Variable Tempo/Constant Pitch
Phrase Recorder
WARNING
To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not
expose this appliance to rain or moisture.
Operator’ s Manual
WARNING!!
To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose this appliance to rain or moisture.
3/30/2000 Rev. 2
1-En
WARNING
WARNING
The U400 is designed to be used in a standard household environment.
Power requirements for electrical equipment vary from area to area. Please ensure that your AC
Adaptor supplied meets the power requirements in your area. If in doubt, consult a qualified
electrician or AKAI professional dealer.
120 VAC @ 60 Hz for USA and Canada
220~230/240 VAC @ 50 Hz for Europe
240 VAC @ 50 Hz for Australia
PROTECTING YOURSELF AND THE U400
• Never touch the AC Adaptor with wet hands.
• Always disconnect the AC Adaptor from the power supply by pulling on the adaptor/plug,
not the cord.
• Allow only an AKAI professional dealer or qualified professional engineer to repair or
reassemble the U400. Apart from voiding the warranty, unauthorized engineers might touch
live internal parts and receive a serious electrical shock.
• Do not put, or allow anyone to put any object, especially metal objects, into the U400.
• Use only a household AC power supply. Never use a DC power supply.
• If water or any other liquid is spilled into or onto the U400, disconnect the power, and call
your dealer.
• Make sure that the unit is well-ventilated, and away from direct sunlight.
• To avoid damage to internal circuitry, as well as the external finish, keep the U400 away from
sources of direct heat (stoves, radiators, etc.).
• Avoid using aerosol insecticides, etc. near the U400. They may damage the surface, and may
ignite.
• Do not use denaturated alcohol, thinner or similar chemicals to clean the U400. They will
damage the finish.
• Modification of this equipment is dangerous, and can result in the functions of the U400 being
impaired. Never attempt to modify the equipment in any way.
• Make sure that the U400 is always well-supported when in use on a firm level surface.
• In order to assure optimum performance of your U400, select the setup location carefully, and
make sure the equipment is used properly. Avoid setting up the U400 in the following
locations:
1. In a humid or dusty environment
2. In a room with poor ventilation
3. On a surface which is not horizontal
4. Inside a vehicle such as a car, where it will be subject to vibration
5. In an extremely hot or cold environment
RIFF-O-MATIC U400
i
WARNING
CAUTION (Only for the product sold in Canada and U.S.A.)
To prevent electric shock, do not use this polarized AC power plug with an extension cord,
receptacle, or other outlet unless the blades can be fully inserted to prevent blade exposure.
14-En
ATTENTION
Afin d’éviter tout risque de décharge électrique, n’ utilisez pas cette prise polarisée avec une
rallonge, une prise de courant ou autre sortie á moins que les lames puissent être complétement
insérées et qu’elles ne soient plus visibles.
14-F
IMPORTANT (for U.K. customers only)
This equipment is fitted with an approved converter plug.
To change the fuse in this type of plug proceed as follows:
1) Remove the fuse cover and old fuse.
2) Fit a new fuse which should be a BS1362 5 Amp A.S.T.A. or BSI approved type.
3) Refit the fuse cover.
If the AC mains plug fitted to the lead supplied with this equipment is not suitable for your type of
AC outlet sockets, it should be changed to an AC mains lead, complete with moulded plug of the
appropriate type.
If this is not possible, the plug should be cut off and a correct one fitted to suit the AC outlet. This
should be fused at 5 Amps.
If a plug without a fuse is used, the fuse at the distribution board should not be greater than 5 Amp.
PLEASE NOTE: THE SEVERED PLUG MUST BE DESTROYED TO AVOID A POSSIBLE
The wires in this mains lead are coloured in accordance with the following code:
As the colours of the wires in the mains lead of this apparatus may not correspond with the
coloured markings identifying the terminals in your plug, please proceed as follows:
The wire which is coloured BLUE must be connected to the terminal which is marked with the
letter N or coloured BLACK.
The wire which is coloured BROWN must be connected to the terminal which is marked with
the letter L or coloured RED.
DO NOT CONNECT ANY WIRE TO THE PIN MARKED E OR
OR YELLOW & GREEN WHEN WIRING THE PLUG.
