Columbia C690-TR User manual

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GENERAL INFORMATION
The Columbia Model C690-TR tape recorder is a two-speed tape recorder designed to
play and record monaurally, two tracks on standard width recoiding tape.
- Recordings may be made from a phonograph, radio, or television receiver as well as
those made direcily from the microphone.
_ The two tape speeds are 7 L/2 and 3 3/4 ips. Using both tracks, the recording and
playing times are as follows:
Reel Size
5" (600 ft. )
H('WARD W. SAIUIS &
The lieting of any available replacement part herein does
not conetitute in any case a recommendation, warranty or
guarantyby Howard W. Sams & Co. , [nc. , as to the quality
and suitability of such replacement part. The numbers oi
these parts have been compiled from informatlon furnished
to Howard W. Sams & Co. , Inc. , by the manulacturere of
cQ45r
7 /2" Speed
/ 2 hour
the particular type of replacement part listed. Repro-
ductlon or use, without express permission, of edltorial or
pictorial content, in any manner, le prohlbited. No patent
Itability ie aseumed wlth respect to the use of the lnforma-
tioncontainedhereln. @ 196I HowardW. Same & Co., Inc.,
3 3,/ 4" Speed
I hour
This unit is designed to operate on 60 cycles, lI0-120 volts, AC supply only.
Supplied By:
Columbia Phonographs
Dept. of CBS Electronics
405 Park Avenue
New York 22, N. Y.
G (o.r I N (C. lndlanapotts Gi, lndlana
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Indianapolis 6, Indiana.
0ATE 3 - 0r
Printed in U.S. of Amerlca
stT 524 FOTDTR
COLUMBIA
DEt C69O-TR
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TOP V IEW OF MECHAN lSM WITH DRESS PLATE REMOVED
FUNCTION OF CONTROLS
0n -Off Volume
The On-Off -Volume control energizes the motor
and amplifier cireuits. The volume controls the re-
cording level when the unit is in the Record mode.
Function Selector
This control selects the different modes of
operation. Turning this control counterclockwise
from t}te Stop position, places the unit in the Rewind
mode. Turning this control clockwise, plaees the
unit in the Play Record mode.
Record Lock
Depress theRecord Lockbutton to place theunit
in the Record mode when the Function Selector is
moved to the Play/ Record position.
Forward Knob
The Forward knob winds thetape onto thetakeup
(right) reel. This is done by depressing the knob and
moving the Function Selector tothe Play Record posi-
tion.
lnstant Stop Key
The Instant Stop key allows t}re operator to stop
the tape temporarily so as not to record unwanted
portions such as commercials, etc.
Speed Change
Moving the speed change knob to the extreme
counterclockwise position sets the motor speed for
recording at1 L/ 2 ips. When the knob is moved to t}re
extreme cloekwise position the motor speed is set for
recording at 3 3/4 ips.
OPERAT ING INSTRUCT IONS
Threading The Tape
l. Place a reel of tape on supply (left) reel stand
(31).
2. Place an empty reel on takeup (right) reel stand
0).
Page 2
3. Unwind aboutl2" of tape from supply reel. HoId
a section of tape taut and lnsert it in the tape
slot. Make sure the dull coated side of tape
faces the recording head.
4. Insert the free end of the tape into one of the

radial slots in ttre hub of the takeup reel. Turn
the reel several tunrs counterclockwise to fasten
the tape to the reel and to take up all slack be-
tween reels.
To Record From Microphone
I. Thread tape as described under "Threading the
Tape".
2. Rotate t}te On-Off-Volume control clockwise to
turn recorder on. Allow a sufficient time for
tubes to warm up.
3. Insert the microphone plug into the "MIC" jack.
4. Set ttte speed change control forthe desired re-
cording speed.
5. Hoid Record Lock knob down andmove Function
Selector toPLay/ Record position.
6. HoId the microphone about 8 to 12 inches from
your mouth and speak in a normal voice.
7. Adjust the volume control until the record level
indicator flashes on the loudest sounds.
NOTE: Recordingsmaybe monitored byplacing
a crystal earphone in the Monitor jaek.
IMPORTANT: Correct volume levelon record-
ing is very important. Too weak of a
signalwill resuLt in weak playback andhigh
background noise. Too strong of a signal
will result in overloading and distortion
during playback.
Recording Radio Programs
Radio programs may be recorded by one of the
following methods:
t. ltjc"op,lton" ,Pi"t "p t. Radio -
in
front of the radio speaker. Turn the radio vol-
ume control to a normal level. Turn the radio
tone controlto treble or high. Set the recording
level and record ag under "To Record From
Microphone".
