Operation

This section of the manual provides a description of all operating controls and indicators and their use in the system, and step-by-step procedures for the various modes of operation.

3-1 CONTROLS AND INDICATORS↑ TOP

⤢ zoomFront view of the tape transport with numbered callouts 1 to 24 for the reels, reel hold-down knobs and tension arms, the PITCH CONTROL knob, the CUE lever, the tape timer with its MEMORY and RESET buttons, and the row of POWER, SPEED, REEL, EDIT and transport-mode pushbuttons.

Table 3-1 Tape Transport Controls and Indicators

Index No.	Name	Function
1	POWER pushbutton switch	In the depressed position, power is applied to the equipment, and the VU meters illuminate.
2	HIGH/LOW SPEED pushbutton switch	An alternate-action pushbutton switch used to select operating speed. In the HIGH position for 15 ips (38cm/sec) operation, and in the LOW position for 7 1/2 ips (19cm/sec) operation.
3	LARGE/SMALL REEL pushbutton switch	An alternate-action pushbutton switch used to select both reel tensions for the reel hubs diameter. In the LARGE position for reels with NAB hubs (4 1/2 in. diameter hubs), and in the SMALL position for reels with small hubs. The same size reels should be used on both reel tables.
4	EDIT pushbutton switch and EDIT indicator (green)	Used to initiate the EDIT mode to aid in cutting out unwanted tape. When the EDIT pushbutton is depressed, the green EDIT indicator illuminates and the power is removed from the takeup reel. Then the PLAY pushbutton is depressed, causing the supply reel to rotate and the tape to be spilled off from the takeup side of the transport. Other operations are halted.
5	RECORD pushbutton switch (momentary)	Used in conjunction with the PLAY pushbutton on the transport and the READY/SAFE pushbutton. With the READY/SAFE pushbuttons on the desired channel depressed, simultaneous pressing of the PLAY and RECORD pushbuttons initiates the RECORD mode and the RECORD indicator on the transport illuminates. In the PLAY mode, when the RECORD pushbutton is depressed, the RECORD mode is entered. (called "Punch in"). In the RECORD mode, when the PLAY pushbutton is pressed, the PLAY mode is entered. (called "Punch out"). "Punch in" and "Punch out" are used for overdubbing in conjunction with the SEL/REP function.
6	RECORD indicator (red)	Indicates the RECORD mode.

Transport	Amplifier	Transport RECORD indicator	Amplifier RECORD indicator	Recording
non RECORD mode	SAFE	dark	dark	×
non RECORD mode	READY	blinking	blinking	× ready
RECORD mode	SAFE	lights	dark	×
RECORD mode	READY	lights	lights	○

Blinking indicators means that the amplifier is in the RECORD-READY mode.

Recording is being carried out only when the amplifier and transport RECORD indicators remain lit.

7	PLAY pushbutton switch (momentary)	Used to select the PLAY mode, or used in conjunction with the RECORD pushbutton to perform "Punch in" and "Punch out". Pressing the PLAY pushbutton during the F.FWD or REWIND mode stops the tape motion, then automatically starts the PLAY mode.
8	STOP pushbutton switch (momentary)	Used to stop the tape motion, cancelling the existing mode of operation.
9	REWIND pushbutton switch (momentary)	Used to select the REWIND mode to wind the tape from right to left at high speed. This mode can be entered from any mode except EDIT.
10	F.FWD (FAST FORWARD) pushbutton switch (momentary)	Used to select the F.FWD mode to wind the tape from left to right at high speed. This mode can be entered from any mode except EDIT.
11	MEMORY pushbutton (7-segment LED)	Used to stop the tape at the "00:00:00" position. This mode can be entered from any mode except both EDIT and RECORD.
12	Tape Timer (7-segment LED)	A 6-digit Timer used to locate or log program material on the tape. The first two digits indicate sign and hour; the second two digits indicate minutes; and the last two digits indicate seconds.
13	RESET pushbutton switch	Used to reset the figure of the Tape Timer to "00:00:00".
14	CUE lever	Used to carry out audio monitoring in the F.FWD and REWIND modes. To lock the lever, shift the lever to the full down position.
15	PITCH CONTROL	Used to control tape speed. The capstan speed can be controlled within ±7% of nominal speed when the PITCH CONTROL knob is pulled out. (variable mode) Turning clockwise causes the capstan speed to increase and turning counter-clockwise, causes the capstan speed to decrease. PITCH CONTROL functions in both the RECORD and PLAY modes.
16	PITCH CONTROL indicator (red)	Illuminates when the PITCH CONTROL knob is pulled out. (In variable mode).
17	NAB Hub Reel Hold Down Knobs	Used to attach EIA or NAB hub reels to the reel table. [Refer to 3-2-(1)]
18	Supply Reel	Supplies tape for reproduction or recording.
19	Tension Arm	Damps tape tension fluctuations.
20	Impedance roller	Reduces wow and flutter.
21	Takeup reel	Takes up tape.
22	Pinch roller	Correctly transmits the tape with the capstan.
23	Tension Arm with Safety switch	Damps tape tension fluctuations. When tape is exhausted, supply and takeup reel rotation is automatically stopped by the safety switch attached to the tension arm.
24	Capstan shaft	Keeps the tape speed constant in the reproduce and record modes.

