Teac A-1250S User manual

STEREO TAPE DECK
INSTRUCTION
MANUAL
®
Se
Meee
oe

Your
new
TEAC
equipment
has
been
manufactured
under
the
strictest
quality
control
procedures,
each
unit
has
been
thoroughly
checked
at
the
factory.
Should
any
damage
have
been
incurred
during
transit
or
should
you
have
any
doubts
as
to
its
performance,
contact
your
dealer
as
soon
as
possible.
Our
investigation
has
shown
that
approximately
40%
of
the
calls
for
service
imme-
diately
after
purchase
result
from
improper
operation
of
the
equipment.
Therefore
it
is
important
that
you
thoroughly
read
and
understand
this
manual
before
placing
the
unit
in
operation.
A
lack
of,
or
improper
cleaning
can
also
result
in
a
degradation
of
performance.
Careful
observation
of
the
cleaning
and
servicing
hints
contained
in
this
manual
will
contribute
to
a
lengthened
trouble
free
unit
life.
Please
consult
the
trouble
shooting
chart
before
seeking
service
as
most
common
problems
are
thro-
oughly
covered
by
this
chart.
Environmental conditions
Although
this
deck
may
be
used
in
either
the
upright
or
horizontal
positions,
the
upright
position
is
preferred
from
the
point
of
more
efficient
ventilation.
Mounting
locations
to
be avoided
are:
Locations of constant high temperature
Do
not
operate
this
unit
near
heating
appliances
or
on
top
of
an
amplifier
where
amplifier
heat
would
contribute
to
a
rise
in
temperature.
Do
not
place
the
unit
where
it
will
be
exposed
to
direct
summer
sunlight.
Temperature
extremes
wil]
not
only
cause
degradation
of
sound
quality
but
will
also
shorten
the
useful
operating
life
of
the
unit.
Avoid
temperatures
higher
than
100°F.
Locations of high humidity
High
humidity
locations
will
shorten
equipment
life
due
to
corrosion
and
possible
fungus growth on printed circuit boards.
Dusty environments
Your
TEAC
equipment
is
a
precision
machine
and
as
such
should
be
protected
from
dust.
Operation
in
a
dusty
atmosphere
will
result
in
excessive
head
and
bearing
wear.
Dust
covers
are
available
from
your
TEAC
dealer
for
most
TEAC
components.
Your
tapes
should
also
be kept
dust
free.
Fluctuation of the supply voltage
Should
you
be
in an
area
where
line
voltage
fluctuation
is
severe,
the
use
of
an
automatic voltage controller is recommended.
Service
Should the equipment need repair, contact the dealer where it was purchased, or
the authorized TEAC Service Center nearest you.
1) The Warranty period is described in the enclosed warranty card, read the card for
complete details.
2) For repairs after expiration of the warranty period a service charge will be made in
addition to the price of repair parts.
3) If only repair parts are required, place your order with your dealer, nearest TEAC
authorized Service Center.
Note
Although the unit may still be under the Warranty period, you may be charged for
repairs made necessary by misuse, or damage incurred as a result of improper
operation.

Contents
Function
of
the
operating
controls...
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Connections
to
and
from
the
A-1250S)
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Rear
panel
connections
2.6...
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General
recording
information
......-...0
026
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Threading
the
tape
2...
eee
Basic
tape
deck
operation.
2...
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Playback
of
4
track
stereo
tape
6...
ee
Playback
of
4
track
mono
tape...
0.6...
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General
information
and
precautions
at
recording
............--+----
Splicing
the
tape...
es
Expert
use
of
REC.
Bias,
Rec.
Eq.
and
PAUSE...
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Recording
in
4
track
stereO
2...
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ee
Recording
in
4
track
MONO
2.1...
ee
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-Recording
sound-on-sound
6...
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Reel
hight
adjustment
2...
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Automatic
reverse
and
repeat
playback
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Specifications
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Function of the Operating Controls
Index counter
This is for indexing the program material position on
the tape. It can be reset to zero by pressing the zero
reset button on its right.
Reel turntable
7” reel is the maximum that can be used.
Quik-Lok reel holder
Reel height adjustment
Set this screwdriver adjustment for optimum reel posi-
tion, depending upon reel thickness.
Tension arm-reverse sensing post
Provides proper tape tension during starts and stops, and
compensates for the changing tape winding diameter.
Also contains the sensing post for the automatic reverse
function. Manually rotate the reels clockwise to clear the
sensing foil from this post before starting the reverse
Operation manually with the REV (#8 ) button.
@
®
Guide post-repeat sensing post
This hard stainless steel guide post, working in cornbina-
tion with the tension arm, acts as a mechanical filter to
absorb vibrations due to irregular unwinding of tape
caused by sticking to the supply reel, or unstable travel
of tape by uneven windings on the reel.
The guide post also contains the sensing contacts to
provide the automatic repeat function.
Tape speed knob
Selects tape speed at recording or playback .
H: 7% ips
L: 3% ips
Head housing
Microphone level control (MIC)
Line input level control (LINE)

