
proprietary
brand
of
head-
cleaning
cassette.
Follow
the
instructions
provided
with
the
cleaner
carefully
and
DO
NOT
OVERUSE
as
this
may
cause
undue
wear.
The
tape
head
is
a
delicate
precision
component
and
serious
damage
will
result
if
you
attempt
to
scrape
the
contamination
away
with
a
sharp
implement.
NOTE:
1.
Don’t
bring
articles
of
metal
or
magnetic.
material,
such
as
a
screwdriver
near
the
head
assembly.
2.
Don't
clean
the
plastic
cabinet
with
benzine
or
thinner.
Clean
it,
if
necessary,
with
a
damp
cloth.
3.
After
cleaning,
be
sure
no
particles
of
cotton
are
left.
PREVENTION
OF
ACCIDENTAL
ERASURE
“The
cassette
tape
contains
‘Knock
Outs’
on
its
rear
end
to
prevent
accidental
recording
on,
or
erasure
of,
a
pre-recorded
tape.
Recording
can
only
be
made
when
these
‘Knock
Outs’
are
intact.
There
is
one
knock
out
for
each
side
(track)
of
the
tape.
To
protect
a
recorded
tape,
proceed
as
follows
:
With
the
recorded
side
of
the
tape
facing
upwards
and.
the
rear
end
(opposite
the
open
end)
facing
you,
use
a
small
screwdriver
to
prise
out
the
tab
on
your
right-hand
side.
If
after
the
tabs
have
been
removed,
you
wish
to
re-record
on
the
protected
side,
simply
cover
the
hole
with
a
piece
of
sticky
tape,
thereby
activating
the
accidental
record
pre-
vention
lever built
into
this
unit’s
mechanism.
Screwdriver
v
xX
RECORD
<>
eA
e
mesa
For
side
1
.
For
side
2
EN
>
Vv
~/
RECORD
s
<o)
@
C7
9ks
*
SERA
CS
Tab
cover
hole
with
adhesive
tape
SPECIFICATIONS
Power
Supply
:
AC
(~)
240V
50
Hz
DC
6V
4
Batteries
HP-11
type
Speaker
:
3°
8
ohm
Output
:
450
mW
max.
CASSETTE
SECTION
Tape
:
Standard
Cassette
Tape
(lengths
C-90
or
less)
Tape
Speed
:
1—7/8
in./sec.
(4.75
cm/sec)
Frequency
Response
:
200-—6,300
Hz
Erasing
System
:
OC
Erase
Recording
Bias
System
:
DC
Bias
Continuous
improvements
are
being
made
to
our
equipment
both
in
quality
and
per-
formance,
thus
we
reserve
the
right
to
alter
specifications
without
notice.
7s
Special
points
to
note
when
using
unit
to
load
or
store
programs
in
con-
junction
with
a
computer
1.
The
record
playback
head
must
be
clean
and
in
good
condition.
Any
wear
or
dirt
on
the
head
will
lower
the
recording
level
and
the
upper
frequency
response
and
in
Consequence
degrade
the
computer
signal.
It
is
recommended
that
before
storing
any
Program
on
tape
the
head
is
cleaned
in
accordance
with
the
detailed
instructions
given
under
maintenance.
.
The
azimuth
alignment
of
the
record
playback
head
is
critical.
If
it
is
incorrect
the
computer
signal
wili
again
be
considerably
degraded.
On
loading
a
program
into
the
computer
from
the
recorder
the
volume
contro!
setting
is
very
critical.
Please
follow
the
instructions
given
in
your
computer
manual
carefully.
A
good
starting
point
is
to
have
the
volume
control
at
about
75%
ot
maximum
then
adjyst
up
and
down
by
small
amounts
as
necessary
until
success
is
achieved.
It
is
worth
noting
that
different
brands
of
pre-recorded
cassette
programs
vary
in
their
output
level,
therefore,
it is
possible
the
volume
setting
may
have
to
be
varied
accordingly.
This
also
applies
to
different
brands
of
cassette
tapes
used
to
record
your
own
programs.
When
saving
or
loading,
disconnect
the
cassette
lead
not
in
use.
This
will
avoid
the
Possibility
of
‘‘Hum
Loops”
which
is
another
possible
cause
of
signal
degradation.
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