Pioneer CT-F900 User manual

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1

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3-HEAD

CASSETTE

TAPE

DECK

OPERATING

INSTRUCTIONS

D

D/G

HG

CONTENTS

Features

.

.

.

.

^

.

2

Connections.

3

Front

Panel

Facilities.

4

Basic

Operations.

6

Recording.

8

Microphone

Recording.10

Playback.11

Operations

with

the

Timer.12

*

Maintenance.12

The

Dolby

System.13

Cassette

Tapes

.14

Specifications.15

Line

Voltage

and

Rear

Panels.16

Schematic

Diagram.Insertion

Troubleshooting.Insertion

IMPORTANT

NOTICE

flD

PIONEER

CT-F900

are

designed

to

operate

220V

or

240V

(HG

model)

main

and

120V,

220V

or

240V

(D,

D/G

model)

main.

Before

turning

on

the

power,

please

confirm

the

line

voltage

setting

indicated

on

the

rear

of

your

unit

corresponds

to

the

supply

voltage

in

your

area;

if

not,

change

the

setting

as

described

in

Line

Voltage

and

Rear

Panels

on

page

16.

FEATURES

Transport

Section

Engineered

for

Stable

Tape

Run

This

deck

features

the

closed

loop

dual

capstan

system

whereby

a

capstan

is

stationed

on

either

side

of

the

heads.

This

system

maintains

a

stable

contact

between

the

heads

and

the

tape

so

that

the

tape

travels

at

a

constant

tension

all

the

time,

and

it

also

helps

to

suppress

dropouts

in

the

tape

and

fluctuations

in

the

level.

Another

important

point

is

that

external

vibration

transmitted

from

the

reel

bases

and

tape

guides

to

the

tape

is

kept

down

to

the

minimum

for

a

marked

reduction

in

the

modulation

noise

and

both

recording

and

playback

which

are

faithful

to

the

original

sound.

The

DC

servo

motor

which

provides

a

stable

rotational

speed

is

combined

with

the

ultra-precision-engineered

capstans

and

good

dynamic

balance

flywheels

to

yield

a

truly

superior

tape

transport

performance,

and

a

great

improvement

in

the

wow

and

flutter

characteristics.

Yet

another

prime

feature

is

the

mechanical

governor

motor

with

its

powerful

rotation

torque

and

less

ripple.

This

is

used

for

the

take-up

operations,

and

enables

reliable

fast

forward

and

rewind

operations.

Three-Head

System

with

Recording/Playback

Combination

Head

This

deck

adopts

a

recording

head

and

a

playback

head

which

are

combined

to

fit

neatly

into

a

single

case

as

a

tidy

package.

Each

head

is

made

of

a

sendust

core

and

this

makes

it

possible

to

exploit

the

features

of

both

chrome

tapes

and

ferrichrome

tapes

to

the

full.

The

heads

are

provided

with

a

high

level

of

resistance

to

wear

and

are

tailored

to

produce

top-notch

distortion

characteristics

with

high

input

signal

levels

as

well

as

an

excellent

frequency

response

and

signal-to-noise

ratio.

The

contact

between

the

heads

and

the

tape

is

surefire

and

firm

and

the

adhering

of

dust

and

generation

of

noise

caused

by

magnetization

are

reduced

to

the

minimum.

These

are

just

a

few

of

the

amazing

powers

of

the

heads.

What’s

more,

the

combination

head

can

be

used

to

monitor

a

recording

virtually

in

real

time

if

the

playback

head

is

put

to

work

while

you

are

recording.

Built-In

Microprocessor

Gives

Digital

Level

Indication

and

Tape

Counter

This

deck

contains

a

‘brain’:

a

4-bit

parallel

processing

1-chip

microprocessor

which

is

the

secret

behind

the

digital

indication

of

the

recording

and

playback

levels

on

the

fluorescent

display

tubes.

The

level

meter

extends

to

cover

a

range

from

-20dB

up

to

+7dB.

Indication

between

-4dB

and

*7(18

is

in

IdB

steps

which

allows

high-level

signals

movements

to

be

grasped

at

a

glance

and

the

recording

level

to

be

set

just

as

easily.

The

level

meter

can

serve

to

display

normal

VU

readout,

or

it

can

be

made

to

function

as

a

peak

meter

to

detect

accurately

pulse-like

sound.

Moreover,

while

the

meter

is

working

as

a

peak

meter,

the

maximum

level

of

the

program

source

can

be

held

on

the

display

simply

by

depressing

the

peak

hold

switch.

All

these

functions

are

made

possible

by

three

meter

switches.

If

they

are

selected

in

accordance

with

the

program

source

which

is

being

recorded,

you

will

be

assured

of

faithful

recordings

which

feature

a

good

stgnal-to-noise

ratio

even

with

program

sources

with

wide

dynamic

ranges.

The

tape

counter

is

another

dramatic

new

feature.

Instead

of

the

usual

mechanically

rotating

figures,

it

comes

in

the

form

of

a

3-digit

’digitron'

display

tube

which

makes

use

of

the

built-in

micro¬

processor

and

its

counter

function

to

detect

the

pulses

generated

as

the

reel

bases

rotate.

These

pulses

are

translated

into

digits

which

are

then

displayed.

This

electronic

tape

counter

is

extremely

handy.

Equalizer

Circuit

and

Bias

Control

Mechanism

Aimed

at

Making

the

Most

of

the

Tapes’

Characteristics

The

built-in

equalizer

circuitry

is

specially

designed

to

cater

not

only

to

chrome

tapes

but

also

to

ferrichrome

tapes

and

standard

tapes.

There’s

a

bias

control

knob,

too,

which

allows

you

to

adjust

the

bias

current

in

accordance

with

the

type

of

tape

you

are

using

in

the

deck.

The

equalizer

circuitry

with

its

dedication

to

accuracy

and

the

bias

control

ensuring

the

ideal

value

team

up

to

give

tape

recordings

with

an

extremely

low

level

of

distortion

at

all

times.

