Teac Multitrack Series User manual

OWNER’S MANUAL
TEAC,
4-Channel Multitrack Tape Deck with SIMUL-SYNC
5101605100

Introduction
The new TEAC A-3440 represents another
advancement on an already widely accepted
technological base. The previous A-3340S
with SIMUL-SYNC established the populari¬
ty of four channel tape decks with over-dub
capability. To a large segment of people
who are seriously involved in creative
music, both as artists and as professionals,
decks such as the TEAC trail blazing
A-3340S satisfied a need. Now the A3440
goes a step further by utilizing the ex¬
perience gained from producing truly
professional tape decks, such as the TEAC
TASCAM 80-8, and blending in the "hands
on" experience obtained from actual
users of the A-3340S. The result of this
improved mix of raw talent and product
artistry is your A-3440. TEAC wishes you
Good Luck and fine recording with your
new A-3440.
This Unit is factory adjusted for
Scotch Master Tape #10 R -3600.
These tapes may also be used.
•SCOTCH #250
• MAXELL UD, UD-XL,
LN(NEW)
• SONY DUAD, SLH
• TDK
AUDUA L Series,
etc. T Series
Table of Contents
Introduction . . 1
Features and Controls.
.2-4
Front Panel Control and Indicators
Rear Panel Plugs and Jacks
Reel Installation
Tape Threading
Playback and Recording. . 5
Normal Playback Procedure
Normal Record Procedure
Erasing
Creative Sound System.
. 6
SIMUL-SYNC Recording.
.7-8
4-Track, 4-Channel SIMUL-SYNC Recording
SIMUL-SYNC Recording Procedure
A-3440 Block Diagram
Special Features. . 9
Punch in Recording
Pitch Control
Cueing
Remote Control
System Connections. . 10
Maintenance . . 11
Cleaning
Demagnetizing (Degaussing)
Specifications. . 12
Optional dbx* Interface.
. 12
Useful Accessories.
. 12
Service Note .
. 12
This tape deck has a Serial Number
located on the rear panel. Please record
the Model Number and Serial Number
and retain them for your records.
Model Number_
Serial Number_
* dbx noise reduction system made under license from dbx, Incorporated. The word dbx
and the Symbol are trademarks of dbx, Incorporated.
WARNING: TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD, 00 NOT
EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
- 1 -

Front Panel Controls and Indicators
O Reel Holders with IMAB hub
adapters
"Quick-Lok” reel holders with included
adapters for 10-1/2''reels.
0 PITCH CONT
Pull out knob and turn it to allow control of
selected tape speed by ±5 %. When the knob
is centered or pushed in tape speed will be
precisely 7-1/2 ips or 15 ips as selected by
the SPEED switch.
0 Index Counter with reset button
Use the index counter for a numeric refe¬
rence to desired locations on the tape.
0 Tape Tension Arm
Moves to maintain proper tape tension and
to help smooth out tape movement during
mode changes.
0 POWER Switch
Depress the switch to apply AC power to
the deck.
0 REEL Size Selector Switch
Controls back tension of the supply reel.
Set it to SMALL for 1 " reels or LARGE for
10-1/2''reels.
- 2 -
0 SPEED Selector Switch
Controls the record/play speed of the tape
transport: LOW for 7-1/2 ips, HIGH for
15 ips. Also selects appropriate record
equalization.
0 MIC Jacks
Front panel input jacks for up to four
unbalanced low or high impedance micro¬
phones.
0 Input/Output Amplifiers (4)
Four independent input/output amplifiers
each with INPUT selector switch, level con¬
trols and wide scale VU meter.

