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,
which is similar to the distribution spectrum of the
spoken word and of music - was used as the basis
for an inverted curve which determi nes the possible
pre-emphasis. For the three higher speeds, emphasis
and de-emphasis conform to the recorder standard
(mentioned in the test report and marked on plate
51).
For the
1.5"
speed, which is used in par-
ticular for recording very low frequency signals to
be played back by transposition at
15"
Is,
the
emphasis has been calculated in relation to compati-
bility for playback at
15"/5.
The emphasizing of signals during recording in
accordance with the standards has the advantage of
making it possible to play back the tapes on any
conventional recorder. On the other hand, this
process has one disadvantage: the frequencies
affected by emphasis are likely to cause tape
saturation, even if the recording level indicated on
meter 14 is correct. In fact, emphasis occurs in the
recording amplifier, i.e. after the measuring circuit,
which cannot under any circumstances indicate it.
Pre-emphasis depends on the tape speed: the lower
the speed the higher the treble emphasis will be.
Furthermore, the NAB standard also requires bass
pre-emphasis which, however, should not exceed
6
dB at the lower limit of the recording frequency
response. Treble pre-emphasis therefore pre-
dominates and, to avoid saturating the tape, high
frequency signals must be recorded below the
maximum recording level (+20 dB PEAK). Taking
into account the difference between the NAB and
cel R standards, if
a
recording is made at 6dB
below the maximum level, i.e. at +14 dB PEAK,
there is no risk of saturation, as long as the signal
frequency is not higher than:
20
kHz for the
15"
speed
14 kHz for the 7.5" speed
5kHz for the 3.75" speed
2.5
kHz for the
1.5"
speed.
Since the pre-emphasis curve shows a rise of about
6 dB per octave. it is possible to calculate the pre-
emphasis value at a different frequency and deduct
the recording level reduction in relation to the
+20 dB maximum peak level.
4.7.3.
Signal·to·noise Ratio
When gain selector 39 is on +40 dB and attenuator
7on 0, maximum amplification can be obtained.
It
is possible to measure signals at about +30 dB;
meter 14 then shows -10 dB, which is the limit of
readability. These signals are very weak, but can
nevertheless be recorded as such without decreasing
the signal·to-noise ratio of the cartridge and input
circuits. Thus, by using a BrLiel
&
Kjaer 4133
cartridge with its preamplifier and QSJP adapter,
the weighted noise level is 30 dB; with a 40 dB
signal the signal-to-noise ratio is 1OdB.
In the record/playback mode, the weighted
signal-to-noise ratio is always higher than 60 dB,
which means that noise inherent to the recording is
60 dB below the maximum recording level: this
level is reached when meter 14 indicates +20 dB
PEAK and, as gain selector 39 is on +40 dB, the
60
dB difference brings the noise level produced
during recording to 0dB, i.e. to the 2.10- 5Nlm2
reference level. For the 40 dB signal the signal-to-
noise ratio would also be 40 dB, therefore clearly
higher than the 10 dB signal-to-noise ratio obtained
with the cartridge and the input circuits used.
I
n practice, whi Ie the signal . of the
transducer and input circuits is below
60
dB, the
noise level does not increase when the signal is
recorded. On the other hand, as soon as the sound
level reaches 100 dB, the signal must be kept as near
as possible to the maximum recording level in order
to obtain the highest possible signal·to-noise ratio.
To record, set main selector switch
4
on TEST;
allow the circuits to stabilize for about t~n seconds,
then
switch to RECORD: the tape begins to run.
4.7.4. Tape Monitoring during Recording
When main selector
4
is on TEST, the di rect signal
is present at the line outputs 43 and headphones
output
17
according to the position of track
selector
18.
When selector
4
is on RECORD and switch
1
on
DIRECT, it is again the direct signal which is
present at the outputs; but, if switch 1is on TAPE,
the recorded signal is immediately played back and
will be present at the line and phones outputs.
Switch 2fulfils the same function for meter 14,
which indicates the direct signal on DIRECT and
the playback signal on TAPE; this switch springs
back automatically to DIRECT.
TAPE/D IRECT switches 1and 2make it possible
to check the quality of the signal during recording;
any audible or visible deterioration of the signal
indicates a false manoeuvre or defect.
4.8. Frequency Transposition
Playback of signals recorded at a very low frequency
is difficult because of the smallness of the
NAG RA
IV -SJ
playback head and the lower limit
of the frequency response of the amplifiers. To
analyse signals with
a
frequency between
2.5
Hz
and 35 Hz, set the speed selector 20 on
1.5"
=
3.81
crn/s, the filter selector
11
on LI N. and
meter function selector 12 on RMS SLOW
this position gives a more accurate reading than
RMS FAST and PEAK, which have too
rapid a characteristic.
Playback is at
15"
=
38.1
em/s
in the usual way
(see 6.).