Tascam MD-801R-P Mk II User Manual

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Page 1

D00414800A

MD-801R@#/ MD-801P@#

MD Recorder/Player

OWNER’S MANUAL

The lightning ﬂash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert

ÿ Ÿ

This appliance has a serial number located on the rear panel. Please record the model number and serial number and retain them for your records.

Model number Serial number

the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufﬁcient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons..

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.

CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

WARNING: TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK

HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS

APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

Page 2

Important Safety Precautions

IMPORTANT (for U.K. Customers)

DO NOT cut off the mains plug from this equipment.

If the plug fitted is not suitable for the power points in your home or the cable is too short to reach a power point, then obtain an appropriate safety approved extension lead or consult your dealer.

If nonetheless the mains plug is cut off, remove the fuse and dispose of the plug immediately, to avoid a possible shock hazard by inadvertent connection to the mains supply.

If this product is not provided with a mains plug, or one has to be fitted, then follow the instructions given below:

IMPORTANT:

accordance with the following code:

GREEN-AND-YELLOW : BLUE : BROWN :

WARNING:

The wires in this mains lead are coloured in

EARTH NEUTRAL LIVE

This apparatus must be earthed.

TO THE USER

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residental area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.

CAUTION

Changes or modifications to this equipment not expressly approved by TEAC CORPORATION for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.

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 proceed as follows:

The wire which is coloured GREEN-and-YELLOW must be connected to the terminal in the plug which is marked by the letter E or by the safety earth symbol ç or coloured GREEN or GREEN-and-YELLOW.

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.

When replacing the fuse only a correctly rated approved type should be used and be sure to re-fit the fuse cover.

IF IN DOUBT — CONSULT A COMPETENT ELECTRICIAN.

For the consumers in Europe WARNING

This is a Class A product. In a domestic environment, this product may cause radio interference in which case the user may be required to take adequate measures.

Pour les utilisateurs en Europe AVERTISSEMENT

Il s’agit d’un produit de Classe A. Dans un environnement domestique, cet appareil peut provoquer des interférences radio, dans ce cas l’utilisateur peut être amené à prendre des mesures appropriées.

Für Kunden in Europa Warnung

Dies is eine Einrichtung, welche die Funk-Entstörung nach Klasse A besitzt. Diese Einrichtung kann im Wohnbereich Funkstörungen versursachen ; in diesem Fall kann vom Betrieber verlang werden, angemessene Maßnahmen durchzuführen und dafür aufzukommen.

US and foreign patents licensed from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation.

–– TASCAM MD-801R/P Mk II

Page 3

ANTENNA LEAD IN WIRE

ANTENNA DISCHARGE UNIT (NEC SECTION 810-20)

GROUNDING CONDUCTORS

(NEC SECTION 810-21)

GROUND CLAMPS

POWER SERVICE GROUNDING ELECTRODE SYSTEM (NEC ART 250. PART H)

NEC - NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE

ELECTRIC SERVICE EQUIPMENT

Example of Antenna Grounding as per

National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70

GROUND CLAMP

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

CAUTION:

Read all of these Instructions. Save these Instructions for later use. Follow all Warnings and Instructions marked on the audio equipment.

1) Read Instructions — All the safety and operating instructions should

be read before the product is operated.

2) Retain Instructions — The safety and operating instructions should

be retained for future reference.

3) Heed Warnings — All warnings on the product and in the operating

instructions should be adhered to.

4) Follow Instructions — All operating and use instructions should be

followed.

5) Cleaning — Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning.

Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Use a damp cloth for cleaning.

6) Attachments — Do not use attachments not recommended by the

product manufacturer as they may cause hazards.

7) Water and Moisture — Do not use this product near water — for

example, near a bath tub, wash bowl, kitchen sink, or laundry tub; in a wet basement; or near a swimming pool; and the like.

8) Accessories — Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand,

tripod, bracket, or table. The product may fall, causing serious injury to a child or adult, and serious damage to the product. Use only with a cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table recommended by the manufacturer, or sold with the product. Any mounting of the product should follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and should use a mounting accessory recommended by the manufacturer.

A product and cart combination should be moved with care. Quick stops, excessive force, and uneven surfaces may cause the product and cart combination to overturn.

10) Ventilation — Slots and openings in the cabinet are provided for ven-

tilation and to ensure reliable operation of the product and to protect it from overheating, and these openings must not be blocked or covered. The openings should never be blocked by placing the product on a bed, sofa, rug, or other similar surface. This product should not be placed in a built-in installation such as a bookcase or rack unless proper ventilation is provided or the manufacturer’s instructions have been adhered to.

11) Power Sources — This product should be operated only from the

type of power source indicated on the marking label. If you are not sure of the type of power supply to your home, consult your product dealer or local power company. For products intended to operate from battery power, or other sources, refer to the operating instructions.

12) Grounding or Polarization — This product may be equipped with a

polarized alternating-current line plug (a plug having one blade wider than the other). This plug will fit into the power outlet only one way. This is a safety feature. If you are unable to insert the plug fully into the outlet, try reversing the plug. If the plug should still fail to fit, contact your electrician to replace your obsolete outlet. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized plug.

13) Power-Cord Protection — Power-supply cords should be routed so

that they are not likely to be walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against them, paying particular attention to cords at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the product.

14) Outdoor Antenna Grounding — If an outside antenna or cable

system is connected to the product, be sure the antenna or cable system is grounded so as to provide some protection against voltage surges and builtup static charges. Article 810 of the National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70, provides information with regard to proper grounding of the mast and supporting structure, grounding of the lead-in wire to an antenna discharge unit, size of grounding conductors, location of antenna-discharge unit, connection to grounding electrodes, and requirements for the grounding electrode.

"Note to CATV system installer:

This reminder is provided to call the CATV system installer’s attention to

…

Section 820-40 of the NEC which provides guidelines for proper grounding and, in particular, specifies that the cable ground shall be connected to the grounding system of the building, as close to the point of cable entry as practical.

15) Lightning — For added protection for this product during a lightning

storm, or when it is left unattended and unused for long periods of time, unplug it from the wall outlet and disconnect the antenna or cable system. This will prevent damage to the product due to lightning and power-line surges.

16) Power Lines — An outside antenna system should not be located in

the vicinity of overhead power lines or other electric light or power circuits, or where it can fall into such power lines or circuits. When installing an outside antenna system, extreme care should be taken to keep from touching such power lines or circuits as contact with them might be fatal.

17) Overloading — Do not overload wall outlets, extension cords, or

integral convenience receptacles as this can result in risk of fire or electric shock.

18) Object and Liquid Entry — Never push objects of any kind into

this product through openings as they may touch dangerous voltage points or short-out parts that could result in a fire or electric shock. Never spill liquid of any kind on the product.

19) Servicing — Do not attempt to service this product yourself as open-

ing or removing covers may expose you to dangerous voltage or other hazards. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.

20) Damage Requiring Service — Unplug this product from the wall

outlet and refer servicing to qualified service personnel under the following conditions:

when the power-supply cord or plug is damaged. if liquid has been spilled, or objects have fallen into the product. if the product has been exposed to rain or water.

if the product does not operate normally by following the operating instructions. Adjust only those controls that are covered by the operating instructions as an improper adjustment of other controls may result in damage and will often require extensive work by a qualified technician to restore the product to its normal operation.

if the product has been dropped or damaged in any way.

f ) when the product exhibits a distinct change in performance – this

indicates a need for service.

21) Replacement Parts — When replacement parts are required, be

sure the service technician has used replacement parts specified by the manufacturer or have the same characteristics as the original part. Unauthorized substitutions may result in fire, electric shock, or other hazards.

22) Safety Check — Upon completion of any service or repairs to this

product, ask the service technician to perform safety checks to determine that the product is in proper operating condition.

23) Wall or Ceiling Mounting — The product should be mounted to a

wall or ceiling only as recommended by the manufacturer.

24) Heat — The product should be situated away from heat sources such

as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other products (including amplifiers) that produce heat.

TASCAM MD-801R/P Mk II ––

Page 4

SAFETY INFORMATION

This product has been designed and manufactured according to FDA regulations "title 21, CFR, chapter 1, subchapter J, based on the Radiation Control for Health and Safety Act of 1968", and is classified as class 1 laser product. There is not hazardous invisible laser radiation during operation because invisible laser radiation emitted inside of this product is completely confined in the protective housings. The label required in this reguration is shown

… CAUTION

- DO NOT REMOVE THE PROTECTIVE HOUSING USING SCREWDRIVER.

- USE OF CONTROLS OR ADJUSTMENTS OR PERFORMANCE OF PROCEDURES OTHER THAN THOSE SPECIFIED HEREIN MAY RESULT IN HAZARDOUS RADIATION EXPOSURE.

- IF THIS PRODUCT DEVELOPS TROUBLE, MAKE A CONTACT WITH OUR SERVICEMAN, AND DO NOT USE THE PRODUCT IN A TROUBLED STATE.

For U.S.A.

CERTIFICATION

THIS PRODUCT COMPLES WITH DHHS RULES 21 CFR SUBCHAPTER J APPLICABLE AT DATE OF MANUFACTURE

TEAC CORPORATION 3-7-3 NAKA-CHO, MUSASHINO-SHI, TOKYO, JAPAN MANUFACTURED TIF

Optical pickup: Type : KMS-190A or KMS-190B

Manufacturer: SONY Corporation Laser output: 0.25 mW Min. (Play),

5.0 mW Max. (Record) Wavelength: 780 nm ±20 nm

…

CAUTION … ACHTUNG … OBSERVERA … ADVARSEL

ADVARSEL - USYNLIG LASERSTRÅLING VED ÅBNING, NÅR

SIKKERHEDSAFBRYDERE ER UDE AF FUNKTION. UNDGÅ UDSÆTTELSE FOR STRÅLING.

VAROITUS! SUOJAKOTELOA EI SAA AVATA. LAITE SISÄLTÄÄ

LASERDIODIN, JOKA LÄHETTÄÄ (NÄKYMÄTÖNTÄ) SILMILLE VAARALLISTA LASERSÄTEILYÄ.

ADVARSEL - USYNLIG LASERBESTRÅLING NÅR DENNE DELEN ER

ÅPEN OG SIKKERHETSSPERREN ER UTKOBLET. UNNGÅ UTSETTELSE FOR STRÅLING.

CAUTION - INVISIBLE LASER RADIATION WHEN OPEN AND

INTERLOCKS DEFEATED. AVOID EXPOSURE TO BEAM.

VORSICHT! UNSICHTBARE LASERSTRAHLUNGTRITT AUS.

WENN DECKEL GEÖFFNET UND WENN SICHERHEITSVERRIEGELUNG ÜBERBRÜCKT IST. NICHT DEM STRAHL AUSSETZEN !

VARNING - OSYNLIG LASERSTRÅLNING NÄR DENNA DEL

ÄR ÖPPNAD OCH SPÄRR ÄR URKOPPLAD. STRÄLEN ÄR FARLIG.

CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT LUOKAN 1 LASERLAITE KLASS 1 LASERAPPARAT

THIS LABEL IS ATTACHED TO THE PLACE AS ILLUSTRATED TO INFORM THAT THE APPARATUS CONTAINS A LASER COMPONENT.

DIESE AUFKLEBEMARKE IST AN DEM IN DER ABBILDUNG

GEZEIGTEN ORT ANGEBRACHT UM DARAUF HINZUWEISEN, DASS IM INNERN DES GER

1 PÅSKRIFTEN SITTER PÅ APPARATEN SOM VISAS SOM UPPMAN-

ING OM ATT APPARATEN OMFATTAR EN INBYGGD LASERKOMPONENT.

1 DETTE MÆRKAT ER ANBRAGT SOM VIST I ILLUSTRATIONEN

FOR AT ADVARE BRUGEREN OM AT APPARATET INDEHOLDER EN LASERKOMPONENT.

2 DETTE MÆRKAT ER SOM VIST PÅ ILLUSTRATIONEN ANBRAGT

PÅ INDERSIDEN AF TOPDÆKSLET FOR AT ADVARE BRUGEREN OM AT YDERLIGERE FREMTRÆNGEN VIL VÆRE FORBUNDET MED FARE FOR AT UDSÆTTE SIG FOR LASERSTRÅLING.

ADVARSEL — BETJENING AF ANDRE KONTROLLER OG REGULATORER ELLER BENYTTELES AF ANDRE FREMGANGSMÅDER END BESKREVET HERI ER FORBUNDET MED FARE FOR UDSÆTTELSE FOR LASERSTRÅLING.

VARING: APPARATEN INNEHÅLLER LASER KOMPONENT MED STRÅLNING ÖVERSTIGANDE KLASS 1.

"ADVARSEL: USYNLIG LASERSTRÅLING VED ÅBNING NAR SIKKERHEDSAFBRYDERE ER UDE AF FUNKTION. UNDG UDSAETTELSE FOR STRÅLING"

"VAROITUS! SUOJAKOTELOA EI SAA AVATA. LAITE SIS LASERDIODIN. JOKA L VAARALLISTA LASERS

ADVARSEL: USYNLIG LASERBESTRÅLING NÅR DENNE DELEN ER ÅPEN OG SIKKERHETSSPERREN ER UTKOBLET UNNGÅ UTSETTELSE FOR STRÅLING.

–– TASCAM MD-801R/P Mk II

Page 5

Table of Contents

1 - Introduction

1.1 About the MiniDisc format ................1-1

1.1.1 ATRAC compression.......................... 1-1

1.1.2 Buffer memory .................................... 1-1

1.1.3 Random access and U-TOC...............1-1

1.1.4 Track titling, etc. ................................. 1-2

1.2 Care of MD media...............................1-2

1.3 About the MD-801R/P Mk II................1-2

1.3.1 Unpacking the unit.............................. 1-3

1.3.2 Rack-mounting the unit......................1-3

1.3.3 Care of the unit.................................... 1-3

1.3.4 Backup memory.................................. 1-4

1.4 About this manual..............................1-4

2 - Front and rear panel features

2.1 Front panel..........................................2-1

[1] POWER switch........................................2-1

[2] Disc drive ................................................ 2-1

[3] EJECT key............................................... 2-1

[4] TRACK keys............................................ 2-1

[5] STOP key.................................................2-1

[6] PLAY key and indicator ......................... 2-1

[7] READY key and indicator ...................... 2-1

[8] RECORD key and indicator ................... 2-1

[9] PHONES jack and level control.............2-2

[10] CALL key............................................... 2-2

[11] JOG key and indicator ......................... 2-2

[12] JOG/DATA dial......................................2-2

[13] SHUTTLE wheel.................................... 2-2

[14] Display...................................................2-2

[15] MENU key.............................................. 2-2

[16] TITLE key............................................... 2-2

[17] TIME key................................................ 2-2

[18] EDIT key ................................................ 2-3

[19] TOC WRITE key and indicator.............2-4

[20] AUTO READY key and indicator......... 2-4

[21] AUTO CUE key and indicator.............. 2-4

[22] PLAY MODE key................................... 2-4

[23] MEMO IN/CAPS key and indicator...... 2-4

[24] LOC A/DEL & LOC B/INSERT keys

and indicators ........................................... 2-4

[25] PITCH CONT key and indicator........... 2-4

[26] REPEAT key and indicator .................. 2-4

[27] INPUT LEVEL controls......................... 2-5

[28] INPUT selection switch........................ 2-5

[29] DIGITAL INPUT switch......................... 2-5

[30] REC MODE switch................................ 2-5

[31] ANALOG INPUT switch........................ 2-5

2.2 Display ................................................2-5

(1) RESUME indicator................................. 2-5

(2)