Features and Controls
© MONITOR Level Control
Controls volume of monophonic sound at
PHONES jack.
® Monitor Channel Selector Switches
Four switches to select the channel to be
monitored at PHONES jack. Depress each
switch to select a channel. One, two, three
or four channels can be selected at the same
time.
© PHONES Jack
8 ohm stereo or monophonic headphones
can be connected to this jack for monitoring
of the sound selected by the OUTPUT
SELECT switches. This output is mono¬
phonic.
© FUNCTION SELECT Switches
with Indicators
Depress to allow any channel to go to record
mode. Indicator above the switch will light
to show that the switch is depressed. See
RECORD Indicator explanation.
© OUTPUT SELECT Switches (3)
These three inter-locked switches allow
selection of the signal fed to the VU meters,
PHONES jack and OUTPUT jacks on the
rear panel of the deck.
SOURCE: Selects MIC or LINE IN signal
(in conjunction with INPUT
switches on input/output ampli¬
fier 9).
SYNC: Selects playback sound off-the-
tape via the record head of any
channel whose FUNCTION
SELECT switch (13) is not
depressed.
PLAY: Selects playback sound off-the-
tape via the normal play head.
© PAUSE Indicator
This indicator lights when the deck is in re¬
cord pause mode.
-3 -

Reel Installation
Small Hub Reels
OUTER SECTION
CENTER SECTION
DRIVING KEYS
INNER SECTION
DRIVING KEYS
C ^
C 5
REEL TABLE
Large Hub Reels
NOTCHES IN REEL
OUTER RING
ADAPTER
INNER RING
CUT-OUTS IN REAR
PLATE OF ADAPTER
EARS
— SPACER
Tape Threading
•Carefully unwind (pull out) approximately 30 inches (75 cm) of
tape from the supply reel. Thread this tape in the following manner:
over the left tension arm, under the guide post, under and through
the head housing, between the pinch roller and capstan, under and
around the right shut-off arm, then onto the take-up reel.
•Secure the end of the tape to the take-up reel by holding the end
of the tape in the slot while rotating the reel several turns counter¬
clockwise (CCW).
•Continue rotating the take-up reel until the tape is no longer loose.
Correct tension will raise the shut-off arm from the 3 o'clock posi¬
tion ( ) to the 12 o'clock position ( f )•
© RECORD Indicator
This indicator lights when the deck is in
record or record pause mode. It flashes on
and off when any FUNCTION SELECT
switch is depressed and the deck is not in
record or record pause mode.
© Transport Control Panel
Six pushbutton micro switches to control
tape transport operation.
© Cue Lever
Move this cue lever up to retract the tape
lifters for high speed cueing during fast
forward or rewind operation, and for
manual cueing. Be sure to push this lever
down when cueing operation is not being
used.
© Pinch Roller
© Capstan
© Shut-off Arm
The shut-off arm will drop down to the
right if the tape breaks, runs out or becomes
very loose to shut off power to the capstan
motor. This arm also helps to smooth tape
travel.
Rear Panel Plugs and Jacks
© AC POWER IIM Cord
© REMOTE CONTROL RC-70 Jack
Optional RC-70 remote control may be con¬
nected to allow control of the transport
from up to 16 feet away.
© TO DBX UNIT (RX-9)*
An optional DBX UNIT (RX-9) can be con¬
nected to the A-3440 to provide increased
dynamic range and improved signal-to-
noise ratio.
© Ground Terminal (GND)
© OUTPUT Jacks
These four output jacks may be connected
to a mixer (such as the TEAC TASCAM
MODEL 2A) or to other audio equipment
which will accept these line outputs.
© LINE IN Jacks
These jacks can be connected to a mixer
or other source.
© Feet
These feet allow the A-3440 to be operated
from a horizontal position.
•See the RX-9 Owner's Manual for infor¬
mation about dbx recording.
NOTE: When the optional DBX UNIT is not
connected the eight jumper plugs must be
installed between the SEND and RCV jacks
to allow proper operation of the A-3440.
-4 -