Ensure that all the terminals are securely tightened and no loose strands of wire exist.
Before replacing the plug cover, make certain the cord grip is clamped over the outer sheath of
the lead and not simply over the wires.
SHOCK HAZARD SHOULD IT BE INSERTED INTO A 13 AMP SOCKET
ELSEWHERE.
BLUE —NEUTRAL
BROWN —LIVE
OR COLOURED GREEN
6F-En
ii
RIFF-O-MATIC U400
WARNING
CHANGES OR MODIFICATIONS NOT EXPRESSLY APPROVED BY THE MANUFACTURER
FOR COMPLIANCE COULD VOID THE USER’S AUTHORITY TO OPERATE THE EQUIPMENT.
FCC WARNING
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can
radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions,
may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference
to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the
user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
AVIS POUR LES ACHETEURS CANADIENS DU U400
Le présent appareil numérique n’ément pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant les limites
applicables aux appareils numériques de la Class B prescrites dans le Règlement sur le brouillage
radioélectrique édicté par le ministère des Communications du Canada.
32-En
21B-En
27-F
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions from digital
apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications.
27-En
This appliance is not equipped with a main power switch. Even when the appliance is turned off,
the power supply to the appliance is not completely turned off when the power cord is plugged in.
Pull out the adaptor when not using the appliance for long periods.
4-En
Copyright Notice
The AKAI U400 is a computer-based instrument and uses software contained in ROM. Software that
is provided with the instrument, including information contained in this manual, is copyrighted by
applicable laws. You can use that software or information concerning the instrument only for personal
use. You are strictly prohibited to copy or modify any part of the software or manual without written
permission from AKAI professional M.I. Corp., Yokohama, Japan.
RIFF-O-MATIC U400
iii
WARRANTY
WARRANTY
AKAI professional M.I. Corp. warrants its products, when purchased from an authorized “AKAI
professional” dealer, to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 12
(twelve) months from the date of purchase. Warranty service is effective and available to the
original purchase only, and only on completion and return of the AKAI professional Warranty
Registration Card within 14 days of purchase.
Warranty coverage is valid for factory-authorized updates to AKAI professional instruments and
their software, when their installation is performed by an authorized AKAI professional Service
Center, and a properly completed Warranty Registration has been returned to your “AKAI
professional” dealer.
To obtain service under this warranty, the product must, on discovery of the defect, be properly
packed and shipped to the nearest AKAI professional Service Center. The party requesting
warranty service must provide proof of original ownership and date of purchase of the product.
If the warranty is valid, AKAI professional will, without charge for parts or labor, either repair
or replace the defective part(s). Without a valid warranty, the entire cost of the repair (parts and
labor) is the responsibility of the product's owner.
AKAI professional warrants that it will make all necessary adjustments, repairs and replacements
at no cost to the original owner within 12 (twelve) months of the purchase date if:
1) The product fails to perform its specified functions due to failure of one or more of its
components.
2) The product fails to perform its specified functions due to defects in workmanship.
3) The product has been maintained and operated by the owner in strict accordance with the
written instructions for proper maintenance and use as specified in this Operator's Manual.
Before purchase and use, owners should determine the suitability of the product for their intended
use, and owner assumes all risk and liability whatsoever in connection therewith. AKAI
professional shall not be liable for any injury, loss or damage, direct or consequential, arising out
of use, or inability to use the product.
The warranty provides only those benefits specified, and does not cover defects or repairs needed
as a result of acts beyond the control of AKAI professional, including but not limited to:
1) Damage caused by abuse, accident, negligence.
2) Damage caused by any tampering, alteration or modification of the product: operating
software, mechanical or electronic components.
3) Damage caused by failure to maintain and operate the product in strict accordance with the
written instructions for proper maintenance and use as specified in this Operator's Manual.
4) Damage caused by repairs or attempted repairs by unauthorized persons.
5) Damage caused by fire, smoke, falling objects, water or other liquids, or natural events such
as rain, floods, earthquakes, lightning, tornadoes, storms, etc.
