Tascam 122MKIII User Manual 2

PRODUCT OVERVIEW

When only the best will do, call on TASCAM's
122mkIII. The 122mkIII is the de-facto
standard for cassette mastering and playback
in studios, broadcast, and live applications,
and with good reason. Few products receive
this much attention to detail during every
aspect of the production. The advanced
direct drive motor, Cobalt Amorphous heads,
built in test tones and front panel bias and
gear/clutch coupled record level controls
combine to make the 122mkIII the industry
standard recorder that professionals depend on.

122mkIII

Technical Documentation

• Three Head Design

• Cobalt Amorphous Record and Play Heads

• Advanced FG Servo Direct Drive Capstan Motor

• Gear/Clutch Coupled Input Level Controls

• Dolby B and C with HX Pro Headroom Extension

• ±12% Pitch Control with Clear On/Off Switch

• Two Locate Points and Return To Zero Functions

• Headphone Output with Level Control

• Balanced XLR and Unbalanced RCA Analog I/O

• Precision VU Meters with Peak LEDs

• Auto-Input Monitor Selector

• Front Panel Line Inputs

• Convenient Front Panel BIAS Calibration Controls

• Built-in Tone Oscillators

• Parallel Control Port

• Fader Start Function

• MPX Filter

• Optional RC-134 Remote Control

APPLICATIONS SPECIFICATIONS

The 122mkIII is designed to offer convenience and reliability to
those who need it all when working in demanding environments.
If your facility has a need for high quality recording to cassette,
there is nothing better than the 122mkIII.

Recording Studio Mixdown Deck

Cassettes produced on the 122mkIII will absolutely be reference
quality. The advanced FG servo direct drive capstan motor provides
very stable recordings, with almost no wow and flutter effects. The
three head design allows the user to listen to the recording from
tape. You won't have to listen to the tape in another pass to make
sure the tape didn't oversaturate. The built in tone generators and
front panel bias controls make adjusting the machine to suit the
specific tape a breeze.

Live Theater

Sound quality is important, but in live productions, there is no take
two. Everything has to work right the first time. TASCAM's
legendary reputation didn't develop overnight; it was the result of
consistent delivery of robust products that never let the user down.

Broadcast Applications - Radio Studios

Let's face it, we aren't always polite when we press PLAY. Radio
stations work 24 hours a day. Three seconds of dead air can cost
you a substantial listener base, with ten seconds losing almost all
of it. The 122mkIII is designed to withstand the beating given by
engineers under pressure. Solid controls with status LEDs offer
immediate intuitive readout of exactly what is going on. Plus, the
parallel in control enables the user to directly interface the
122mkIII with broadcast consoles for event starts or "recording"
warning lights outside the studio.

Performance Specifications:

Track System:
Heads:
Type of Tape:
Tape Speed:
Pitch Control:
Motors:

Frequency Response:

Total Harmonic Distortion:
Signal to Noise Ratio:

Wow and Flutter:

Bias/Erase Frequency:
Input RCA & 1/4":
Input XLR:
Line Output RCA:
Line Output XLR:
Headphone Output:

General Specifications:

Power Requirements:

Power Consumption:
Dimensions:

Weight:
Optional Accessories:

4 track, 2 channel stereo
(1) Erase, (1) Record, (1) Reproduce
Cassette C-60, C-90
1 7/8 ips, 4.76 cm/sec
Approx ±12%
1 FG DC servo direct-drive capstan motor
1 DC reel motor
1 DC ancillary motor
25Hz-20kHz ±3dB Metal
25Hz-19kHz ±3dB CrO2
25Hz-17kHz ±3dB Normal
<1% (1kHz, 160nWb/m)
>80dB Dolby C, 1kHz, 3% THD wtd
>70dB Dolby B, 5kHz, 3% THD wtd
>60dB Dolby off
<0.04% (W RMS)
±0.065 peak (DIN/IEC/ANSI wtd)
150kHz

-10dBu, 20kOhm
+4dBu, 600 Ohm, balanced

-10dBu, 100 Ohm
+4dBu, 600 Ohm, balanced
100mW + 100mW, 8 Ohm

120V AC, 60Hz (US/Canada Model)
230V AC, 50Hz (Europe Model)
240V AC, 50Hz (Australia Model)
23W
482 x 132 x 356 mm
19" x 5 1/4" x 14"

8.4Kg, 18.5 lbs.
Wired Remote (RC-134)

7733 Telegraph Road • Montebello, CA 90640 • [phone] • http://www.tascam.com

All features and specifications are subject to change without notice. Contact your local TASCAM representative for the latest information.

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122mkIII_TECHDOC.pdf

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122mkIII Technical Documentation

PRODUCT HISTORY

The 122mkIII has long been revered as the
standard for cassette mastering, with few
changes made to the original product design.

