Tascam Portastudio 424 User manual

1TASCAM

TEAC Professional Division

i=ORT/JSTUDIO

OWNER'S MANUAL )5700124700

Important Safety Precautions Safety Instructions i

CAUTION: 13. Cleaning -- The appliance should be cleanedonly as recom-

CAUTION A CAUTION:TOREDUCETHERISKOFELECTRICSHOCK.DONOTREMOVECOVER • Read all of these instructions, mendedby the manufacturer.'

L*lE AlE (ORBACK).NO USER-SERVICEABLEPARTSINSIDE. REFER SERVICINGTO •Save theseinstructions for lateruse. 14. PowerLines - An outdoor antenna should be Iocatad away

QUALIFIEDSERVICEPERSONNEL. •Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the from power lines.

audio equipment.

,_The_ightning_ashwitharr_whe_dsymb___withinaneq_i_at_ra_triang_e'isintendedt_a_erttheuser 15.Outdoor Antenna Grounding - If an outside antenna'is

tothepresenceofuninsulated"dangerousvoltage"withintheproduct'senclosurethatmaybeof1. Read Instructions --All thesafety andoperating instructions connected to the receiver, be sure the antenna system is

sufficientmagnitudetoconstituteariskofelectricshocktopersons, should bereadbefore the appliance isoperated,grounded so as to provide some protection againstvoltage

i2. Retain Instructions--Thesafetyandoperatinginstructions surges and built up static charges. Section 810 of the

National Electrical CoderANSI/NFPA No.70 - 1984,pro-

,_ Theexclamationpointwithinanequilateraltriangleis intendedto alerttheusertothe presenceof should be retained for future reference, rides information with respectto proper grounding of the: importantoperatingandmaintenance(servicing)instructionsintheliteratureaccompanyingthe 3. Heed Warnings - All warningson the appliance and in the mast and supporting structure, grounding of the lead-in

appliance. •operating instructions should beadheredto. wire to an antenna dischargeunit, size of grounding con-

4. Follow Instructions - All operating and use instructions ductors, location of antenna-dischargeunit,connectionto

Ishould befollowed,grounding electrodes, and requirements for the grounding

This

appliance

hass serial

numberlocated

WARNING: TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK ,. Water and Moisture- The appliance should not be used

ontherearpanel.Reaserecordthemodel electrode. See Figure below.

numberandserialnumberandretainthemfor

yourrecords. HAZARD,DONOTEXPOSETHIS near water - for exenlple, near abathtub,washbowl, kitchen

Modelnumber APPLIANCETORAINOR-.n,eT,,.¢sink, laundry tub,in a wet basement, or near a swimming zxAMFLZOrANTENNAGROUNmZ_G

Sedalnumber IVIUIOIUDF= pool, etc. _LSErC.r_ZNc_O_[

6. Carts and Stands-- The applianceshould beused only with

a cart or standthat is recommendedby themanufacturer.

6A. An appliance and cart combination .should be moved with

care. Quick stops, excessiveforce,and unwen surfaces may _N_

NOTE FOR U.K. CUSTOMERS causethe applianceand cart combination to overturn. _R¢

THIS DIGITAL APPARATUS DOES NOT EX- CRO_,O _,

Dueto the variety of plugs being used in theNOISE EMISSIONS FROM DIGITAL APPARA-

U.K.,this unit is sold without an AC plug. Please TUS AS SET OUT IN THE RADIO INTER- *'_(_s%,_,o_..,_,o_,or

request your dealer to install thecorrect plug to FERENCE REGULATIONS OF THE CANADIAN

match the mains power outlet where your unit DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS.

will be used as per these instructions. 0_o_,_ _o,0_o_

LE PRESENT APPAREl L NUMERIQUE N'EMET _(c s(c_o._,o-,,)

PAS DE BRUITS RADIOELECTRIQUES DE-_o_.oc_,_

PASSANT LES LIMITES APPLICABLES AUX E_o_.=,_

-C_CTROOESTSlrEM

(N(C_TZS0.P_TH)

APPAREILS NUMERIQUES DE CLASSE B 7. Wall orCeilingMounting- The appliance should bemount-NEC-NATIONALEL£CTRmJ¢CO0(

PRESCRITES DANS LE REGLEMENT sun LE ed to a wall or ceiling only as recommended by the manu-

BROUILLAGE RADIOELECTRIQUE ED CTE fasturer.

