Sony TC-SP55 User manual

Operating Instructions
Stereo Cassette
Deck
4-230-237-11(1)
©2000 Sony Corporation
TC-SP55

2
Do not install the appliance in a confined space,
such as a bookcase or built-in cabinet.
This system is equipped with the Dolby* B-type noise
reduction system.
* Manufactured under license from Dolby
Laboratories.
“Dolby” and the double-D symbol are trademarks
of Dolby Laboratories.
The TC-SP55 tape deck is
designed only for the
CMT-SP55MD Micro Hi-Fi
component system
Here are some of the features you can use with
this tape deck when connected with the
CMT-SP55MD Micro Hi-Fi component system
(see page 4).
Auto Power On/Off
The tape deck power is tied with the
CMT-SP55MD Micro Hi-Fi component system.
Synchro Recording
You can easily record a CD onto a tape (see
pages 6 and 10).
Automatic Source Selection
You can switch from another source to the tape
deck and start playing a tape just by pressing H
or hon the tape deck (see page 8).
Timer
You can wake up to music or record a radio
programme at a preset time. For details, refer to
“Falling asleep to music” and “Waking up to
music” in the CMT-SP55MD Operating
Instructions, and “Timer recording radio
programmes” on page 15.
Remote Control
You can operate the tape deck using the remote
supplied with CMT-SP55MD.

3
Table of Contents
Getting Started
Hooking up the system.............................. 4
Operations
Recording a CD on a tape
— CD-TAPE Synchro Recording ...... 6
Playing a tape ............................................ 7
Recording a tape on an MD ...................... 9
Recording your favourite CD tracks
on a tape
— CD-TAPE Synchro Recording .... 10
Recording an MD on a tape .................... 11
Recording your favourite portions
on a tape
— Manual Recording ....................... 13
Recording from the radio ........................ 14
Timer recording radio programmes ........ 15
Additional Information
Precautions .............................................. 17
Troubleshooting ...................................... 18
Messages ................................................. 19
Specifications .......................................... 19
Index.......................................... Back cover

4
Getting Started
Hooking up the system
Perform the following procedure 1and 2to hook up your system using the supplied cord.
Note
Be sure to hook up the system with the mains lead unplugged from the mains. Hooking up the system with the
mains lead plugged in may cause the system to malfunction.
AM loop aerial
Right
speaker
CMT-SP55MD
rear panel
FM aerial
Left
speaker
Tuner
Amplifier
CD player
Tape deck
MD deck

5
Getting Started
Preparations
1Stack the components vertically in the order of
tuner, amplifier, CD player, tape deck and MD
deck.
2Disconnect the system cable supplied with
CMT-SP55MD from the SYSTEM CONTROL
3 connectors on the tuner and MD deck.
1Connect the SYSTEM CONTROL 3
connectors (red) in the order of the
tuner, tape deck and MD deck using the
system cable supplied with TC-SP55.
SYSTEMCONTROL3
SYSTEMCONTROL3
Notes
• The system cable is used to send signals and
electricity between the components for
interlinked operation.
Be sure to insert the connector horizontally
until it clicks into place. Otherwise the system
will not operate correctly.
• Keep the system cable away from the aerials
to prevent noise or malfunction.
2Connect the mains lead to the mains
after you complete all the connections.
Arranging the components side
by side
Once you have finished the connections, you can
rearrange the components as desired.
Tip
All information for the TC-SP55 tape deck appears in
the display on the tuner of CMT-SP55MD.

6
Operations
Recording a CD on a
tape — CD-TAPE Synchro Recording
You can make an analogue recording of a CD on a
tape. You can use TYPE I (normal) or TYPE II
(CrO2) tape. The recording level is automatically
adjusted.
You can also record a programme of favourite
tracks (see page 10).
To turn on the system, press ?/1 (power).
The tape deck turns on automatically.
?/1 (power)
1Press Aon the tape deck to open the
cassette tray and insert a blank tape.
With the side you want to record on facing
up.
Press Aagain to close the cassette tray.
2Press Aon the CD player and place a
CD on the disc tray.
With the label side up.
When you play a CD single (8 cm CD),
place it on the inner circle of the tray.
Press Aagain to close the disc tray.
3Turn FUNCTION until “CD” appears.
4Press CD SYNC REC on the tape deck.
The CD SYNC REC indicator lights up. The
tape deck stands by for recording and the CD
player pauses for play.
61
5
4
3
DOLBY NR*
2
* This tape deck is equipped with the Dolby B-type
noise reduction system.