(3) CAPS indicator ...................................... 2-5

(4) EDIT indicator........................................ 2-5

(5) DATE indicator....................................... 2-5

(6) TRACK TITLE indicator......................... 2-5

(7) DISC TITLE indicator............................. 2-6

(8) TRACK NO. display and indicator........ 2-6

(9) Time display and indicators................. 2-6

indicator.................................. 2-5

(10) PGM NO................................................. 2-6

(11) Dot-matrix alphanumeric display ....... 2-6

(12) TOC EDIT indicator.............................. 2-6

(13) EOM....................................................... 2-6

(14) Peak level meters................................. 2-6

(15) REPEAT indicator ................................ 2-6

(16) SINGLE indicator.................................. 2-6

(17) A–B indicator........................................ 2-6

2.3 Rear panel.......................................... 2-6

[32] DIGITAL INPUT (AES/EBU)...................2-6

[33] DIGITAL OUTPUT (AES/EBU)...............2-6

[34] DIGITAL INPUT (COAXIAL) ..................2-7

[35] DIGITAL OUTPUT (COAXIAL) ..............2-7

[36] ANALOG INPUTS and trimmers

(BALANCED)..............................................2-7

[37] ANALOG INPUTS (UNBALANCED)......2-7

[38] ANALOG OUTPUTS (MONITOR)..........2-7

[39] Analog output function DIP switch

bank............................................................2-7

[40] ANALOG OUTPUTS (LINE) and

trimmers.....................................................2-7

[41] WORD SYNC IN.....................................2-8

[42] WORD SYNC THRU...............................2-8

[43] MODE SET DIP switch bank.................2-8

[44] KEYBOARD connector.........................2-8

[45] REMOTE (SERIAL) connector..............2-8

[46] REMOTE CONTROL connector............2-8

[47] REMOTE (PARALLEL) connector........2-8

[48] ~ IN (power in connector).....................2-8

3 - Menu items

3.1 Basic principles of menu operations3-1

3.2 Pitch control....................................... 3-1

3.3 Auto cue............................................. 3-1

3.4 Frame display .................................... 3-1

3.5 Jog loop length.................................. 3-1

3.6 Resume setting.................................. 3-2

3.7 EOM disc............................................ 3-2

3.8 EOM track........................................... 3-2

3.9 Timer-controlled playback................ 3-2

3.10 Incremental play.............................. 3-3

3.11 Serial communications................... 3-3

3.11.1 Baud rate............................................3-3

3.11.2 Word length........................................3-3

3.11.3 Parity...................................................3-3

3.11.4 Stop bits.............................................3-3

3.12 Check items ..................................... 3-3

3.12.1 Spindle motor time............................3-4

3.12.2 Laser pickup time..............................3-4

3.12.3 System software version..................3-4

3.13 Auto track numbering level............ 3-4

3.14 Copy ID............................................. 3-4

3.15 Post-script recording...................... 3-4

4 - Basic operations

4.1 Inserting and ejecting discs............. 4-1

4.2 Playback of discs .............................. 4-1

TASCAM MD-801R/P Mk II

–i

Page 6

Table of Contents

4.2.1 Playing back a whole disc.................. 4-1

4.2.2 Playback outputs ................................ 4-1

4.2.3 Monaural playback.............................. 4-1

4.2.4 Playing back a single track................ 4-2

4.2.5 Entering the A and B location points 4-2

4.2.6 Playback between two location

points ......................................................... 4-2

4.2.7 The CALL function..............................4-2

4.2.8 Relative time display .......................... 4-2

4.2.9 Repeat playback.................................. 4-3

4.2.10 Track search operations .................. 4-3

4.2.11 Cueing the next track automatically 4-3

4.2.12 Cueing to the first audio position in

a track ........................................................ 4-3

4.2.13 Varispeed mode ................................ 4-3

4.2.14 Jog mode........................................... 4-3

4.2.15 Shuttle mode ..................................... 4-4

4.2.16 Displaying track titles during

playback..................................................... 4-4

4.2.17 Displaying the recording date ......... 4-4

4.2.18 Setting the time and date ................. 4-4

4.3 Recording operations........................ 4-4

4.3.1 General notes on recording using the

MD format .................................................. 4-5

4.3.2 Rebuilding the TOC ............................ 4-5

4.3.3 Basic recording...................................4-5

4.3.4 Track number incrementing............... 4-6

4.3.5 “Post-Script” recording...................... 4-6

4.3.6 Replace recording............................... 4-6

4.3.7 Sound synchro recording .................. 4-7

4.3.8 Digital recording ................................. 4-7

4.3.9 Analog recording ................................ 4-8

4.3.10 Track title copying together with

audio .......................................................... 4-8

5 - Editing operations

5.1 Basic editing operations................... 5-1

5.1.1 Cancelling an edit operation..............5-1

5.1.2 Editing without saving the edits to

disc.............................................................5-1

5.2 Dividing tracks................................... 5-1

5.3 Erasing a track................................... 5-2

5.4 Combining tracks ..............................5-2

5.5 Moving tracks..................................... 5-3

5.6 A and B point erase operations........ 5-3

5.6.1 Normal A-B erase.................................5-4

5.6.2 Erasing to the end of a track ..............5-4

5.6.3 Erasing from the start of a track ........5-4

5.6.4 Erasing more than one track at a

time .............................................................5-4

5.6.5 Retaining a track title for use by the

second track after a division....................5-5

5.7 Moving an A-B point..........................5-5

5.8 Restoring erased material.................5-6

5.9 Changing track attributes..................5-6

5.10 Erasing a complete disc..................5-7

5.11 Track and disc title entry.................5-7

5.11.1 Deleting characters ...........................5-8

5.11.2 Inserting characters ..........................5-8

5.11.3 Changing characters.........................5-8

5.11.4 Editing existing titles.........................5-8

5.11.5 Viewing titles......................................5-8

5.11.6 Copying disc and track titles............5-9

6 - Use of a keyboard with the MD-801

6.1 General transport operations............6-1

6.2 Edit operations, etc............................6-1

6.2.1 Entering programmed playback.........6-1

6.2.2 Checking and editing a programmed

sequence....................................................6-2

6.2.3 Time-based location............................6-2

6.3 Flash start...........................................6-2

6.4 Direct track entry................................6-3

6.5 Track and disc title editing with the

keyboard ................................................6-3

7 - Remote control of the MD-801

7.1 REMOTE (PARALLEL) connector.....7-1

7.1.1 Tally indicators ....................................7-1

7.1.2 Fader start............................................7-2

7.1.3 Sequential playback and recording...7-2

8 - Specifications, etc.

8.1 Error messages and troubleshooting

guide.......................................................8-1

8.2 Specifications.....................................8-2

8.2.1 General MiniDisc .................................8-2

8.2.2 Analog I/O.............................................8-3

8.2.3 Digital I/O..............................................8-3

8.2.4 Other connections...............................8-3

8.2.5 General and electrical .........................8-3

8.3 Dimensional drawing.........................8-4

TASCAM MD-801R/P Mk II

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Page 7

1 - Introduction

This manual covers the two models of the MD-801 Mk II product line: the MD-801R Mk II, which is capable of recording and playing back on MiniDisc media, and the MD-801P Mk II, which is for playback only of such media. Apart from the recording and associated facilities provided on the MD-801R, the functionality and speciﬁcations of the two units are identical. For brevity, the unit will be referred to as the “MD-801” in instances where there is no difference between the recording and playback models.

When a section of this manual describes a function which is included as part of the MD-801R only, the section will be marked as below:

3.12.2Laser pickup time

This indicates how long… There are no features which are unique to the MD-

801P model.

1.1 About the MiniDisc format

Full explanations of the principles of magneto-optical recording may be found in a number of excellent reference works, but brieﬂy, during the recording process, the disc is exposed to a strong laser beam which heats the disc’s magnetic medium so that a magnetic ﬁeld can be applied to change the orientation of the magnetic particles. On cooling, this orientation is permanently ﬁxed, unless the disc is reheated and re-recorded.

The MD format therefore provides the convenience and durability of an optical disc format with the reusabilty characteristics of tape.

1.1.1ATRAC compression

If a MiniDisc were to be recorded using exactly the same techniques as a CD, the playback time would be only 15 minutes of stereo playback.

However, using a technique known as ATRAC (Adaptive TRansform Acoustic Coding), 74 minutes of stereo audio at 44.1 kHz sampling frequency with a 16-bit word length can be recorded on an MD.

This section provides some basic information regarding the MiniDisc format. If more detailed information is required, the reader is referred to one of the many books on the subject. John Wilkinson,

of Digital Audio

an excellent reference source, particularly Chapter 12, which deals with the use of optical discs in audio applications.

The MiniDisc format (MD) is a convenient form of digital audio media, using optical playback, similar to CDs.

The format of the MD is substantially smaller than that of the CD, and the disc itself is housed in a cartridge with a shutter, similar to that of a 3.5” ﬂoppy disc drive. The disc platter should never be removed from this cartridge.

Pre-recorded MDs, which are manufactured in the same way as commercial CDs, using a stamper process, are read using a laser beam to read the pits stamped onto the disc.

Recordable MDs are also available, and the technology used for recording on a recordable MD is magento-optical, allowing the disc to be re-used many times. Shutters on both sides of the disc allow access to the disc surface by the recorder’s laser and magnetic head.

There is a third kind of MD, the hybrid, which contains pre-recorded pits at the center of the MD, together with an area reserved for user recording.

2nd ed. Oxford: Focal Press, 1994 is

The Art

ATRAC uses two important pyscho-acoustic principles to reduce the size of the recorded data: the greater sensitivity of the human ear to mid-range signals, relative to bass and treble signals, and the “masking” effect, whereby quieter signals are hidden by louder ones.

The ATRAC used in the MD-801R/P Mk II is a very recent version of this encoding scheme (4.5), resulting in an almost inaudible loss of signal quality.

1.1.2Buffer memory

The ATRAC compression scheme has an additional advantage, as a RAM buf fer must be provided for the compressed data, before it is decoded and sent to the D/A converters.

On the MD-801R/P Mk II, this buffer memory holds about 10 seconds’ worth of data. The advantage is that, unlike a CD player, the MD-801R/P Mk II is not vulnerable to mechanical shocks and vibration, etc., which can cause a CD player playback pickup to jump and cause audible skipping.

1.1.3Random access and U-TOC

The format of a recordable MD is much closer to that of a computer disc than of conventional audio media. The random access nature of the disc media allows a logical “track” to be composed of sections of audio data recorded at different points on the disc.

In the same way that a computer’s operating system hides the details of the way that data is stored on the

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1 - Care of MD media

disk from the user, and a ﬁle appears as one contiguous block of data (even though it may be spread ov er many tracks and sectors of the disk), the MD player allows separated audio data to appear as a continuous audio track.

The MD-801 allows the creation and reading of a User Table of Contents (U-TOC) on recordable discs, which contain instructions to the player on the logical arrangement of the tracks, where to ﬁnd the next audio segment to be played, etc. This is similar to the directory tracks provided as part of a computer disk operating system.

The random access facilities provided by the MD801 are signiﬁcantly better than those to be found on consumer MD decks. The effective start time can be effectively zero, compared with hundreds of milliseconds on consumer units.

1.1.4Track titling, etc.

In common with other forms of digital audio media, the MD medium allows other data to be recorded alongside the audio data. In the MD medium, this is used to provide alphanumeric disc and track titles, which are shown on the display of the player.

In the case of the MD-801R/P Mk II, this information may be conveniently entered through a standard computer keyboard (PS/2 compatible), or through the controls of the main unit.

In addition, a realtime clock allows date- and timestamping of tracks recorded on the unit or created or edited through TOC editing functions.

These times will be displayed when the disc is replayed on any one of the MD-801 series.

1.2 Care of MD media

The MD medium has been designed to be robust, and the integration of the disc into a cartridge protects the recorded surface from the worst effects of dust, ﬁngerprints, and scratches.

Even so, there are some commonsense precautions that you should take when storing and handling MiniDiscs.

• Do not open the shutter and touch the surface of the disc.

• Do not keep MiniDiscs in excessively dusty locations, in direct sunlight, in areas subject to high temperatures, or high levels of humidity.

• If the cartridge becomes dirty, clean it with a dry, soft cloth. Do not use any solvents or other liquids.

1.3 About the MD-801R/P Mk II

The MD-801R/P Mk II, based on the TASCAM MD801 series of MD recorder/players, and designed to meet the requirements of audio professionals, includes the following features:

• Full editing functions to divide, erase and combine tracks, etc.

• Auto cue function, allowing the playback point to be automatically cued to the ﬁrst frame of a track, using a selectable sensitivity level

• Auto ready function, allowing the playback point to be “parked” in the play ready mode at the start of each track

• A resume function, which holds in backup memory the point where playback stopped, or the power was disconnected

• Incremental play mode, allowing cueing of the playback point to the start of the next track, as determined by a selectable audio threshold level, when playback is stopped

• “Soft mute” eliminates clicks, etc. when pausing and restarting playback

• Dual time display

• Three playback modes: normal (whole disc), track play, and A-B play (between two deﬁned points)

• 3-point autolocation facility

• Repeat (disc, track, A-B)

• Either stereo or monaural playback may be selected

• Pitch change ±9.9% in 0.1% steps

• Shuttle operations up to 100 x normal speed, and jog to single-frame accuracy

• Digital outputs in COAXIAL (SPDIF) and AES/ EBU

• Word clock synchronization for inclusion of the MD-801 in an all-digital audio setup

• Two sets of analog outputs: –10 dBV unbalanced

MONITOR

(XLR-type). The for precise signal matching with other equipment

• Output selectable (using remote controllers) from either

• High-quality DA convertor for optimum analog audio quality

• Level 4.5 ATRAC system

• PS/2-compatible computer keyboard connector allows titling and other remote control operations

(RCA) and +4 dBu balanced

LINE

outputs may be trimmed

MONITOR

LINE

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1 - About the MD-801R/P Mk II

to be conveniently carried out using a standard k e yboard

• Remote control possible from dedicated TASCAM remote control units (RC-801, RC-FS10/20, and RC-8), or through industry-standard parallel or serial interfaces

• T ally signals sent to controlling de vice at the end of each track played back

• Optional RAM buffer expansion module (B U-801) allows ﬂash start of track playback

In addition, the MD801R Mk II provides the follow-

ing features:

• 20-bit A/D converter for increased audio quality when recording

• Selectable Copy ID modes, including the SCMS standard

• Integral sampling frequency converter, allowing digital recording from material recorded at frequencies other than 44.1 kHz (48 kHz and 32 kHz)

• Digital inputs in both SPDIF and AES/EBU formats

• The ability to record in monaural mode, doubling the recording time available on a disc.

• Analog inputs in both +4 dBu balanced (XLRtype) and –10 dBV unbalanced (RCA) formats. The balanced inputs may be trimmed to match input signal levels

• Replace recording function, allowing recording to be carried out in the middle of a track, while retaining the track title

• Sound sync function to allow the unit to start recording automatically when a selectable audio threshold level is exceeded

• Title dubbing from another MD-801 unit (requires optional connecting cable PW-1XMD)

• Realtime clock for date- and timestamping recorded material

1.3.1Unpacking the unit

When you unpack the unit, as well as the unit itself and this manual, you should ﬁnd:

1.3.2Rack-mounting the unit

The MD-801 is equipped with integral rack-mount ears, and may be installed in any standard vertical 19” rack.

Remove the feet from the MD-801 using a Phillips screwdriver before installing the unit.

In addition to the 3U of space required for the MD801 itself, we strongly suggest leaving at least 1U of empty rack space above the MD-801 for ventilation purposes.

1.3.3Care of the unit

The commonsense precautions that you should take with any piece of precision electronic equipment also apply to the MD-801. In particular:

• Do not subject the unit to severe shocks or vibration. Despite the buffer mechanism mentioned above, there is a risk of data loss, particularly while recording.

• Do not use the unit in very dusty or smoky en vironments. If the optical lens or the head becomes dirty as the result of such use, use a commercially-available MD lens and head cleaner to clean the lens.

• The exterior of the unit may be cleaned with a soft dry cloth, or a cloth barely dampened with a mild detergent solution. Do not use any solvent, thinner or alcohol-based cleaning agents to clean the unit.

The date and time clock (for timestamping of recordings and edits) is powered by a lithium battery. We suggest that this battery is changed about every two years.

• Power cord

• Rack-mount kit

• Warranty card If any items are missing, contact your TASCAM

dealer.

NOTE

Do not attempt to change this battery by yourself. Get an authorized TASCAM service center to perform this operation for you.

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1 - About this manual

1.3.4Backup memory

When the unit is powered down, the following settings are memorized.

• AUTO READY status (see

• AUTO CUE settings and status (see

• The last used PLAY mode (see

• The two LOC points (A and B) (see

• Pitch control settings and status (see

• REPEAT status (see 4.2.9, "Repeat playback")

• Menu settings (see 3, "Menu items")

• If the resume function is turned on, the resume point is memorized

[20]

)

[22]

[21]

)

[24]

[25]

1.4 About this manual

This manual has been organized so that you should be able to ﬁnd the section you need relatively quickly. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with at least the Table of Contents, so that you know where to look if you need information on a particular aspect of the unit’s operation.

An index is also provided, which should assist you in locating the desired section.

As mentioned earlier, when a section of this manual describes a function which is included as part of the MD-801R only, the section will be marked as below:

3.12.2Laser pickup time

This indicates how long… There are no features which are unique to the MD-

801P model only.

When characters are shown on the unit’s dot-matrix display, the following typeface is used:

. Alternatively, the alphanumeric display itself

Mon

may be shown:

)

If a “preset” word or phrase is shown on the display,

)

this is shown as follows: Track times, program numbers, as shown in 7-digit

numbers, are shown as If a front panel control or rear panel connection is

mentioned, the following typeface is used (a little larger than that used for preset display words):

WRITE

given in 2, "Front and rear panel features", may also be given, e.g.

If a front panel control or rear panel connection of another unit is speciﬁcally named, the folloiwng typeface is used:

When an optional PS/2-compatible keyboard is connected to the MD-801, the keyboard keys are represented in the following typeface:

Press

If two keys are to be pressed together (i.e. the ﬁrstnamed key is to be pressed and held down while the second is pressed), this is represented as:

SHIFT

Press function.

•d

TITLE ?

TRACK TITLE

034

, etc.

. The number of the control or connection, as

[5]

WORD IN

to go back by one track.

+ F1 to enter the erase track editing

Input

TOC

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1.5 Hookup Examplel

1 - Hookup Examplel

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2 - Front and rear panel features

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2 - Front and rear panel features

This section, as well as giving a description of the controls and features of the MD-801, also provides many descriptions of basic operations.

The section on the rear panel also contains advice on setting up and connecting the MD-801 as part of an audio system.