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ce
og
ee
ee
M
1B
Output
level
(Playback
or
source)
control
(OUTPUT)
Controls
the
tape
playback
output
level
(volume).
*The
above
level
controls
with
asterisks
are
dual-con-
centric
knobs.
The
inner
knob
is
for
the
left
channel
(left
sound)
and
the
outer
knob
for
the
right
channel
(right
sound).
When
either
knob
is
turned,
the
other
will
rotate
with
it.
If
only
one
channel
should
be
adjusted,
the
other
knob
is
to
be
held
immovable.
Microphone jacks (MIC IN)
L: Left. R: Right channel.
Input impedance, 600 — 10,000 ohms
Headphone jack (PHONE)
An
822
(low
impedance
type)
is
recommended.
Monitor select switch (MONITOR)
SOURCE:
This
position
allows
monitoring
of
the
sound,
before
being
recorded.
by
the
meter,
and
by
the
headphone
or
speaker.
TAPE:
This
position
is
used
for
playback
or
moni-
toring of the tape which is being recorded.
Repeat switch
ON: Auto repeat. (See page 18)
OFF: No repeat.
Recording mode switches (REC MODE)
These
are
for
putting
the
deck
in
the
recording
mode,
-
to either stereo or monaural.
LEFT:
Up
position
allows
recording
of
the
left
chan-
nel
program
(or
the
Ist
and
2nd
recording
for
mono).
Up position allows recording of the right
channel program (or the 3rd and 4th record-
ing for mono).
RIGHT:
VU (volume units) meters (left & right channel)
Provide visual display of recording or playback signal for
each individual channel,
REC BIAS
HIGH:
This
position
is
for
recording
of
high
per-
formance
tapes
(Scotch
203,
etc.)
which
requires
a
larger
bias
than
regular
tapes
(Scotch
150,
etc.).
NORMAL:
This
position
is
for
recording
of
regular
tapes
(Scotch
150,
etc.).
REC EQ
HIGH:
This
position
is
for
recording
of
high
per-
formance
tapes
(Scotch
203,
etc.)
which
requires
a
larger
bias
than
regular
tapes
(Scotch
150,
etc.).
NORMAL:
This
position
is
for
recording
of
regular
tapes
(Scotch
150,
etc.).
Capstan
Transports
tape
at
a
constant
speed
unaffected
by
changing
diameter
on
reel.
en ee
a
®
Pinch roller
Holds
tape
against
capstan
at
a
constant
pressure
to
prevent
wow,
speed
variation
and
tape
from
shifting
up
or
down
during
travel.
Shut-off arm
This
arm
automatically
shuts
off
the
tape
transport
mechanism
when
tape
is
completely
rewound
or
if
the
tape
breaks
during
transport
(switch
will
operate
to
turn
off
power
when
this
arm
comes
to
rest
at
its
horizontal
position).
) Tape transport buttons
With
the
Tape
Mode
Lever,
below
these
buttons,
at
PLAY
and
the
mom
depressed,
the
tape
will
be
trans-
ported
from
left
to
right,
depressing
the
m=B
button
will
cause
the
tape
to
be
played
back
from
right
to
left.
With
the
Tape
Mode
Lever
at
FAST,
depressing
either
the
meas
or
the
@E=B
button
will
cause
the
tape
to
be
wound
at
FAST
speed
in
the
selected
direction.
STOP
Button,
stops
the
tape
in
any
mode
of
operation,
(disengages the record mode).
PAUSE:
Temporarily
stops
the
tape
in
the
recording
mode
without
disengaging
the
recording
mode.
During
playback
(Left
to
right
only)
you
are
able
to
convert
to
the
recording
mode
at
any
time
by
simulta-
neously
pressing
the
=m
and
the
record
button.
This
feature
is
most
usefull
for
editing
or
for
eliminating
unwanted material.
NOTE:
Ifthe
m8
left
button
should
be
depressed
while
in
the
recording
mode,
the
recording
mode
will
be
automatically
disengaged
to
prevent
accidental
erasure
of
your
recording.
Power switch (POWER)
Level
meter
lamp
will
light
to
indicate
power
is
ON
when
this
button
is
depressed.
To
turn
OFF
power,
depress
again
and
release.
Recording
button
—
Record
indicating
lamp
(RECORD)