Playback and Recording
Normal Playback Procedure
1. Load and thread the pre-recorded tape
on the A-3440 as explained on page 4.
If the tape was left in the "tails out”
condition, load the tape on the right
reel table and thread the tape to the
left reel table. Then, rewind the tape to
the beginning.
2. Initially set all the switches and knobs
as indicated below.
PITCH COIMT- Depressed
REEL - To match the size of the supply
reel. SMALL - 7", LARGE -
10 - 1 / 2 ".
SPEED - To match the speed at which
the tape was recorded.
FUNCTION SELECT - All released to
prevent accidental erasure of
the tape
OUTPUT SELECT - PLAY
INPUT knobs-0
OUTPUT knobs - About position 7
MONITOR - About position 7
MONITOR selector - Depress switch to
hear selected channel. Note
that the sound at PHONES
jack is monophonic.
3. Begin playback by depressing * but¬
ton.
4. The PITCH CONT can be pulled out and
turned left or right to change the tape
speed by ±5 % to vary the pitch of the
playback sound.
Normal Record Procedure
1. Make the desired system connections as
shown in the diagram on page 10.
2. Load and thread the tape as explained
on page 4.
3. Initially set the following switches and
knobs as indicated below.
POWER-ON
REEL - To match the size of supply
reel SMALL - 7”, LARGE -
10 - 1 / 2 "
FUNCTION SELECT - Depress for
each channel to be recorded
OUTPUT SELECT - S OURCE
INPUT Selector - MIC or LINE to
match input being used on
each channel
INPUT knob - Counter clockwise to 0
setting
OUTPUT knob - About position 7
MONITOR knob - About position 7
MONITOR switches - Depress for each
channel to be recorded.
4. Start the input source connected to the
LINE IN jacks or begin source to micro¬
phones for record level setting. Raise
the INPUT knob setting until the VU
meter reads about 0 VU for each channel.
When "close miking” loud sources it
may be necessary to set the INPUT
selector to MIC ATT position to reduce
microphone input level.
5. Depress REC and ► buttons on
control panel to begin recording. Restart
sound sources again if desired.
6. Set OUTPUT SELECT switch to PLAY
to hear off-the-tape sound.
7. After the tape is recorded, rewind the
tape to the beginning if you wish to play
it back. If you want to keep the tape in
storage we recommend that you play
the tape to the end and keep it in this
"tails out” condition.
Erasing ■
When any channel (track) is set in the record
mode the erase head for that channel (track)
supplies a high frequency AC signal which
erases any previously recorded material. If
no new signal is applied by the record head
the tracks will remain erased. Any one or all
tracks can be erased by setting each channel
to record mode with no input record signal
applied or with the INPUT knobs turned
counter clockwise to 0. However, if a tape
which was recorded on a half track or full
track machine is to be used, that tape should
be erased using a bulk eraser such as the
TEAC E-2. The reason for this is that the
recorded tracks on these tapes are not the
same as those on a four track deck such as
the A-3440 and therefore the tape would
not be sufficiently erased when using normal
recording procedures on the A-3440.
- 5 -

Creative Sound System
Monitor speaker
Monitorspeaker
Power amplifier
Multi-core cable
Audio mixer
Graphic equalizer
o o o o ooo
Echo unit
You, the sound engineer
Mix-down tape deck

SIMUL-SYN
4-Track, 4-Channel SIMUL-SYNC
Recording
Discrete, separate channels are recorded on
each of the 4 tracks in the same direction
and synchronized as in 2-channel stereo
recordings. From a 4-channel source, the
tracks are recorded simultaneously. With
the SIMUL-SYNC function, they may be
recorded separately and synchronized at
the time of recording.
FUNCTION SELECT
OUTPUT SELECT
12 3 4 SOURCE SYNC PLAY
TEAC
SIMUL-SYNC RECORDING
V
>