2.1 Front panel

The following provides details of the basic functions associated with the front panel controls of the unit. If further information on the use of a particular control is provided elsewhere in the manual, this is indicated.

[1] POWER switch

Press once to turn on the unit, and again to turn the unit off.

NOTE

You should not turn the unit off while the UTOC (1.1.3, "Random access and U-TOC") is being written. If power is disconnected from the unit the U-TOC is being written, the disc data will be corrupted, and the disc may become unreadable.

Always remember to press the key

[19]

before turning off power to the unit, in

order to save your edits to disc.

[2] Disc drive

Insert MiniDiscs into this slot, label uppermost, and with the arrow pointing into the drive.

Use the

EJECT

key

[3]

to eject discs.

[3] EJECT key

Press this key to eject discs from the drive.

NOTE

If you press the

WRITE

indicator there are edits that have been made, but not yet saved to disc as part of the U-TOC, the display will show press the disc, but all edits made since the last U-TOC writing operation will be lost. If you want to save the edits to disc, press the key.

EJECT

[19]

key when the

is lit, indicating that

TOC Edited!

key again, y ou can eject the

TOC WRITE

TOC

. If you

TOC WRITE

[4] TRACK keys

These keys are used to move the playback position backwards or forwards a track at a time. Their use is detailed in 4.2, "Playback of discs".

[5] STOP key

This key stops playback or recording (MD-801R only). It is also used to cancel other operations.

[6] PLAY key and indicator

Used to start playback or recording (MD-801R only). When the operation is taking place, the key’s indicator lights.

[7] READY key and indicator

Used to put the unit into play ready or record ready (MD-801R only) mode. The indicator lights when the unit is ready.

To start the operation, press the If recording is taking place while the

pressed, the unit goes into record ready mode. The current track number is incremented by one, to show that the next recording will start a new track, if Postscript recording is turned on (see 3.15, "Post-script recording").

To cancel a ready operation, press the

[8] RECORD key and indicator

If the unit is stopped, pressing the will enter “input monitor” mode (the indicator lights) and the display. This is valid whether or not a disc is loaded in the drive.

In input monitor mode, the signals received at the appropriate connectors, as selected with the input switches ( puts for monitoring as well as to the

[9]

, and the unit’s meters are used to display the signal levels. If the selected digital signal is not available, the displayed.

The input level of the signals input at the analog jacks may be adjusted using the controls

If the the ready mode (a disc must be in the drive). Both the

RECORD

[28], [29]

D-IN UNLOCK!

[27]

RECORD

READY

key is pressed, the unit enters record

and

Input Mon

and

[31]

key is pressed and held down, and

READY

indicators will light.

PLAY

key

READY

STOP

RECORD

appears on

) are routed to the out-

PHONES

message is

INPUT LEVEL

[6]

key

. key is

[5]

jack

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2 - Front panel

To start recording, press the recording, press the key has been pressed, the words on the display, which will also show

Writing

To cancel record ready mode, press the

[5]

STOP

as the U-TOC is written to disc.

PLAY

key

[6]

[5]

. After the

TOC EDIT

UTOC

STOP

will ﬂash

[9] PHONES jack and level control

Connect a pair of standard stereo headphones to this 1/4” jack. Adjust the level with the The maximum output power is 50 mW per channel, and the impedance is 32 Ω.

LEVEL

[10]CALL key

This key allows you to return to the point where the

READY

in play ready mode. The unit will return to this point, and enter play ready mode ( cators lit). See also 4.2.7, "The CALL function".

The MD-801R also automatically sets the call point

at the point where recording last started. This enables easy return to the point where the recording started, using the

key

CALL

[7]

was last pressed while the unit was

READY

key, in order to check a take, etc.

and

PLAY

. To stop

STOP

key

control.

indi-

continuous. The further the shuttle wheel is turned from the cen-

ter position, the faster the shuttle playback speed. When the unit is in menu mode, this wheel is used in

the MD-801’s menu system. Turning it clockwise generally conﬁrms an action, and turning it counterclockwise acts as an “escape” action. It is also used as a cursor control in titling operations.

[14]Display

See 2.2, "Display" below for details of the different components that make up the display.

[15]MENU key

The

menus that allow the setting of different parameters affecting the operation of the MD-801. See 3, "Menu items" for full details of the menus and the different options available in them.

key is used to cycle through the dif ferent

[16]TITLE key

The

TITLE

titles. It is also used to display the date and time when the

key is used to show both disc and track

MEMO IN/CAPS

key indicator

[23]

is lit.

It may also be used to locate to the point which has been located with the

JOG

dial

[12]

[11]JOG key and indicator

Use this key for precise positioning of the playback point, in combination with the When the jog mode is active, the above this key is lit.

JOG/DATA

JOG

indicator

dial

[12]

[12]JOG/DATA dial

When the tions as a jog dial, allowing precise positioning of the playback point (conﬁrmed with the

[7]

). See 4.2.14, "Jog mode" for full details of this

process. When the

a data entry dial for entering values, titling characters, etc. Typically, turning this dial clockwise increases the data value, and turning it counterclockwise decreases the value.

JOG

indicator

JOG

indicator is not lit, the dial is used as

[11]

is lit, this dial func-

READY

key

[13]SHUTTLE wheel

This wheel can be used for shuttle playback (forwards or backwards) when the unit is in play or play ready mode. Since the MD-801 is a digital audio device, the sound output during shuttle play is not

See 4.2.16, "Displaying track titles during playback" and 4.2.17, "Displaying the recording date" for details.

[17]TIME key

The

TIME

time display modes on the upper 7-segment numeric indicators of the display during playback or in play ready mode:

• (no indication)—the time elapsed from the start of the current track

•

REMAIN

rent track

•

TOTAL

disc

•

TOTAL REMAIN

disc

It is also possible to make a time display which is relative to a “zero point” (see the section on 4.2.8, "Relative time display").

When the unit is in record or record ready mode, the

meanings change slightly, as shown below:

• (no indication)—the time elapsed from the start of the track currently being recorded

key is used to cycle through the folloiwng

—the playback time remaining in the cur-

—the total elapsed time from the start of the

—the total time remaining on the

TASCAM MD-801R/P Mk II

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2 - Front panel

REMAIN

•

—the total time remaining on the disc for further recording (the length of the blank portion of the disc)

•

TOTAL

—the total elapsed time from the start of the

disc

•

TOTAL REMAIN

disc for further recording (the same as

If the

MEMO IN/CAPS

is in play or play ready mode, and the

—the total time remaining on the

indicator

REMAIN

[23]

is lit, the unit

TIME

)

key is pressed, the lower (alphanumeric dot-matrix) part of the display may be used to give timing information. This is represented as follows:

•

—the time elapsed from the start of the cur-

elp

rent track

•

rem

—the playback time remaining in the current

track

•

tel

—the total elapsed time from the start of the

disc

•

—the total time remaining on the disc

tre

—the time relative to a user-settable “zero

rel

point” (see 4.2.8, "Relative time display")

to display the following:

•

aay bbm ccd bb

is the month, and cc is the day of the date

—where aa is the year,

according to the MD-801’s internal clock.

•

eeh ffm ggs

—where ee is the hour (in 24-hour format), ff the minutes and gg the seconds of the time of day according to the MD-801’s internal clock.

If the internal clock needs to be adjusted, follow the procedure described in 4.2.18, "Setting the time and date".

[18]EDIT key

The

EDIT

key is used to access various data and disc

editing modes, as detailed below. When the

[12]

options as detailed below. When an editing mode is shown, followed by a ques-

tion mark, turning the wise will enter that editing mode.

EDIT

key is pressed, the

JOG/DATA

is used to cycle through the various editing

SHUTTLE

wheel

[13]

clock-

dial

When the unit is in record or record ready mode, and

the

MEMO IN/CAP

TIME

key is pressed, the lower (alphanumeric dot-

indicator

[23]

is lit, and the

matrix) part of the display may be used to give timing information. This is representated as follows:

elp

•

—the time elapsed from the start of the track

currently being recorded

•

—the total time remaining on the disc for

rem

further recording (the length of the blank portion of the disc)

•

tel

—the total elapsed time from the start of the

disc

•

—the total time remaining on the disc for

tre

further recording (the same as

—the time relative to a user-settable “zero

rel

rem

)

point” (see 4.2.8, "Relative time display")

It is therefore possible to have two separate time indicators shown simultaneously. Note that if both the upper and lower parts of the display are set to the same time indication, there may be occasions where the two values shown do not always match exactly.

To turn off the time display in the lower part of the display, press the

TIME

key until the disc or track

title is shown, rather than the time display. In the play and play ready, as well as the record and

record ready modes, the

TIME

key can also be used

To exit the editing mode, the be turned counterclockwise, the pressed once again, or the

SHUTTLE

EDIT

STOP

key

wheel can

key can be

[5]

can be

pressed. The following is a list and brief description of the

editing functions available. Full details are given in 5, "Editing operations":

•

DIVIDE?—Divides a track into two tracks

•

ERASE TRK?—Erases a track

•

COMBINE?—Joins two tracks into one

•

MOVE?—Moves tracks in a sequence

•

ERASE A-B?—Erases data between the A

and B points

•

INSERT A-B?—Commits an insertion to

disc

RESTORE?—Restore an erased track or sec-

• tion (can be regarded as an “undo” function)

•

TRK ATTR?—Sets track attributes

•

ERASE DISC?—Erases the contents of the

disc

•

TITLE?—Enters a track or disc title

NOTE

It is possible to perform editing operations on pre-recorded (read-only) discs. However,

TASCAM MD-801R/P Mk II

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2 - Front panel

these edits cannot be committed to disc using the

TOC WRITE

function (see below).

[19]TOC WRITE key and indicator

After an edit operation has been selected and performed from the indicator will light, and the display will be lit. This is a reminder that the disc should not be ejected before the U-TOC has been written to disc.

Press the be written to disc, during which time the indicator in the display will ﬂash.

See the explanation of the of how to eject a disc without writing the U-TOC, if this is required.

TOC WRITE

EDIT

key

[18]

, the

TOC WRITE

TOC EDIT

key, and the editing data will

EJECT

indicator in the

key

[3]

TOC EDIT

for details

[20]AUTO READY key and indicator

Use this key to put the unit into auto ready mode (the indicator will light). The auto ready mode provides automatic “track at a time” playback.

•

SINGLE

back mode is selected

• (blank)/ disc, from the start to the end

•

A-B

been set (see these points

Once a playback mode has been selected, the

REPEAT

of the disc being played back (track, disc or A-B portion).

SINGLE MODE

CONTINUE

A-B MODE

[24]

), playback will loop between

key

[26]

can be used to repeat the portion

—Single-track play-

—Continuous play of a

—If the A and B points have

[23]MEMO IN/CAPS key and indicator

This key is used for a variety of functions: entering memory location points, acting as a “caps lock” key when entering disc and track titles, and as a display mode selector (see

Its uses are described more fully in the various sections dealing with the functions that it controls.

[17]

), etc.

[24]LOC A/DEL & LOC B/INSERT keys

and indicators

When in auto ready mode, the unit will go into play ready mode when the start of a track is reached in playback. See 4.2.11, "Cueing the next track automatically" for full details.

[21]AUTO CUE key and indicator

Use this key to put the unit into auto cue mode (the indicator will light). The auto cue mode allows the elimination of “dead time” at the start of tracks, allowing easy pre-cuing of commercials, jingles, Foley effects, etc.

When the unit is in auto cue mode and stopped, and the

READY

forward for the ﬁrst audio frame above a given threshold level, and cue itself to that location. It will then enter play ready mode.

A similar process occurs when a track search operation has occurred.

See 4.2.12, "Cueing to the ﬁrst audio position in a track" for further details.

key

[7]

is pressed, the unit will search

[22]PLAY MODE key

Use this key to cycle between the different playback modes. This key is enabled in the stop and the play ready modes.

Both the display preset indicators and the alphanumeric part of the display are used to show the current playback mode status, as follows:

These keys are used to set memory location points, which are used for location, repeat play, editing purposes, etc. These points are retained until the disc is ejected (including at power-of f). See 4.2.5, "Entering the A and B location points" for details of how to set these positions.

These keys may also be used for locating to the points which have been set.

In title editing mode, the A and B keys are used to delete and insert characters, respectively. See 5.11, "Track and disc title entry".

[25]PITCH CONT key and indicator

Use this key to enter the pitch control mode (the indicator lights when this mode is active). When pitch control is active, the speed (and pitch) of playback can be altered by ±9.9%.

NOTE

Pitch control is not possible when the MD-801 is receiving its word clock from an external source (see

The exact amount of pitch control is set through a menu item (see 3.2, "Pitch control" for details).

[43]

[26]REPEAT key and indicator

Use this key to start repeat play of the selected playback portion of the disc (see

[22]

). When in repeat

TASCAM MD-801R/P Mk II

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Page 17

2 - Display

mode, the play . See 4.2.9, "Repeat playback" for further details of this mode.

[27]INPUT LEVEL controls

These controls adjust the level of the signal at the analog connectors selected using the tion switch the unbalanced inputs

INPUT

When these controls are at about the “12 o’clock” position, they represent a nominal level for the unbalanced inputs (and for the balanced inputs if the trimmer potentiometers of the balanced inputs are still at the factory positions).

If the position, the control the level of the monaural signal.

REPEAT

[28]

(either the balanced inputs

switch

REC MODE

[31]

L (MONO) INPUT

indicator will be shown on the dis-

INPUT

[37]

is set to

switch

) when the

UNCAL

[30]

ANALOG

is set to the

control is used to

NOTE

The level of signals received at the digital inputs

[28]INPUT selection switch

Use this switch to choose between the unbalanced analog inputs ( inputs (

[32]

and

UNBAL [37]

BAL [36]

[34]

cannot be adjusted.

), the balanced analog

) or digital input (

DIGITAL

selec-

[36]

MONO

neither boosted nor attenuated, and a nominal signal will be received at the standard le vel of either +4 dBu (balanced,

A signal at the nominal analog level (0 dB) will show as a reading of –16 dB on the unit’s meters (put another way , there is 16 dB of headroom available on the MD-801 relative to the nominal 0dB point).

[36]

) or –10 dBV (unbalanced,

[37]

2.2 Display

The different indicators and parts of the display are shown here. We refer to the parts of the display which light and show preset messages as “preset indicators” or simply “indicators”.

(1) RESUME indicator

Lights when the resume mode is enabled from a menu (see 3.6, "Resume setting").

[29]DIGITAL INPUT switch

Use this switch to choose between the digital input

[34]

when the

the

DIGITAL

[30]REC MODE switch

Use this switch to choose between monaural and stereo recording.

In monaural recording mode, the left and right signals are combined, and only the left control signals.

In monaural recording, twice the recording time is available on a disc than when recording in stereo.

[31]ANALOG INPUT switch

When an analog input has been selected using the

INPUT

switch to bypass the When this switch is in the

trols are bypassed, and have no effect. Signals are

[32]

and the

INPUT

position.

[27]

is used to control the level of the analog

selection switch

COAXIAL

selection switch

[28]

, you can use this

INPUT

level controls

CAL

position, these con-

AES/EBU

digital input

[28]

INPUT

is set to

level

[27]

(2)

Lights when the entry of Japanese katakana characters (

katakana characters) is enabled, and will light if the

TITLE key [16] is pressed when the MEMO IN/ CAPS indicator [23] is lit. Press the TITLE key once

more to turn this off, and return to the entry of alphanumeric characters.

indicator

is the word “katakana” written in

(3) CAPS indicator

Lights when capital (uppercase) letters are being used for title entry and editing (see [23] ).

(4) EDIT indicator

Lights when the unit is in EDIT mode. See 5, "Editing operations" for details of editing operations.

(5) DATE indicator

Lights when the unit is displaying the date on which a recording was made (the MD-801R records the date automatically). See 4.2.18, "Setting the time and date" for details of facility.

TASCAM MD-801R/P Mk II

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2 - Rear panel

(6) TRACK TITLE indicator

Lights when track titles are being entered or displayed. See 5.11, "Track and disc title entry" for details.

(7) DISC TITLE indicator

Lights when the title of the disc is being entered or displayed. See 5.11, "Track and disc title entry" for details.

(8) TRACK NO. display and indicator

This 3-digit 7-segment display usually shows the current track. It may also be used to show a track number other than the current one, depending on the mode.

When the incremental play mode is on (see 3.10, "Incremental play"), this indicator will ﬂash.

(9) Time display and indicators

Shows the elapsed or remaining time using a 7-digit 7-segment display (3 digits for minutes, 2 for seconds and optionally 2 for frames). See the explanation of the time display modes.

TIME

key

[17]

for details of the different

OVER

The Digital clipping is a harsh-sounding form of distortion, unlike, say, analog tape saturation, and should be avoided.

When connected to analog equipment, the nominal analog level is referenced to a reading of –16 dB on the meters (see

indicator indicates digital clipping.

[31]

NOTE

(15)REPEAT indicator

Lights when the unit is in repeat playback mode (see

[26]

(16)SINGLE indicator

Lights when a single track has been selected for playback (see

[22]

(17)A–B indicator

Lights when the A-B playback mode has been selected (see

[22]

2.3 Rear panel

(10)PGM NO.

