5 - Basic operations
28
TASC AM D A-78H R
recorder. Of course, a non-HR (16-bit) record-
ing made on the DA-78HR can be replayed on
any DTRS recorder.
7To start formatting the tape, hold down the
RECORD
key and press the PLAY key.
NOTE
The tape counter may show a negative ABS time for
a short while at the start of the formatting process.
While it is displaying a negative value, no audio
recording can take place.
8The tape will format to the end, and then
rewind automatically.
You are now able to use the tape for recording.
All transport controls are disabled during fo rmatting,
except for the STOP key, which can be used t o abort
the format process.
It is po ssible to format tapes o n a number of DTRS
units simultaneously. For details, see 8.5, “Synchro-
nized formatting”.

5.1.3 Aborting the f ormat pro cess

To abort the process before formatting actually takes
place (i.e. you have pressed the FORMAT/Fs switch
twice in error), press the CLEAR or the STOP key.
The only transport operation you can perform once
formatting has started is to stop the tape.
However, we do not recommend interrupting the for-
matting process, but suggest that you let the tape run
to the end.
If you interrupt the formatting (or the formatting is
inte rr upted b y a power cu t or even t s be yond yo ur
control), rewind the tape and start the format from
the beginning of the tape again.

5.1.4 Recordin g while f ormatting

If you have armed any tracks (you have pressed its
REC FUNCTIO N switch, and the i ndicator is flash-
ing), any audio signal routed to that track will be
recorded while formatting is in progress.
NOTE
S
If you have recorded and formatted part of a tape, and y ou
wish to continue formatting and recording on the rest of the
tape (“assembly”), you should rewind to a pre-formatted,
blank section of the tape and resume formatting and
recording from there.
Recording and formatting will continue at the sampling fre-
quency used on the first part of the tape.
Avoid re -starting re c or di ng and formattin g fro m an
unformatted section of the tape.
5.2 Recording the first tracks
There are a number of different ways of record ing the
first tracks. However, all follow the same basic
principles.
• Wh e n using a n ewly-for matte d tape, w e sugges t
that you record a blank “leader” about 30 seconds
long, starting from the beginning of the tape, to
avoid dropout. Leave a similar recorded blank
“trailer” at the end of the recording. You can use
the Rec M ute fun ction as a convenie nt way o f
recording silence. See 7.10, “REC MUTE (record-
ing silence)”.
• If the tape counter shows a negative value, you can-
not record on the tape at that position.

5.2.1 P reparing to record

1If you have n ot alrea dy loade d a forma tted
blank tape, do so now.
2Make sure that varispeed is turned off. Check
the VARI SPE ED indicator 7.6, “Vari speed
(pitch control)”.
3Select the recording source (see 5.3, “Input
selection”) as either all digital, all analog or a
mixture of these sources. The DA-78HR con-
tains a “ patch bay ” which al lows you to route
inputs to tracks.

5.2.2 Selecting a cloc k source

1If you have selected a digital sou rce, you s hould
select the word clock master using the CLOCK
key.
This can either be an external word clock con-
nected to the rear panel BNC WORD IN con-
nector, or it can be the SPDIF (COAXIAL)
digital audio s ignal. The appropria te indicator
to the right of the time counter will light.
Alternatively, if both of these are lit, the unit
will serve as the word clock mas ter in the audio
system.
NOTE
Remember that there must be one, and only one,
word clock master unit in a digital audio system.

5.2.3 Write - protectin g cassettes

You cannot record on a cassette where the write-pro-
tect tab has been closed (write-protected).