I Recording
SIMUL-SYNC Recording Procedure
There are many ways to accomplish the
mechanics of SIMUL-SYNC recording. Each
sound engineer or even home recordist, with
experience, will develop a certain style that
suits him best. The basic procedure below
may be helpful to those who are just getting
into SIMUL-SYNC recording and haven't yet
developed their own style and expertise.
Run through it just for practice and famil¬
iarization with your A-3440. Once that's
done you're on your way to setting your
own style.
1. Let's assume you're starting from scratch.
Make sure the tape is degaussed and that
your deck is clean and the heads are
demagnetized, etc. See maintenance
hints on page 11.
2. Make the desired system connections as
given in the connection diagram on
page 10.
3. Set the switches and knobs as given
below. Let's assume that you want to
record your superlative rhythm guitar
playing on tracks 1 and 3.
FUNCTION SELECT - 1 and3depressd
OUTPUT SELECT - SOURCE - to set
record level and mic balance,
then select PLAY.
INPUT select (1 and 3) - MIC or MIC
ATT
INPUT knob (1 and 3) - Set to get re¬
quired record level (usually
about 0 VU)
OUTPUT knob (1 and 3) - Set to about
position 7
MONITOR knob - Set to about position
7
MONITOR selector - 1 and 3 depressed
PITCH CONT - Depressed
Index Counter - Reset to 0000
PHONES jack - Connect headphones to
PHONES jack
4. Depress REC and ► buttons to begin
recording. It's usually a good idea to
record a short count for a voice cue on
the tape.
5. Begin playing your guitar. Right through
to the end. No mistakes? Good. Let's
keep these tracks. Stop the deck. Release
FUNCTION SELECT switches 1 and 3.
Rewind the tape back to the beginning.
6. Prepare the next instrument. Let's say
you want to play your piano and record
it on track 2. Set OUTPUT SELECT to
SOURCE, depress FUNCTION SELECT
2, set INPUT selector to MIC or MIC
ATT and set INPUT knob for desired
recording level while you're playing a
test piece.
7. Set OUTPUT SELECT to SYNC and
MONITOR selector to track 1 or 3.
Remember you want to get in sync with
your guitar tracks so you have to listen
to your voice count and begin playing
at the right time.
8. Set the deck in record mode, listen to
your voice count and begin playing right
on cue. If you miss it you can go right
back and try again over and over until
you get it right.
9. Now you can fill in the last track, 4 in
our example. With SIMU L-SYNC you can
do it now, tomorrow or next week. If
you're new at this type of recording
you'll probably find that it takes a little
practice to get it all together. Once you
get the knack of it you'll find that it
gets easier. And while you're practicing
you'll probably be thankful for the
chance to get as many tries at perfection
as you need.
-8 -

Special Features
Punch in Recording
Punch in recording is used to correct a mis¬
take or change part of a track. Let's assume
that you want to improve a minute in the
middle of the piano on track 2.
1. Set the OUTPUT SELECT switch to
SYNC to monitor the sound on the tape
using the Sync head.
2. Depress the MONITOR switch for the
channels you want to listen to.
3. Depress the ► button to begin playback.
4. Now you can punch in on the channel
you want by depressing and holding the
record and ► buttons and then depress¬
ing the FUNCTION SELECT switch for
the desired channel.
5. To punch out, release the function select
switch. In this case the tape will con¬
tinue to move but the deck will be in the
play mode.
6. Another way to stop recording is to
press the STOP or PAUSE button.
NOTE: When in the record mode with one
FUNCTION SELECT switch depressed, de¬
pressing any additional FUNCTION SE¬
LECT switches will result in a loud pop or
RECORD AND MONITOR (SYNC) HEAD
PLAYBACK HEAD
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Pitch Control
The A-3440 has a PITCH CONT knob located
next to the index counter which can be used
to vary the speed of the capstan motor by
±5 %. Pull out the knob and turn it to the
left or right to change capstan motor speed
during record or playback operation. This
function can be utilized to compensate for
differences in the pitch of instruments
tuned and recorded at different times or as
another creative opportunity for an inventive
musician or recording engineer.
PITCH CONT
\ * /
- >
0 0 0 0
+ —
PULL ON
click being recorded on all tracks. Be care¬
ful, don't lose good tracks.
You'll probably find it takes a little prac¬
tice to punch in to record on a rest or an
open space of 1/2 second or more. The same
applies for punching out of record. Punch
in takes practice and patience to get it all
together. Once you get the knack of it
you'll find that it gets easier.
Cueing
The A-3440 has a Cue Lever located beneath
the pinch roller which can be raised up to
retract the tape lifters so that the tape will
contact the heads. This allows high speed
cueing during rewind or fast forward op¬
eration and manual cueing. The channels to
be monitored can be selected by depressing
the MONITOR selector switches. If the deck
is connected to an amplifier and speaker
system we suggest that you reduce the
volume control on the amplifier to prevent
sudden loud sounds from damaging your
amplifier or speakers. Also be sure to release
the Cue Lever when the cueing function is
not being used in order to protect the heads
from unnecessary wear.
Remote Control
There may be times when the person handl¬
ing the recorder wants and needs some
freedom of movement so that he can move
away from the recorder and still maintain
control of it. The optional REMOTE
CONTROL RC-70 can be connected to the
rear panel connector of the A-3440 to
provide remote control of the transport
from about 16 feet away.
-9 -