PAR LE MINISTERE DES COMMUNICATIONS 8. Ventilation - The appliance should be situated so that its 16. Nonuse Periods -- The power cord of the appliance should

DU CANADA. location or position does not interferewith its proper venti-be unplugged from the outlet when left unused for a long

lation.For example, the appliance should not be situated period of time.

on a bed,sofa, rug,or similar surface that may block the

ventilation openings; or,placed in a built-in installation,17. Object and Liquid Entry - Care should be takenso that

such as a bookcaseor cabinet that may impede the flow of objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled into theen-

air through the ventilation openings, closurethrough openings,

Bescheinigung des Herstellers/Importeurs 9. Heat - The appliance,should be situated away from heat 18. Damage Requiring Service - The applianceshould be ser-

•sourcessuch as radiators,heat registers,stoves,or other viced by qualified servicepersonnelwhen:

Hierrnitwird bescheinigt,dabder/die/das appliances(including amplifiers) that produce heat. A. The power-supply cord or the plug hasbeendamaged; or

B.Objects have fallen,or liquid has been spilled into the

MlSCHPULT MIT MAGNETTONBANDGERAT 424 10. Power Sources- The appliance should be connected to a appliance; or

"- (Ger4t,TyJp.Bezeichnung) ,_. power supplyonly of the type describedin the operating in- C. The appliance has beenexposedto rain; or

structionsor asmarked ontheappliance. D. The appliance does not appear to operate normally or

in Ubereinstimrnungmitden Bestimmungencler 11. Grounding or Polarization -- The precautions that should exhibits a marked change inperformance; or

,AMrSBLATT163/1984,VFG1045/1984,VRi1046/1984 be taken so that the grounding or polarization meansof an E. The appliance hasbeen dropped,or the enclosure darn-

(AmtsblattverfOgung) appliance isnot defeated, aged.

12. Power-Cord Protection - Power-supply cords should be 19. Servicing - The usershould not attempt to service the

THE APPLIANCE CONFORMS WITH EEC DI REC-funk-entstGrtist. routed so that they are not likely to be walked on or pinch-appliance beyond that described in the operating instruc-

TIVE B7/308/EEC REGARDING INTERFERENCE Per Deutschen Bundespost wurde des Inverkehrbringen ed by items placed upon or againstthem, paying particular tions. All other servicing should be referred to qualified

dieses GerBtes angezeigt und die Berechtigungzur 0her-attention to cords at plugs, convenience receptacles,and servicepersonnel.

S UPPR ESSI ON prOfungderSerieaufEinhanungderBestirnmungeneinger_tumt, the point where they exit from the appliance.

CON FORME AL D.M. 13 APRI LE 1989 TEAC CORPORATION

DIRETT I VA CE E/87/308 NamedesHerstellers/Importours

2 3

The PORTASTUDIO 424 is...

Table of Contents

The PORTASTUDIO 424 is... 5 The PORTASTUDIO 424 is an 4-track "Multi-Using this manual : To get the most out of your

The Recording System 5-6 track Master" cassette tape recorder and a full-424, please take the time to read through this

Understanding the Mixer 7-8 function 8x2 mixer combined into a single manual. Some time spent now will keep you

Multitrack Cassette Recorder 9 workstation, from overlooking some of the features that

make the 424 a more creative tool. You may

Precautions and Recommendations 9-16 Its high audio quality and creative flexibility discover some new tricks you haven't tried

Brief Guide 11-12 reflect the experience and innovation that have before.

allowed TASCAM to earn its reputation in

Step-by-step Operations Guide 13-20 professional audio production fields, and its Use of capital letters : In general, we use all

Let's Try the 424 Mixer 13 user-friendly design makes the424 suitable for upper case type to designate a particular

How to record on track 1 15 anyone, from expert to novice, switch, control,jack name or label (likePAN).