You

can

also

obtain

the

frequency

response

of

your

choice

by

changing

the

value

of

the

bias

current.

If

you

load

a

chrome

tape

with

the

extra

detection

holes

into

your

deck,

the

equalizer

circuitry

and

the

bias

current

will

both

be

selected

automatically

by

the

automatic

selector

mechanism.

This

means

that

you

do

not

have

to

fiddle

around

making

adjustments

after

loading.

Feather-Touch

Electronic

Mechanical

Control

Based

on

LSI

(Large-Scale

Integrated

Circuitry)

The

tape

transport

selector

mechanism

employs

electronic

mechanical

control

based

on

a

dual-in-line

24-pin

C

MOS

LSI

circuit.

You

can

set

the

deck

to

any

mode,

whether

playback,

recording,

fast

forward,

rewind

or

stop,

from

one

mode

directly

with

a

feather

touch

operation.

When

the

tape

transport

is

changed

over

from

fast

forward

to

play

or

from

fast

forward

to

rewind

by

the

commands

from

the

LSI’s

program,

the

deck

is

put

through

the

stop

mode

automatically.

This

means

that

the

tape

is

never

harmed

in

any

way.

Even

when

two

mode

buttons

are

depressed

accidentally

together,

the

deck

is

set

to

the

stop

mode

first

and

so

there

is

absolutely

no

fear

of

a

breakdown

of

malfunction.

Microprocessor

with

Six

Different

Programs

in

Its

Memory

The

LSI

accommodates

six

different

programs:

the

MEMORY

STOP

which

automatically

rewinds

the

tape

to

the

position

where

the

tape

counter

was

set

to

‘000’;

the

MEMORY

PLAY

which

commences

playback

again

after

the

tape

has

been

stopped;

the

REPEAT

END

which

repeats

tape

playback

automatically

from

the

tape

start

point;

the

COUNTER

REPEAT

which

repeats

the

tape

playback

from

the

start

of

the

program

where

the

tape

counter

was

set

during

playback

to

‘000’

up

to

the

end

of

the

tape

rewind;

as

well

as

the

unattended

recording

and

wake-up

playback

functions

which

can

be

employed

when

you

hook

up

an

optional

timer

to

the

deck.

Variety

of

Accessory

Mechanisms

Input

selector

switch;

This

switch

can

be

selected

between

the

program

source

connected

to

the

rear

panel

input

jacks

and

the

sound

from

a

microphone.

Dolby

noise

reduction

system:

A

newly

developed

low-distortion

1C

is

used

for

the

Dolby

system.

This

serves

to

reduce

greatly

the

irritating

noise

heard

when

you

play

back

a

tape,

and

it

does

this

without

impairing

the

sound

quality

of

the

original

program

source.

This

helps

to

increase

the

dynamic

range,

and

it

allows

recordings

and

play

back

with

a

good

signal-to-noise

ratio.

Front

Panel

Design

Based

on

Concepts

of

Human

Engineering

for

Superior

Functionality

The

front

panel

adopts

a

design

which

provides

for

easy

operation

of

the

feather-touch

control

switches

and

also

a

digital

display.

The

end

result

is

an

extremely

simple

yet

superbly

func¬

tional

design

employing

the

very

latest

in

electronics

technology.

2

Manufactured

under

license

from

Dolby

Laboratories.

*Do!by

and

□□

are

trademarks

of

Dolby

Laboratories.

PIONEER

CONNECTIONS

Connect

the

CT-F900’s

terminals

(OUTPUT-

INPUT)

to

the

tape

terminals

on

the

receiver

(or

stereo

amplifier)

with

the

accessory

cords.

The

top

terminal

is

for

the

left

channel

and

the

bottom

for

the

right

channel

(Fig.

1).

Connections

for

playback:

connect

the

TAPE

PLAY

input

terminals

on

the

receiver

to

the

CT-F900’s

OUTPUT

(PLAY)

terminals.

Connections

for

recording:

connect

the

receiver’s

TAPE

REC

output

terminals

to

the

CT-F900’s

INPUT

(REC)

terminals.

Using

the

DIN

(REC/PLAY)

connector:

If

the

receiver

is

equipped

with

DIN

recording/playback

connector,

use

DIN

recording/playback

cord,

which

is

sold

separately,

to

connect

the

DIN

(REC/

PLAY)

connector

on

the

CT-F900

and

the

receiver

(Fig.

2).

There

is

no

need

for

the

accessory

con¬

necting

cords

since

the

same

connections

serve

for

both

recording

and

playback.

NOTE:

If

you

do

not

connect

properly

,

you

will

hear

a

monoto¬

nous

single-pitched

hum

and

this

will

impair

your

record¬

ing.

HANDLING

THE

POWER

CORD

•

Always

take

hold

of

the

plug

to

unplug

it

from

the

power

outlet;

do

not

unplug

it

by

pulling

on

the

cord.

The

cord

may

be

damaged

if

you

keep

pulling

on

it.

•

Do

not

handle

the

power

cord

with

wet

hands.

This

is

extremely

dangerous

because

you

may

get

an

electric

shock.

CT-F900

connections

CT-F900

cord

(DIN

standard)

INSTALLATION

To

ensure

the

best

sound

quality

and

trouble-free

operation,

avoid

setting

up

the

tape

deck

in

any

of

the

locations

described

below.

Location

liable

to

downgrade

performance

and

result

in

breakdowns

Resulting

trouble

1.

Locations

exposed

to

direct

sunlight,

or

near

heaters

or

other

heat

sources.

1.

External

heat

causes

the

performance

of

the

electronic

parts

to

deteriorate,

and

operation

becomes

unstable.

2.

Locations

with

poor

ventilation,

or

with

high

humidity

or

moisture

contents,

or

dusty

locations.

2.

Cause

of

faulty

contact

in

input/output

terminals,

and

rust.