Lights in programmed play mode (see 6.2.1, "Entering programmed playback") and is used with the last 2 digits of the time display

(9)

(11)Dot-matrix alphanumeric display

These dot-matrix elements are used to display alphanumeric information: track and disc titles, time display, menu options, etc.

Note that the term “alphanumeric” is not strictly accurate here, as these elements can also display some punctuation as well as Japanese

katakana (2)

(12)TOC EDIT indicator

Lights in the U-TOC editing modes and after a disc U-TOC has been edited (see to disc.

[19]

) until it is written

(13)EOM

Lights brieﬂy at the end of each track, or at the end of the disc.

(14)Peak level meters

Display the signal level on playback or when recording (MD-801R only).

This section gives details of the connections which should be made to and from the MD-801.

NOTES

When making or breaking connections between the MD-801 and other units, make sure the power is turned off to all units. This will avoid possible damage to monitoring equipment, etc. caused by transients.

The use of analog cables is not recom-

mended for digital audio use, and TASCAM cannot guarantee reliable perf ormance if such cables are used for digital audio connections.

[32]DIGITAL INPUT (AES/EBU)

This XLR-type connector accepts digital audio data in AES3-1992 format.

It also accepts balanced data in the IEC 60958 (consumer) format (SPDIF).

The input sampling frequency can be 32 kHz,

44.1 kHz or 48 kHz. The MD-801’s internal sam-

pling frequency converter will convert them all to

44.1 kHz for recording.

TASCAM MD-801R/P Mk II

2–7

If switch 4 of the is set off, the signals input here are echoed at the dig-

MODE SET

DIP switch bank

[43]

Page 19

2 - Rear panel

ital outputs

[33]

and

[35]

without passing through

the frequency converter.

[33]DIGITAL OUTPUT (AES/EBU)

This XLR-type connector outputs digital audio data in AES3-1992 format.

The output sampling frequency will always be

44.1 kHz, ±9.9%, as determined by the pitch control (see both 4.2.13, "Varispeed mode" and 3.2, "Pitch control").

[34]DIGITAL INPUT (COAXIAL)

This RCA connector accepts digital audio data in IEC 60958 (consumer) format (SPDIF).

The input sampling frequency can be 32 kHz,

44.1 kHz or 48 kHz. The MD-801’s internal sampling frequency converter will convert them all to

44.1 kHz for recording. If switch 4 of the

MODE SET

DIP switch bank is set off, the signals input here are echoed at the digital outputs

[33]

and

[35]

without passing through

the frequency converter.

[35]DIGITAL OUTPUT (COAXIAL)

This RCA connector outputs digital audio data in IEC 60958 (consumer) format (SPDIF).

The output sampling frequency will always be

44.1 kHz, ±9.9%, as determined by the pitch control (see both 4.2.13, "Varispeed mode" and 3.2, "Pitch control").

[36]ANALOG INPUTS and trimmers

(BALANCED)

These XLR-type connectors accept balanced analog signals at professional (+4 dBu) levels.

The wiring is, as marked on the rear panel: 1=ground, 2=hot (+), 3=cold (–).

The nominal impedance is 2.2 kΩ. The trimmer potentiometers by each connector may

be turned counterclockwise or clockwise to cut or boost respectively the level of the signal received at the inputs. The maximum cut achievable (relative to nominal) is –4 dB and the maximum boost is +7 dB.

As shipped, the trimmers are set to the standard +4 dBu level.

[43]

[38]ANALOG OUTPUTS (MONITOR)

These RCA unbalanced connectors provide output signals at the –10 dBV level.

The nominal impedance is 220 Ω.

[39]Analog output function DIP switch

bank

This bank of four DIP switches is used to control the outputs from the puts

[38]

and

They have the following meanings:

OFF (up)

STEREO

SYNCHRONIZE

LINE MON OFF

4 Reserved—leave in the

The

PHONES

regardless of the settings made using these switches.

MONITOR

[40]

(down)

Allows the output mode from both the puts to be set to

STEREO

MONO

the When set to

LINE

paralleled. When set to

INDIVIDUAL

from the when the itself, or the optional RC-801 is pressed. To output signals from the when this switch is set to

INDIVIDUAL

key on the optional RC-801, or send a “play” command from a remote controller connected to the serial or parallel interface.

When outputs output a signal depends on the setting of switch 2 in this bank (i.e. if switch 2 is on, the

MONITOR

when the MD-801’s been pressed). When ON, monitoring is always on, regardless of from

LINE MON ON

where the play command originated.

OFF

NOTE

output

and

LINE

and the

PHONES

and

MONITOR

PLAY

OFF

position

[9]

is always active,

MONITOR

MONO

, as well as output from

jack.

SYNCHRONIZE

MONITOR

, signals are output

outputs only

key on the MD-801

MONITOR

LINE

, use the

, whether the

outputs are only active

analog out-

out-

, the

outputs are

key on the

outputs

ONLINE

MONITOR

PLAY

key has

[37]ANALOG INPUTS (UNBALANCED)

These RCA connectors accept unbalanced signals at the –10 dBV level.

The nominal impedance is 8 kΩ.

[40]ANALOG OUTPUTS (LINE) and

trimmers

These XLR-type connectors output balanced analog signals at professional (+4 dBu) levels.

TASCAM MD-801R/P Mk II

2–8

Page 20

2 - Rear panel

The wiring is, as marked on the rear panel: 1=ground, 2=hot (+), 3=cold (–).

The nominal impedance is 11 Ω. The trimmer potentiometers by each connector may

be turned counterclockwise or clockwise to cut or boost respectively the level of the signal sent from these connectors. The maximum cut achiev able (relative to nominal) is –7 dB and the maximum boost is +4 dB.

As shipped, the trimmers are set to the standard +4 dBu level.

[41]WORD SYNC IN

This BNC connector accepts a 44.1 kHz word clock (impedance 75 Ω) at 44.1 kHz (±6%).

[42]WORD SYNC THRU

This self-terminating BNC connector echoes the word clock signal received at

[41]

[43]MODE SET DIP switch bank

This switch bank allows the setting of various local parameters.

OFF (up)

(down)

Allows the selection of a Japanese (106-key) keyboard (

) or an American-style (101-

KYBD

key) keyboard (

US KBD

JAPAN KBD

FAIL SAFE OFF

EXT CLK INTERNAL

connected to When set

ational controls are enabled. When set

on the front panel are enabled when the MD-801 is playing as the result of e command received from an

FAIL SAFE ON

external controller (RC-801, etc.). When

received at the unit uses its own internal clocking.

When set to the signal received at the

SYNC IN

EXT CLK EXTERNAL

OFF

JAPAN

US KBD

[44]

, all front panel oper-

, only the

, any word clock signals

[41]

, the unit clocks to

[41]

) to be

for titling, etc.

STOP

key

are not used, and

WORD

OFF (up)

(down)

When at either directly retransmitted.

When the switch is set to ON, received digital signals are retransmitted directly from the digital outputs

D-IN THRU

D-IN NORMAL

autonumbering, etc. to take place using multiple MD-801 units “daisy-chained” together.

OFF

, digital signals received

[32]

[33]

and

[35]

[34]

are not

. This allows

[44]KEYBOARD connector

This connector is used to connect a PS/2-type computer keyboard which can be used for the direct alphanumeric entry of titles, etc. as well as for controlling playback operations.

Depending on the setting of switch 1

[43]

, either a US-type or a Japanese-type

MODE SET

bank DIP

keyboard can be used. See 6, "Use of a keyboard with the MD-801" for details of keyboard-based operations.

[45]REMOTE (SERIAL) connector

This RS-232 interface allows control by a computer or by other serial controllers.

Consult your TASCAM dealer for details of this port if you wish to use it.

[46]REMOTE CONTROL connector

Use this connector to attach either an optional RC801 remote contoller or an optional RC-FS10/20 remote controller. Consult your TASCAM dealer for details of availability.

[47]REMOTE (PARALLEL) connector

Use this connector to attach an optional RC-8 remote control unit or to control the deck from a controlling device using parallel protocol.

[48]~ IN (power in connector)

Connect the supplied power cord to this inlet. Make sure that your AC voltage matches the voltage expected by the MD-801, as printed on the rear panel.

TASCAM MD-801R/P Mk II

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Page 21

The selections that can be made using the MD-801’s menu system affect the operation of many other functions. We suggest that you take the time to look through this section and familiarize yourself with the basic contents, so that you have an idea of some of the options available to you.

3.1 Basic principles of menu

operations

The menu system is entered using the

key

[15]

. Pressing this key brings up a menu in

the display. The

JOG/DATA

menu. The

SHUTTLE

menu selected in step 2. The

JOG/DATA

ters and enter values for the menu. Turn the dial clockwise to increase values, and counterclockwise to decrease them.

“On” and “off” values are selected by turning the

SHUTTLE

clockwise respectively (Y and N). A few menus have “sub-menus” which are

selected using the with the

When a menu item has been set in step 4, turn the

the value and return to normal operation.

SHUTTLE

dial

[12]

is used to select a

wheel

wheel clock wise and counter-

wheel to the right (Y) to enter

[13]

is used to open the

dial is used to select parame-

JOG/DATA

wheel.

dial, and opened

3 - Menu items

3.3 Auto cue

A CUE LVL ?

The auto cue facility allows you to cue the playback position automatically to the ﬁrst frame where the audio level goes above a trigger threshold (see

4.2.12, "Cueing to the ﬁrst audio position in a track"). This menu allows you to set the threshold. The default setting is –54 dB.

After the menu has been opened with the wheel, the display changes:

A CUE> -54dB

There are nine sensitivity levels available for use with this function: –24 dB, –30 dB, –36 dB, –42 dB, –48 dB, –54 dB, –60 dB, –66 dB and –72 dB.

This setting is also used with the Sound Synchro

function as the threshold above which recording starts (or below which the unit drops into record ready mode).

3.4 Frame display

FR DSPL SEL?

The frames part of the time display can be turned on or off. There are either 86 or 87 MD frames per second. The default setting is on.

After the menu has been opened with the wheel, the display changes:

FR DSPL>ON

SHUTTLE

To “escape” from menu mode without making a setting, turn the press the

SHUTTLE

wheel to the left (N) or

key.

3.2 Pitch control

PITCH CONT ?

Pitch control can be set ±9.9%, in 0.1% steps. The default setting is 0.0%.

After the menu has been opened with the wheel, the display changes:

PITCH> 0.0%

See 4.2.13, "Varispeed mode" for details of pitch control operations.

SHUTTLE

The only two options here are on and off.

3.5 Jog loop length

JOG LENGTH ?

As explained in 4.2.14, "Jog mode", when locating a point using the ing at the provisional jog point.

This menu allows you to set the length of the jog loop. The default value is 16 frames (about 0.2 second).

After the menu has been opened with the wheel, the display changes:

JOG

dial, playback is looped, start-

JOG LG> 16f

TASCAM MD-801R/P Mk II

SHUTTLE

3–1

Page 22

3 - Resume setting

The minimum length for the jog loop is 12 frames, and the maximum value is 32 frames. The v alue is set in 1-frame steps.

3.6 Resume setting

RESUME SEL ?

When the resume setting is turned on, playback restarts from the point at which it was stopped (or the point at which playback was taking place when the power was cut off). The default is off, which means that when playback is stopped, it will start at the beginning of the disc, unless a track number is explicitly speciﬁed.

This function, when on, changes the function of the

STOP

the enters play ready mode. If the once again, the MD-801 enters stop mode.

key

[5]

. When the resume function is on, and

STOP

key is pressed in play mode, the MD-801

STOP

key is pressed

NOTE

The EOM tally signal is always transmitted when the U-TOC is updated as the result of a recording operation having been completed, unless this setting is set to off. It is also transmitted when recording is halted temporarily.

3.8 EOM track

EOM TRACK ?

The EOM track is similar to the EOM disc function, as described above. The EOM tally signal is transmitted before the end of a track playback, and this menu allows the time before the end to be set, or the disabling of this function (default off).

When this message is transmitted, the ﬂashes in the display.

EOM

indicator

After the menu has been opened with the

SHUTTLE

wheel, the display changes:

RESUME> OFF

The options available are on and off.

3.7 EOM disc

EOM DISC ?

This menu item affects the output of the MD-801 to a device attached to the parallel port (see 7.1, "REMOTE (PARALLEL) connector". When set on, an “EOM DISC” tally signal is transmitted from the parallel port when the end of the disc is reached in playback (or recording, in the case of the MD-801R).

When this message is transmitted, the flashes in the display.

In this menu, it is possible to select how many seconds before the end of the disc this message is to be sent, or to turn the message off completely. The default setting is off.

After the menu has been opened with the wheel, the display changes:

EOM DISC>OFF

The time may be set from 1 to 99 seconds, in 1 second steps, or set to off.

EOM

indicator

SHUTTLE

After the menu has been opened with the

SHUTTLE

wheel, the display changes:

EOM TRK> OFF

The time may be set from 1 to 99 seconds, in 1 second steps, or set to off.

3.9 Timer-controlled playback

TIMER PLAY ?

When this function is enabled, if a disc is in the unit, and the unit is powered up (e.g. from a timer-based switching unit), the TOC is read, and playback starts. The default setting is off.

If the resume function is switched on (3.6, "Resume setting") playback will start from the point at which playback was last stopped, or at the playback point at which the power was last cut off.

If the resume function is off, playback will start from the beginning of the disc.

After the menu has been opened with the wheel, the display changes:

TMR PLY>OFF

The options available are on and off.

SHUTTLE

TASCAM MD-801R/P Mk II

3–2

Page 23

3.10Incremental play

3 - Incremental play

When this sub-menu is opened, the baud rate can be selected and set. The default value is 9600.

INCR PL SEL?

This function allows auto-cueing of the playback point to the start of the next track when the key

[5]

is pressed, or a fader stop command is

STOP

received (on pin 8 of the parallel remote control port

[47]

When this mode is enabled, pressing the

[6]

of the MD-801, or on an optional RC-801 or RC-

8 remote control unit (or the

MONITOR

PLAY

key of

key

either of these units), or a PS/2-type keyboard connected to the MD-801 will cue playback to the start of the track following the current track, and start playback from there.

NOTES

While this function is enabled, the

TRACK NO.

indicator flashes, as a reminder that the function is enabled.

The Auto Ready function (see 4.2.11, "Cueing the next track automatically"), together with the associated commands received at the serial remote control port) is disabled when this function is enabled.

BAUD> 9600

When a sub-menu value has been set with the

SHUTTLE

wheel, the unit returns to the normal set-

ting.

3.11.2Word length

The next sub-menu allows the setting of the word length in serial communications:

LENGTH SEL ?

When this sub-menu has been opened, the word length can be set to 7 or 8 bits. The default is 8 bits.

LENGTH>8bits

3.11.3Parity

The next sub-menu allows the setting of the parity to be used in serial communications:

PARITY SEL ?

When this sub-menu has been opened, the parity can be selected from off, odd or even parity. The default is for off (no parity).

PARITY> OFF

3.11.4Stop bits

After the menu has been opened with the

SHUTTLE

wheel, the display changes:

INCR PL> OFF

Choose between on and off, with the default setting being off.

3.11Serial communications

SERIAL SET ?

This menu allows the setting of parameters affecting the serial (RS-232C) control port contains sub-menus, allowing the different parameters to be accessed ( menus,

SHUTTLE

DATA

dial to show the sub-

wheel to open them).

3.11.1Baud rate

From the main menu, the ﬁrst sub-menu allows the setting of the communications speed (baud rate):

BAUD SEL ?

[45]

. This menu

The ﬁnal sub-menu allows the setting of the number of stop bits:

STOP BIT ?

When this sub-menu is opened, thje number of stop bits can be set to 1 or 2. The default is 1.

STOP BIT> 1

3.12Check items

These are not settable menu items, but allow the checking of various aspects of the MD-801 system.

When the following menu item appears, use the

SHUTTLE

dial to choose the different options.

Exit the menu system by turning the wheel.

wheel to enter the menu, and the

CHECK ?

SHUTTLE

DATA

TASCAM MD-801R/P Mk II

3–3

Page 24

3 - Auto track numbering level

3.12.1Spindle motor time

S_TIME> 121

Use this to check how many hours the spindle motor has been in operation.

3.12.2Laser pickup time

R_TIME> 43

This indicates how many hours the laser pickup has been used for recording.

3.12.3System software version

SYS> 01.00

This allows you to check the current system software version.

3.13Auto track numbering level

A_TRK LVL ?

This allows the setting of the threshold above which a signal received at the the analog connectors triggers the start of a new track (see 4.3.4, "Track number incrementing"). This v alue can be off, or one of nine values, as detailed below.

There should be a period of relative silence (i.e. below the trigger level) of at least three seconds between “tracks” in the source material for this function to operate.

AES/EBU

jack or either of

3.14Copy ID

COPY ID SEL?

When recording an MD on the MD-801, the copy ID of the recorded MD can be set for different purposes.

The three settings available are:

• Copy Free—( copies to be made from the digital recording made on the MD-801

• First-generation copy only—( only one digital copy to be made from the digital recording produced on the MD-801

• Copy prohibit—( digital copies can be made from the digital recording produced on the MD-801.