Table 3-2 shows the location and function of each control and indicator on the Record/Reproduce electronics control panel.

⤢ zoomThe record/reproduce electronics control panel with numbered callouts 25 to 37 for the four VU meters and their PEAK indicators, the MIC ATT switches and MIC/LINE input controls, the MONITOR SELECT and READY/SAFE pushbuttons, the TEST OSC switch, the EXT OSC jack, and the PHONES and PHONE LEVEL controls.

Table 3-2 Record/Reproduce Electronics Controls and Indicators

Index No.	Name	Function
25	MIC/LINE INPUT level controls	Used to control recording levels of microphone and line of the associated channel. Both levels can be mixed.
26	MIC INPUT jacks	Standard single-conductor phone jack for unbalanced microphone input (-70 dBm). Applicable microphone impedance is 150 ohm to 1 kohm.
27	MIC ATTenuator switches	Used to select the microphone input level. In upper position, input level is -70 dBm (0 dB). In lower position, input level is -50 dBm (-20 dB).
28	VU meters	Indicate the record and playback level of the associated channel depending on the mode of operation and position of the MONITOR SELECT switches. (Index No. 32 in this table.) The meters illuminate when the power is turned on.
29	PEAK indicators	Indicate signal peaks. When the input or output signal exceeds AMPEX operating level (185 nWb/m) by 15 dB (1040 nWb/m), the PEAK indicator lights. Trigger level can be adjusted. Factory set level is 12.4 dB (NAB) of 11.2 dB (IEC) over 0 VU.
30	TEST OSCillator switch	Used to select the LINE INPUT signal. The line position should be normally set to get the audio signal from the line input connector for recording. The "1K" or "10K" position is set to feed a tone of 1KHz or 10KHz to the line input circuit for CUE tone recording or electrical adjustment. The EXT OSC position is set to feed the tone from the EXT OSC jack to the line input circuit.
31	EXT OSCillator jack	Used to feed signal from external audio oscillator. Standard single-conductor phone jack. Input impedance : 10 kohm Minimum input : -18 dBm
32	MONITOR SELECT pushbutton switches and indicator (green)	Used to select the output signals fed to the LINE OUTPUT connectors and the PHONE jack for monitoring. The signals are indicated on the VU meters of the associated channels. By pressing the INPUT pushbutton, the INPUT indicator lights up and the input signals from the LINE INPUT connectors and/or MIC jacks are fed to the output of all channels. By pressing the SEL/REP (selective reproduction) pushbutton, the SEL/REP indicator lights up and the signals via the record head are fed to the output of all channels.
		Entering the RECORD mode, the monitor program on both SEL/REP and READY (Index No.33 in this table) selected channel(s) are automatically switched from SEL/REP to INPUT. (The SEL/REP indicator remains lit.) This function is for "Punch in" and "Punch out". By pressing the REPRO pushbutton, the REPRO indicator lights up and the signals via the reproduce head are fed to the output of all channels.
33	READY/SAFE pushbutton switches	Alternate-action pushbutton switch used to select channels for recording in conjunction with the PLAY and RECORD pushbuttons on the transport. Selecting the "IN" READY position, the RECORD indicators illuminate or blink and the RECORD mode of associated channels can be entered or ready. Selecting the "OUT" SAFE position, the RECORD indicators turn off and activation of associated channels RECORD mode are cancelled. (Index No. 5.6.7 in Table 3-1.)
34	Record indicators (red)	Indicate activation of associated channel RECORD mode.
35	PHONE LEVEL control	Used to control all channel PHONE LEVELs with interlocking.
36	PHONES jack	Standard two-conductor phone jack available for both stereo and monaural headphones. Used to monitor the output signal selected by the MONITOR SELECT pushbutton switches. Load impedance : 8 ohm or greater Output level : -19 dBm with an 8 ohm load
37	PHONE SELECT pushbutton switches	Alternate-action pushbutton switches used to select the channel to be monitored. All channels can be mixed.