How to play back track 1 through CUE MONITOR 16 Transport modes and somefeatures are

How to make an overdub on track 2 16

How to record all other tracks 18 :described with an upper case first letter (like

How to record many sources onto a single track 18 Record mode).

iHow to record a mix onto two tracks

; simultaneously 18

Recording on morethan two tracks

simultaneously 19

How to mix down. 20

Punch-in or Insert Recording 21-22

Punch-in/out Procedure 21 The Recording System

i Selecting In and Out Points 22

Punching-in/out with RECORD 22

Using the Remote Footswitch (RC-30P) 22 The PORTASTUDIO 424 is a completeaudio

Bouncing Tracks (Ping-pong) 23-24 production facility in a single box.It is divided

Ping-pong Procedure 23 into two major sections: a full-function mixer _'_Tracking

Ping-pong Plus LiveMaterial 24and an 4-channel, multitrack cassette recorder.

Adding Stereo Channels to a Bounce24 To complete the recording system, you'll ___

iUsing Effectswith the PORTASTUDIO 424 25-26 additionally need these: Input devices

Setting Effect Send Levels 25 (microphones, instruments), Output devices

Setting the Output of Effect Devices 25 (headphones), 2-track recorder, Effects pro-

Setting the Mix/Balance Control on Effect Devices 25 cessors, etc., as shown on the next page. L---424__J

How to Connect Your Effect Devices 26

Making an Automatically Repeating Loop 27 The Three Steps to Multitrack

Features and Controls 29-35 (_Overdubbing

InputSection(Channels 1-4) 29 The diagram on the right depicts how signals _;_""""+" III °_°IIl_l_

Effect Send Section 29 from equipment connected to the 424 can be

Stereo Inputs Section 30 routed.

Main Stereo Mix Master Output 31

Tape Cue and Monitor Section 31 In TRACKING and Ovardubbing, the mixer

Recorder Section inputs are usually microphones or instruments, L__ 424_.__J

Cassette Loading and dbx System 32 going to different tracks of the recorder. In

Transport Controls 33 OVERDUBBING, the MONITOR section and

Track Controls 34 TAPE CUE of the mixer must be used to listen Mixdown

o,s0as to0+v+outrac+w.ieou+cor0nowones.I m tl l l 1171

. SYNC Features 35 so there is a two-way flow through the console.

!Care and Maintenance 36-37 In MIXDOWN, signal comes from the multi-

track and is sent to an external 2-track recorder. 2 Track I_]

How the dbx Works 37

Some Commonly Asked Questions about the Portastudio 38 j

;[--424--

Optional Accessories 39

--_Specifications 40

,; Block Diagram 41

r_;;. Level Diagram 42

All rights reservedunder internationaland PanAmericancopyrightconventions. .

This bookmay not bereproducedin wholeor in part, bymimeograph or any other means,

_withoutpermission.

4 5

' Understanding the Mixer

Signal Flow in the 424 Mixer

The illustration below shows how the input

signal passes through the 424 Mixer section.

Mixdowndeck After the MASTER fader they go to the L/R LINE

Effects OUT jacks. This is the most important signal

i__[_[.jt_l_route in the mixar and is called "Main Mix". '_l.r_

Mic

'1Pt_NES

_IIC,

cO MOI

_1 iom__

•_'DI-

-, i-m

ic/iCl E

-L

P" M -i

PORTASTUDIO424 I

-_ i U '

_ -

Hea0pnones m 1o-- -

9--

:eN N

!RC-30PFootswitch _-- -e-- -

_ ,-- -

3-- --

0--

IIIASTER

6 7

Multitrack Cassette Recorder

iTape Cue Monitor System The 424 records on readilyavailable standard • Three tape speeds offer HIGH for greater

(Philips) Compact Cassettetape, high bias Typefidelity, NORM for compatibility with

