Tascam 414MKII Cassette Loading and dbx System, Transport Controls, Tape path components

Features and Controls

414 MKII RECORDER

Cassette Loading and dbx System

27.Cassette compartment door: To insert or remove a cassette, pull the door open. Once a cassette is inserted, be sure to close the door to prevent objects, dust or liquids from falling into the tape path.

Tape path components

Erase head	Capstan
Record/Play head		Pinch roller

28.DBX switch : When this switch is set to its ON position, the built-in dbx noise reduction system for all 4 tracks is turned on. This is the normal position for all recording and playback.

When it is set to the SYNC position, Track 4 is disconnected from the dbx system, so the process does not affect the sync signals going to and from track 4, but tracks 1-3 still go through the dbx encode/decode process. Use the SYNC position for recording and playback of FSK sync or SMPTE time code.

The OFF position turns off the dbx noise reduction completely. Use this position when playing back tapes made with no noise reduction.

The dbx NR system provides a net noise reduction (broadband, not just hiss) of about 30 dB, and also permits a net gain in tape headroom of about 10 dB, allowing recordings over a 90 dB dynamic range.

Transport Controls

29.RECORD key : Pressing this key alone has no effect. Pressing it together with PLAY (í)

activates recording if one or more RECORD FUNCTION switches are previously set to a different position from SAFE and the REC indicators blink.

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30.PLAY key:

a)Press this key alone to start playback.

b)If pressed together with RECORD, recording ("punch in") starts.

31.REW key: Winds tape at high speed in reverse direction.

32.F FWD key: Winds tape at high speed in the forward direction.

33.STOP key: Stops any tape motion and disables all transport modes.

34.PAUSE key: Temporarily stops play or recording. To resume the function interrupted, press PAUSE off.

35.PITCH CONTROL dial: Varies tape speed in record and play modes by up to approximately ±10%. Turn the dial to the left to lower the speed, or to the right to increase the speed. Set the dial to the center "0" position to run tape at a standard speed of 9.5 cm/sec.

This can be used to save slightly out-of-tune parts, or to create sound effects such as flanging.

CAUTION: The PITCH CONTROL dial affects recording speed also. Check to make sure that the dial is at its center "0" position unless you are using the function intentionally.

36.Tape counter: Displays the distance the tape has moved from a zero reference point selected by pressing the adjacent button.

37.ZERO RETURN switch: When this switch is set to ON, and you press REW, the tape will stop at the counter 000 point. If the tape overshoots, it is because of inertia, and it is normal.

The associated LED blinks to show that the tape is on its way to the counter zero point. When this point is reached the LED lights solidly.