
4 – Recording—Automatic track division
 TASCAM CD-RW4U 21
Automatic track division
The trigger level, as set above (“Signal (trigger or 
threshold) level” on page 11) can be used to divide 
tracks if the A-TRACK (auto track) function is 
enabled. When this function is enabled, the unit auto-
matically inserts a track division in the recorded 
material when:
•recording digitally from MD, CD or DAT, an incre-
ment signal is detected and the sound level rises 
above the threshold:
or
•increment signals are unavailable (e.g. analog 
recording or digital sources other than MD. CD or 
DAT) and the sound level has dropped below the 
threshold for more than two seconds, and sound 
has re-started
To enable or disable automatic track division:
1With a recordable disc inserted, and with the 
unit in record ready mode, press the MENU 
key (E or 7) repeatedly until 
A_TRACK>XX is shown, where XX may 
be ON or OFF.
2Turn the MULTI DIAL control B or use the  
SKIP keys Ito change the value to ON or 
OFF.
The 
A-TRACK
 indicator at the top right of the 
display lights when the auto track function is 
enabled.
Automatic track division can be turned on or off 
while recording is taking place.
NOTE
When recording certain types of material (e.g. certain 
types of classical music or spoken word) through the ana-
log connections, since the track divisions are determined 
by relative silence, it is possible that spurious track divi-
sions will be inserted. Under these conditions, it may be 
better to use manual track division (“Manual track division” 
on page 23). 
However, if recording through a digital connection, the track 
number will be incremented only when a track division sig-
nal is received, followed by a rise in volume. 
A fall and subsequent rise in volume alone when recording 
digitally from CD, MD or DAT is not sufficient to trigger an 
automatic track increment.
You may find it helpful to use the track restriction 
facility (see “Restricting the number of tracks” on 
page 23) together with the automatic track division. 
For instance, if you have recorded two albums on one 
DAT tape, and you wish to make two separate CDs 
from this tape, you can use the MULTI DIAL control 
to set the number of tracks to the number of tracks 
comprising the first album.
When the final track of the first album has been 
recorded, the unit automatically performs the PMA 
writing procedure and enters stop mode.
level
time
S_LVL
Track increment 
from source
CD-RW 
increments 
track
level
time
S_LVL
At least 2 
seconds
Track 
increment
level
time
S_LVL
Track incremented
Track start signal 
received
"
Digital recording from CD, MD and DAT
Long "pause" 
in signal, but 
track is not 
incremented
level
time
S_LVL