TheTAPE CUE mix and MONITOR switches areIf you can hear tapeplayback in your head- I1.The recorder has 4 tracks while the mixer has standard cassettetapes, and SLOW for

also crucial for successful multitrack recording, phones when CUE is not pressed, it means a stereo output; however, using the DIRECT studying complex musical passages.

becausethey control what you hear in theyou're hearing tapethrough the Main Mix. This featureyou can record on any orall of the4

headphones. This CUE mix is totally in-is correct formixdown and bouncing tracks, but tracks at one time. Formore details,see "How •ZERO RETURN will automatically STOPor

dependent from theMain Mix going to tape. If during overdubbing it can cause previous tracks to Record MorethanTwo Tracks Simul- PLAY the transport when it is fast wound to

you don't usetheCUE mix, you run therisk of to be mixed together with new tracks, instead taneously', page 18. the O00counter position.

accidentally "bouncing tracks"everytimeyou ofeach part remaining separate. Use the TAPE

record new material. CUE toavoidthis.The 424's dbx NoiseReduction virtually •MEMORY will automatically STOPor

eliminates unwanted tapenoise. A special REWIND the transport when it reaches a

The 4 TAPE CUE controls act like a separate4xl The threeMONITOR switches choose which SYNCfeature turns off the dbx on track 4 counter position that you select. In

mixer, dedicated solely so you can hear mix(es) you can hear in thePHONES -theCUE separately, making it possible to record and combination with ZERO RETURN PLAY, you

playback from the multitrack recorder in your mix,and the LEFT and RIGHT outputs oftheplay back the MIDI sync tones or SMPTE/EBU can use MEMORY REWIND to automatically

headphones. Settings of these controls don't Main Mix. You press LEFT or RIGHT to hear time code without being affected by thedbx repeat a section oftapewithout having to

affect the mix going to tape. When any of thewhat you are recording : for example, LEFT encode/decode. This ensures that thesync press the transport controls.

TAPE CUE controls are turned to the right, CUE while recording onto track 1.tones/codearerecorded and played back

is pressed in the MONITOR switch, and the without unnecessary processing. With proper •The tape speed can be increased or

PHONES controls is turned up, you can hear If you need to add external sources to the CUE operating techniques, it is not necessary to decreased with the PITCH CONTROL dial in

tape playback in the headphones. You can mix (for example, a MIDI-synchronized drum leave a guard band between musicand sync both playback and record, to match pitch or

adjust the monitor level of each track by machine that you don't want to record on tape), tone tracks because of the low crosstalk of the for special effects.

adjusting its TAPE CUEcontrol. The channels of the ASSIGN switches forchannels 5-6 and 7-8 TASCAM heads.

the Main Mix remain free to handle external have a CUE position. This sends the output of •Punch-in and Punch-out can be engaged

inputs for recording,the stereo channel directly to the CUE mix. The transport controls of the 424 are micro-using the optional RC-30P footswitch, which

processor operated, allowing highly reliablegives you an "extra hand" in the'recording

functions that makethe unit easier to use: process.

_L\Precautions and Recommendations

Tape Speed and Track Format conventional recorders. The SLOW speed is 2.4

, The Portastudio 424 uses a HIGH speed of 9.5 cm/sec(15/16 i.p.s.), of half the normal speed.It

cm/sec. (3-3/4 inches per second) which is two also employs adiscrete 4-channel format head

w _ times (2X) the normal speed of a standard developed especially by TEAC for TASCAM

_;:,(@)). ,,_, audio cassette. ItsNORMALspeed is 4.8 cm/sec multitrackcassette recorders. Hereis a

,o,o- "" (1-7/8i.p.s.), the sameas thatused bycomparison ofvariouscassette formats:

... _-6 @ ® @ @

} ' c,_c, c, '