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OUTPUT
System Connections
AC POWER
AC POWER
AC POWER
POWER O
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Tape Guide
Capstan Shaft Pinch Roller
Guide Roller Erase Head Tape Lifter Playback Head
Record/Sync Head
Cleaning ——
Heads
When the tape deck is used for a long time
magnetic oxide from the tape, dirt and dust
tend to accumulate on the heads and along
the tape movement path. If this happens,
the sound quality will begin to worsen, high
frequency response will suffer, there will be
a loss of output level and drop-outs will
occur. Eventually the heads may begin to
wear unevenly and much quicker than
normal. At an extreme condition, the heads
may not be able to erase, record or playback
at all.
To avoid this unnecessary problem the
heads and tape path must be cleaned re¬
gularly, at least after about every 8 hours of
record or playback operations and before
every important recording session. Especial¬
ly clean the heads and pinch roller and
capstan shaft. TEAC produces a special kit
called TZ-261 which contains rubber and
head cleaning fluids. If this kit is not availa¬
ble, pure alcohol may be used or similar
type recorder cleaning fluids which are
made and recommended by reputable manu¬
facturers may be used.
Pinch Roller and Capstan Shaft
The pinch roller and capstan shaft have
been called the heart of the transport and
well they might be. If they become dirty,
wow and flutter will increase and tape
movement may become more erratic. These
parts should be cleaned whenever you clean
the heads. Use the TZ-261 B fluid for
cleaning the pinch rollers.
Maintenance Accessories
Tape Recorder Cleaner (sold separately)
TZ-261
The sound quality is strongly influenced by
the cleaning of the heads, capstan and other
metal parts. Head cleaner fluid A and pinch
roller and rubber cleaning fluid B are com¬
bined with cleaning sticks in this kit.
Demagnetizing (Degaussing)
If the heads are touched with magnetized
tools, such as scissors or screwdrivers or if
the tape deck is used in play or record mode
for long periods of time, the heads and
other parts in the tape path may become
magnetized. This residual magnetism will
introduce noise onto your pre-recorded
tapes, cause a decrease in high frequency
response and may begin to cause erasure of
tapes even during playback operation. To
avoid such problems, periodically (about
once every two weeks) degauss the heads
(especially) and the other parts in the tape
path which normally contact the tape (tape
guides, capstan shafts, tape lifters, etc.) The
TEAC E-1 Head Eraser or similar eraser can
be used to remove this harmful residual
magnetism.
1. Switch off power to the tape deck.
2. Turn on power to the head eraser and
move the tip of it very close to the head
or part to be degaussed. Move the tip
back and forth slowly across the head or
part about 4 or 5 times.
3. After slowly moving to each part and de¬
gaussing them as explained in step 2,
slowly move the eraser at least 30 centi¬
meters or more away from the deck and
then turn off power to the eraser.
- 11 -