6) Damage caused by operation on improper voltages.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This warranty becomes void if the product or its software is electroni-
cally modified, altered or tampered with in any way.
iv
RIFF-O-MATIC U400
WARRANTY
AKAI professional shall not be liable for costs involved in packing or preparing the product for
shipping, with regard to time, labor, or materials, shipping or freight costs, or time or expense
involved in transporting the product to and from AKAI professional Authorized Service Center
or Authorized Dealer.
AKAI professional will not cover under warranty an apparent malfunction that is determined to
be user error, or owner's inability to use the product.
THE DURATION OF ANY OTHER WARRANTIES, WHETHER IMPLIED OR EXPRESS,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED CONDITION OF MERCHANTABILITY, IS LIMITED TO THE DURATION OF THE EXPRESS WARRANTY HEREIN.
AKAI professional hereby excludes incidental or consequential damages, including but not
limited to:
1) Loss of time.
2) Inconvenience
3) Delay in performance of the Warranty.
4) The loss of use of the product.
5) Commercial loss.
6) Breach of any express or implied warranty, including the Implied Warranty of Merchantability, applicable to this product.
RIFF-O-MATIC U400
v
Table of Contents
vi
Table of Contents
Introduction ............................................................................... 1
Panel Descriptions.................................................................... 2
Connections .............................................................................. 4
Recording .................................................................................. 5
Playback..................................................................................... 7
Loop Points ............................................................................... 8
Note Grabber ............................................................................. 9
Specifications.......................................................................... 11
RIFF-O-MATIC U400
Introduction
Introduction
Thank you for buying an AKAI RIFF-O-MATIC U400 Variable Tempo/Constant Pitch Phrase
Recorder.
This new musical tool enables you to sample a recorded musical phrase and play it back at one
of the tempos provided without changing its original pitch. With the U400, you can easily
transcribe or practice along with phrases that are too fast to distinguish at their original tempos.
To make best use of the U400, please read this manual thoroughly before operating it. Also,
please keep this manual in a safe location for future reference.
Please note: Words entirely in upper case letters refer to controls or input/output jacks on
the U400.
Features
• Recording is possible up to 35.7 seconds at 29.4 kHz sampling frequency
• Playback tempo switchable between Normal, 2/3, or 1/2 without changing the pitch
• Simple operation with REC and PLAY keys for immediate looped playback
• Instrument input that accepts an output from an electric guitar or bass
• Looping of any segment of a recording
• FREEZE function for looped playback of individual notes
• SOLO band-pass filter isolates the specific guitar sound that you want to transcribe
• The vari-pitch function lets you hear the sound clearer but with the pitch shifted
RIFF-O-MATIC U400
1
Panel Descriptions
Panel Descriptions
2 3 6
1
7
8 9
REC LEVEL
Indicates the signal level at REC IN. Adjust
the input level using the REC LEVEL control,
so that the third red LED indicator does not
light.
NOTE GRABBER/SOLO
Pressing this key activates the band pass filter
which is specifically tuned to isolate guitar
sounds from the rest of the music (the LED
will light).
4 5
SET LOOP/END (FORWARD)
Determines the end point of looped playback.
The point where this key is pressed during
playback will be a new end point for that
playback. Pressing this key together with
SET LOOP/START while the loop is playing will cancel the current start and end point
settings; The whole recording will be looped
(played repeatedly).
This key is also used to set the loop point
during the Freeze function.
NOTE GRABBER/FREEZE
Pressing this key activates the Freeze function (the LED will light). The function provides a short looped playback at any point of
the recording. See page 9 for details.
SET LOOP/START (REVERSE)
Determines the start point of looped playback. The point where this key is pressed,
during playback, will be a new start point for
that playback.
This key is also used to set the loop point
during the Freeze function.
2
VARI PITCH
Pressing this key activates the Vari Pitch
function (the LED will light). During this
function, the playback pitch changes as the
playback tempo is changed.
RECORD
Pressing this key puts the U400 in the standby
recording status. The next key that is pressed
determines how recording proceeds. See
pages 5~6 for details.
RIFF-O-MATIC U400
PLAY/STOP
Pressing this key while in stop mode starts
looped playback. Pressing the key a second
time stops playback.
PLAYBACK TEMPO
Selects the tempo of looped playback. The
playback tempo can be switched between
Normal, 2/3 and 1/2 .