_. "_'_'_" L___J L__J L.___L____JL____JL____J L______J

TASCAM TASCAMTASCAM IEC IEC ANSI

i"/'/'A_"4_4Tr 3Ch 4Tr 4Ch8Tr8Ch(Philips)(Philips) (Philips}

-,., .,- -_j)- 4Tr 4Ch 4Tr 2Oh 2Tr 2Ch

8,; (Unit: mm}9

- • Playing back standard (stereo) prerecorded

tapes:Tapes recorded on stereo cassette __

recorders can play back properly on the 424 if

: you set the track playback,tape speed, and

noise reduction type correctly. Tracks 1 and 2

roughly follow the standard "stereo"format, but

* tracks 3 and 4 use the "Side B"(reverse side)

tracks. So you must turn off Track 3-4 playback _Side B safetytab

ito avoid hearing theflip side playing _"

backwards. If the cassette was recorded with safety tab

:Dolby B type noise reduction, the DBX switch

should be set to OFF.Tape Length

For the same reasons, tapes recorded on the Use the shortest possible tape for a given work.

Portastudio 424 will not playback properly on It is not unusual to play a tape 100 times before

stereo cassette recorders.Material recorded on you are finished, so select a cassette length

the 424 must be mixed down to stereo for final that is as close as possible to the length of the

distribution, program you plan to record.Cassettes C-60

length and shorter are often made from thicker

stock than longer cassettes.

The 424 needs the entire width of the tape to

record its four tracks, eliminating the option of The tape used in C-120 cassettes is extremely

recording on both sides (actually, it's both

directions). Therefore, you should decide which thin and can cause winding problems, crimping,

side (side "A"or side "B') you want to use and wrinkling, and other damage to the oxide

coating of the tape which will destroy your

use that side exclusively. It's a good idea to get work. Don't use C-120s in the 424. "*

into habit of consistently using the same side

on all multitrack tapes. Remember that at 2X normal speed, and the

"one-side-only"4-track single direction format

Tape Type means that you have only 1/4X normal play

The Portastudio 424 is internally adjusted for time:

HiGH BIAS "Type I1"tape. This means that for

best results, you should only use tapes of this (approx.)

type.TDK SA, Maxell XL-II or equivalent

formulations are recommended. We strongly C-3O 7.5 min.

suggest that you select one good quality brand C-46 11.5 min.

_.and use it exclusively. Thetime you spend

creating your multitrack master is much more C-60 15 min.

valuable than the money you save by buying

inferior tape. The cassette shell essentially C-90 22.Smin.

becomes a part of the 424's transport. Poor

quality shells can cause wrinkles, snarls and

shredding of the edges of the tape with use.Powering the 424

Even small scratches on the tape oxide can

cause "dropouts =(temporary loss of signal)on IMPORTANT !Only use the provided AC

one or more tracks. High quality tapes are less adaptor PS-P424 which is designed especially

for the Portastudio 424 and provides a

likely to cause problems in the long run. convenient connection and correct polarity.

Accidental Erase/Record Protection Should you attempt to employ an AC-DC

To protect a finished master tape, it is converter of any other brand or manufacturer,

necessary to punch out both record protect you will have to make sure that the connection

tabs. Even though you are recording in only one provides the proper polarity as shown by the

direction, the 424 uses the entire width of the symbols e-c.-eabove the connector on theback

tape, as mentioned above. If, for example, you of the unit. Furthermore, the specified voltage

remove only one of the tabs, you could of 12 V and amperage of 1100 mA must be

accidentally insert the cassette into the 424 properly observed. Otherwise,damage may

backwards and eraseall four tracks of the occur to thePortastudio 424 and such damaoe

master, would not be covered by the limited warranty

on the oroduct.

PORTASTUDIO 424 Brief Guide For detailed information on each feature, see"Features and Controls', pp. 29-35 of the supplied manual.

STEREO INPUTS (Ch. 5-8) : Connect any line-level signal

(such as an effect return, or electronic instrument)

selection and adjustment Ihere. They can operate in three different ways.

I Input I •Four Sources: By Using a special 3-conductor Tip-

Ring-Sleeve (TRS) cable, each jack can accept

two signals at once (Tip to theleft,Ring to the

right on Channel 5-6, viceversa on Channel 7- 8).