After the menu has been opened with the wheel, the display changes:

The default setting is for free copying. The restrictions apply only to digital copies produced through the

COAXIAL

recording is made when the disc is played back through the

3.15Post-script recording

Free

COPY ID>Free

port. The copy bit is ignored if the

AES/EBU

PS REC ?

) allows unlimited digital

1 gen

Proh

) means that no further

connector.

SHUTTLE

) allows

NOTE

Bear in mind that some classical material, spoken word, etc. may include such periods of silence, and this may cause spurious track divisions. Also, some analog material may be noisy, and the noise may go above the track division threshold. Adjust the threshold level taking these factors into consideration.

After the menu has been opened with the wheel, the display changes:

A_TRK> -54dB

The available settings are: –24 dB, –30 dB, –36 dB, –42 dB, –48 dB, –54 dB, –60 dB, –66 dB, –72 dB and off. The default value is –54 dB.

SHUTTLE

As explained in 4.3.5, "“Post-Script” recording", recording can start either from the beginning of the disc (when this function is turned off), or from the beginning of the free space available, i.e. after the last recorded track (when this function is turned on).

This function also controls the operation of the replace recording function (see 4.3.6, "Replace recording").

After the menu has been opened with the wheel, the display changes:

PS REC>ON

The available options are on and of f, with the def ault being on.

SHUTTLE

TASCAM MD-801R/P Mk II

3–4

Page 25

4 - Basic operations

This section gives you informstion about the basic operations using the MD-801.

It assumes that you have connected the MD-801 to all the other equipment that you will be using. If you have not already made these connections, read 2.3, "Rear panel" for details of the rear panel connections, and connect the other equipment appropriately.

4.1 Inserting and ejecting discs

Discs are inserted label side uppermost, in the direction of the arrow marked on the disc. The display shows:

NO DISC

if the MD-801 is turned on without a disc in the drive.

As the disc is loaded, the display shows:

Disc Loading

When the disc has been loaded, the disc title, number of tracks, total running time, etc. are displayed.

Use the Discs do not have to be ejected when the power to

the MD-801 is turned off. No damage will be caused to discs if they are left in the unit at power-off or power on.

EJECT

key

[3]

to eject discs.

Press the beginning of the disc.

Stop playback with the Pause playback with the

it with the

PLAY

key

key.

[6]

. Playback will start from the

STOP

key

READY

[5]

key

[7]

and restart

NOTE

If the tracks being played back are less than three seconds in length, playback will be discontinuous (“jumpy”).

4.2.2Playback outputs

There are two sets of outputs provided on the MD801: the and the

[38] OUTPUT MODE

panel is used to synchronize these outputs so that material is always played back through both sets of outputs (off), or individually (on).

If the individual output option is chosen, the key on the MD-801 itself or the the RC-801 will start playback through the

MONITOR

puts are activated following a play or online command from a remote controller (keyboard, RC-801, RC-8 or the serial or parallel controller).

LINE

MONITOR

balanced XLR-type at +4 dBu

unbalanced RCA at –10 dBV

DIP switch 2

outputs only. In this case, the

[39]

on the rear

MONITOR

PLAY

key on

LINE

[40]

out-

NOTE

Never turn the power off when the U-TOC is being written to disc (

UTOC Writing

If you do, the disc may become unreadable.

When the MD-801 is turned on with a disc already loaded in the drive, the display will show:

TOC Reading

before showing the disc title, running time, number of tracks, etc.

4.2 Playback of discs

The following instructions apply to both prerecorded and recordable MD media.

4.2.1Playing back a whole disc

When the disc has been loaded, and the TOC has been read, use the playback mode is not set to

PLAY MODE

SINGLE

key so that the

(see

A-B

[22]

If the the

MONITOR

neous playback. controls this. When set to off, the puts are muted when the When set on, the used.

The The above applies to the analog outputs only, and

does not refer at all to the digital outputs, which are always in use, regardless of the origin of the playback command.

LINE

outputs may also be used for simulta-

PHONES

outputs are used for playback, the

OUTPUT MODE

LINE

MONITOR

jack

[9]

is always used.

DIP switch 3

MONITOR

outputs are in use.

outputs are always

out-

4.2.3Monaural playback

OUTPUT MODE

bine the left and right tracks and output them from both the left and right outputs equally.

The outputs affected are the

[38]

and

PHONES

not affected by the position of this switch.

DIP switch 1

outputs. The digital outputs are

[39]

is used to com-

LINE [40], MONITOR

TASCAM MD-801R/P Mk II

4–1

Page 26

4 - Playback of discs

4.2.4Playing back a single track

When the disc has been loaded and the TOC has been read, use the play mode (see

Use the tion to the start of the desired track.

Press the beginning of the track.

Stop playback with the restart at the start of the disc, unless you move the playback position to the start of the next track to be played back.

The above function can be overridden with the resume function, which turns the key into a “PAUSE” key and allows playback to continue from where it was paused using the STOP key. See 3.6, "Resume setting" for details.

Pause playback with the it with the

PLAY MODE

TRACK

PLAY

[22]

keys

key

key.

key to select the

[4]

to move the playback posi-

[6]

. Playback will start from the

STOP

key

[5]

. Playback will

NOTE

READY

key

[7]

SINGLE

STOP

and restart

4.2.5Entering the A and B location points

Press the indicator lights.

Locate the playback point to the ﬁrst location, and press light, showing that a value has been entered into the location, and the tor will go out.

Locate the playback point to the second location, and press the again so that the indicator lights.

Press

light, showing that a value has been entered into the location, and the tor will go out.

Clear the location points by stopping playback, pressing the appropriate location key (

INSERT

MEMO IN/CAPS

LOC A/DEL [24]

MEMO IN/CAPS

LOC B/INSERT [24]

MEMO IN/CAPS

LOC A/DEL

) so that the indicator goes out.

key

[23]

. The indicator will

key, and pressing the

so that the

indica-

key

indica-

LOC B/

[23]

4.2.6Playback between two location points

Enter the location points as described above.

Press the

display shows

Press the ﬁrst point, and start playing until it reaches the second point, and then stop.

If the location points are in the wrong order (i.e. B precedes A), the display will sho w when playback is attempted.

PLAY MODE

A-B

LOC A/DEL [24]

key

[22]

so that the

. The unit will locate to

A-B Error

4.2.7The CALL function

The CALL key marked point

Put the MD-801 into play ready mode at the point you want to mark (the

[7]

should be lit).

Press the marked.

You can now play back, or perform the next operation.

To return to the marked point, press the key

The MD-801R also automatically sets the call point

at the point where recording last started. This enables easy return to the point where the recording started, using the

[10]

CALL

[10]

is used for easy location to a

READY

key. The current point is now

key, in order to check a take, etc.

indicator

CALL

4.2.8Relative time display

The call point set in the way described above (4.2.7, "The CALL function") can also be used as a zero point for relative time display (all times are displayed relative to this point, with times before the point being displayed as negative values), To enter the relative time mode:

Make sure that the MEMO IN/CAPS indicator [23] is lit.

Press the TIME key [17] to show the different display modes. The relative display mode appears as follows:

rel xxxm yys

where elapsed time since the call point, and the “seconds” portion of the elapsed time. Times before the call point are preﬁxed with a minus sign.

xxx represents the “minutes” portion of the

yy represents

NOTE

If no call point has been set, the “relative time” will be from the start of the disc.

TASCAM MD-801R/P Mk II

4–2

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4 - Playback of discs

4.2.9Repeat playback

Use the as shown in the display (

The three different repeat modes available correspond to the three playback modes set with the

PLAY MODE

A-B

REPEAT

points, as set above).

key

[26]

[22]

(whole disc,

to enable the repeat mode

REPEAT

SINGLE

track or

NOTE

For A-B repeat to be eff ective, location point A must be before location point B, otherwise AB repeat cannot take place.

4.2.10Track search operations

While playing back, it is possible to press the

TRACK

ward a number of tracks, corresponding to the number of times the key is pressed.

After locating to the start of the track (the start of the track start cue point if "Cueing to the ﬁrst audio position in a track") or the ﬁrst audio frame if it is on), the deck will park in play ready mode.

Pressing the “previous” will move to the last track on the disc, and pressing the “next” the ﬁrst track on the disc.

keys

TRACK

[4]

in order to move forward or back-

AUTO CUE

TRACK

key at the last track will move to

is off (4.2.12,

key at the ﬁrst track

4.2.11Cueing the next track automatically

4.2.12Cueing to the ﬁrst audio position in a track

To cue the playback position to the ﬁrst point where the audio level exceeds a preset threshold, mak e sure that playback is stopped, press the so that the indicator is lit, and then press the key.

The playback point will then locate to the start of the audio portion of the track (the ﬂash while it is locating).

If the

AUTO CUE

will automatically locate to the ﬁrst audio point of the destination track when searching and locating.

There are nine “trigger” levels which may be selected through the menu system (see 3.3, "Auto cue") for the appropriate level depending on the source material.

indicator is lit, the playback point

AUTO CUE

operation. Select the

AUTO CUE

PLAY

indicator will

key

READY

4.2.13Varispeed mode

The MD-801 is capable of playing back material in varispeed mode.

The speed can be altered to ±9.9% relative to normal speed, and can be changed using the menu system (see 3.2, "Pitch control").

NOTE

While the MD-801 is in varispeed mode, care must be taken that it is not set to use an e xternal word clock (

[43]

When playing back a single track, it is often useful to cue the next track ready for playback.

Use the to enter play ready mode automatically when the start of a track is reached. This is the start of the track as determined by the digital subcode, not the start of the audio signal, unless

4.2.12, "Cueing to the ﬁrst audio position in a track").

Depending on the play mode (when no repeat is active), the unit will enter stop mode in

play mode, and play ready in the “continue” mode,

after the location has taken place. If repeat is active, the unit will enter play ready mode

at the start of the next track ( start of the track which is being repeated (

SINGLE

AUTO READY

) or the A repeat point (

key

AUTO CUE

REPEAT

[20]

to enable the unit

is on (see

SINGLE

“continue”), the

REPEAT A-B

REPEAT

A-

4.2.14Jog mode

To use the cisely (to frame accuracy):

1 2

You can set the length of the jog loop from a menu item (see 3.5, "Jog loop length").

3 4

JOG

dial to locate a playback point pre-

Press the Turn the

jog point forwards, counterclockwise to move it backwards). Monitoring is at normal speed. When you stop turning the tion that has been “highlighted” by the jog action will be repeatedly looped.

Press the at the end of the jog loop.

Locate to the call point by pressing

JOG

key

JOG

dial

READY [7]

[11]

to light the indicator.

[12]

(clockwise to move the

JOG

dial, the sec-

key to set the call point,

CALL [10]

TASCAM MD-801R/P Mk II

4–3

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4 - Recording operations

NOTE

The point at which the JOG key was pressed will not be included in the jog loop. To include this point in the loop, you must turn the

JOG

dial counterclockwise.

4.2.15Shuttle mode

The

SHUTTLE

fast cue or review operations, moving forwards or backwards through the program material at high speed.

The further the wheel is moved from the central position, the faster the cue or review speed.

Since the MD-801 is a digital recorder, playback in cue and review is not continuous.

wheel

[13]

allows you to perform

4.2.16Displaying track titles during playback

When the MD-801 is in play or play ready (or in record or record ready) mode, pressing the key

[16]

shows the current track title.

If the track does not have a title entered, the display brieﬂy shows:

No Title

If the display is too long to ﬁt on the display, it can be scrolled by pressing the

TITLE

key once more.

TITLE

by the time (e.g. hour format.

If the track has not been time-stamped, the display brieﬂy shows:

No Date

10h 34m 12s

) in 24-

NOTE

If the MD-801 is in stop mode, this operation shows the disc’s time and date, rather than those of the current track.

4.2.18Setting the time and date

Since the MD-801 leaves TASCAM with the date and time pre-set, there should be little need for you to set the time and date of the internal clock.

However, if you move the MD-801 across timezones, etc., you may need to reset the date and time following the procedure below:

Eject any disc and power off the MD-801 (this step is not strictly necessary, but simpliﬁes the procedure).

Press and hold down the

turning on the power. The display shows:

CLOCK SET ?

Turn the setting the time and date.

SHUTTLE

TIME

key

[17]

while

wheel clockwise to start

NOTE

If the MD-801 is in stop mode, pressing the

TITLE

key displays the disc, rather than the

current track, title. Remember also that the

MEMO IN/CAPS

affect the display (see

The entry and editing of titles is described in 5.11, "Track and disc title entry"

key can also be used to

[16]

4.2.17Displaying the recording date

If the current track has been “date- and timestamped”, the date and time can be displayed:

While the MD-801 is in play or play ready (or record or record ready) mode, press the

IN/CAPS

Press the

light in the display, and the date will be shown (for example

key

[23]

so that the indicator is lit.

TITLE

key

[16]

. The word

98y 12m 25d

MEMO

DATE

will

), followed

__y __m __d

Use the

the between the year (y), month (m) and day (d) ﬁelds, as described in 3.1, "Basic principles of menu operations".

After entering the value for the day, turn the

SHUTTLE

You can set the hours (h) and minutes (m) here.

When these have been entered, press the key to set the time (the seconds value is set to zero as you press the key) and return to normal operation.

4.3 Recording operations

Naturally, these recording operations refer to the

DATA

dial as a data entry wheel, and

SHUTTLE

wheel as a cursor to move

wheel:

__h __m --s

TIME

TASCAM MD-801R/P Mk II

4–4

Page 29

MD-801R model only.

4.3.1General notes on recording using the MD format

Because the MD method of recording is somewhat different to a linear recording method, such as tape, you should note the following points.

• The message

display before the available recording time on the disc has all be used.

This may be because more than 255 tracks have been recorded on the disc.

• The sum of the total recorded time, and the dis-

played remaining available time may not equal the theoretical total capacity of the disc.

This is because of the nature of the MiniDisc track structure. At least two seconds are used for every MiniDisc track, regardless of the audio structure. In addition, “bad sectors”, caused by dirt, scratches, etc. are automatically skipped and ignored, which means that they are unavailable for recording. We always suggest that you leave some “safety net”, and do not attempt to record a program of exactly 74 minutes on an MD marked as 74 minutes.

• Erasing a track will not make the time the exact

length of the erased track available for recording.

This is on account of the nature of the MD recording format, and has to do with block size, etc. If you are familiar with computer systems, you may be aware of a simiular limitation with regard to ﬁle size on some operating systems.

Disc Full

may appear on the

4.3.2Rebuilding the TOC

4 - Recording operations

NOTE

Depending on the condition of the disc (how many edits hav e been performed, etc.), it may take a considerable amount of time for the TOC to be reb uilt. In rare cases, the recording capacity of the disc may not be increased, even after the TOC has been rebuilt in this way.

• The number of tracks that have been intentionally recorded, and the number of tracks displayed may not match.

When the transport encounters dirt or scratches, etc., the current track is ended, and a new track is started. This automatically-created track is marked by the letters “

Cont !!

track title. This “track” cannot be combined using the editing methods available. To avoid the occurence of such “tracks”, it is important to keep the MD media clean and dust-free.

Every time recording is halted, the TOC is updated. As always, avoid turning off the power while the TOC is being written. In addition, you should be aware that if you have performed editing operations that you do not want to commit to disc, and then do some recording, the edit operations will be saved to disc when recording stops. You may want to eject the disc without writing the edits (see

[3]

) before recording, to avoid this situation.

” being added to the end of the

NOTE

It is possible to rebuild the TOC, which will free up recording space if a heavily-edited disc is being used.

With the MD-801 stopped, press the

[18]

Turn the

shows:

Turn the rebuild the TOC (counterclockwise to cancel the operation).

When the display shows the

TOC WRITE

DATA

dial

TOC REBUILD?

SHUTTLE

TOC WRITE

indicator

key to write the new TOC to disc.

[12]

until the display

wheel

[13]

Complete

[19]

EDIT

key

clockwise to

, and

lights, press the

Like most other forms of recordable media, MDs incorporate a write-protect tab, which can prevent you from accidentally overwriting precious recordings. If you try recording with a disc that has had the tab set to the “protect” position (open), the display will show:

W_Protected!

If you want to record on this disc, you must eject the disc, close the write-protect tab and record again.

4.3.3Basic recording

This gives the basic instructions on how to record. There are a number of different recording-related options which may be selected, as described elsewhere in this section.

TASCAM MD-801R/P Mk II

4–5

Page 30

4 - Recording operations

Select the recording method (digital or analog)

and the appropriate input source.

Make sure the unit is stopped. Press and hold down the

press the

Adjust the recording level (analog, only) so that the meters do not read in the loudest passages.

Start recording by pressing the

5 6

When recording is ﬁnished, press the

key After recording is ﬁnished, the TOC is updated. The date is automatically recorded (as taken from the

internal clock).

[5]

READY

key

RECORD

[7]

key

UNCAL

PLAY

[8]

OVER

key

STOP

and

, even

[6]

4.3.5“Post-Script” recording

There are two ways of cueing the disc when recording. One is “post-script” recording, where recording starts immediately following the last recorded material. Unlike a linear recorder (tape, etc.) there is no need to cue the medium to the last track.

The other is non post-script, which starts recording from the start of the disc, overwriting the whole disc, except for the title.

