5 – Recording—Basic recording TASCAM CD-RW402 Owner’s Manual 31
Frequency conversion
The sampling frequency for CDs is 44.1kHz. The
CD-RW402 will always record (and play back) CDs
at this frequency.
However, if recording through a digital connection
(either coaxial or optical) and the source has been
recorded at a frequency other than 44.1kHz, or is
being played back at a non-standard speed using a
varispeed unit (more than 0.02% away from the stan-
dard), the CD-RW402’s internal frequency converter
can automatically convert the incoming frequen cy to
44.1 kHz.
Basic recording
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 the
READY
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 (“Input selection” on
page 30), it is possible to start recording.
The basic record procedure is as f ollows:
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 ready mode, as shown by the
REC
and
pause indicators on the display. As the unit
enters record ready mode, the display shows
Now OPC (Optimum Power Control), as the
unit prepares to record on the disc.
If the digital source selected (see “Input
selection” on page 30) is not connected prop-
erly, or is not powered up, the message D-IN
UNLOCK! (digital input is unlocked) is dis-
played to show that the system is not ready to
record.
3Adjust the level of the source, following the
guidelines in “Signal volume” on page 30.
NOTE
The red
OVER
indicators on the meters should never
light. Unlike analog equipment, digital audio units
produce extremely unpleasant sounds when dis-
torted, 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.
4Press the PLAY key to start recording.
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 READY key to pause recording tem-
porarily. The pause indicator on the display
shows this.
Pressing PLAY again restarts recording with
a new track number.
6Press STOP to stop recording. When record-
ing stops, the display shows PMA Writing (Pro-
gram Memory Area) and the
REC
indicator
flashes 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.
When this message disappears, you must
press the RECORD key (step 2) before
restarting th e recording. Reco rding 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.