» 414@# OWNER'S MANUAL 3D0028100A Table Of Contents Safety Instructions 3 The PORTASTUDIO 414 MKII is... 4 The Recording System 5 The Three Steps to Multitrack 5 Understanding the Mixer 6-7 Signal Flow in the 414 MKII Mixer 6 Tape Cue Monitor System 7 Multitrack Cassette Recorder 8 Track Format and Tape Recommendations 8-9 Optional Accessories 10 PORTASTUDIO 414 MKII Brief Guide 11-14 Step-By-Step Operation Guide 15-23 Let's Try the 414 MKII Mixer 15 How to Record on Track 1 16 Track 1 Playback through TAPE CUE 17 How to Make an Overdub on Track 2 18 How to Record Tracks 3 and 4 20 How to Record Many Sources onto a Single Track 20 How to Record a Mix onto Two Tracks Simultaneously 21 Recording on More than Two Tracks Simultaneously : Direct Recording 22 How to Mix Down 22 PUNCH-IN or INSERT Recording 24-25 Preliminary 24 Punch-in Procedure 25 Bouncing Tracks (Ping-Pong) 26 Ping-pong Procedure 26 Using Effects with the PORTASTUDIO 414 MKII Setting Effect Send Levels Setting the Output Level of Effect Devices Setting the Mix/Balance Control on Effect Devices How to Connect Your Effects Devices Syncing MIDI-Tape --Using the TASCAM MTS-30 Troubleshooting Features and Controls 414 MKII MIXER Input Section Stereo Input Section Monitor Section Master Section Output Section 414 MKII RECORDER Cassette Loading and dbx System Transport Controls Track Controls Displays Care and Maintenance How the dbx Works Specifications Block Diagram Level Diagram 27-28 27 27 28 28 29 30 31-35 32 33 33 33 33 34 34 35 35 35-36 36 37-38 39-40 41 "© Copyright 1999, TEAC Corporation" All rights reserved under international and Pan American copyright conventions. This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by mimeograph or any other means, without permission. "The following marking is located on the bottom of the unit." CAUTION RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL. The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated "dangerous voltage" within the product's enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to person. The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance. This appliance 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 WARNING: TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. 2 Safety Instructions CAUTION: · Read all of these Instructions. · Save these Instructions for later use. · Follow all Warnings and Instructions marked on the audio equipment. 1) Read Instructions -- All the safety and operating instructions should be read before the product is operated. 2) Retain Instructions -- The safety and operating instructions should be retained for future reference. 3) Heed Warnings -- All warnings on the product and in the operating instructions should be adhered to. 4) Follow Instructions -- All operating and use instructions should be followed. 5) Cleaning -- Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning. Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Use a damp cloth for cleaning. 6) Attachments -- Do not use attachments not recommended by the product manufacturer as they may cause hazards. 7) Water and Moisture -- Do not use this product near water _ for example, near a bath tub, wash bowl, kitchen sink, or laundry tub; in a wet basement; or near a swimming pool; and the like. 8) Accessories -- Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table. The product may fall, causing serious injury to a child or adult, and serious damage to the product. Use only with a cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table recommended by the manufacturer, or sold with the product. Any mounting of the product should follow the manufacturer's instructions, and should use a mounting accessory recommended by the manufacturer. 9) A product and cart combination should be moved with care. Quick stops, excessive force, and uneven surfaces may cause the product and cart combination to overturn. "Note to CATV system installer: This reminder is provided to call the CATV system installer's attention to Section 820-40 of the NEC which provides guidelines for proper grounding and, in particular, specifies that the cable ground shall be connected to the grounding system of the building, as close to the point of cable entry as practical. Example of Antenna Grounding as per National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70 ANTENNA LEAD IN WIRE GROUND CLAMP ANTENNA DISCHARGE UNIT (NEC SECTION 810-20) ELECTRIC SERVICE EQUIPMENT GROUNDING CONDUCTOR (NEC SECTION 810-21) GROUND CLAMPS POWER SERVICE GROUNDING ELECTRODE SYSTEM (NEC ART 250. PART H) NEC - NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE 10) Ventilation -- Slots and openings in the cabinet are provided for ventilation and to ensure reliable operation of the product and to protect it from overheating, and these openings must not be blocked or covered. The openings should never be blocked by placing the product on a bed, sofa, rug, or other similar surface. This product should not be placed in a built-in installation such as a bookcase or rack unless proper ventilation is provided or the manufacturer's instructions have been adhered to. 11) Power Sources -- This product should be operated only from the type of power source indicated on the marking label. If you are not sure of the type of power supply to your home, consult your product dealer or local power company. For products intended to operate from battery power, or other sources, refer to the operating instructions. 12) Grounding or Polarization -- This product may be equipped with a polarized alternating-current line plug (a plug having one blade wider than the other). This plug will fit into the power outlet only one way. This is a safety feature. If you are unable to insert the plug fully into the outlet, try reversing the plug. If the plug should still fail to fit, contact your electrician to replace your obsolete outlet. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized plug. 13) Power-Cord Protection -- Power-supply cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against them, paying particular attention to cords at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the product. 