High

humidity

and

a

high

moisture

content

cause

deterioration

in

insulation.

There

is

also

the

danger

of

current

leakage

and

heat

generation

in

the

circuit

parts.

Dust

or

grease

in

the

rotat¬

ing

parts

causes

the

parts

to

deteriorate,

3.

Locations

susceptible

to

vibration.

3.

These

locations

affect

the

precision

parts

adversely.

4.

Locations

where

there

are

thinners,

benzine

and

other

types

of

volatile

liquids,

insect

sprays

or

any

kind

of

inflammable

objects

at

hand.

4.

These

help

to

corrode

the

front

panel.

In

particular,

the

heads

are

precision-finished

to

micron

dimensions.

Chemicals

may

reduce

their

performance,

so

exercise

all

due

care.

3

NOTE:

In

rare

case,

the

level

meter

and

tape

counter

may

not

be

normally

operated,

when

switching

the

POWER

“OAT-OFF*'

continuously.

In

this

case,

switch

the

POWER

“OFF”

and

set

the

POWER

“ON"

again

a

few

seconds

later.

Then

it

will

be

normally

operated

.

FRONT

PANEL

FACILITIES

POWER

SWITCH

The

power

comes

on

when

the

POWER

switch

is

depressed.

The

level

meter

and

tape

counter,

and

the

tape

remaining

display

lamp

will

then

come

on.

MONITOR

SWITCHES—---

You

will

be

able

to

listen

to

the

recorded

signals

(playback

sound)

if

you

depress

the

TAPE

switch

while

you

are

recording

a

program.

You

will

be

able

to

listen

to

the

signals

(recording

input)

just

before

they

are

recorded

if

you

depress

the

SOURCE

switch.

Use

these

switches

to

monitor

y^ur

recording.

Depress

the

TAPE

switch

during

playback,

DUST

COVER

When

you

are

not

using

the

deck,

always

keep

this

cover

in

place

to

prevent

dust

and

dirt

from

adhering

to

the

head

section

and

rotating

parts.

BIAS

CONTROL

Use

this

control

to

adjust

the

bias

in

accordance

with

the

characteristics

of

the

tape

being

used.

It

is

set

so

that

the

center

(click

stop)

position

corresponds

to

the

standard

bias.

For

further

details,

refer

to

“ADJUSTING

THE

BIAS”

on

page

9.

TAPE

SWITCH

Use

this

switch

to

select

bias

and

equalization

characteristics

when

recording,

and

equalization

characteristics

when

playing

back

in

accordance

with

the

type

of

tape

being

used.

STD:

For

standard

tapes

and

low-noise/high-output

(LH)

tapes.

Fe-Cr:

For

ferrichrome

tapes.

NOTE:

There

is

no

need

to

operate

this

switch

if

you

are

using

a

chrome

tape

since

the

bias

and

equalizer

are

selected

automatically

by

the

built-in

mechanisms.

Make

sure

that

your

chrome

tape

has

the

extra

detection

holes

shown

in

the

figure

on

page

11.

The

chrome

tape

detector

will

not

work

with

chrome

tapes

which

are

not

equipped

with

these

detection

holes,

and

so

this

type

of

tape

should

not

be

used.

DOLBY

NR

SWITCH-----

Set

this

switch

to

ON

for

recording

with

the

built-in

Dolby

noise

reduction

system

and

for

the

playback

of

tapes

which

have

been

Dolby*recorded*

INPUT

SELECTOR

SWITCH—----

Use

this

switch

to

select

the

program

source

which

you

intend

to

record*

LINE:

Set

to

this

position

for

recording

a

program

source

which

is

connected

to

the

rear

panel

INPUT

jacks.

MIC/DIN;

Set

to

this

position

for

recording

signals

from

a

micro¬

phone

which

is

connected

to

the

MIC

jack

or

rear

panel

DIN

connector*

NOTE:

You

will

be

able

to

record

signals

from

the

INPUT

jacks

if

the

LINE

switch

is

depressed

even

when

the

microphones

are

plugged

into

the

MIC

jacks.

If

microphones

are

connected

to

front

panel

MIC

jacks,

a

source

connected

to

DIN

connector

cannot

be

recorded.

OUTPUT

(PLAYBACK

LEVEL)

CONTROLS-

Use

these

to

adjust

the

output

signal

level

during

playback.

Turning

the

controls

to

the

right

increases

the

level.

The

controls

are

coupled

when

turned

but

it

is

also

possible

to

adjust

the

right

channel

(rear)

and

the

left

channel

(front)

independently.

MIC

JACKS

—

———

1

These

are

the

input

jacks

for

microphone

recording.

Plug

the

left

channel

microphone

into

the

L

jack

and

the

right

channel

micro¬

phone

into

the

R

jack.

INPUT

(RECORDING

LEVEL)

CONTROLS--

Use

these

to

adjust

the

level

of

the

input

signals

from

the

MIC

jacks

or

rear

panel

INPUT

and

DIN

jacks.

Turning

these

controls

to

the

right

increases

the

level.

How

to

setting

the

recording

level

is

detailed

on

page

9.

The

controls

are

coupled

to

the

left

and

right

channels,

but

you

can

also

use

them

to

adjust

the

right

channel

(rear)

and

the

left

channel

(front)

independently.

•HEADPHONE

JACK

This

is

the

output

jack

for

your

stereo

headphones.

You

will

be

able

to

hear

sound

from

signals

selected

by

the

MONITOR

switch¬

es.

Use

this

jack

when

you

want

to

monitor

the

quality,

of

a

recording

or

when

you

want

to

listen

to

a

tape

privately

on

the

CT-F900.

Adjust

the

output

level

with

the

OUTPUT

controls.

NOTES:

•

Use

low-impedance

headphones.

If

you

use

a

high-impedance

model,

you

will

not

be

able

to

obtain

sufficient

volume.