UN aCe Rear Panel Connections
Front of A-1250S
| es seed
fast “PAUSE PLAY
momtOn
wtrsat
ec
ues
aa
aan
meres
-
~
ome
pant
aS see
-!
Microphone (left channel) Microphone (right channel) Stereo headphone/8 ohms
() FUSE 2A
@AC POWER IN
@) OUTPUT
@IN / OUT (DIN)
(5) LINE IN

Rear of A-1 2508
peed
Left channel
Right channel
Speaker system
(left channel) (right channel)

General Recording Information
Sound recordings are made in a strip on the magnetic surface
of a recording tape. This magnetized strip is called the
“Track”. The full tape width divided by two is called a
“2” track recording, and the full tape width divided into
quarters is called a “4” track recording.
“2” Track recording
2 Track recording is mainly employed in Radio Stations
and professional recording studios for stereo recording, in
this case both tracks are recorded simultaneously and in the
same direction. 2 track recording in the home is usually
done one track at a time and is played back monaurally.
om
isd
oO fo)
x Qa.
= o
i Qa
2
Track
recording
(
Monaural
)
“*4” Track recording (Monaural)
In this mode, each of the four tracks is recorded individually.
At the end of the tape the reels are interrecorded. The order
in
which
the
tracks
are
recorded
is
#1, #4,
#3
and
lastly
#2.
(Note)
With
tape
threaded
on
the
machine
the
tracks
are
numbered ] through 4, from the top to the bottom, viewed
- from the base side of the tape.
Four track recording gives maximum playback time, how-
ever, the benefits of stereo reproduction are lost.
“4” Track recording (Stereophonic)
In
this
mode
two
tracks
are
recorded
simultaneously,
on
the
first
pass
of
the
tape,
tracks
#1
and
#3
are
recorded.
The
left
and
right
reels
are
then
interchanged
and
tracks
#2
and
"#4
are
recorded.
The
left
channel
sound
will
be
on
tracks
#1
and
#4
and
the
right
channel
sound
will
be
on
tracks
#2
and
#3.
Four
track
recording
in
stereo
will
provide
the
best
possible
stereophonic
reproduction
and
is
the
most
widely
used
recording
method
today.
4
Track
recording
(
Stereophonic)
4 Track recording ( Stereophonic)
Playback compatibility
A four track stereo tape deck can play back both 4 track
and 2 track tapes and from the point of compatibility has
the widest possible range of utilization. When playing a 2
track stereo tape on a 4 track recorder, track #1 will be
completely covered by the head, track #2 however will be
slightly off alignment but stereo can still be enjoyed by
compensating for the slight loss of #2 track volume with
the volume or balance controls. On the other hand a four
track tape cannot be played back on a two track (Monaural)
recorder as both tracks #1 and #2 will be reproduced
together resulting in mixed unintelligible sound.

