51 – RecordingIntr ductionCDs

Basic recording

WARNING

If you are monitoring using headphones, first adjust the level control to low on the unit, then connect to the PHONES jack before playing back. This will prevent any possible damage to your hearing.

NOTE

According to the “Red Book” (the specification for audio CDs), a track cannot be less than four seconds in length, and there can be a maximum of 99 tracks on an audio CD. Bear these limitations in mind when recording.

If you press either the STOP or PAUSE key within four seconds of starting recording, the unit will continue recording until four seconds have elapsed (since the start of recording) and then stop or pause as appropriate.

After selecting the input source(s) (see “Input selection” on page 21), it is possible to start recording.

The basic record procedure is as follows:

1Load a recordable disc into the unit. As the disc is loaded, the display shows TOC Reading.

When the disc has been loaded, the display indicators show CD-R, NO TOC, or CD-RW, NO TOC, as appropriate.

2Press the RECORD key. The unit enters record standby mode, as shown by the REC indicators on the display.

When the display shows Now OPC, the unit is operating in OPC (Optimum Power Control).

3Adjust the level of the source(s), following the guide- lines in “Signal volume” on page 21.

NOTE

The red OVER indicators on the meters should never light. Unlike analog equipment, digital audio units produce unpleasant sounds when distorted, and there is no “headroom” after the 0 mark. If recording digitally from a commercially-produced CD, the volume set in the menu should be 0dB. This will maintain all the dynamic range of the source CD without clipping. Only boost the signal if the source is exceptionally quiet.

An analog signal input at nominal level, with no cut or boost from the volume controls, is equivalent to a reading of –16 dB on the meters (on other words, 0 is equivalent to 16 dBFS).

4Press the PLAY key or the PAUSE key to start re- cording.

Note that there is no need to “cue up” the recording position—the unit always finds the next available location on the disc and start recording to it.

5Press the PAUSE key to pause recording temporar- ily. The pause indicator on the display appears.

Pressing the PAUSE or PLAY key again restarts recording with a new track number.

6Press STOP to stop recording. When recording stops, the display shows PMA Writing(Program Memory Area) and the REC indicator blinks for a few seconds as the unit writes to the disc.

NOTE

While the “PMA Writing” message is displayed, all keys are disabled, and the unit is actually writing to disc. Do not disconnect the power or subject the unit to severe vibration or shocks at this time, as this will prevent proper recording of the information.

7When this message disappears, you must press the RECORD key (step 2) before restarting the record- ing. Recording restarts with a new track number.

NOTE

Remember that every time recording is paused or stopped, when recording is restarted, a new track will always be started. It is not possible to record in two ” stages” within one track.

22 TASCAM CC-222SLMKII