Panel Descriptions
10 11 1612 13 14 15
MR INST.IN
Connects to an electric guitar, bass, etc. Source
MW PHONES LEVEL
Adjusts the PHONES output level.
sounds input here are sent to LINE OUT and
PHONES. Adjust the input level using volume controls on the instrument. Note that too
high a volume level will result in distortion.
MX LINE OUT
Connects to a mixer or amplifier. This out-
puts playback of the recording and sounds
from REC IN and INST.IN.
MS DC 10.5V
Connects to the provided AC power adaptor.
MT REC LEVEL
Adjusts the input level at REC IN.
Note: Any controls on the U400—pots, keys
and jacks, are all represented in uppercase in the manual description.
MU REC IN
Connects to the line output on an audio device
such as a tape player, CD player, etc., using
the audio cable supplied. The input level is
adjusted by REC LEVEL.
MV PHONES
Connect a pair of headphones here. The
headphone level is adjusted by PHONES
LEVEL.
RIFF-O-MATIC U400
3
Connections
Connections
Connect all equipment to the U400 as shown in the following illustration.
guitar, bass,
keyboard,etc.
supplied AC adaptor
tape player,
CD player, etc
headphones
amplifier, mixer, etc
• REC IN connects to the line outputs on your tape player, CD player, etc., using the supplied
audio cable.
If your tape player, CD player, etc, does not have line outputs, you can use the headphone
output instead. In this case, if the headphone output level is set too high, the sound may still
be distorted even when REC LEVEL is adjusted.
• Always use the AC power adaptor supplied to supply power to the U400. As there is no power
switch on the U400, the device is turned on or off by plugging or unplugging the AC adaptor.
Never pull on the cable to disconnect.
• If you use the U400 in an area of different voltage from where you bought the device, it requires
another AC power adaptor for that area. Consult your AKAI professional dealer for more
information.
4
RIFF-O-MATIC U400
Recording
Recording
First of all, you need to record the phrases you wish to transcribe or practice along with.
Remember, a stereo source is recorded in mono (merged).
Preparations
Ensure that the audio device that supplies phrases you wish to record is
correctly connected using the supplied audio cable.
Using REC LEVEL, adjust the input level as high as possible, without
turning on the third red LED indicator on the REC LEVEL meter. Too
high a level makes sounds distorted whereas too low a level makes sounds
noisy.
Recording Methods
You can start recording in one of the following methods.
< Immediate Recording >
Pressing RECORD puts the U400 in the standby recording mode (the LED will blink). The REC
IN signal can be monitored.
Pressing RECORD a second time starts recording (the RECORD and PLAY/STOP LEDs will
light).
The recording will be stopped by pressing PLAY/STOP. Otherwise, it will automatically stop
in approximately 36 seconds. On completion of recording, the U400 automatically starts looped
playback over the whole length of the recording (the PLAY/STOP LED only will light).
Standby
recording
Recording Looped playback
Recording can be started immediately by pressing RECORD and PLAY/STOP at the same
time.
Recording Looped playback
RIFF-O-MATIC U400
5
Recording
< Elapse Recording >
Pressing RECORD puts the U400 in the standby recording mode (the LED will blink) and the
REC IN signal can be monitored.
Pressing PLAY/STOP finishes recording of up to the last 36 second portion of the source before
the PLAY/STOP key is pressed.
On the completion of recording, the U400 automatically starts looped playback over the whole
length of the recording (the PLAY/STOP LED only will light).
Standby
recording
36 seconds
Recording Looped playback
This method is convenient if you want to stop recording after making sure that the source phrase
has ended.
Note: You can record only a single phrase of up to 36 seconds. Your recording will be erased
when another recording is made or the U400 is turned off. The device has no memory
area for storage.
It is not possible to record the sounds from INST.IN.
6
RIFF-O-MATIC U400
Playback
Playback Tempo
Select a playback tempo by pressing PLAYBACK TEMPO, you can
select from NORMAL, 2/3 and 1/2 tempo .
The playback tempo is changed but the original pitch is retained.
There may be slight noises because the constant pitch is obtained by
digital waveform expansion.