7
Operations
5Press DIRECTION repeatedly until g
appears to record on one side or h(or
j) to record on both sides.
6Press Son the tape deck.
Recording starts.
When the recording is completed, the CD
player and the tape deck stop automatically.
To Do this
Stop recording Press son the tape deck or CD
player.
Remove the
tape and CD Press Aon the tape deck and CD
player in stop mode.
Tips
•When you want to record on the reverse side, press
hon the tape deck in step 5.
•When you record on both sides, be sure to start
from the front side. If you start from the reverse
side, recording stops at the end of the reverse side.
•If you select both sides recording and the tape
reaches the end of the front side part-way through a
track, the entire track is recorded again from the
beginning of the reverse side.
•When you want to reduce the hiss noise in high-
frequency signals recorded at low level, press
DOLBY NR after step 5 so “DOLBY NR”appears
in the display. Turning DOLBY NR on reduces the
noise when playing back these types of signals.
Playing a tape
You can use any type of tape, TYPE I (normal),
TYPE II (CrO2) or TYPE IV (metal), since the
tape deck automatically detects the tape type
(ATS*).
4
1
3
DOLBY NR**
* ATS: Automatic Tape Selection
**This tape deck is equipped with the Dolby B-type
noise reduction system.
1Press Aon the tape deck to open the
cassette tray and insert a recorded tape.
With the side you want to play facing up.
Press Aagain to close the cassette tray.
2Turn FUNCTION on the amplifier until
“TAPE”appears.
3Press DIRECTION repeatedly until g
appears to play one side or h(or
j*) to play both sides.
* The tape deck stops automatically after
repeating the sequence five times.
continued

8
4Press Hon the tape deck.
The indicator on the Hbutton lights up,
then the tape starts playing from the front
side.
Press hon the tape deck to play the reverse
side.
To Do this
Stop play Press son the tape deck.
Pause Press Son the tape deck. The
indicator on the Sbutton lights
up. Press again to resume play.
Find the
preceding track
(AMS*)
Press lm on the tape deck
for the front side during
playback.
Press ML on the tape deck
for the reverse side during
playback.
Each time you press the button,
the display shows the number of
tracks to be skipped.
Find the
succeeding track
(AMS*)
Press ML on the tape deck
for the front side during
playback.
Press lm on the tape deck
for the reverse side during
playback.
Each time you press the button,
the display shows the number of
tracks to be skipped.
Playing a tape (continued)
To Do this
Fast-forward Press lm or ML on
the tape deck in stop mode.
Rewind Press lm or ML on
the tape deck in stop mode.
Remove or replace
the tape Press Aon the tape deck.
Adjust the volume Turn VOLUME.
* The Automatic Music Sensor (AMS) feature
detects a blank space of more than four seconds
between tracks to locate tracks quickly.
Tips
•You can switch from another source to the tape
deck and start playing a tape just by pressing Hor
hon the tape deck (Automatic Source
Selection).
•To listen to a tape recorded with the Dolby noise
reduction system, press DOLBY NR so “DOLBY
NR”appears in the display.
Note
The AMS feature may not work in the following
cases:
—the blank space between tracks is four seconds
or less.
—the sound source recorded on the right channel
is different from that on the left channel.
—low volume or low sound continues for a long
time.
—the TV is too close to the system.

9
Operations
Recording a tape on an
MD
You can make an analogue recording of a tape on
an MD. You can use TYPE I (normal), TYPE II
(CrO2) tape. The recording level is automatically
adjusted.
5
2
6
4
1Insert a recordable MD.
With the arrow pointing toward the deck.
With the label side up, and the shutter on
the righthand side.
2Press Aon the tape deck to open the
cassette tray and inset a tape.
With the side you want to play facing up.
Press Aagain to close the cassette tray.
3Turn FUNCTION on the amplifier until
“TAPE”appears.
4Press zREC on the MD deck.
The MD deck stands by for recording.
Tape playback side
>>> appears for the front side, and <<< for
the reverse side. To play the side not
indicated, press son the tape deck and
remove the tape to reverse the tape side, then
do steps 3 and 4 again.
5Press Hon the MD deck.
Recording starts.
6Press Hon the tape deck.
To stop recording
Press son the MD deck.
Tips
•If you use a partially recorded MD, recording starts
after the recorded tracks. To erase the recorded
contents, refer to “Erasing recordings”in the
CMT-SP55MD Operating Instructions.
•If the Smart Space function is on and there is no
sound input for about 3 seconds or more (but less
than 30 seconds) while recording, the MD deck
replaces this silence with a blank of about 3 seconds
and continues recording. However, this function
may not activate if there is noise.
Note
If the MD is record protected, “C11”and “Protected”
appear alternately and the MD cannot be recorded.
Remove the MD, then slide the record protection tab
to the closed position.

10
Recording your favourite
CD tracks on a tape
— CD-TAPE Synchro Recording
You can select your favourite CD tracks with the
Programme Play feature, then record the
programme on a tape using the Synchro Recording
feature. This lets you rearrange the track order
while making sure the playback time fits on each
side of the tape.
11
9
10
8
`/1
2
3,4,6
1
5
Selecting the tracks
1Press CD on the remote to switch the
function to CD.
2Press PLAY MODE on the remote
repeatedly until “PROGRAM”appears.
3Press the track number of the track you
want to record.
To select track number 11
and higher
Press >10 once and then the number buttons
of the track number.
For example, to select track 32, press >10, 3,
and 2.
4Repeat step 3 to select the tracks to be
recorded on the side where recording is
to start.
5Press Xon the remote.
Recording pauses at the end of the side
where recording starts. “P”appears and the
total playing time display changes to
“0m00s”.
6Repeat step 3 to select the tracks to be
recorded on the reverse side.
Recording on a tape
7Insert a blank tape.
8Press CD SYNC REC on the tape deck.
The tape deck stands by for recording and
the CD player pauses for play.