Specifications
SPECIFICATIONS
Track System
3 Motors
3 Heads
Reel Size
Tape Speed
Wow and Flutter
(NAB Weighted)
Frequency Response
(overall)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio
(overall)
Harmonic Distortion
(overall)
Stereo Channel Separation
Rewind/Fast Forward Time
Inputs
Outputs
Power Requirement
Power Consumption
Dimensions (W x H x D)
Weight
Supplied Accessories
: 4-Channel Multi-Track SIMUL-SYNC
: 1 DC-Servo Capstan Motor,
2 Eddy Current Induction Reel Motors
: Erase, Record/Sync and Playback
: 10-1/2" and 7"
: 15 ips and 7-1/2 ips (±0.5%)
: 55 dB (3 % THD level, weighted)
: 0.8 % at normal operating level
: 45 dB at 1 kHz
: 140 seconds for 1 800 feet
: 4 Line: 60 mV/50k ohms
4 Mic: 0.25 mV (-72 dB)/600 ohms or more
: 4 Line: 0.3 V/load impedance: 10 k ohms or more
1 Headphone Jack: 8 ohms
: 100/117/220/240 V AC, 50/60 Hz (EX model)
220 VAC, 50 Hz (EUR model)
240 V AC, 50 Hz (UK/AUS model)
117 V AC, 60 Hz (USA/CND model)
: 125 W
: 445 x 523 x 235 mm
(17-1/2" x 20-1/2" x 9-1/4")
: 25 kg (55 lbs) net
: Input-Output Connection Cords
RE-1002 Empty Reel
NAB Reel Hub Adapters
Splicing Tape
Service Note
The TEAC A-3440 is a precision electro¬
mechanical device that will give years of
trouble-free operation. However, if you
should experience any problems first check
for the most obvious causes such as poor
connections, improper switch settings, etc.
Often, just changing to a different or better
quality tape will solve problems that appear
to be a fault in' the deck. Make sure the
heads and tape path are cleaned and demag¬
netized regularly, especially prior to im¬
portant recording or playback sessions.
Familiarize yourself with the correct opera¬
tion of the controls and the effect each has
on the operation of the deck as explained
in this manual.
If a trouble still exists after you check all
these things, you may want to phone or
write to a TEAC office or Service Center
prior to bringing or sending your deck in
for service. Also, please read through the
instructions given on your Warranty Card
for proper procedure in obtaining Warranty
accommodation.
: 0.04% at 15 ips, 0.06 % at 7-1/2 ips
: 25 - 24 000 Hz (± 3 dB/0 VU: 40 - 22 000 Hz) at 15 ips
25 - 22 000 Hz (± 3 dB/-10 VU: 40-20 000 Hz) at 7-1/2 ips
^Specifications were determined using low-noise/high-output tape.
^Improvements may result in features or specifications change without notice.
Optional dbx Interface
The A-3440 accepts the professional dbx
Type-I interface, which provides greatly
improved signal-to-noise ratio and extended
dynamic range. With this optional system it
is possible to produce completely noise-free
master tapes with full dynamic range: a
must for those all-important demo record¬
ings.
Useful Accessories
For the perfect creative recording system,
team the A-3440 up with the Model 2A
six-in/four-out audio mixer and the MB-20
Meter Bridge. The Model 2A gives you six
microphone or line inputs with independent
equalization, output channel assignment and
pan pots. The MB-20 provides accurate
readout of buss and tape output levels, and
has a built in headphone monitor amp with
independent volume control and a left, right
or center channel monitor switching matrix.
The A-3440, Model 2A and MB-20 form a
total studio system with which your musical
ideas can become a sonic reality.
To assure top performance from your deck
at all times, keep it physically and mag¬
netically clean with the TZ-261 Cleaner Kit
and E-1 Head Demagnetizer.
- 12 -

4-Channel Multitrack Tape Deck with SIMUL-SYNC
TEAC
First. Because they last.
TEAC CORPORATION 3-7-3 NAKA-CHO MUSASHINO TOKYO PHONE [phone]
TEAC CORPORATION OF AMERICA 7733 TELEGRAPH ROAD MONTEBELLO CALIFORNIA 90640 PHONE [phone]
TEAC AUSTRALIA PTY., LTD. 115 WHITEMAN STREET SOUTH MELBOURNE VICTORIA 3205 PHONE [phone]
PRINTED IN JAPAN 0283U 1-D-2856P