•

You

will

damage

the

microphone

if

you

plug

it

into

the

HEADPHONES

jack

by

mistake.

PIONEER

LEVEL

METER-

■

--

This

indicates

the

input

level

during

recording

and

the

output

level

during

playback.

By

operating

the

METER

selector

switches,

it

can

be

made

to

function

as

a

peak

meter,

a

peak

hold

meter

or

as

a

level

meter.

The

input

signal

level

is

indicated

when

the

MONITOR

SOURCE

switch

has

been

depressed,

and

the

playback

output

level

is

indicated

when

the

MONITOR

TAPF

switch

has

been

depressed.

TAPE

INDICATORS-:--

Cr0

2

:

This

light

conrfes

on

when

a

chrome

tape

is

being

used.

It

will

come

on

when

a

cassette

is

not

loaded

but

this

does

not

indicate

a

failure.

Fe-Cr

:

This

light

comes

on

when

a

cassette

is

loaded

and

the

TAPE

switch

is

set

to

Fe-Cr.

DOLBY

NR

INDICATOR———

This

lights

up

when

the

DOLBY

NR

switch

is

set

to

ON.

TAPE

COUNTER——-—^

This

indicates

the

position

of

the

tape

run.

The

counter

reverts

to

“000”

when

the

power

is

switched

on.

COUNTER

RESET

SWITCH--

Depress

this

switch

to

reset

the

tape

counter

display

to

“000,

►

(PLAY):

OPERATING

SWITCHES

^

(REW):

Depress

this

switch

to

rewind

the

tape.

(The

tape

will

travel

at

high

speed

from

right

to

left.)

►

►

(FF):

Depress

this

switch

to

send

the

tape

forward

at

top

speed.

(The

tape

will

travel

from

left

to

right.)

■

(STOP):

Depress

this

switch

to

stop

the

tape

run

and

to

release

the

operating

switches.

►

(PLAY):

Depress

this

switch

when

playing

back

a

tape.

(The

tape

will

travel

from

left

to

right.)

REC:

Depress

this

switch

together

with

the

PLAY

switch

for

recording.

This

switch

will

not

work

when

a

cassette

is

not

loaded

or

when

the

erasure

prevention

tabs

of

a

loaded

cassette

have

been

broken

off.

PAUSE:

Depress

this

switch

to

stop

the

tape

temporarily

during

recording

or

playback.

Depress

it

again

to

allow

the

tape

to

continue

to

travel

as

before.

NOTES:

•

When

any

of

the

operating

switches

are

depressed,

the

cor¬

responding

indicator

(except

STOP

mode)

will

come

on

signifying

that

the

deck

is

set

to

that

respective

mode.

•

All

the

operating

switches

are

released

(OFF)

to

stop

mode

when

the

POWER

switch

is

turned

OFF.

MEMORY/REPEAT

SWITCHES

™

-

-

STOP:

Depress

this

switch

and

the

tape

will

be

rewound

to

that

spot

at

which

the

tape

counter

was

preset

to

“000”

during

rec/play,

when

the

REW

switch

is

depressed

at

any

position

you

like.

PLAY:

Depress

this

switch

and

the

tape

will

be

rewound

to

that

spot

at.

which

the

tape

counter

was

preset

to

“000”

during

rec/play,

and

playback

will

start

from

that

spot,

when

the

REW

switch

is

depressed

at

any

position

you

like.

COUNTER:

Depress

this

switch

when

you

want

to

play

back

a

tape

during

playback

or

recording

from

the

point

at

which

the

tape

counter

was

set

to

“000”

up

to

the

end

of

the

tape.

END:

Depress

this

switch

when

you

want

to

play

back

a

tape

from

the

beginning

to

the

end

of

that

tape.

OFF:

Depress

this

switch

during

normal

tape

playback

or

recording

to

release

the

MEMORY

and

REPEAT

switches.

For

further

details,

refer

to

“REPEAT

PLAYBACK

FUNCTION.”

MEMORY/REPEAT

INDICATOR---—--

This

indicator

comes

on

when

the

MEMORY/REPEAT

switches

are

depressed,

signifying

that

the

deck

is

set

to

the

respective

mode.

£q

-'to

-a

/»

AVERAGE:

METER

SWITCHES~—

PEAK:

The

meter

functions

as

a

peak

level

meter

when

this

switch

is

depressed,

PEAK

HOLD:

The

meter

functions

as

a

peak

level

meter

and

the

highest

level

of

the

signals

is

indicated

when

this

switch

is

depressed.

AVERAGE:

The

meter

functions

as

a

level

meter

when

this

switch

is

depressed*

For

further

details,

refer

to

"SETTING

THE

RECORDING

LEVEL”

on

page

9.

TIMER

START

SWITCHES

Depress

these

switches

when

yo'u

are

playing

back

or

recording

a

tape

with

the

use

of

a

timer.

REC:

When

this

switch

is

depressed,

the

deck

will

automatical'

ly

be

set

to

the

recording

mode

at

the

preset

timer

time,

and

recording

will

begin.

Use

this

switch

for

recording

FM

programs

when

you

are

out

of

the

house

or

other¬

wise

occupied.

PLAY:

When

this

switch

is

depressed,

the

deck

will

automatical¬

ly

be

set

to

the

playback

mode

at

the

preset

timer

time,

and

playback

will

begin,

Use

this

switch

for

wake-up

playback

instead

of

an

alarm

clock.

OFF:

Always

depress

this

switch

when

you

do

not

intend

to

record

or

playback

a

tape

using

the

timer,

(This

will

release

the

REC

and

PLAY

switches

of

TIMER

START.)

PIONEER

LEVEL

METER-------

This

indicates

the

input

level

during

recording

and

the

output

level

during

playback.

By

operating

the

METER

selector

switches,

it

can

be

made

to

function

as

a

peak

meter,

a

peak

hold

meter

or

as

a

level

meter.

