Portastudio 424 Mkiii Brief Guide

Recorder Controls

Rear Panel Connections

REHEARSAL : Lets you program a punch-in/out sequence to be used for rehearsals and for

AUTO IN/OUT.

AUTO PUNCH : Executes the punch-in recording actually on tape as you practiced in

REHEARSAL.

CLEAR : Disables the REHEARSAL and AUTO IN/OUT functions.

RECORD FUNCTION 1-4 : These control which track(s) will be recorded when the master RECORD and the PLAY key is pressed, and choose where the signal to be recorded is coming from.

ÏSetting to DIRECT routes the channel signal directly to the tape (channel 1 is recorded on track 1, channel 2 on track 2, and so on). Recording level is adjusted by the channel fader only.

ÏWhen recording the stereo mix: As the labels indicate, tracks 1 and 3 are recorded with the mix in BUSS L, and tracks 2 and 4 are recorded with the mix in BUSS R.

TAPE SPEED : HIGH is 3-3/4 ips (9.5 cm/sec.), double the standard (NORMAL) cassette tape speed of 1-7/8 ips (4.8 cm/sec.).

Meters : The meters numbered 1-4 show the playback or the record level of the respective tape tracks. The average record level should be in the center (0), but occasional peaks up to +6 scale are acceptable.

The MONITOR meters show the level of mixes selected by the MONITOR switches.

Tape counter : A four-digit display that shows the distance the tape has moved from a zero reference point.

EFFECT 2 SEND/TAPE CUE OUT: The signal available at this jack comes from either post channel fader for connection to an additional effects device, or from the tape for connection to a studio speaker system, as selected by means of the EFFECT 2/TAPE CUE switch.

EFFECT 1 SEND: For sending post-fader signals to effects devices. The returns may be plugged into the stereo inputs.

SUB INPUT L and R: Provide a direct route to the MASTER fader. You may connect an outboard mixer here. The SUB IN R jack is also used to record sync tones on track 4.

MEMO IN : Hold this key down and press LOC 1 or 2 to load the current counter location into the MEMO 1 or 2 register.

LOC 1 and 2 : When used together with MEMO IN, these keys let you load the current counter location into memory. If only LOC 1 or 2 is hit, the tape will be located to the MEMO 1 or 2 point. Pressing LOC for half a second or more allows you to check the memo point on the display.

REC indicators : They blink to show the corresponding tracks are in record ready, and glow solid when recording starts.

COUNTER RESET : Press to change the counter to "0000".

PITCH CONTROL : Increases or decreases the speed of the transport in play and also in Record, over a 12% range (approx.).

RTZ (Return To Zero) : Lets the tape fast wind to the counter zero point. The tape will automatically start playing from the zero point if PLAY is pressed after RTZ.

REPEAT : Lets the tape play over and over between two memo points.

Transport keys : Principally these work the same as on any cassette recorder.

REMOTE PUNCH IN/OUT: Connect an optional RC-30P footswitch to this jack.

POWER switch: Push in to turn on the 424 MKIII, and push again to turn it off.

POWER connector: Connect the power cable of the PS-424MKIII power supply to this connector. Never use any power supply with the 424 MKIII except the PS-424MKIII power supply which is appropriate for your area’s voltage.

On the front

PHONES (not shown) : This carries the same mix as the MONITOR OUTPUT jacks, as selected by the MONITOR switches.

TAPE OUTPUTS: These jacks receive signals directly from tape tracks 1–4 and are connected to the inputs of an external mixer, or of another multitrack recorder for making a backup copy of your 4-track master, as required.

DBX NR switch: Normally, leave this switch in the ON position. When you use track 4 for recording and playing back MIDI sync tones or timecode, set to SYNC, to set the dbx NR on for tracks 1 through 3, and off for track 4.

LINE OUTPUT L and R: Normally, connect these jacks to the left and right inputs of your mixdown deck.

MONITOR OUTPUT L and R: These are connected to an amplifier powering the control room speakers.