IN(Ch. 1-4) : These arethe input jacks for themixer channels. Both •Two Sources: If TRS "stereo splitter" cables are

Iower-level signals (frommicrohpones and some guitar pickups) andline- __o_ _ n°tavailable'standardm°n° 1/4=cables can be

level sources (such as electronic instruments) can beconnected here. connected to these jacks.In this case, the left (5-

", 6) jack will go only to theLeft mix, and theright

(Ch. 1-4) : Sets how much preamplification will be added to the MIC/LINE (7-8) jack will only reach the Right mix.

_INjack. Turnto the right if thesignal needs amplification, to the left ifthe lii_!i_ili_ . One source: Plug a mono cable into the left (5-6)

_signal is so loud it is distorting the mixer electronics, jack and leave the right (7-8) jack empty. The

"_signal automatically connects to both channels,

: Determines wherethesignal of thechannel comes from, andwheremaking assignment to left and right

_ the INPUT jack signal will go to.simultaneously possible.

EOI L

MIC/UNElleft)set the external input as the channel source. / _11 _ LINE level control : Controls the volume ofthe stereo• channels.

=o, TAPE (center) makes tape playback thechannel source, and is used during a [,_c=,/_.1 I

typical mixdown or bouncing tracks./' ' ' '_ASSIGN : Sends the stereo channel to either the L-R mix

--_--,, for recording, or the CUE mix for monitoring. Ifyou

•TAPE and MIC/LINE I_L (R) makes tape playback thechannel source, and sends "_are using MIDI-sequenced "virtual tracks', connect

the external input directly to the designated Master output (left or right), r-_,-them to channels 5-8, so they can be sent,directly to

•This is used during mixdown if you want to add external inputs (from MIDI- _,,_the CUE mix without being recorded.

_controlled instruments or an external mixer) while using the channel of theI-'U_ )'- -\_

424 to control tape playback. The input signal goes directly to the LEFT or ,_,

- "...... [ i

,o-"-"a"buss input'..RIGHT mix, orbypassingthe frequencies.ChannelcontrOlSshelving-thispointmakeSistheat1001NjackHz,work as =.__ I' ' ',_. TAPETapeCuECue'I-4M°nit°r':This sectionandPhoneScontrolstape playback in the

HIGH : Cuts or boosts treble frequencies. Shelving point is at 10 kHz. ,o_o, headphones, when CUE is pressed in the MONITOR

LOW: Cuts boosts bass I _ section.(An output of theTAPE CUE mix alsoappears on theRing connector of theEFFECT SEND

,-'- : Apost-fader effect send from thechannel. Turn clockwise to increase• , [] jaCk,anextraS°witheffectaspecialsendfromTRStape).CableCUE can be used as

e-- e - c_

,-[]

the level going to the Effect Master. I I;|1]Il_ HI PHONES : This is thevolume control for the built-in

i/iHililT

:- : Sets the pan position (left-right balance) of the channel. Notethat ,- -headphone amp.

,- the Left Mix can berecorded on tracks 1and 3, and the Right Mix onto

o- tracks 2 and 4.MONITOR switches : These select what signals you will

,_ _ hear in the PHONES. You can hear the left and/or

el fader: Sets the volume of the channel feeding the MASTER fader. II:H !! right output of the mixer,plus the tape cue mix,

1 depending on what is pressed down.

II II •TheLEFT or the RIGHT switch MUST beUp/Off

i i MASTERII when only either Left orRight output buss is fedL_,_ with signal, so you can hear that at the center in the

headphones.

•The"TAPE" CUE MONITOR mix is always mono

(center). The CUE MONITOR mix from thestereo

channels 5-6 and 7-8 may bestereo ifthey arefed

with stereo inputs.

I Master Section ]

•MASTER fader : This sets the total output level of the

stereo mix.

IEFFECT MASTER : This is the master SEND control for

d_ the effect mix.

