SP Studio Systems SP-12 manual Appendix F Tips on Using Cassette Interfaces

APPENDIX

APPENDIX F: TIPS ON USING CASSETTE INTERFACES

Here is a collection of background information and tips concerning cassette interfaces. Note that it might take you some time to set levels properly and get everything working right. However, once you get the hang of it, using the cassette interface should be simple and its operation highly reliable.

How they work: Pushing buttons on the SP-12 feeds data on songs and segments into the SP-12’s “brain”. This data, expressed in digital form, is conveniently stored in the SP-12’s memory banks, and backed up with a battery to keep the data intact even when the power is off.

By translating this data into a series of alternating audio tones rather than voltages, we may store the data on a standard audio tape recorder. Thus, the recorder stores a complete record of all the segment and song information, expressed as audio tones. The hardware that records or reads this data to or from tape is called a cassette interface. Once this data is stored on cassette, it may then be re-loaded back into the SP-12 at any time in the future.

Use the right kind of tape: Standard audiocassettes, while they may be used with cassette interfaces, are not recommended for this particular application. First of all, audio cassettes tend to be fairly long; if you use something like a C- 90, you can store so much data that sifting out one particular group of sounds or sequences can take forever.

Another problem is drop-outs. With audiotape, a short drop-out (while annoying) is no big deal. If that drop-out occurs in the middle of your data, though, look out! The cassette interface will receive garbled information, and may not even be able to load the data at all.

A better alternative is the certified data cassette. Certified data cassettes (available at Radio Shack, computer stores, some office supply stores, etc.) are terrible for audio, but wonderful for data storage. They come in relatively short lengths (C-5, C-10, and C-20) so you don’t waste tape, and are not too expensive. Ask your local computer freak (he’s the nerd with the glasses and $60,000 salary) for a good local source.

Use one cassette deck consistently: When using cassettes, store and play back data on the same tape recorder, preferably one with AC power. This gives the most reliable results, since there might be enough variations between different machines to cause problems.

Recording data on reel-to-reel recorders: It’ you’re working in the studio on a song which uses the SP-12, record the SP-12 data either just before or just after the song. Since reel-to-reel recorders run at higher speeds than cassette recorders, and use good quality tape, drop-outs and similar hassles should not be a problem. And, if you come back to the song at a later date, the SP-b2 data will be right there waiting for you. Reel-to-reel recorders also usually give you more flexibility in terms of setting input and output levels, thus allowing you to better match the tape interface to the tape.

© E-mu Systems, Inc. 1985	Page 94
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