The original 122 cassette deck was introduced
in 1980. The 122 was TASCAM's first
professional, rack mounted, 3 head cassette
deck with 2 speeds (1 7/8 and 3 3/4). A year
after the product was first introduced, NBC
standardized their entire operation using the
TASCAM 122. The reason NBC made the
change was because the 122 had all the
capabilities for adjustments, and spectacular
performance characteristics. Aided by NBC's
practical endorsement of the TASCAM 122,
ABC and CBS followed, and before long the
122 became the industry standard.

In 1987 the 122MKII continued TASCAM's
leadership in the professional cassette market.
The new features included Dolby HX PRO, the
ability to find locate points, a zero return
function, and pitch control.

The 122mkIII was introduced in 1993
incorporating a new and improved transport
assembly utilizing the Hysteresis Tension
Servo Control System, further improving the
reliability and stability of the legendary 122
heritage.

THE 122mkIII ADVANTAGE

Not all cassette decks are created equal. While most cassette decks offer
Dolby Noise Reduction of some sort, here are some features you won't
find on most run-of-the-mill cassette decks:

Balanced, Unbalanced, and Front Panel Line Connectors - Integrate
into any studio, anytime. The rear panel I/O accepts both balanced and
unbalanced signals, and a front panel Line In provides simple patching of
ancillary gear for reference copies, submixes, or spontaneous dubs.

2 Locate Points and Return To Zero - Locate points can be used for
comparing multiple mixes in quick sequential order, or for marking cues.
Return To Zero is always handy when recording multiple passes.

Dolby HX Pro - HX Pro algorithms help maintain true printing of high
frequency content. HX Pro recordings do not require any decoding on
playback, so the user can freely apply this system to their recordings.

MPX Filter - When recording from FM broadcast, Dolby Noise Reduction
can sometimes be compromised by information around the pilot tone at
19kHz, or the sub carrier note at 38kHz. The MPX Filter removes these
troublesome frequencies.

Oscillators, Front Panel Bias & Recording Level Controls - Each
brand of tape responds to recordings differently. Adjusting the bias
controls on the recorder can help compensate for this. The 122mkIII's
three head design allows for real time monitoring of the test tones as
they are adjusted. For additional convenience, the test tone oscillators
are built right in, so there's no extra test equipment to track down.
Front panel bias and recording level controls make biasing the 122mkIII
effortless. Proper bias settings will result in more reliable sonic
characteristics in most situations.

ARCHITECT'S SPECIFICATIONS

The cassette player/recorder shall utilize a three head
cassette mechanism, using separate heads for erase,
record, and reproduce. The transport shall be a direct
drive mechanism and employ the Hysteresis Tension
Servo Control System for increased stability.

Inputs and outputs shall be provided on unbalanced RCA
and balanced XLR plugs on the rear panel. An additional
pair of 1/4" inputs shall be located on the front panel.
Levels shall be displayed on large VU meters with peak
LEDs for accurate display of levels. The input level shall
be controlled by large gear/clutched controls on the front
panel. Stereo output level shall also be provided on the
front panel for convenience. Headphone output with
level control shall be provided on the front panel.

Monitor selection switch shall be provided on the front
panel for selection between input monitor mode and
automatic monitor mode. Dolby™ B and C noise reduction
shall be implemented and switched from the front panel.
An MPX filter shall be switchable from the front panel.

A pitch control will provide approximately ±12% range
of pitch control, with a dedicated on/off control.

Individual bias and level fine tune controls shall be
accessible on the front panel, as well as 400Hz and 10kHz
oscillators for convenient biasing of the machine.

The cassette deck shall have dedicated buttons to access
the RTZ function (Return to Zero) and two locate points.
An additional separate button shall trigger the repeat
function which will loop between locate 1 and locate 2.

A digital counter shall be used to display precise tape
location with a readout displaying minutes and seconds.

A parallel control shall be provided which can be used for
remote control and tallies, and it shall be compatible with
the TASCAM RC-134 remote control.

The cassette deck shall mount in a standard 19" rack mount
form, taking three rack spaces. The cassette mechanism
shall have dimensions of 19" x 5 1/4" x 14" (W x H x D).

Metric measurements : 482 x 132 x 356mm (W x H x D).

The unit shall be a TASCAM 122mkIII cassette deck.

NOTE: This text is available in a standard text file on TASCAM's
Sound Contractor CD-ROM. Contact TASCAM for details.

7733 Telegraph Road • Montebello, CA 90640 • [phone] • http://www.tascam.com

All features and specifications are subject to change without notice. Contact your local TASCAM representative for the latest information.

Page 2 of 3

122mkIII_TECHDOC.pdf

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