The

input

signal

level

is

indicated

when

the

MONITOR

SOURCE

switch

has

been

depressed,

and

the

playback

output

level

is

indicated

when

the

MONITOR

TAPF

switch

has

been

depressed.

TAPE

INDICATORS--

Cr0

2

:

This

light

comfes

on

when

a

chrome

tape

is

being

used.

It

will

come

on

when

a

cassette

is

not

loaded

but

this

does

not

indicate

a

failure.

Fe-Cr

:

This

light

comes

on

when

a

cassette

is

loaded

and

the

TAPE

switch

is

set

to

Pe-Cr.

DOLBY

NR

INDICATOR--

-

-—.——

This

lights

up

when

the

DOLBY

NR

switch

is

set

to

ON.

TAPE

COUNTER———

This

indicates

the

position

of

the

tape

run.

The

counter

reverts

to

“000”

when

the

power

is

switched

on.

COUNTER

RESET

SWITCH-,

Depress

this

switch

to

reset

the

tape

counter

display

to

“000.”

SENDUST

COMBINATION

HEAD

3-HEAD

2-MOTOR

TAPE

TRANSPORT

SYSTEM

OPERATING

SWITCHES

«

(REW):

►

►

(FF):

■

(STOP);

►

(PLAY):

REC:

PAUSE:

Depress

this

switch

to

rewind

the

tape.

(The

tape

will

travel

at

high

speed

from

right

to

left.)

Depress

this

switch

to

send

the

tape

forward

at

top

speed.

(The

tape

will

travel

from

left

to

right.)

Depress

this

switch

to

stop

the

tape

run

and

to

release

the

operating

switches.

Depress

this

switch

when

playing

back

a

tape.

(The

tape

will

travel

from

left

to

right.)

Depress

this

switch

together

with

the

PLAY

switch

for

recording.

This

switch

will

not

work

when

a

cassette

is

not

loaded

or

when

the

erasure

prevention

tabs

of

a

loaded

cassette

have

been

broken

off.

Depress

this

switch

to

stop

the

tape

temporarily

during

recording

or

playback.

Depress

it

again

to

allow

the

tape

to

continue

to

travel

as

before.

NOTES:

•

When

any

of

the

operating

switches

are

depressed,

the

cor¬

responding

indicator

(except

STOP

mode)

will

come

on

signifying

that

the

deck

is

set

to

that

respective

mode.

•All

the

operating

switches

are

released

(OFF)

to

stop

mode

when

the

POWER

switch

is

turned

OFF.

MEMORY/REPEAT

SWITCHES--——-

STOP:

Depress

this

switch

and

the

tape

will

be

rewound

to

that

spot

at

which

the

tape

counter

was

preset

to

“000”

during

rec/play,

when

the

REW

switch

is

depressed

at

any

position

you

like.

PLAY:

Depress

this

switch

and

the

tape

will

be

rewound

to

that

spot

at

which

the

tape

counter

was

preset

to

“000”

during

rec/play,

and

playback

will

start

from

that

spot,

when

the

REW

switch

is

depressed

at

any

position

you

like.

COUNTER:

Depress

this

switch

when

you

want

to

play

back

a

tape

during

playback

or

recording

from

the

point

at

which

the

tape

counter

was

set

to

“000”

up

to

the

end

of

the

tape.

END:

Depress

this

switch

when

you

want

to

play

back

a

tape

from

the

beginning

to

the

end

of

that

tape.

OFF:

Depress

this

switch

during

normal

tape

playback

or

recording

to

release

the

MEMORY

and

REPEAT

switches.

For

further

details,

refer

to

“REPEAT

PLAYBACK

FUNCTION.”

MEMORY/REPEAT

INDICATOR--

This

indicator

comes

on

when

the

MEMORY/REPEAT

switches

are

depressed,

signifying

that

the

deck

is

set

to

the

respective

mode.

METER

SWITCHES

PEAK:

The

meter

functions

as

a

peak

level

meter

when

this

switch

is

depressed.

PEAK

HOLD:

The

meter

functions

as

a

peak

level

meter

and

the

highest

level

of

the

signals

is

indicated

when

this

switch

is

depressed.

AVERAGE:

The

meter

functions

as

a

level

meter

when

this

switch

is

depressed.

For

further

details,

refer

to

“SETTING

THE

RECORDING

LEVEL”

on

page

9.

TIMER

START

SWITCH.ES

Depress

these

switches

when

yo*u

are

playing

back

or

recording

a

tape

with

the

use

of

a

timer.

REC:

When

this

switch

is

depressed,

the

deck

will

automatical¬

ly

be

set

to

the

recording

mode

at

the

preset

timer

time,

and

recording

will

begin.

Use

this

switch

for

recording

FM

programs

when

you

are

out

of

the

house

or

other¬

wise

occupied.

PLAY:

When

this

switch

is

depressed,

the

deck

will

automatical¬

ly

be

set

to

the

playback

mode

at

the

preset

timer

time,

and

playback

will

begin.

Use

this

switch

for

wake-up

playback

instead

of

an

alarm

clock.

OFF:

Always

depress

this

switch

when

you

do

not

intend

to

record

or

playback

a

tape

using

the

timer.

(This

will

release

the

REC

and

PLAY

switches

of

TIMER

START.)

5

BASIC

OPERATIONS

TAPE

INSERTION

STOP

OPERATION

Place

your

forefinger

on

the

edge

of

the

dust

cover

and

pull

towards

you.

Aligning

the

cassette

tape

with

the

guide,

push

upward

and

insert.

When

you

want

to

remove

the

tape,

pull

it

towards

you.

Be

sure

not

to

take

out

cassette

tape

during

tape

running.

/

--\

•

<44

•

►

►

•

REC

r

pr

|

m

•

►

|

|

]

•

PAUSE

Rewind

(REW)

I

1

[

|

Recording|

|

into)

J

Fast

forward

Stop

Play

(FF)

(STOP)

(PLAY)

Pause

(PAUSE)

Stop

Depress

the

STOP

switch

to

stop

the

tape

motion.