2. Direct Connection to Radio Speaker - Usingthe
igator Clips
across the voice coil terminals of the radio
speaker. Insert the cable plug into the "Radio-
speaker. Insert t}e cable plug into the "Radio-
Phono" jack. Set the radio volume and tone
controls as described in Step l. Set the record-
ing level and proceed as described under "To
Record From Microphone".
3. Direct Connection toVolume Controlof Radio -
uor
clips across tfie radio volume control. Insert
the cable plug into the "Radio-Phono" jack. Set
t}te recording level and proceed as described
under "To Record From Microphone". The
setting of the radio volume and tone controls will
have no effect on this setup.
To Record From Phonograph
A phone type plug is required on the phonograph
pickup leads. Insert this plug into the "Radio-Phono"
jack and proceed as described under "To Record From
Microphone".
To Record From a Television Receiver
Use one of tfie methods described under "Record-
ing Radio Programs".
Dual Track Recording
These recorders aredesignedto record andplay
back onone-haUthe width of the tape at a time, there-
by, resulting in two track recording. AIter the re-
cording is completed, and all tape is wound on the
takeup (right) reel, remove reels from recorder.
Turn the reels over and place full reel onleft spindle.
Properly thread tape and proceed with recording.
After the second track has been recorded, the first
track can be played back in the same manner.
Rewind
To rewlnd the tape, turn the Function Selector
knob to the Rewind position.
To Play a Recording
I. Thread the tape as described under "Threading
the Tape".
2. TurnFunetion Selectorknobto the Play position.
3. Adjust the volume control to ttre desired llsten-
ing level.
To Erase a Recording
Any recording on the tape is automatically erased
before a new one is put on the tape when the unit is in
the Record position. To erase a recording without
putting anytling ontape, follow normal recordingpro-
cedure butleave microphone disconnected and volume
control at a minimum.
To Edit And Splice Tape
N0TE: lt is impossible to edit and splice one
track without affecting the other. Record-
ings to be edited should be limited to one
track recordings only.
Tape maybe edited by cutting outunwanted por-
tions, or by joining selections into another sequence.
Announcements can be inserted between selections,
etc. Unused tape can be spliced for reuse.
For best results, cut tape at a slight diagonal,
buttends togetherand fastenon glossy sidewith splic-
ing tape. Trim off any excess width.
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Page 3

D ISASSEMBLY
To Remove Recorder From Case
l. Remove ease cover.
2. Remove scre\ils(2 each)fromeach side andrear
of case.
3. LiJt recorder up and away from case far enough
so the speaker leads can be disconnected.
4. Lift entire unit from case.
5. Reverse above procedure to reassemble.
To Remove Amplifier From Tape Transport
l. Remove the hex nut from the On-Off-Volume
controls and remove the control.
2. Remove the hex nuts from the Microphone,
CLEAN ING
Pressure foller (21), capstan shalt (87), tape
guides (44), erase head(33), andplay-recordhead (34)
may accumulate tape oxide coating, worn off the tape
as it passes these parts. This accumulation will cause
poor performance and should be removed with a soft
Iint-free cloth dipped in alcohol.
Radio-Phono, and Monitor jacks. Remove the
jacks.
Remove the record level and ready lights from
their mountings.
Disconnect the motor leads from the power
transformer.
Disconnect the Record Playback and erase head
wires.
Removethethree screws holding thetape trans-
port to t}te amplifier chassis brackets.
Remove the tape transport from the amplifier
chassis.
To reassemble, reverse above procedure.
LUBRICATION
Under normal operation, the mechanism should
be lubricated once every three months. All bearing
surfaces should belubricated with agood grade of oil.
Lubricate the cams and levers with a non-hardening
grease. Make surenooil or grease gets onthe rubber
surfaces of the drive wheels.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
The Play-Record head (34) and the erase head
(33) are aligned at the factory. The heads should not
need adjustment unless they are replaced.
Play-Record Head
The top edge of the Play-Record head (34) must
be set evenly with top edge of tape. Thread tape on
recorder and adjust head by moving spring loaded
screws (36) up or down to correct position. After ad-
justing head height, adjust rear screws (36) so that
head is perpendicular to tape.
Erase Head
The erase head (33) should be adjusted so that
the pole piece covers the top haU of the tape. The
face of the erase head should be as nearly perpendic-
ular to tape as possible by visual alignment.
HEAD ADJUSTMENT
TROUBLE CHART
Symptom Cause Remedy
No record or playback. Defective motor (?4).