[ Recorder controls ] I OUTPUT JACKS: Rear panel I

mTRK (Track) LED : When a track is in SAFE _METER switch : In the TRKposition, the four F--SYNCOUT jack : Connect this to the input of a _SYNC IN jack : Connect the output of a MIDI

position, its indicator will light in green, in meters will show the record or playback | MIDI sync or SMPTE time code reader. This sync or SMPTE time code generator to this

anyother positions than SAFE, it will light level of the four tape tracks. This is the | jack always gets signal directly from tape jack. When the DBX switch is in the SYNC

in red, regardless of the current transport normal setting during recording. In the | track 4. position, this jack connects directly to the

mode. BUSS position, you can meter the output / DIRECT side of the Track 4 RECORD

level of the mixer sections (left, right, tape iI FUNCTION switch. When the Output

Meters:Theseshowtherecordedlevelofthe cue, andeffect).Thisisthenormalsetting _ 10,_ I I (___'_Selector switch is in the TAPE OUT

respective tape tracks OR the output level during mixdown, l,position, this jack gets signal directly from

of different sections of the mixer (as set by .... = tape track 3.

the METER switch). Theaverage level []

should be in the center(0), but occasional =TAPE SPEED : HIGH is 3-3/4ips (9.5 cm/sec.),EFFECT SEND • Connect this to the input of an

peaks up to +6 scale are acceptable, double thestandard (NORMal) cassette

tapespeed of 1-7/8 ips (4.8 cm/sec.). SLOW effect device.

is 15/16 ips (2.4 cm/sec.) half normal speed. CUE OUT feature : If you havea "stereo

SLOW is recommended for practice only. splitter" TRS 3- conductor cable,theTip will

receive the EFFECT OUT signal, and the

Ring will receive the CUE OUT signal,

MEMORY switch : Determines what will allowing theuse of a second effect device

happen when thetransport reaches the during mixdown, when CUE is not

MEMO point : automatic STOP, automatic otherwise being used.

[ I __,_--_'i:i _i_ REWind, or no effect (OFF).

not get signal from the LEFT and RIGHT

the first time, thecurrent counter location mix during recording, the CUE OUT is not

iis memorized (red LED lit). A second press, intended for connection to a mohitoring

=t¢" t- clears that memory (LED off). A third press, system. Use the PHONES jack for this

"_!_ _. establishes a new MEMO point (LED lit). purpose.

RETURN: Determines what will happen Output Selector switch : This is a "wherefrom"

,E, when thetransport is fast wound to the switch : itselects the sourceforthe four

-'__ zero position : automatic STOP,automatic output jacks next to it. In theleft position,

PLAY, or no effect (OFF). the four jacks act as four TAPE OUT jacks,

getting signal directly from the multitrack

DBX : This turns thedbx noisereduction ON tapewithout passing through anymixer

and OFF for all four tracks. Normally, leave controls. In theright position,the first two

it on.In theSYNC position, thedbx is on for jacks act as LINE OUT Left and Right, jack 3

tracks 1-3,and off on track 4. Use SYNC acts as SYNC IN, and jack 4 acts as SYNC

RECORD FUNCTIONswitches 1-4: Thesewhen using Track 4 to record and play back OUT.

control which track(s) will berecorded MIDI sync tones or timecode.

when themaster RECORD and thePLAY When SYNC is on, theDIRECT sideof Track

key is pressed,and choosewhere the 4's RECORD FUNCTION switch gets its LINE OUT L and R jacks: Normally,connect

signal to be recorded is coming from : signal from theSYNC IN jack, instead of these jacks to the Left and Right inputs of

from mixer Channel 4. your mixdown deck. When theOutput

DIRECT :The track will berecorded with Selector switch is in theTAPE OUT

thedirect output of thesame-numbered PITCH CONTROL: Increases or decreases the position, these jacks will get signal directly

channel (channel 1 goes to track 1,etc.), speed of the transport in both Record or from tape tracks 1 and 2 instead of from

Adjust recording level with the Channel Play mode,over a 12% range, the stereo output ofthe mixer.