The

operating

switch

indicators

will

go

off.

Using

the

Pause

Switch

1.

The

tape

will

stop

when

the

PAUSE

switch

is

depressed

while

the

tape

is

traveling

(recording

or

playback),

and

the

PAUSE

indicator

will

come

on.

2.

When

the

PAUSE

switch

is

depressed

again,

the

tape

will

start

traveling

again

(recording

or

playback).

NOTES:

1

.

When

stopping

the

tape

for

a

prolonged

period

of

time,

use

the

STOP

switch

.

2.

When

using

a

pre-recorded

tape

to

re-record

a

program

,

bear

in

mind

that

the

pre-recorded

sound

will

sometimes

not

be

erased

at

the

place

on

the

tape

where

you

set

the

deck

to

the

PAUSE

mode.

The

PAUSE

switch

comes

in

handy

in

the

following

instances:

•

When

the

recording

level

is

set.

•

When

you

want

to

edit

out

some

portions

of

a

program

during

recording

and

then

continue

recording.

AUTO-STOP

The

tape

is

automatically

stopped

by

the

auto-stop

mechanism

when

the

tape

is

completely

wound

onto

one

reel

during

each

operating

mode

(record¬

ing,

playback,

fast

forward,

rewind)

without

the

STOP

switch

having

to

be

depressed.

When

this

mechanism

is

actuated,

the

operating

switch

indicators

will

go

off.

Play

and

record

1.

Check

that

the

tape

is

on

the

left

reel.

2.

The

tape

runs

from

left

to

right

when

the

PLAY

switch

is

de¬

pressed.

If

the

REC

switch

is

also

depressed

together

with

the

PLAY

switch,

the

deck

will

be

set

to

the

recording

mode.

Fast

forward

1.

Check

that

the

tape

is

on

the

left

reel.

2.

The

tape

runs

from

left

to

right

at

high

speed

when

the

FF

switch

is

depressed

for

a

fast-forward

operation.

Rewind

1.

Check

that

the

tape

is

on

the

right

reel.

2.

The

tape

runs

from

right

to

left

at

high

speed

when

the

REW

switch

is

depressed,

and

the

tape

is

rewound.

NOTES:

•

You

do

not

have

to

depress

the

STOP

switch

when

selecting

the

next

mode

with

the

CT-F900.

•

Do

not

depress

more

than

one

switch

at

a

time

except

when

recording

and

for

PAUSE

mode.

NOTE:

The

auto-stop

mechanism

is

actuated

several

seconds

after

the

tape

is

fully

rewound

onto

one

reel.

Tape

slack

take-up

mechanism

The

CT-F900

employs

two

capstans

and

so

any

slack

in

the

tape

will

impair

the

effectiveness

of

their

performance.

To

safeguard

against

this

kind

of

malfunction,

the

deck

is

provided

with

a

tape

slack

take-up

mechanism

which

eliminates

any

slack.

What

happens

is

that

when

the

cassette

tape

is

loaded,

it

sets

the

deck

to

the

rewind

mode

for

a

mere

second

and

takes

up

the

slack.

If,

however,

there

is

a

greats

deal

of

slack,

use

a

pencil

or

similar

object

to*

take

it

up

before

you

load

the

cassette

tape.

Take

care

when

taking

up

the

slack

with

a

cassette

whose

tape

is

nearly

fully

wound

since

there

will

be

a

slight

increase

in

the

tape

movement

and

the

program

start

portion

may

be

shifted.

In

cases

like

this,

reset

the

tape

counter

to

“000”

before

load¬

ing

the

cassette,

and

record

the

program

start

location.

6

PIONEER

REPEAT

PLAYBACK

FUNCTION

REPEAT

SWITCHES

These

switches

enable

you

to

listen

repeatedly

to

tape

playback.

REPEAT

COUNTER

SWITCH

1.

Depress

the

REPEAT

COUNTER

switch

to

set

it

to

ON.

2.

Depress

the

COUNTER

RESET

switch

at

the

start

of

the

program

during

playback

or

when

recording

which

you

want

to

hear

repeatedly,

and

set

the

tape

counter

to

“000.”

3.

When

the

tape

is

fully

wound

on

to

the

right

reel,

it

will

automatically

be

rewound

about

two

seconds

later.

4.

The

tape

will

be

rewound

as

far

as

the

“999”

indication

on

the

tape

cotmter.

5.

The

tape

will

now

automatically

start

to

play

back.

REPEAT

END

SWITCH

1.

Depress

the

REPEAT

END

switch

to

set

it

to

ON.

2.

The

tape

now

plays

back

(or

records).

3.

The

tape

will

be

rewound

automatically

about

two

seconds

after

it

has

been

wound

onto

the

right

reel.

4.

The

tape

will

be

rewound

to

the

starting

point.

5.

The

tape

will

now

start

to

play

back

auto¬

matically.

•

The

tape

will

continue

to

be

played

back

repeatedly

until

the

MEMORY

REPEAT

OFF

switch

is

depressed.

MEMORY

DOLBY

TAPE

/REPEAT

NR

I-1

j

j

CrOs

Fe-Cr

I

I

I

I

TARE

COUNTER

COUNTER

RESET

MEMORY-REPEAT-,

--•

,-

1

_

STOP

PLAYCOUNTER

END

OFF

MEMORY

SWITCHES

There

are

two

MEMORY

switches

(MEMORY

PLAY

and

MEMORY

STOP).

The

MEMORY

STOP

switch

serves

to

rewind

a

tape

during

playback

or

recording

as

far

as

the

preset

“999”

indication

on

the

tape

counter

and

to

stop

the

tape

run.

The

MEMORY

PLAY

switch

serves

to

start

the

tape

playback

from

the

“999”

indication

on

the

tape

counter

automatically.

MEMORY

STOP

SWITCH

1.