14) Outdoor Antenna Grounding -- If an outside antenna or cable system is connected to the product, be sure the antenna or cable system is grounded so as to provide some protection against voltage surges and builtup static charges. Article 810 of the National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70, provides information with regard to proper grounding of the mast and supporting structure, grounding of the lead-in wire to an antenna discharge unit, size of grounding conductors, location of antenna-discharge unit, connection to grounding electrodes, and requirements for the grounding electrode. 15) Lightning -- For added protection for this product during a lightning storm, or when it is left unattended and unused for long periods of time, unplug it from the wall outlet and disconnect the antenna or cable system. This will prevent damage to the product due to lightning and power-line surges. 16) Power Lines -- An outside antenna system should not be located in the vicinity of overhead power lines or other electric light or power circuits, or where it can fall into such power lines or circuits. When installing an outside antenna system, extreme care should be taken to keep from touching such power lines or circuits as contact with them might be fatal. 17) Overloading -- Do not overload wall outlets, extension cords, or integral convenience receptacles as this can result in risk of fire or electric shock. 18) Object and Liquid Entry -- Never push objects of any kind into this product through openings as they may touch dangerous voltage points or short-out parts that could result in a fire or electric shock. Never spill liquid of any kind on the product. 19) Servicing -- Do not attempt to service this product yourself as opening or removing covers may expose you to dangerous voltage or other hazards. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. 20) Damage Requiring Service -- Unplug this product from the wall outlet and refer servicing to qualified service personnel under the following conditions: a) when the power-supply cord or plug is damaged. b) if liquid has been spilled, or objects have fallen into the product. c) if the product has been exposed to rain or water. d) if the product does not operate normally by following the operating instructions. Adjust only those controls that are covered by the operating instructions as an improper adjustment of other controls may result in damage and will often require extensive work by a qualified technician to restore the product to its normal operation. e) if the product has been dropped or damaged in any way. f ) when the product exhibits a distinct change in performance _ this indicates a need for service. 21) Replacement Parts -- When replacement parts are required, be sure the service technician has used replacement parts specified by the manufacturer or have the same characteristics as the original part. Unauthorized substitutions may result in fire, electric shock, or other hazards. 22) Safety Check -- Upon completion of any service or repairs to this product, ask the service technician to perform safety checks to determine that the product is in proper operating condition. 23) Wall or Ceiling Mounting -- The product should be mounted to a wall or ceiling only as recommended by the manufacturer. 24) Heat -- The product should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other products (including amplifiers) that produce heat. 3 The PORTASTUDIO 414 MKII is... The PORTASTUDIO 414 MKII is a 4-track "Multitrack Master" cassette tape recorder and a fullfunction mixer with 8 inputs/stereo outputs including a balanced microphone input and a dedicated guitar input combined into a single workstation. Its high audio quality and creative flexibility reflect the experience and innovation that have allowed TASCAM to earn its reputation in professional audio production fields, and its user-friendly design makes the 414 MKII suitable for anyone, from expert to novice. Using this manual : To get the most out of your 414 MKII, please take the time to read through this manual. Some time spent now will keep you from overlooking some of the features that make the 414 MKII a more creative tool. You may discover some new tricks you haven't tried before. Use of capital letters : In general, we use all upper case type to designate a particular switch, control, jack name or label (like PAN). Transport modes and some features are described with an upper case first letter (like Record mode). NOTE FOR U.K. CUSTOMERS DO NOT cut off the mains plug from this equipment. If the plug fitted is not suitable for the power points in your home or the cable is too short to reach a power point, then obtain an appropriate safety approved extension lead or consult your dealer. If nonetheless the mains plug is cut off, remove the fuse and dispose of the plug immediately, to avoid a possible shock hazard by inadvertent connection to the mains supply. If this product is not provided with a mains plug, or one has to be fitted, then follow the instructions given below: IMPORTANT. DO NOT make any connection to the larger terminal which is marked with the letter E or by the safety earth symbol ç or coloured GREEN or GREEN-and-YELLOW. The wires in the mains lead on this product are coloured in accordance with the following code: BLUE: BROWN: NEUTRAL LIVE CAUTION To power the PORTASTUDIO 414 MKII, use only the provided PS-P414 AC adaptor. Using any other adaptor will cause damage to the 414 MKII, and such damage would not be covered by the limited warranty on the product. As these colours may not correspond with the coloured markings identifying the terminals in your plug proceed as follows: The wire which is coloured BLUE must be connected to the terminal which is marked with the letter N or coloured BLACK. The wire which is coloured BROWN must be connected to the terminal which is marked with the letter L or coloured RED. When replacing the fuse only a correctly rated approved type should be used and be sure to re-fit the fuse cover. IF IN DOUBT -- CONSULT A COMPETENT ELECTRICIAN. About the weld line There is a patterned stripe-like effect on the bottom surface of the 414 MKII unit. This effect is called a "weld line ...