Post-script recording is set using the menu system, described in 3.15, "Post-script recording".

4.3.6Replace recording

This function allows recordings to be made on an existing track, if the MD-801 is in ready mode in the middle or at the start of an existing track.

The

STOP

key may also be used to cancel the record

ready mode entered in step 3.

4.3.4Track number incrementing

When recording, the track numbers are incremented automatically in the following cases:

• When making digital recordings from another unit

through the used when making a recording from a CD player or an MD player, and START IDs are used when recording from a DAT.

• When making digital recordings through the

EBU

track numbering level may be used. The ﬁrst time that a signal exceeding the selected threshold is encountered after recording is started, the start of a track is marked, and the track number is incremented. While recording is taking place, if the level drops below the selected threshold for three consecutive seconds or more, and then rises above the threshold, the start of a new track is marked, and the track number is incremented. See 3.13, "Auto track numbering level" for details.

When recording from AES/EBU or analog sources, the auto track numbering function may be turned off completely. There are then two options:

• Record the whole of the material in one take, and

use the editing functions at a later time to divide the material into tracks.

• While recording is taking place, press the “next”

TRACK

track number is incremented by one, and the track division is written at the point where the “next”

TRACK

COAXIAL

input

[32]

or analog recordings, the Auto

key

[4]

. Recording will continue, but the

key was pressed.

input

[34]

, the PQ code is

AES/

Recording in replace mode allows recording on that track. Since the MD format is non-linear, the length of the track does not matter.

Recording from the start of the track will replace the existing track, keeping the same track number and title (if any). The whole of the existing track will be erased, even if the replacement material is shorter than the existing track.

Recording from part of the way through the track will add a new track with the number of the current track plus one. If you start recording part of the way through the track, the part of the original track from the point at which recording started, to the end of the original track, will be erased, even if the ne w track is shorter than this portion.

NOTE

If you want to keep the start of a track on which you are making a replace recording from the middle, use the Track Divide editing function, and start replace recording from the newly-created second track. You can, of course, keep the second part by replace recording the newly-created ﬁrst track.

Make sure that the post-script recording mode is

on (3.15, "Post-script recording").

NOTE

If post-script recording is turned off, you will erase the whole disc (except for the disc title).

TASCAM MD-801R/P Mk II

4–6

Page 31

4 - Recording operations

Cue the playback point to the place that you

want to start recording.

Press the into play ready mode. This step is the primary difference between replace recording and ordinary post-script recording.

Press and hold down the

press the

To start recording, press have ﬁnished recording, press

If you want to cancel the recording operation after step 4, press the

You cannot use the input monitor function before entering the replace record mode. You must stop the transport ﬁrst if you want to use the record monitor function.

Many replace recording functions carried out on the same track may result in sections which it is later impossible to combine using the edit functions.

READY

Replace REC

STOP

key

[7]

to put the MD-801

RECORD

key. The display will show:

PLAY [6]

key

[5]

NOTES

key

. When you

STOP [5]

[8]

and

4.3.7Sound synchro recording

With this facility, the MD-801 goes from record ready to record mode when a signal threshold is exceeded. The threshold is the same as for the Auto Cue function (4.2.12, "Cueing to the ﬁrst audio position in a track") and is set in the Auto Cue menu (3.3, "Auto cue").

The facility also allows the unit to go automatically from recording to record ready mode, if the input signal drops below the threshold and stays at this lower level for ﬁve successive seconds.

Make sure the MD-801 is recording or in record

ready mode.

record ready mode as soon as a period of relative silence of more than ﬁve seconds in length is detected. Recording will start again as soon as a signal which is over the threshold is detected again, and the Sound Synchro mode is still on.

NOTE

If the Sound Synchro mode is on, and a manual change is made from record ready to record (or the other way round), the Sound Synchro mode is automatically turned off.

4.3.8Digital recording

Since the MD-801 incorporates a frequency convertor, digital recordings can be made from a wide variety of sources, including sources played back at nonstandard frequencies (varispeed and pitch shifting are therefore possible).

Set the

DIGITAL

Set the to either on the source.

When recording from a digital source, remember that the input level controls effect.

If you require mono recording (uses the left channel only, and doubles the available recording time), set the

MONO STEREO

Press and hold down the press the

Start recording by pressing the

and ﬁnish by pressing the

INPUT

DIGITAL INPUT

, otherwise, make sure it is set to

selection switch

AES/EBU

NOTE

REC MODE

READY

key.

selection switch

COAXIAL

RECORD

STOP

[28]

, depending

[27]

have no

switch

key

PLAY

key

[5]

[30]

[8]

[29]

and

[6]

Use the “previous” between turning the Sound Synchro function on and off (the screen below shows it turned on).

S_SYNC ON

If the MD-801 is in record ready mode, start playing the source. As soon as the signal le v el goes abov e the threshold, the MD-801 will go from record ready to record mode.

If the MD-801 is in record mode, it will drop back to

TRACK

key

[4]

to toggle

NOTES

If the selected digital input is not correctly connected, or is not present, the

UNLOCK!

display to inform you of this. If the digital input signal is interrupted and

resumes within 30 seconds of the interruption, a new track will be started on the MD-801, with a number that is one higher than the pre-

message will appear on the

TASCAM MD-801R/P Mk II

D-IN

4–7

Page 32

4 - Recording operations

vious one. If the digital signal is not resumed within 30 seconds of interruption, recording will stop.

As mentioned earlier, 4.3.4, "Track number incrementing", when digital recordings are made through the

COAXIAL

inputs, track numbers are incremented automatically as PQ code is read from CD or MD, or START IDs are read from DAT. However, if a source track is less than three seconds in length, a new track will probably not be started on the MD-801.

4.3.9Analog recording

Set the

ANALOG

Set the

UNCAL

disables them, and inputs the analog signal “as given”. In this case, a signal input received at nominal level (+ 4dB in the case of the balanced inputs and –10 dB in the case of the unbalanced inputs) will register –16 dB. You should take care that analog signals never go more than 16 dB above the nominal level, or clipping will occur.

If your program material includes such passages, re suggest that you use the ate the signal a little using the input level controls.

If you require mono recording (combines the

left and right channels, and doubles the available recording time), set the switch is set to

Press and hold down the press the

INPUT

ANALOG INPUT

enables the input level controls, while

[30]

selection switch

CAL

MONO

STEREO

READY

[28]

switch

UNCAL

, otherwise, make sure it

RECORD

key.

[31]

setting, and attenu-

REC MODE

key

[8]

CAL

and

4.3.10Track title copying together with audio

This is a special case when making copies between two MD-801 units. T itles may be copied in either the analog or the digital copying modes.

A special optional cable (PW-1XMD) is required, to link the two serial ports of the two units the serial communication parameters to the default values, as described in 3.11, "Serial communications", with the baud rate set to 9600.

Apart from ensuring that this connection is made, there are no special settings to be made on the master (source) unit.

To copy titles along with the audio data:

Put the slave unit into record ready mode.

1 2

Press the unit). The display shows:

Use the

between on and off. The title will now be copied automatically when

the mode is set to on, and the track number on the slave is incremented (see 4.3.4, "T rack number incrementing" for details of when tracks are incremented).

In addition, you can copy the title of the current track of the master unit by pressing on the slave unit when it is in record mode, and the track title copy mode is on.

The Sound Synchro function (see 4.3.7, "Sound synchro recording") can be used for automatically putting the slave unit from record ready to record when the master unit’s audio level exceeds a threshold.

RECORD

A-TitleW ON

RECORD

key (again on the slave

key to toggle this mode

[45]

. Set up

RECORD

Start recording by pressing the and ﬁnish by pressing the

Track numbering is incremented as described in

4.3.4, "Track number incrementing".

1. Provided that the trimmer potentiometers at the balanced inputs have been left in the position as shipped from the factory. If these settings have been changed, the reference level will be altered accordingly.

TASCAM MD-801R/P Mk II

4–8

STOP

PLAY

key

[5]

[6]

NOTE

Tracks of less than seven seconds in length cannot have their titles copied automatically in this way. You will have to copy the titles manually in these cases.

For information regarding the copying of disc titles between MD-801 units using the serial link, see

5.11.6, "Copying disc and track titles".

Page 33

5 - Editing operations

Unlike tape or other linear media, the MD-801 provides you with a wide range of editing tools, allowing you to make arbitary cuts, “splices” and rearrangements of running order without having to re-record any parts of the material.

Although the editing operations you perform will take effect instantly, unless they are written to disc as part of the User Table of Contents (U-TOC), they will not take any effect when the disc is ne xt used (or inserted in another machine), as “splices”, etc. are virtual, and do not actually represent cuts in the material.

The U-TOC contains all the information that is read by the MD-801 in order to know what parts of the disc should be played, and in what order.

For that reason, it is important that you never turn of f the MD-801 while it is writing the U-TOC to disc. If you do this, you will probably be unable to use the disc in the future.

5.1 Basic editing operations

To start an editing operation, press the key

[18]

and the

display. Select the editing operation using the

dial

[12]

EDIT

indicator will light in the

EDIT

DATA

After most editing operations, the MD-801 enters the play ready mode.

5.1.1Cancelling an edit operation

If you wish to cancel an edit operation at any time before step 3 above, do any of the following:

• turn the

• press the

SHUTTLE

STOP

key

EDIT

key

wheel counterclockwise

[5]

5.1.2Editing without saving the edits to disc

If you want to make edits, but do not want to commit them to disc, you can do either of the following:

• turn off the power to the MD-801

• press the

the display

EJECT

TOC Edited!

key once, and press it again, after

message appears on the

5.2 Dividing tracks

Use this editing function to split one track into two. This operation can be carried out while the MD-801 is in play ready mode.

Before the operation to split track 2, the tracks and numbers look like:

Track number 12 3 4

When the editing operation is complete (the exact steps are described in the individual sections below), turn the complete the operation and return to normal mode.

After an editing operation, the tor

[19]

will light, and the display light, showing that there are editing changes made which have not been saved to disc.

Commit the editing operation to disc by press-

ing the

TOC WRITE

SHUTTLE

TOC WRITE

TOC EDIT

key

[19]

wheel

[13]

indica-

will

NOTE

A disc must not be write-protected when saving edits to disc. The display shows

W_Protected!

if you attempt to write a U-TOC to a protected disc. By ejecting the disc you lose the edits you ha ve made, so y ou should make sure that a disc on which you want to sav e edits is write enabled

before

you

start the editing process.

This track is to be divided here

After the operation, the tracks will look like:

Track number 1234

Note that the tracks are renumbered

Locate the playback position so that it is at the

point where you want to divide the track. Press the

READY

play ready mode.

After pressing the dial until the display shows:

Turn the

A jog loop will start playing. Adjust the jog

loop using the

key

[7]

to put the MD-801 into

EDIT

key, turn the

DIVIDE ?

SHUTTLE

Point OK?

wheel clockwise.

JOG/DATA

dial, so that the start

DATA

TASCAM MD-801R/P Mk II

5–1

Page 34

5 - Erasing a track

of the loop is the point at which you want to divide the track.

NOTE

You can set the length of the jog loop in the menu system (see 3.5, "Jog loop length").

When the start of the jog loop is correctly posi-

tioned, turn the The display shows

Complete

ﬁnished.

The track title of the ﬁrst track created by the division process will have the same title as the original track (before the division took place). The second track will be untitled.

SHUTTLE

Now Editing

when the editing operation has

wheel clockwise.

, and

NOTE

If the divide point is set to a track boundary (the start of a track), the display will show an error message ( the

SHUTTLE

Not Execute!

) when

wheel is turned in step 4

above.

5.3 Erasing a track

This operation erases a track and frees the space for further recording.

Before this edit operation, the tracks and numbers look like:

Track number 12 3 4

After pressing the

dial until the display shows:

ERASE TRK ?

Turn the

the display:

If you want to change the track to be erased at this stage, you can use the change the current track.

Turn the

the track. The display shows

Editing

erase operation is ﬁnished.

SHUTTLE

Track OK ?

SHUTTLE

EDIT

key, turn the

wheel clockwise to change

TRACK

wheel clockwise to erase

Now

, and

Complete

DATA

keys to

when the

5.4 Combining tracks

This editing function allows you to combine a track with the previous track. It is not possible to combine two non-adjacent tracks (but you can move such tracks and then combine them—see 5.5, "Moving tracks").

Before the combine operation, the tracks and numbers look like:

Track number 12 3 4

After the combine operation, they look like:

Track number 12 3

The playback position is here

These tracks are to be combined

This track is to be erased

After the operation, the tracks and numbers look like:

Track number 12 3

Note that the tracks following the erased tracks are automatically renumbered, so that the numbering sequence is contiguous.

Tracks can be erased while the MD-801 is stopped, or in play, or in play ready mode.

Set the playback position at the track to be

erased (use the venient way of locating to the track).

TASCAM MD-801R/P Mk II

5–2

TRACK

keys or any other con-

Note that the following tracks are renumbered to provide a contiguous sequence.

Use the

method, to select the second track of the pair to be combined (the selected track will be combined with the one before it).

After pressing the

dial until the display shows:

Turn the SHUTTLE wheel clockwise to enter the rehearsal mode:

TRACK

COMBINE ?

Rehearsal

keys, or any other convenient

EDIT

key, turn the

DATA

Page 35

The

PLAY

indicator above the ﬂash, as will the to show that rehearsal mode has been entered.

In this rehearsal mode, the last 4 seconds (approximately) of the previous track and the ﬁrst four seconds (approximately) of the current track are continuously repeated, so that you can audition the “join” between the tracks.

At this point, it is still possible to use the

TRACK

bined. This newly-selected track will be combined with the track immediately before the new selection.

Turn the

bine the tracks. The display will show

Editing

The track number of the ﬁrst combined track (i.e. the track immediately before the track selected prior to the combine operation) is used for the combined track.

The title of the second track is appended to that of the ﬁrst track.

keys to select another track to be com-

SHUTTLE

, followed by

indication in the display,

EDIT

wheel clockwise to com-

PLAY

key will

Now

Complete

NOTES

Selecting the ﬁrst track and attempting a combine operation will result in the message

TRK Illegal!

being shown on the display—it is not possible to combine the ﬁrst and last tracks.

Mono and stereo tracks cannot be combined.

5 - Moving tracks

look like:

Track number

12 3 4

This track is to be moved

Following the move operation, the tracks look like:

New track numbers

123 4

312 4

(track numbers before the move)

The “gap” is closed up, and all tracks are re-numbered in the new sequence. A move operation can be carried out in the stop, play ready or play modes.

Use the

method, to select the track to be moved. After pressing the

dial until the display shows:

Turn the the move menu. The display will show:

The three numeric digits indicate the track number that the current track will occupy after the move operation.

Use the track number.

TRACK

MOVE ?

SHUTTLE

Move to 001?

DATA

keys, or any convenient

EDIT

key, turn the

wheel clockwise to open

dial to change the destination

DATA

In some cases where an MD has had many edit operations performed, the

EDIT!

message may appear on the dis-

Cannot

play. This does not indicate a fault with the disc or the machine, but is a property of the MD recording system.

5.5 Moving tracks

This function allows you to edit the running order of the tracks, and re-place a track in a different position. This can also be used with the combine function (5.4, "Combining tracks") in order to combine non-contiguous tracks.

Before a move operation, the tracks and numbers

Turn the

play will show by

All tracks will be automatically renumbered.

SHUTTLE

Now Editing

Complete

wheel clockwise. The dis-

, followed

NOTE

You cannot move a track to itself, e.g. if you have selected trac k 1, the destination n umber cannot be

Not Execute

001

. The display will show a

message if you attempt

this.

5.6 A and B point erase operations

The two location points (see 4.2.6, "Playback between two location points") can be used for a variety of erasure purposes. Although the basic principle

TASCAM MD-801R/P Mk II

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Page 36

5 - A and B point erase operations

of operation is the same, the function is so ﬂexible that it can be used for many different purposes.

In order to be used for editing in this way, the following conditions must be met:

• Point A must not be at the same location as point B

• At least one of the two points must be marked

• Point B must come after point A If any of these conditions are not met, the display

will show

A-B Error!

The A and B points do not have to be in the same track.

All A-B operations are carried out in the same way:

Set the A and B points (4.2.5, "Entering the A

and B location points").

In stop, play or play ready mode, after pressing the

EDIT

key, turn the

DATA

dial until the dis-

play reads:

ERASE A-B ?

Turn the

SHUTTLE

wheel to enter rehearsal

mode.

Rehearsal

All data between these points is erased.

Track number

12 3 4

5.6.2Erasing to the end of a track

If only point A is marked, the end of the track containing point A is regarded as point B.

Track number

12 3 4

A “B”

This provides a convenient way to delete from a marked point to the end of the track.

Track number

123 4

5.6.3Erasing from the start of a track

If only point B is marked, the start of the track containing point B is regarded as point A.

Track number

12 3 4

The above message alternates with

OK ?

, and the

EDIT

indicator in the display ﬂashes.

Erase

The rehearsal mode continuously plays from a position about four seconds before the A point, and about 4 seconds after the B point. This allows you to preview the “splice”.

Turn the

SHUTTLE

wheel to conﬁrm the erase

process.

After the operation is complete, if the A point has been set, it is erased (the indicator goes out).