Depress

the

MEMORY

STOP

switch

to

set

it

to

ON.

2.

Depress

the

COUNTER

RESET

switch

at

that

place

on

the

tape

during

playback

or

recording

which

you

want

to

re-record

or

re-play

again,

and

set

the

tape

counter

to

“000.”

3.

Depress

the

REW

switch

once

the

playback

or

recording

is

completed,

4.

The

tape

will

be

rewound

and

it

will

stop

at

the

tape

indication

of

“999.”

MEMORY

PLAY

SWITCH

1.

Depress

the

MEMORY

PLAY

switch

to

set

it

to

ON.

2.

Depress

the

COUNTER

RESET

switch

at

that

place

oij.

tire

tape

during

playback

or

recording

which

you

want

to

be

played

back

again

later,

and

set

the

tape

counter

to

“000.”

3.

Depress

the

REW

switch

once

the

playback

or

recording

is

completed.

4.

The

tape

will

be

rewound

and

it

will

stop

at

the

tape

counter

indication

of

“999,”

5.

The

tape

will

automatically

start

playing

back.

NOTE:

Always

depress

the

MEMORY

REPEAT

OFF

switch

to

release

the

MEMORY

PLAY

and

MEMORY

STOP

func¬

tions.

OPERATING

NOTES

•

If

you

set

the

MEMORY

PLAY

and

the

RE¬

PEAT

COUNTER

switches

to

ON

and

then

set

the

deck

to

the

rewind

mode

with

the

tape

counter

display

indicating

“999”

or

less,

the

deck

will

be

automatically

set

to

the

repeat

end

mode

(whereby

the

tape

is

played

back

automatically

after

it

has

been

wound

up)

immediately

after

the

tape

has

been

wound

up.

This

does

not

indicate

a

failure.

When

you

set

the

deck

to

the

stop

mode

upon

completion

of

the

rewind

operation

under

these

circumstances,

set

the

MEMORY/REPEAT

switch

to

OFF.

•

During

the

repeat

counter

operation

(whereby

the

tape

is

automatically

set

to

the

repeat

play¬

back

mode)

the

portion

of

the

tape

with

the

start

of

the

program

will

shift

slightly

forward.

This

is

due

to

the

inertia

of

the

tape

itself

and

is

not

a

failure.

7

RECORDING

Follow

the

recording

procedure

below

in

numerical

order.

The

step

numbers

are

illustrated

in

the

figure.

Set

the

switches

and

controls

as

follows

before

you

switch

the

power

on.

•

Depress

the

MEMORY

REPEAT

OFF

switch.

•

Depress

the

TIMER

START

OFF

switch.

•

Depress

the

METER-AVERAGE

switch.

•

Depress

the

MONITOR

TAPE

switch.

•

Set

the

INPUT

controls

to

the

leftmost

position.

•

Inspect

the

head

section

for

dirt.

If

dirty,

clean.

(Refer

to

page

12.)

•

Set

up

the

program

source

(records,

FM

broadcast,

microphone

performance,

etc.)

which

you

intend

to

record.

1.

Set

the

POWER

switch

to

ON.

2.

Insert

the

cassette

tape.

Check

that

the

tape

is

on

the

left

reel.

Also

check

that

the

cassette

tape’s

erasure

prevention

tabs

(refer

to

page

14)

have

not

been

broken

off

and

then

insert

(refer

to

page

6).

3.

Select

the

TAPE

switch

setting.

Set

this

switch

to

the

Fe-Cr

position

if

you

intend

to

use

a

ferrichrome

tape,

and

to

the

STD

position

if

you

are

going

to

use

a

standard

tape.

The

chrome

tape

detector

is

actuated

with

chrome

tapes

and

so

there

is

no

need

to

touch

this

switch.

(See

page

11.)

4.

Set

the

BIAS

control.

Set

the

BIAS

control

to

the

center

(click

stop)

position

or

to

the

setting

that

corresponds

to

the

tape

which

you

are

using.

For

further

details,

refer

to

“ADJUST¬

ING

THE

BIAS”

on

page

9.

5.

Set

the

DOLBY

NR

switch.

Set

this

switch

to

ON

for

Dolby

recording.

(Refer

to

page

13.)

6.

Set

the

INPUT

selector

switch

Set

this

switch

to

LINE

when

recording

signals

from

the

INPUT

jacks

on

the

rear

panel,

and

to

MIC/DIN

when

recording

signals

from

the

microphone

or

DIN

connector.

7.

Depress

the

MONITOR

SOURCE

switch.

8.

Stand

by

for

recording.

Depress

the

PAUSE

switch

first,

and

then

the

PLAY

and

REC

switches

together.

Depress

the

PAUSE

switch,

allow

the

tape

to

run

for

about

5

seconds

and

then

depress

the

PAUSE

switch

again

if

you

want

the

leader

tape

to

run

free

of

the

heads

or

if

you

want

to

record

a

blank

(no

signals)

between

programs.

9.

S

et

the

recording

level.

Refer

to

“Setting

the

recording

level”

on

page

9

and

then

set

the

INPUT

controls.

10.

Start

recording.

First

depress

the

COUNTER

RESET

switch

and

set

the

tape

counter

to

“000.”

Then

release

the

PAUSE

switch,

start

the

performance

of

the

program

source,

and

start

recording.

11.

Monitoring

the

recording

You

can

monitor

the

recording

level

on

the

level

meter

or,

depress

the

MONITOR

TAPE

switch

and

you

will

then

be

able

to

listen

and

compare

the

sound

quality

with

that

when

the

MONITOR

SOURCE

switch

was

depressed.

If

there

is

anything

wrong

with

the

sound

when

the

MONITOR

TAPE

switch

is

depressed,

it

may

be

due

to

a

deformed

tape;,

cfirt

in

the

head

Section

or

the

recording

level

or

BIAS

control

and

TAPE

switch

may

be

set

incorrectly.