Defective idler wheel (98).
Def ective drive idler wheel (76).
Broken spring (35).
Defective Play-Record head
(34).
Broken pressure roller spring
(23).
Replace motor (?4).
Replace idler wheel (98).
Replace drive idler wheef (?6).
Replace spring (35).
Replace Play-Record head (34).
6. Replace pressure roller spring
(23).
l.
2.
3.
4.
5.
l.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
No Rewind.
Page 4
l. Drive belt (?5) broken. l. Replace drive belt (75).

TROUBLE CHART (CON'T. )
Symptom Cause Remedy
2. Defective motor service pulley
(80). 2. Replace motor service pulley
(80).
No Erase. l. Defective Erase head (33). l. Replace Erase head (33).
Reel stands binding. l. Broken brake spring (53) or
(103). I. Replace brake spring (53) or
(lo3).
No Takeup. l. Broken spring (92). I. Replace spring (92).
MECHANICAL PARTS LIST
I
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
I
10
lt
L2
t3
t4
15
l6
l?
l8
l9
20
2L
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
3l
32
33
34
35
36
3?
38
39
40
4L
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
5l
52
53
690-1
690-2
690-3
690-4
690-5
690-6
690-7
690-8
690-9
690-10
690-11
690-12
690-13
690-14
690-r5
690-16
690-r7
690-18
690-r9
690-20
690-21
690-22
690-23
690-24
690-25
690-26
690-27
690-28
690-29
690-30
690-31
690-32
690-33
690-34
690-35
690-36
690-37
690-38
690-39
690-40
690-41
690-42
690-43
690-44
690-45
690-46
690-47
690-48
690-49
690-50
690-51
690-52
690-53
Takeup Reel Stand
Set Screw
Screw
Head Cover
Set Screw
Set Screw
Speed Change Knob
Function Control Knob
Screw
Instant Stop Tab
Escutcheon
Screw
Dress Plate
Forward Knob
Spring Plate
Screw
Tape Pad Bracket
"Ct'Washer
Fibre Washer
Felt Washer
Pressure Roller
Washer
Pressure Roller Spring
Screw
Pressure Roller Bracket
Instant Stop Bracket
Screw
Plate
Hex Nut
Bushing
Supply Reel Stand
Volume Control Knob
Erase Head
PIay-Record Head
Spring
Head Adjustment Screw
Head Mounting Plate
Screw
Spring
Hex Nut
Erase Head Bracket
Screw
Hex Nut
Tape Guide
ttCttWasher
Fibre Washer
Upper Clutch
Felt Washer
Felt Washer
Lower Clutch
Tension Roller
Tension Roller Lever
Spring
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
6r
62
63
64
65
66
6?
68
69
?0
7r
72
?3
74
?5
?6
77
78
79
80
8l
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
9r
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
r00
l0l
r02
r03
r04
r05
106
690 -54
690-55
690 -56
690-57
690 -5 I
690-59
690-60
690 -6t
690 -62
690 -63
690 -64
690 -65
690 -66
690-67
690-68
690-69
690-70
690-?l
690-72
690-?3
690-74
69S 75
690 -?6
690-77
690-?8
690 -? I
690 -80
690 -81
690 -82
690-83
690 -84
690 -8 5
690-86
690-87
690-88
690-89
690-90
690-91
690-92
690-93
690 -94
690 -9 5
690-96
690 -9 ?
690 -9 I
690-99
690-100
690-r0l
690 -102
690 -r03
690-104
690-105
690-106
Bushing
Spring
Lock Bracket
Rod
Spring
Tension Bracket
Slide Bracket
Function Cam
Spring
Record Control Bracket
Function Cam Lever
Base Plate
Pin
Speed Change Shaft
Speed Change Lever
Case Mounting Bracket
Motor Board Mount Sleeve
Grommet
Motor Board
Motor Mount Sleeve
Motor
Drive Belt
Drive Idler Wheel
Drive Pulley
Revdnd Actuating Lever
Drive Idler Wheel Bracket
Motor Service Pulley
Idler Wheel Bracket
Drive Lever
Spring
Spring
Bracket
Idler Tension Bracket
Capstan Sha{t
Right Brake Shoe Bracket
Spring
Flywheel
Spring
Spring
Spring
Speed Change Tension Spring
Spring Cap
Bolt
Supply Spindle Pulley Assembly
Idler Wheel
Hex Nut
Mounting Plate
Main Control Lever
Left Brake Shoe Bracket
Spring
Record Knob
Record Cam
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PAGE 6