Threading the Tape
TEAC BSMrats3
AUTOMATIC REVERSE
Coo Oo So
REEL PLACEMENT (either reel)
1
Loosen
the
reel
shaft
tip
fully
CCW
(counter-clockwise).
See
(
Ref.
1)
in
the
picture
below.
2
Match
the
inner
3
index
tabs
(Ref.3)
and
the
outer
3
index
tabs
(Ref.2)
so
they
are
aligned.
This
is
done
by
turning
the
outer
3
index
tabs
slightly
CCW
until
the
inner
and
outer
index
tabs
are
in
a
straight
line
with
each
other.
FAST PAUSE PLAY
s--
RECORD ‘PowER |
With
the
fingers
of
both
har.ds,
grasp
the
reel
and
place
the
center
hole
partially
over
the
reel
shaft
tip.
(Ref.
1)
Then
gently
rotate
the
reel
CCW
while
sliding
the
reel
fully
onto
the
turntable.
When
the
outer
3
index
tabs
(Ref.
2)
are
fully
visible
above
the
reel,
you
may
proceed
to
step
4.
Carefully
rotate
the
3
outer
index
tabs
(Ref.
2)
clockwise
until
they
stop
(approximately
60
degrees
or
1/6
of
a
revolution).
Turn
the
reel
shaft
tip
(Ref.
1)
clockwise
approximately
3
revolutions
until
it
is
finger-tip
tight.
Check
that
the
outer
index
tabs
are
still
in
the
clockwise
position,
about
mid-way
between
the
corresponding
slots
on
the
reel.
Repeat
the
above
steps
in
the
same
sequence
for
the
other
reel,
Pull
the
end
of
tape
with
your
fingers
and
thread
it
through
each
part
in
the
order
shown
below.
1)
Over
tension
arm.
2)
Lower
side
of
guide
post.
3)
Over
the
front
faces
of
the
head
assembly.
4)
Between
capstan
and
pinch
roller.
5)
Over
the
lower
side
of
the
tape
guide
on
the
shut
off
lever.
Secure
end
of
tape
onto
empty
reel.
Insert
the
end
of
the
tape
into
the
notch
on
the
reel
while
holding
it
against
the
reel
with
your
fingers
and
wind
tape
2
or
3
times
onto
the
ree]
hub.
While
holding
left
reel
stationary,
rotate
the
right
reel
counterclockwise
to
take’
up
tape
slack.
Tape
should
be
tight
enough
to
bring
right
shut
off
arm
to
its
upper
limit.

Playback
of
4
Track
Stereo
Basic
Tape
Deck
Operation
Tape
Setting the stereo amplifier
; . When the Model A-1250S is connected to. your amplifier
BME
rAST
PAUSE
PLAY
(refer
to
page
7)
to
playback
tapes,
fully
retard
the
stereo
ia
yas
amplifier
volume
control
and
preset
the
switches
as
below:
—@ POWER
Mode* selector: To STEREO (or to LEFT or RIGHT for
mono playback)
Tape monitor* switch: To TAPE
* These designations apply to TEAC amplifiers. Read the
Operating Manual of your amplifier or inquire of your
dealer if it is of other manufacture.
NOTE 1 — For playback of mono tape, switch to the
LEFT channel for track | (1st playback) and
4 (2nd playback), and the RIGHT Channel
for track 3 (3rd playback) and 2 (4th
playback).
NOTE 2 — For setting the output level, adjust the stereo
amplifier volume control.
2
1 Set TAPE SPEED knob to desired tape speed.
2 Depress the POWER switch.
Tape speed: Set to “H” (7% ips) or “L” (3% ips), to match
FAST PAUSE PLAY the speed at which the tape was recorded. _ 4
oe i.) At playback of a high level recorded tape, adjust VOLUM.
cowe control so as not to scale out the level meter pointers.
3. Thread tape on the deck.
4. Set Tape Mode Lever to PLAY and then depress the
c= button. The tape will then be transported from left to
right at the previously set speed. Once the C=- button is
depressed
the
deck
will
continue
to
operate
even
though
1
1
Teo)
|
ppe)
=]
TAPE)
the button is released. Depressing the << button will
cause the tape to be played back from right to left.
RECORD
1
5 Depress the STOP button and the tape will stop traveling. 1 Ser MONO area TALE
6 Set the Tape Mode Lever to FAST, depress the <>- button
and the tape will be wound at high speed (fast forward). OUTPUT
7 Depressing the <2 button will fast rewind the tape.
(in the above operation, always depress the STOP button
before
reversing
direction
of
tape
travel
or
tape
may
2
Adjust
playback
level
control
(OUTPUT)
knobs
(inner
break). for L; outer for R) to the desired level.