Locate

the

fault

and

start

recording

again.

12.

Complete

recording.

When

the

recording

is

completed,

depress

the

STOP

switch

and

stop

the

tape.

Depress

the

PAUSE

switch

to

stop

the

tape

temporarily.

The

auto-stop

mechanism

will

be

automatically

actuated

when

the

tape

is

fully

wound

onto

the

right

reel

during

recording.

8

PIONEER

SETTING

THE

RECORDING

LEVEL

If

you

record

a

program

source

at

a

recording

level

which

is

unsuitable,

the

signal-to-noise

ratio

of

the

playback

sound

will

deteriorate

and

the

distortion

will

increase.

Set

the

level

according

to

the

fol¬

lowing

procedure

and

safeguard

against

poor

recordings.

1.

Depress

the

METER-AVERAGE

switch.

When

the

signals

of

the

program

source

you

intend

to

record

are

comparatively

strong,

adjust

the

INPUT

knobs

so

that

the

meter

indication

is

within

a

—3dB

to

OdB

range.

2.

Now

depress

the

METER-PEAK

or

PEAK

HOLD

switch.

Adjust

the

INPUT

knobs

so

that

the

meter

in¬

dication

does

not

continuously

go

beyond

5dB.

3.

Depress

the

METER-AVERAGE

switch

and

check

that

the

meter

indication

is

less

than

OdB.

•

If

you

record

a

sound'source

when

the

meter

indication

exceeds

full

scale,

the

playback

sound

will

be

distorted.

Conversely,

if

the

meter

indi¬

cation

is

too

low

(—20dB

to

—lOdB),

the

signal-

to-noise

ratio

will

deteriorate

and

you

will

hear

a

great

deal

of

noise

when

you

play

your

record¬

ing

back.

•

If

you

adjust

the

recording

level

merely

on

the

basis

of

the

peak

signal

indication,

the

recording

level

will

be

set

too

low

since

you

have

adjusted

it

with

the

maximum

input

signal

value.

As

a

result,

the

signal-to-noise

ratio

will

be

down¬

graded.

•

The

signal

level

will

fluctuate

widely

according

to

the

program

source,

and

so

keep

observing

the

meter

indication

while

you

are

recording.

dB

-20

-is

-io

-U

-a

O

+3

+5

+

7

p

■■■■■

■

■

■

■

■

■

■

■

■

■■

■

■

■■

•

The

+3

mark

indicates

Dolby

NR

level.

Fig.

3

NOTE:

In

rare

case

,

the

level

meter

and

tape

counter

may

not

be

normally

operated,

when

switching

the

POWER

“ON-OFF”

continuously.

In

this

case

,

switch

the

POWER

“OFF”

and

set

the

POWER

“ON”

again

a

few

seconds

later.

Then

it

will

be

normally

operated.

PEAK

METER

AND

LEVEL

METER

The

peak

meter

can

cope

more

sensitively

with

sudden

peak

inputs

than

the

level

meter

can.

The

level

meter

serves

almost

to

simulate

your

sense

of

hearing,

and

it

indicates

the

average

strength

of

the

input

signals.

Naturally,

the

peak

input

signal

which

is

recorded

has

a

higher

level

than

the

aver¬

age

level

and

so

the

standard

‘OdB’

level

meter

level

is

set

lower

than

the

saturation

level

of

the

tape.

The

peak

meter

is

constructed

so

that

its

very

fast

response

speed

indicates

peaks

even

if

pulse-like

signals

are

included

in

the

input

signals.

When

performing

live

recordings

or

when

recording

sources

with

a

great

many

peak

portions,

make

use

of

the

peak

meter

and

you

will

then

ensure

that

the

sound

will

not

be

distorted

at

the

peak

level.

The

peak

hold

meter

not

only

functions

as

a

peak

meter

but

it

also

holds

the

peak

level

to

display

it.

ADJUSTING

THE

BIAS

Your

recordings

will

display

the

maximum

sound

quality

with

the

minimum

distortion

if

you

select

a

bias

which

agrees

with

the

characteristics

of

the

tape

you

are

using.

The

center

(click

stop)

position

of

the

CT-F900’s

BIAS

control

is

for

the

standard

bias

but

you

can

also

adjust

the

bias

optimally

in

accordance

with

the

tape

being

used.

1.

Follow

steps

1

to

9

in

the

recording

procedure

and

set

the

cassette

deck

to

the

recording

stand¬

by

mode.

2.

Depress

the

MONITOR

TAPE

switch.

3.

Depress

the

PAUSE

switch,

then

allow

the

tape

to

run

and

record

the

program

source.

4.

Monitor

the

playback

sound

through

the

speak¬

ers

or

headphones

and

at

the

same

time

set

the

BIAS

control

to

the

optimum

position

in

accordance

with

the

characteristics

of

the

tape.

5.

Depress

the

MONITOR

SOURCE

switch

and

rewind

the

tape

as

far

as

the

point

on

the

tape

from

which

you

want

to

start

the

recording.

*

BIAS

The

optimum

BIAS

control

position

of

leading

brands

of

tape

is

listed

in

the

table

1.

Fig.

4

NOTE:

Adjust

the

bias

after

you

have

mastered

the

recording

procedure.

SETTING

THE

TAPE

SWITCH

At

the

same

time

as

you

select

the

bias

in

accord¬

ance

with

the

tape

you

are

using,

it

is

necessary

to

compensate

for

the

high-end

of

the

frequency

range.

Set

the

TAPE

switch

in

accordance

with

the

type

of

tape

you

are

using

(see

Table

1).

If

you

are

using

a

chrome

tape,

the

selection

is

performed

automatically

by

the

built-in

chrome

tape

detector.

This

mechanism

will

not

work

with

chrome

tapes

which

are

not

provided

with

chrome

tape

detec¬

tion

holes,

so

do

not

use

this

type

of

tape

(see

page

11

)

.

9