:Fader only. On Track 4, if the dbx switch is

; in the SYNC position,track 4 will record the __--Transport keys : These work the sameas on Thesejacks can also beconnected to the

signal from the SYNC IN jack instead of any cassetterecorder, inputs of external mixers and amplifiers,

ifrom Channel 4. etc.However,sincetheTAPE OUTsection

can not beheard through LINE OUTL-R,

they arenot intended for connection to a

SAFE : Thetrack will not be recorded.Tape counter (not shown) : Athree-digit display monitoring system. Only the PHONES jack

LEFT (1,3) orRIGHT (2,4) : The track will bethat shows thecurrent tapeposition, used gets a mix of cue and stereo.

recorded with theLeft or Right Mix. for autolocation functions.

Recording level is adjusted by theChannel

Faders and the MASTER fader. Any Counter reset button (not shown) : Press to

combination ofinputs can berecorded at change the counter to "000".

once onto a track, in a mix determined by

their PAN controls and faders.

.Step-by-step Operations Guide

LET'S TRY THE 424 MIXER

To learn how the mixer works, first you need to plug a signal source

into oneofthesix 1/4" jacks located at upper top of the 424,in your

easy reach.

; As an example, we'll use a microphone as the source.

::Before connections • Turn all the TRIM controls all the way to the left/LINE position.

• Turn all the EQ controls to their center °0" position.

• Bring all thefaders down.

• Turn all theTAPE CUE,EFFECT, and PHONES controls full

counterclockwise, and set all theMONITOR switches to OFF

(their Up position).

• Turn the LINE 5-6 and LINE 7-8 level controls full

counterclockwise,and set theASSIGN switches to theCUE

i; position.

1. Have in hand a dynamic microphone and a set of stereo

headphones.

Source connection 2. Plug the 1/4"plug on your microphone cable into the leftmost

(_MIC/LINE IN jack for channel 1.

=_-3. Connect the provided AC adaptor to the DC IN jack, and the

other end of the adaptor cable to an AC odtlet.

Powering on 4. Turn the424 on. (ThePOWER switch is located on the back,

next to the DC IN jack.)

Headphones connection 5. Plug your headphones into the front PHONES jack.

Input source 6. Set the channel 1 INPUT switch to the left source MIC/LINE

,.PUTposition.Mm/UNETA_

IHow to Record On Track 1 I

Panning 7.Turn the channel 1 PAN control all the way to the left position. As a trial, let's record your voice on tape.

P,.-%.=1. Have in hand a new cassettetape(TypeII, C-90 length or

'''shorter). Make sure the DBX switch is set to ON.

Loading a cassette 2. Press on the cassette door's lower right hand corner, and it will

spring open. Insert your cassette tape.Close the door.

Channel level 8. Raise the channel fader to "7"on the level scale. Getting past the leader 3. Press PLAY and allow the tape to run for about 10 seconds.

_tape This will run the tape leader onto the takeup reel, and put the

,',beginning of the tape in front of theheads.

Group level 9. Raise the MASTER fader to "7". ,_,,,_._

Monitor selection 10. Press the MONITOR LEFT switch. The RIGHT switch must be ___-'_

.... OFF, so you can hear the Leftmix at the center in the

headphones.

_,i_ Resetting the counter.4. Press the Counter Reset button, so you an use the ZERO

RETURN function to get back to this point.

_r--] Selecting tracks 5. Set the TRK 1 RECORD FUNCTION switch to DIRECT or LEFT.

Listening level 11.Turn the PHONES level control up to the12 o'clock position. TheTRK 1 indicator will switch to light in red. ,_

_,_j,.__ If you use DIRECT,the METER switch must be in the TRK

@: ,,_, position. If you use LEFT, the METER switch can be in either

TRK or BUSS.

Mic level adjustment 6. Speak into the mic. You will see meter 1 move. If no level or too

low a level is shown, continueto speak into themic and slowly

TRIM adjustment 12. While speaking into the mic, slowly turn the TRIM control in = *' turn the channel 1 TRIM control to the right/MIC until the meter