3-2 OPERATING INFORMATION↑ TOP

3-2-(1) USING THE REEL HOLD DOWN KNOBS↑ TOP

The NAB hub reel hold down knobs shown in Figure 3-1 are used to attach the NAB hub tape reel on to the reel tables, proceed as foo[sic] follows:

For the NAB hub (4 1/2 inch diameter hub) tape reel;

(1) Place the reel hold down knob on the reel table and turn the inner knob clockwise to lock the reel hold down knob to the reel shaft.

(2) Place the NAB hub tape reel onto the reel table so that the three slots of the tape reel correspond to the three notches of tne base of the reel hold down knob.

Pull and turn tne outer knob 60° to fix the tape reel.

Inner knob (Used to lock the base to the reel shaft)

Outer knob (Used to fix the NAB hub reel)

Base

⤢ zoomExploded view of the NAB hub reel hold-down knob, labelled Inner knob, Outer knob and Base.

Figure 3-1 Reel Hold Down Knob

3-2-(2) PRE-OPERATING PROCEDURE↑ TOP

After the equipment has been installed as described in Section 2 of this manual and the operator has become familiar with all the operating controls and indicators described in Tables 3-1 and 3-2, prepare the recorder for operation as follows.

(1) Press the POWER switch to the "IN" ON position.

The VU meters light up and the Tape Timer illuminates.

(2) Place a reel of tape on the supply (left-hand) reel table as described in Section 3-2-(1).

Note tnat the reel must turn counterclockwise as tape is pulled off the reel.

(3) Place the same size empty reel on the takeup (right-hand) reel table as described in Section 3-2-(1).

Note that tne same size reels should be used on both reel tables.

(4) Thread the tape as shown in Figure 3-2 and place the end of the tape in the slot of the empty reel, and rotate the reel several times with holding the tape end and removing slack of the tape.

(5) Set the HIGH/LOW SPEED switch to the desired tape speed.

(6) Set the LARGE/SMALL REEL switch to correspond to the size of the reel hub diameter being used.

(7) If desired, connect a headset or monitor speaker/amplifier to the PHONES jack.

⤢ zoomThe tape path threaded from the supply reel across the heads and capstan assembly to the takeup reel, shown with directional arrows.

Figure 3-2 Tape Threading

3-2-(3) REPRODUCTION↑ TOP

To reproduce, proceed as follows:

(1) Perform all steps in the pre-operating procedure.

(2) Set the all channel READY/SAFE pushbutton switches to the "OUT" SAFE position to avoid mis-erasing of the recorded tape program.

(3) Press tne "REPRO" of MONITOR SELECT pushbutton switches to select tape monitoring.

(4) Depress the PLAY pushbutton to start tape monitoring.

(5) To stop the reproduction of the tape program, depress the STOP pushbutton at a desired position.

3-2-(4) NORMAL RECORDING↑ TOP

To record normally, proceed as follows:

(1) Perform all steps in the pre-operating procedure.

(2) Set the READY/SAFE pushbutton switch(es) of the channel(s) desired to record to the "IN" READY position.

The red record indicators of the transport and tne related channels of the record/reproduce electronics start blinking to indicate the RECORD-READY condition.

(3) Depress the "INPUT" of the MONITOR SELECT pushbutton switches to select the signal from the LINE INPUT connector and/or the MIC INPUT jack.

NOTE:

Set the MIC ATT switch on the record/reproduce electronics to either the "0 dB" or "-20 dB" position in accordance with the microphone output level being used.

The microphone and the line signal can be mixed.

(4) Adjust the LINE and/or MIC INPUT level control(s) of related channel(s) selected to record so that the VU meter(s) of that channel(s) indicates 0 VU at the most audio peaks.

Note that the peak indicator located in the each VU meter blinks occasionally at this point.

(5) Depress the RESET pushbutton switch of the tape timer to set "00:00:00".

(6) Depress the PLAY and RECORD pushbuttons of the transport simultaneously to start recording.

The red RECORD indicators of the selected channel(s) and transport light up continuously to indicate the RECORD mode.