The B point will be at the position where the erase took place.

5.6.1Normal A-B erase

In this editing operation, both the A and B points are set within the same track.

Track number

12 3 4

“A” B

This provides a conv enient w ay in which data can be erased from the start of a track only.

In addition, the AUTO CUE function (4.2.12, "Cueing to the ﬁrst audio position in a track") can be used to cue precisely to the start of the audio in a track. If this location is then marked as point B, all “dead time” at the start of the track up to the audio start can be eliminated.

Track number

5.6.4Erasing more than one track at a time

If the A and B marks are set in different tracks, all material between the A and B points will be erased.

Track number

12 3 4

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5 - Moving an A-B point

If the A point is set at the start of a track, and the B point at the end of another track, the whole of the tracks containing and between these points will be erased (in the example above, tracks 2 and 3 will be erased.

Track number

Formerly tracks 4 and 5

The remaining tracks will be automatically renumbered to form a continuous sequence.

NOTE

It is not possible to erase the last trac k on the disc using this method. You must use the track erase function (see 5.3, "Erasing a track") for this purpose.

5.6.5Retaining a track title for use by the second track after a division

As explained earlier (5.2, "Dividing tracks"), when a track is divided, the earlier of the newly-created pair of tracks contains the song title. If you are using the track division to eliminate lead-in times, this would mean that the unwanted lead-in kept the title and the program material was untitled. To avoid this, use the A-B erase function (without setting the A point) to retain the title for the remaining part of the track.

5.7 Moving an A-B point

This is the electronic equivalent of a razor-blade and splicing tape. A section of material can be marked, and moved to almost any part of the disc.

Track number

12 3 4

them:

• Point A must not be at the same location as point B

• At least one of the two points must be marked

• Point B must come after point A If any of these conditions are not met, the display

will show

1 2

A-B Error!

Mark the A and B points. Press the

EDIT

key, and turn the

DATA

dial

until the display shows

INSERT A-B ?

Turn the

SHUTTLE

wheel clockwise. The dis-

play will change:

INSR PT OK ?

The MD-801 will keep looping the point at which the insertion is to take place (the insertion point is at the end of the loop). Use the

JOG

dial (it is not a data dial at this point) to

alter the position of the insertion point.

Turn the

SHUTTLE

wheel clockwise once more, and the display will change (alternating with the word

indicator lights in the display:

EDIT

Rehearsal

IN PT OK ?

, while the

The playback will now loop from a point about four seconds before the insertion point to a point about four seconds after the A point. This allows you to preview the effect of the “punchin” join between the original material and the A-B portion being moved.

Press the

LOC B

key

[24]

while this rehearsal

process is taking place. The display will change:

OUT PT OK ?

A-B portion to be inserted here

After the operation, the layout will be:

Track number

123 6

Track 2 split into two at cut point

New track from A-B portion

This operation can be performed in stop. play ready, or play modes.

The same conditions apply with regard to the A and B points as apply when erasing material betwen

The playback loop now changes so that the loop starts about four seconds before the B point, and ends about four seconds after the insert point. This allows you to preview the effect of the “punch-out” between the A-B portion being moved and the original material.

Turn the the edit. The display will show

Editing

SHUTTLE

, followed by

wheel clockwise to make

Now

Complete

The A-B section becomes a new track. The point from which the A-B section was moved also becomes a track break, and all track num-

TASCAM MD-801R/P Mk II

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5 - Restoring erased material

bers are renumbered accordingly. See the diagram above for an example.

If you need to make the new track (formerly the A-B portion) into part of the preceding and/or following track, use the track combine facility (see 5.4, "Combining tracks") to turn these tracks into one track.

The A and B points are lost after this edit operation, and will have to be re-entered if they are to be used again.

You can cancel the operation at any time in the usual way ( wise,

EDIT

SHUTTLE

key or

STOP

wheel counterclock-

key).

NOTE

You cannot move the A-B portion inside itself (i.e. the insert point cannot be between the A point and the B point).

5.8 Restoring erased material

When restoring a track or tracks, the last restored track will have the unused portion of the disc automatically appended to it. This will result in a

Disc Full

error message if

you try to record on the disc. To overcome this problem, split the new long

track at the end of the recorded section, and delete the new track which consists of the unused part of the disc.

When restoring recordings that have been interrupted, the time shown on the display may disappear from the displa y at the point at which the power was cut. This is a normal function, and you should not be concerned if this happens. You ma y w ant to use this as the position to divide the new "long" track into tw o before deleting the unwanted part, as described above.

If a track or section occupies a part of the disc which has been overwritten by a new recording, the older section cannot be restored—the data is no longer available.

A track or section erased can be unerased. This is an “all or nothing”-type process—all tracks and sections deleted are restored, and it is not possible to restore only one of these tracks or sections.

In addition, if tracks or sections are restored, the audio data only is restored—the titles and recording dates are not restored, but a title such as

RST.001

that this is a restored track. The tracks restored in a single operation start numbering at 001, regardless of any other track titles with the same number that were on the disc before the operation.

This function can also be used in an emergency, if recording was taking place, and power to the unit was cut off part of the way through the recording process. In this event, data on the disc will be present, but will not be organized with the TOC and will hence be inaccessible. This function may allow the data to be accessed after the restore operation has been performed.

However, there are occasions on which this function does not restore such data, and the

Execute!

will be automatically given, showing

Not

message will appear..

NOTES

Tracks and sections of less than 12 seconds in length may not be restored.

This operation can take place in stop, play ready or play mode.

Press the until the display shows:

Turn the

deleted data.

The display may show Here, this means that the disc has no material recorded on it which has been erased (there may even be no material at all recorded on it).

EDIT

key, and turn the

RESTORE ?

SHUTTLE

wheel clockwise to restore

Not Execute!

DATA

dial

5.9 Changing track attributes

After a track has been restored in the way described above, it may have the wrong attribute assigned to it (it may be restored as mono when it was originally stereo, or restore the correct attribute.

vice versa

Use the method to select the track whose attributes you wish to change.

After pressing the dial until the display shows:

TRACK

). This function allows you to

keys or any other convenient

EDIT

key, turn the

TRK ATTR ?

DATA

TASCAM MD-801R/P Mk II

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5 - Erasing a complete disc

Turn the

play changes:

Turn the

again to change the current track from mono to stereo or

The display will show followed by

This function may also be used to “un-protect” a track if the following message appears at any time in the edit mode:

This signiﬁes that the track cannot be edited. This is software protection, which has been set by an MD unit other than an MD-801, and it can be disabled using this function in the way described above.

SHUTTLE

Track OK ?

SHUTTLE

vice versa

Complete

T_Protected!

wheel clockwise. The dis-

wheel clockwise once

Now Editing

NOTE

If a track is “unprotected” in this way, it cannot be protected again.

5.11Track and disc title entry

The disc and tracks can be titled. The titles can consist of upper- and lowercase letters, numbers, and punctuation symbols (as well as Japanese

Each title can be up to 99 characters long, and titles too long to ﬁt on the display are scrolled.

The total number of characters which can be included as titles on a disc (disc and track titles) is 1,792 characters.

A computer keyboard (PS/2 compatible) can be attached to the MD-801, and used to input titles, or titles can be entered, using the procedure described below (for keyboard operations, see 6, "Use of a keyboard with the MD-801").

Titles can be entered in stop (disc titles), play or play ready (track titles) mode as well as in the record and record ready modes.

Press the

until the display shows:

EDIT

key and turn the

TITLE ?

katakana

DATA

dial

5.10Erasing a complete disc

As well as erasing individual tracks (see 5.3, "Erasing a track"), it is also possible to erase the entire contents of a disc.

After pressing the dial until the display shows:

ERASE DISC ?

Turn the

this edit menu:

If you are sure that you want to erase the contents of the disc, turn the clockwise once more.

The display will show followed by

Blank Disc

If you want to abort the erase process, use the usual methods ( clockwise,

SHUTTLE

Sure ?

EDIT

key, turn the

wheel clockwise to enter

SHUTTLE

Now Editing

Complete

SHUTTLE

key or

STOP

DATA

wheel

, followed by

wheel counter-

key).

Turn the

If the MD-801 is in stop mode, the words

TITLE

the title for the whole disc. If the MD-801 is in play or play ready mode, or

record or record ready mode, the words

TRACK TITLE

you can enter the title for the current track. The display will change:

The underline cursor shows where the character will be entered.

Use the set. The character set selected initially is the lowercase alphabet set, together with numbers

and punctuation symbols. Use the

between lowercase and uppercase characters. If uppercase characters are selected, the indicator will light in the display.

Turn the the cursor to the right, and counterclockwise to move it to the left. Continuing to hold the

SHUTTLE

will light in the display , and you can enter

DATA

MEMO IN/CAPS

SHUTTLE

wheel away from the center posi-

wheel clockwise.

DISC

will light in the display, and

dial to scroll through the symbol

key

[23]

to change

CAPS

wheel clockwise to move

TASCAM MD-801R/P Mk II

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Page 40

5 - Track and disc title entry

tion will move the cursor more than one position.

Continue using the

wheel to enter characters, until the title is complete.

Koto Sonata_

To store the title, press the

will scroll across the display if it is too long to ﬁt on one line, allowing you to check it.

DATA

dial and

EDIT

key. The title

SHUTTLE

NOTES

If the display shows

Name Full

, it means that the character limit for a title (99 characters) or for a disc (1,792 characters) has been exceeded.

If a disc has been titled on another MD recorder, which permits longer titles than those permitted by the MD-801, the titles, when edited on the MD-801, are subject to the same limitations as those imposed on “native” titles.

5.11.1Deleting characters

If a character is entered in error, delete it as follows:

Move the cursor to the character following the

position where a character is to be inserted:

Koto Sonta

Press the

appear into which you can enter a character:

LOC B/INS

Koto Son_ta

key

[24]

. A space will

5.11.3Changing characters

If a character has been wrongly entered, you can change it by moving the cursor to the character, and turning the

Thus:

can be corrected by moving the cursor to the

and then turning the

DATA

dial.

Koto Sonbta

DATA

dial counterclockwise:

Koto Sonata

5.11.4Editing existing titles

If a title has already been entered, for a disc or for a track, pressing the dial until edit it, to change characters, and insert or delete characters as described above.

TITLE ?

EDIT

key and turning the

is displayed allows you to

DATA

Move the cursor under the character to be

deleted:

Koto Sonatt

Press the

at the cursor position will be deleted.

LOC A/DEL

Koto Sonata

key

[24]

. The character

5.11.2Inserting characters

If you have missed out a character, insert a space for a new character in the following way:

In stop mode, the disc title can be edited. In play mode or play ready mode, the title of the cur-

rent track can be edited.

5.11.5Viewing titles

As explained earlier (4.2.16, "Displaying track titles during playback"), pressing the playback will display the disc title (in stop mode) and the current track title (in play or play ready mode).

If the title is too long to ﬁt in the display , pressing the

TITLE

display.

key once more will scroll it across the

TITLE

key during

TASCAM MD-801R/P Mk II

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Page 41

5.11.6Copying disc and track titles

5 - Track and disc title entry

The display will change:

When two MD-801 units are connected together using the optional PW-1XMD serial cable, disc and track titles can be copied from one unit (master) to the other (slave), as described in 4.3.10, "Track title copying together with audio", with the following procedure.

After pressing the turn the

Turn the

If the master MD-801 is in stop mode, the

TITLE

can copy the title for the whole disc. If the master MD-801 is in play or play mode,

the play, and you can copy the title for the current track.

DATA

TITLE ?

SHUTTLE

indicator will light in the display , and you

TRACK TITLE

EDIT

key on the slave unit,

dial until the display shows:

wheel clockwise.

indicator will light in the dis-

DISC

With both units in stop mode, press the key

[10]

on the slave unit.

The title currently displayed on the master unit (in this case, the disc title) is copied to the slave unit.

CALL

NOTE

Track titles can also be copied in this way, as well as using the method described in 4.3.10, "Track title copying together with audio", as long as the master unit is in play or pla y ready mode.

TASCAM MD-801R/P Mk II

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Page 42

7 - Remote control of the MD-801

The MD-801 can be controlled by a number of different sources, including the PS/2 keyboard described in 6, "Use of a keyboard with the MD801". In addition, the

REMOTE (PARALLEL)

REMOTE (SERIAL) [45]

connectors

[47]

can be

and

used to connect compatible equipment, and the

REMOTE CONTROL

terminal

[46]

allows connection of an optional TASCAM RC-801 or RC-FS10/ 20 remote control unit.

NOTE

Do not connect any unit to the

CONTROL

terminal other than a TASCAM

REMOTE

remote control unit speciﬁcally designed for use with the MD-801.

In addition, the MD-801 may be “fader started” using a pin on the

REMOTE (PARALLEL)

connector

(see 7.1.2, "Fader start").

7.1 REMOTE (PARALLEL)

connector

number

23 KEY_0 Numeric key (0) Command 24 KEY_1 Numeric key (1) Command 25 KEY_2 Numeric key (2) Command 26 KEY_3 Numeric key (3) Command 27 KEY_4 Numeric key (4) Command 28 KEY_5 Numeric key (5) Command 29 KEY_6 Numeric key (6) Command 30 KEY_7 Numeric key (7) Command 31 KEY_8 Numeric key (8) Command 32 KEY_9 Numeric key (9) Command 33 CLEAR CLEAR Command 34 ENTER ENTER Command 35 DISC IN DISC IN Tally 36 GND GND 37 +5V +5V

Assignment Function

All of the Command inputs are active when low. In order to activate them, they must be brought to ground level for 50 ms or longer.

The ONLINE Tally pin (17) becomes active when a play command is received from any of the following:

The following gives the pinouts of the

(PARALLEL)

number

1 PLAY PLAY Command 2 TRACK NEXT Track Next Command 3 TRACK PREV Track Previous Command 4 READY READY Command 5 STOP STOP Command 6

7 AUTO CUE AUTO CUE Command 8 FADER START FADER START Command 9 AUTO READY AUTO READY Command 10 CALL CALL Command 11 PLA Y PLA Y Tally 12 READ Y READ Y Tally 13 AUTO READY AUTO READY Tally 14 STOP ST OP Tally

16 AUTO CUE AUTO CUE Tally 17 ONLINE ONLINE Tally 18 TIME SEARCH TIME SEARCH Tally 19 — Reserved 20 EOM End of Message Tally 21 PROGRAM PR OGRAM Tally 22 PROGRAM PROGRAM Command

connector

Assignment Function

RECORD

RECORD RECORD Tally

[47]

RECORD Command

REMOTE

• the ONLINE function of the RC-801 remote control unit

• the RC-8 remote control unit,

• play command issued to either the

(PARALLEL)

REMOTE (SERIAL)

REMOTE

• a PS/2 keyboard

The RECORD Command (pin 6). If this command is

received, the MD-801enters Input Monitor mode. To start recording, the RECORD and PLAY Commands must be transmitted simultaneously (pins 6 and 11).

7.1.1Tally indicators

The Tally pins of the nector may be used to connect LEDs, etc. for visual remote indication of the status of the functions which are associated with these pins.

The tally outputs are open collectors, with the maximum load current being 20 mA and the maximum voltage being 30 V. Take care not to overload these pins: the maximum supply current is 100 mA.

While the MD-801 is in input monitor mode, the

RECORD Tally signal (pin 15) will provide a ﬂashing tally light (see below).

REMOTE (PARALLEL)

NOTE

connector

con-

TASCAM MD-801R/P Mk II

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Page 43

7 - REMOTE (PARALLEL) connector

For details of the timing of the EOM tally signal (pin

20), see 3.7, "EOM disc" and 3.8, "EOM track".

7.1.2Fader start

Pin 8 is a special case. If this input is brought low (for more than 50 ms), playback starts. If it is brought back to the high state, playback stops.

This makes it suitable for connection to any switching mechanism such as the fader start outputs on a mixing console, or an edit controller, which connect this pin to ground when active.

Note that the Incremental Play function (see 3.10, "Incremental play") can be used to cue the start of the next track automatically when the fader play pin goes high (i.e. playback is stopped).

7.1.3Sequential playback and recording

Using the “daisy-chain” a number of MD-801 units, it is possible to use the EOM message (as described in 3.7, "EOM disc") to start playback or recording on one unit automatically when the end of the disc is reached on the ﬁrst unit.

• Before doing this, you should make sure that the value in the EOM track menu is set to off (see 3.8, "EOM track"), and that the EOM disc value is set to over 60 seconds (see 3.7, "EOM disc").

REMOTE (PARALLEL)

connectors to

To connect two units for sequential playback, connect the End of Message Tally (pin 20) of the ﬁrst unit to the PLAY Command pin (pin 1) of the second unit. You should also link together the two ground pins (pin 36).

This ensures that when the End of Message tally signal is output from the ﬁrst unit, it will trigger a play action in the second, allowing continuous playback of very long programs.

To enable continuous sequential recording, connect

together the two MD-801R units in the following way:

The End of Message Tally (pin 20) of the ﬁrst unit should be connected to both the PLAY Command (pin 1) and the RECORD Command (pin 6) pins of the second unit’s tor. The two ground pins (pin 36) should also be connected.