Vari Pitch
Pressing VARI PITCH activates the Vari Pitch function (the LED
will light). During this function, the playback pitch is lowered as the
playback tempo is lowered, as set with PLAYBACK TEMPO.
This may work better in some applications when the noise from the
digital waveform expansion process is noticeable.
Playback
RIFF-O-MATIC U400
7
Loop Points
Loop Points
On the completion of recording, the U400 automatically starts looped playback over the whole
length of the recording. You can adjust the start and end points of that loop to playback just the
portion you want to hear.
Start Point
During playback of the recording, pressing SET LOOP/START specifies a new start point for the looped playback.
End Point
During playback of the recording, pressing SET LOOP/END specifies
a new end point for the looped playback.
Start point
Start End
Looped playback
End point
Recorded phrase
Canceling a Loop
During playback of the recording or in STOP mode, pressing both SET
LOOP/START and SET LOOP/END cancels a loop you specified;
Playback will be looped over the whole length of the recording.
8
RIFF-O-MATIC U400
Note Grabber
Note Grabber
This function includes SOLO (a band pass filter to make guitar sounds more distinct) and
FREEZE (a very short looped playback at any point in the recording). These are useful to isolate
individual notes in a complex phrase.
SOLO
SOLO is a band-pass filter that attenuates sounds of higher and lower
frequencies that makes sounds in the middle range more distinct, such as
guitar phrases, etc.
Pressing SOLO activates the SOLO function (the LED will light).
Pressing the button again, while the LED is lit, cancels filtering and plays
the entire frequency range.
FREEZE
During playback of the recording, press FREEZE (the LED will light)
and a very short looped playback occurs at that point.
At this time, you can move the loop forward by holding FORWARD;
When releasing FORWARD , another short loop will occur at the new
point.
Also, you can use REVERSE to move the loop backward; While holding
REVERSE, the phrase will be played in reverse. When you release
REVERSE, another short loop will occur at the new point.
RIFF-O-MATIC U400
9
Note Grabber
While FORWARD or REVERSE is being held down, the playback speed will be the one you
specified using PLAYBACK TEMPO. Searching is possible in the whole recording length,
regardless of the loop points specified.
To cancel FREEZE, press FREEZE a second time; its LED goes out and playback stops
immediately.
Instead, you can press PLAY/STOP to resume normal playback.
Note: Normally, you press
short loop at that point. However, if you press
you will hear a short loop that is located at the very beginning of the recorded phrase.
FREEZE
during playback of the recorded phrase to start the
FREEZE
while playback is stopped,
10
RIFF-O-MATIC U400
Specifications
Specifications
Model : Variable Tempo/Constant Pitch Phrase Recorder RIFF-O-MATIC
U400
Sampling Frequency : 29.4 kHz
Recording Time : 35.7 seconds
Memory Capacity : 2 MBytes
Controls : PLAYBACK TEMPO NORMAL, 2/3, 1/2
NOTE GRABBER SOLO/FREEZE
SET LOOP START/END
VARI PITCH
RECORD
PLAY/STOP
Inputs : REC IN 1/8-inch stereo phone jack -18dBm/
3.8KΩ
INST.IN 1/4-inch phone jack -40dBm/8.2KΩ
Outputs : LINE OUT 1/4-inch phone jack -6dBm/68Ω
PHONES 1/8-inch stereo phone jack 1mW/32 Ω
Pots : PHONES LEVEL output level control of PHONES
REC LEVEL input level control of REC IN for
recording
Level Meter : 3 LEDs at REC LEVEL
Power Supply : DC 10.5V 150mA supplied by the AC power adaptor included
Weight : 340g (without AC Adaptor)
Accessories : AC power adaptor (10.5 VDC converter, 300 mA output) 1
Audio connection cable (1/8-inch stereo phone plugs) ...... 1
Operator's Manual............................................................... 1
Dimensions :
2.3mm
31.5mm
1.7mm
3.4mm
111mm
* Above specifications are subject to change without notice.
RIFF-O-MATIC U400
141mm
11
%
1-3, Hiranuma 1-chome, Nishi-ku,
Yokohama, Japan
000330-2
ET
Printed in Japan
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