(7) While recording, the input signal(s) of each channel can be compared with the signal reproduced on each channel by depressing "REPRO" of the MONITOR SELECT pushbutton switches.

(8) In the RECORD mode, depress only the PLAY pushbutton on the transport to enter directly into the PLAY mode without stopping the tape motion, called "punch out".

The RECORD indicator(s) of the channel(s) and the transport changes to blinking instead of lighting up continuously to indicate the RECORD-READY condition.

(9) In the PLAY mode, of course the RECORD-READY condition, depress only the RECORD pushbutton on the transport to enter directly into the RECORD mode without stopping the tape motion, called "punch in".

The RECORD indicators light up continuously to indicate the RECORD mode.

(10) To stop tape motion, depress the STOP pushbutton on the transport.

(11) To find the exact "00:00:00" position on the tape, press the MEMORY pushbutton several times.

3-2-(5) RECORDING WITH SELECTIVE REPRODUCTION↑ TOP

The selective reproduction function causes the reproduced program to be monitored from the record head rather than from the reproduce head.

This enables a recording to be made on another channel synchronized (in phase) with the channel being reproduced.

To record with selective reproduction, proceed as follows:

(1) Perform all steps in the pre-operating procedure.

(2) Perform all steps in the normal recording procedure for the channel(s) to be prerecorded.

(3) Rewind tne tape to the point where selective reproduction is to start.

(4) Set the READY/SAFE pushbutton switch(es) of the channel(s) selected for recording to the "IN" READY position.

(5) Press the "INPUT" of the MODE SELECT pushbutton switches.

(6) Adjust the LINE and/or MIC INPUT level control(s) so that the VU meter indicates 0 VU at the most audio peaks.

Note that the peak indicator located in the each channel VU meter blinks occasionally at this point.

(7) Then press the "SEL/REP" of the MODE SELECT pushbutton switches.

(8) Press the PLAY pushbutton to start tape motion.

At the point where overdub is desired, press the RECORD pushbutton to start recording on the selected channel(s).

The monitor program on the channel(s) not selected the READY is reproduced by the record head, synchronized with the recording program in phase. (SEL/REP)

The monitor program on the channel(s) selected the READY is the recording signal. (INPUT)

(9) When recording is complete, depress the STOP pushbutton to stop tape motion and deactivate the RECORD mode, or depress the PLAY pushbutton for punch out operation.

Note: The pitch control is available to finely adjust the tape speed to one track (pre-recorded track) with another track for overdubbing which can be used in both the Record and Reproduce modes.

3-2-(6) FAST WINDING↑ TOP

For fast-winding operations, and for editing or cueing, press the F.FWD or REWIND pushbutton switch as appropriate.

These pushbuttons can be pressed alternately without pressing the STOP pushbutton between fast-winding operations.

These modes may be entered into from any mode except the EDIT mode.

Pressing the PLAY pushbutton during a fast-winding mode causes the tape to automatically come to a stop and then enter into the PLAY mode.

In a fast-winding mode, the tape lifters are automatically actuated and lift the tape away from the heads.

To monitor the tape in a fast-winding mode, the position of the tape lifters can be varied by operation of the CUE lever.

Thus the distance of the tape from the heads may be varied to control the signal level from the tape.

3-2-(7) EDITING AND SPLICING TAPE↑ TOP

For editing and splicing operations, the CUE lever can be used in fast-winding modes to quickly locate the desired program material.

In addition, there is an EDIT mode of operation, used as follows.

Depressing the EDIT pushbutton while in the PLAY mode removes power from the takeup reel and causes the tape to be spilled off on the takeup side of the transport.

This mode is used to facilitate cutting out unwanted tape.

The EDIT mode can also be entered into from the STOP mode by pressing the PLAY pushbutton after the EDIT pushbutton is depressed.

The tape-splicing block (Figure 3-3) mounted on the head cover can be used to hold the tape for ease in cutting the tape with a single-edged razor blade and applying splicing tape.

Use 7/32-inch width splicing tape (3M Co., No. 41), and never use cellophane tape.

⤢ zoomThe tape-splicing block seen from above, a channelled bar with numbered callouts for its tape-guide channel and diagonal and vertical cutting guides.

Figure 3-3 Tape Splicing Block

1	Tape-guide channel:	Holds the tape for ease of cutting and splicing.
2	45° cutting guide:	Used to guide tape cutter for a diagonal cut for splicing.
3	90° cutting guide:	Used to guide tape cutter for a vertical cut.