It is also possible to connect the End of Message Tally pin of the second unit to the appropriate pin(s) of a third unit, and so on.

Note that if a disc is scratched or damaged, it may not be possible to perform the sequential playback or recording operation.

REMOTE (PARALLEL)

connectors of

connec-

TASCAM MD-801R/P Mk II

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Page 44

8 - Specifications, etc.

This section provides reference material concerning the error and informational messages that may appear on the display of the MD-801 under certain circumstances, as well as the speciﬁcations of the unit.

8.1 Error messages and troubleshooting guide

Any troubleshooting remedies suggested here are ones you can perform yourself. If you cannot cure a problem by following the suggestions here, contact your TASCAM dealer.

The MD-801 is a precision piece of engineering, and there are no user-servicable parts inside. Do not attempt to make any repairs to the MD-801.

The messages here are arranged in alphabetical order for easy reference.

Message

Meaning and possible

remedy

Message

Disc Error!

Disc Full!

Eject Error!

Meaning and possible

remedy

The disc inserted is of the wrong type (it may be an MD data disc) or the U-TOC has become damaged or is otherwise unreadable. Try again with another disc.

You are trying to record or split a track on a disc where there is no space. Note that if the U-TOC is complicated, even though the total length of the recorded tracks may be less than the nominal length of the disc, this message may appear.

The disc cannot be ejected properly. Switch off the unit, wait a few seconds, turn on the unit again and retry ejecting the disc. If this fails, contact your TASCAM dealer.

A-B Error!

Cannot EDIT!

Cannot REC!

D-IN UNLOCK!

An error has occurred with regard to the setting of the A and B location points (they are at the same position, A follows B, etc. Consult the relevant part of this manual to see what restrictions are placed on the A-B loop for the operation you are attempting.

The edit operation you just attempted cannot be carried out. Try again with another disc.

For various reasons, the MD801 is unable to record. Turn off the power to all units, recheck connections, etc. wait a few seconds, turn on the units and try again. If this problem persists, contact your TASCAM dealer .

The digital audio source selected for recording was not available. Re-check the connections, etc. to the MD-

801.

EXT_CLK Err!

InsPT Error!

Load Error!

Name Full!!

NO BU-801!!

NO CALL PT!!

No external word clock could be found, when one was expected. Check the connections to the word clock.

You are attempting to insert at an illegal point (see 5.7, "Moving an A-B point")

The MD-801 was unable to read the disc when it was loaded. Eject the disc and try again. If the problem persists , try cleaning the drive lens using a commercial MD lenscleaning kit.

The title you have tried to enter exceeds the limit for an individual title, or for the total number of characters that may be stored on a disc (see

5.11, "Track and disc title entry")

You have attempted to use the ﬂash start function, without the optional RAM buffer (BU-801) being installed (see

6.3, "Flash start") You have attempted to per-

form a call point operation, without having set the call point ﬁrst (see 4.2.7, "The CALL function")

TASCAM MD-801R/P Mk II

8–1

Page 45

8 - Specifications

Message

Not Audio!!

Not Execute!

PGM Empty!!

PGM Full!!

PLL UNLOCK!

Ready Error!

Rec Error!

Servo Error!

T_Protected!

TOC Edited!

Meaning and possible

remedy

No digital audio is available when recording. Check the source disc.

You attempted to perform an invalid editing operation. Read this manual to see what you might have done to cause this error message to appear.

You are attempting programmed playback with no program steps speciﬁed.

You have attempted programmed playback with more than the maximum permissible number of tracks (see

6.2.1, "Entering programmed playback").

This indicates a system error. Try again with another disc. If the error persists, contact your TASCAM dealer .

An error occurred while loading the ﬂash start buffer from disc (see 6.3, "Flash start"). Try loading the buffer again. If this error persists, try with another disc and check the installation of the optional BU-801 RAM buffer.

Some error occurred while recording. This resulted in the recording process being stopped. Try again, using another disc.

A disc error has occurred. Eject the disc and try again, or try with a different disc. If this error persists, contact your TASCAM dealer .

The track has been protected, and cannot be written. Unprotect the track using the procedure described in 5.9, "Changing track attributes".

Not an error message—this message is shown when you try to eject a disc with changes made to the TOC

(see the nation—

EJECT

[3]

key expla-

Message

TRK Illegal!

UTOC Fixed!

UTOC Full!

W_Protected!

Write Fail!

Meaning and possible

remedy

You have speciﬁed an illegal track number for an operation. Mak e sure that the trac k number matches the number of tracks on the disc, and that the track is a valid track for the operation you are attempting (i.e. it is not the ﬁrst or the last track for some operations).

The U-TOC was found to be defective, but the MD-801 successfully attempted a repair. This restored U-TOC was not saved to disc before a recording operation was attempted, causing this error to be displayed.

The U-TOC is too full (complex) for y ou to sav e the edits that you have just made. You may want to clean up the UTOC (see 4.3.2, "Rebuilding the TOC").

You have attempted a record or edit operation on a writeprotected disc.

The U-TOC could not be written. Try loading another disc to see if the error is in the disk or in the MD-801

8.2 Speciﬁcations

Changes in speciﬁcations and features may be made without notice or obligation.

In the following speciﬁcations, 0 dBV is referenced to 1 volt, and 0 dBu is referenced to 0.775 Vrms.

8.2.1General MiniDisc

Format MiniDisc (MD) format, 2-channel stereo

or mono using audio MiniDisc

Recording method

Maximum recording

time Sampling frequency 44.1 kHz Compression system ATRAC (Adaptive Transform Acoustic

Modulation system EFM (Eight-to-Fourteen Modulation)

Magnetic ﬁeld modulation overwriting 74 minutes (stereo), 148 minutes

(monaural)

Coding)

TASCAM MD-801R/P Mk II

8–2

Page 46

8 - Specifications

Error correction ACIRC (Advanced Cross Interleave

Reed-Solomon Code) Frequency response 20 Hz – 20 kHz ±0.5 dB Signal-to-noise ratio

(playback) Signal-to-noise ratio

(recording) THD < 0.006% Wow and ﬂutter Unmeasurable Pitch control ±9.9% (in 0.1% steps) Playback rise time

(from play ready mode)

>101 dB (1 kHz/weighted A)

> 94 dB (1 kHz/weighted A)

< 0.1s

8.2.2Analog I/O

Balanced outputs (

)

LINE

Unbalanced outputs (

MONITOR

)

XLR-3-32 type, nominal +4 dBu, full-

scale –16 dB

Maximum output level: +24 dBu

Nominal impedance: 11

Trimmer potentiometer allows 11 dB

adjustment (–7 dB cut to +4 dB boost)

RCA pin jacks, nominal –10 dBV ±1 dB,

full-scale –16 dB

Maximum output level: +6 dBV

Nominal impedance: 220

Ω

COAXIAL

AES/EBU

COAXIAL

output

input

RCA pin jack, IEC60958 (consumer) format (SPDIF)

XLR-3-31 type, AES3-1992 format. Valid sampling frequencies from <32 kHz to 48 kHz

RCA pin jack, IEC60958 (consumer) format (SPDIF). Valid sampling frequencies from <32 kHz to 48 kHz

8.2.4Other connections

WORD SYNC

WORD SYNC THRU

REMOTE CONTROL

REMOTE (PARALLEL)

REMOTE (SERIAL)

KEYBOARD

INBNC connector, impedance 75 Ω, sam-

pling frequency 44.1 kHz, ±6% BNC connector, auto-terminating, dupli-

cates signal received at

SYNC IN

’D’-sub 25-pin, connects to TASCAM optional RC-801 remote control unit or to optional RC-FS10/20 remote controller

’D’-sub 37-pin, TTL level, connects to TASCAM RC-8 remote control unit

’D’-sub 9-pin, RS-232C

PS/2-compatible, mini-DIN 6-pin

WORD

Headphones (

PHONES

Balanced inputs XLR-3-31 type, nominal +4 dBu, full-

Unbalanced inputs RCA pin jacks, nominal –10 dBV, full-

)

1/4” stereo jack

Maximum output level: 50 mW + 50 mW

Impedance: 32

scale –16 dB

Maximum input level: +24 dBu

Nominal impedance: 2.2 k

Trimmer potentiometer allows 11 dB

adjustment (–4 dB cut to +7 dB boost)

scale –16 dB

Maximum input level: +6 dBV

Nominal impedance: 8 k

Ω

8.2.3Digital I/O

AES/EBU

output

XLR-3-32 type, AES3-1992 format

Ω

8.2.5General and electrical

Voltage USA/Canada 120 VAC @ 60 Hz

U.K./Europe 230 VAC @ 50 Hz Australia 240 VAC @ 50 Hz

Power consumption 33 W (MD-801R Mk II)

29 W (MD-801P Mk II)

Dimensions (w x h x d)

Weight 8 kg (17.6 lbs) Optional accessories RC-801 full function remote control unit

482 x 132 x 353 (mm) 19 x 5.2 x 13.9 (in)

RC-8 simple remote control unit PW-1XMD cable for title copying BU-801 RAM buffer for ﬂash start RC-FS10/20 ﬂash start control unit

TASCAM MD-801R/P Mk II

8–3

Page 47

8 - Dimensional drawing

8.3 Dimensional drawing

Option

RC-801 Remote Control Unit

216mm

58mm

22mm

201mm

RC-8 Remote Control Unit

200mm

21mm

14mm

4mm

201mm

156mm

TASCAM MD-801R/P Mk II

8–4

Page 48

Index A - E

A and B point erase operations 5-3 A-B erase 5-4 A-B indicator 2-7 A-B point, moving 5-5 About the MD-801R/P Mk II 1-2 About the MiniDisc format 1-1 AES/EBU

Alphanumeric display (dot-matrix) 2-7 Analog I/O 8-3 ANALOG INPUT switch 2-6 ANALOG INPUTS (UNBALANCED) 2-8 ANALOG INPUTS and trimmers (BALANCED) 2-8 Analog output function DIP switch bank 2-8 ANALOG OUTPUTS (LINE) and trimmers 2-8 ANALOG OUTPUTS (MONITOR) 2-8 Analog recording 4-8 ATRAC compression 1-1 Audio position in a track, cueing to first 4-3 Auto cue 3-1 AUTO CUE key and indicator 2-5 AUTO READY key and indicator 2-5 Auto track numbering level 3-4

DIGITAL INPUT 2-7 DIGITAL OUTPUT 2-7

Backup memory 1-4 BALANCED, ANALOG INPUTS and trimmers 2-8 Basic recording operations 4-5 Baud rate 3-3 Buffer memory 1-1

CALL function 4-2 CALL key 2-3 Cancelling an edit operation 5-1 CAPS indicator 2-6 Care of MD media 1-2 Care of the unit 1-3 Changing characters 5-8 Changing track attributes 5-6 Characters

changing 5-8 deleting 5-8

inserting 5-8 Check items 3-3 Checking and editing a programmed sequence 6-2 COAXIAL

DIGITAL INPUT 2-8

DIGITAL OUTPUT 2-8 Combining tracks 5-2 Communications, serial 3-3 Complete disc, erasing 5-7 Compression, ATRAC 1-1

Copy ID 3-4 Copying

Cueing

disc and track titles 5-9 title together with audio 4-8

next track automatically 4-3 to first audio position in a track 4-3

Date

displaying recording 4-4

setting the time and 4-4 DATE indicator 2-6 Deleting characters 5-8 Digital I/O 8-3 DIGITAL INPUT (AES/EBU) 2-7 DIGITAL INPUT (COAXIAL) 2-8 DIGITAL INPUT switch 2-6 DIGITAL OUTPUT (AES/EBU) 2-7 DIGITAL OUTPUT (COAXIAL) 2-8 Digital recording 4-7 Dimensional drawing 8-4 Direct track entry 6-3 Disc

editing without saving the edits to 5-1

EOM 3-2

erasing complete 5-7

inserting and ejecting 4-1

playback of 4-1

playing back all 4-1 Disc and track titles, copying 5-9 Disc drive 2-2 Disc title

editing with keyboard 6-3

entry 5-7 DISC TITLE indicator 2-7 Display 2-3 2-6

and indicators (time) 2-7

dot-matrix alphanumeric 2-7

frame 3-1

relative time 4-2 Displaying the recording date 4-4 Displaying track titles during playback 4-4 Dividing tracks 5-1 Dot-matrix alphanumeric display 2-7

EDIT indicator 2-6 EDIT key 2-4 Edit operation 6-1

cancelling 5-1 Editing

basic operations 5-1

existing titles 5-8

operations 5-1

titles using the keyboard 6-3

unprotecting tracks 5-7

MD-801R/P Mk II

Page 49

Index F - P

without saving the edits to disc 5-1 Editing a programmed sequence 6-2 Editing operations 5-1 EJECT key 2-2 Ejecting discs 4-1 End of track, erasing to 5-4 Entering the A and B location points 4-2 EOM

disc 3-2

track 3-2 Erased material

restoring 5-6 Erasing

complete disc 5-7

from the start of a track 5-4

more than one track at a time 5-4

normal A-B 5-4

to the end of a track 5-4

track 5-2 Error messages and troubleshooting guide 8-1

Fader start 7-2 First audio position in track, cueing to 4-3 Flash start 6-2 Frame display 3-1 Front panel 2-2

General notes on recording using MD 4-5 General transport operations 6-1

I/O

analog 8-3

digital 8-3 ID, copy 3-4 Incremental play 3-3 Incrementing track number 4-6 indicators, tally 7-1 INPUT LEVEL controls 2-6 Input levels 2-8 INPUT selection switch 2-6 Inserting and ejecting discs 4-1 Inserting characters 5-8 Introduction 1-1

JOG key and indicator 2-3 Jog loop length 3-1 Jog mode 4-3 JOG/DATA dial 2-3 Joop length (jog) 3-1

Katakana indicator 2-6 Keyboard (PS/2)

track and disc title editing 6-3 using with the MD-801 6-1

KEYBOARD connector 2-9

Laser pickup time 3-4 Level control

PHONES jack 2-3 LEVEL controls, INPUT 2-6 Level for auto track numbering 3-4 Level meters 2-7 LINE ANALOG OUTPUTS 2-8 LOC A/DEL & LOC B/INSERT keys and indicators 2-5 Location points

entry 4-2

playback between 4-2 Location, time-based 6-2

MD media, care of 1-2 MEMO IN/CAPS key and indicator 2-5 Memory

backup 1-4

buffer 1-1 Menu items 3-1 MENU key 2-3 Menu operations

basic principles 3-1 Meters, peak 2-8 MiniDisc format, about 1-1 MODE SET DIP switch bank 2-9 Monaural playback 4-1 MONITOR ANALOG OUTPUTS 2-8 Mono-to-stereo 5-6 Moving an A-B point 5-5 Moving tracks 5-3

Normal A-B erase 5-4 Notes on recording using MD format 4-5 Number incrementing (track) 4-6 Numbering level (auto-numbering) 3-4

Output levels 2-8

Peak level meters 2-7 PGM NO. indicator 2-7 PHONES jack and level control 2-3

MD-801R/P Mk II

Page 50

Index R - T

Pickup time 3-4 PITCH CONT key and indicator 2-5 Pitch control 3-1 PLAY key and indicator 2-1 PLAY MODE key 2-5 Playback 4-1

between two location points 4-2 displaying track titles during 4-4 entering programmed 6-1 incremental 3-3 monaural 4-1 outputs 4-1 repeat 4-3

timer-controlled 3-2 Playback and recording (sequential) 7-2 Playing back a single track 4-2 Playing back a whole disc 4-1 Point erase operations 5-3 “Post-Script” recording 4-6 “Post-script” recording 3-4 ~ IN (power in connector) 2-9 Power in connector (~ IN) 2-9 POWER switch 2-2 Principles of menu operations 3-1 Programmed sequence

checking and editing 6-2

entering 6-1 Protected tracks 5-7 PS/2 keyboard 6-1

Rack-mounting the unit 1-3 Random access and U-TOC 1-1 READY key and indicator 2-2 Rear panel 2-7 Rebuilding the TOC 4-5 REC MODE switch 2-6 RECORD key and indicator 2-2 Recording

analog 4-8

basic 4-5

digital 4-7

“Post-Script” 3-4 4-6

replace 4-6

sequential 7-2

sound synchro 4-7 Recording date, displaying 4-4 Recording operations 4-4 Recording using MDs 4-5 Relative time display 4-2 REMOTE (PARALLEL) connector 2-9 7-1 REMOTE (SERIAL) connector 2-9 REMOTE CONTROL connector 2-9 Remote control of the MD-801 7-1 REPEAT indicator 2-7 REPEAT key and indicator 2-5 Repeat playback 4-3

Replace recording 4-6 Restoring erased material 5-6 RESUME indicator 2-6 Resume setting 3-2 Retaining a track titleafter editing 5-5

SCMS 3-4 Search operations, track 4-3 Sequential playback and recording 7-2 Serial communications 3-3 Setting time and date 4-4 Shuttle mode 4-4 SHUTTLE wheel 2-3 SINGLE indicator 2-6 Single track, playing back 4-2 Software version 3-4 Sound synchro recording 4-7 Specifications 8-2 Spindle motor time 3-4 Start of track, erasing from 5-4 Stereo-to-mono 5-6 STOP key 2-2 SYNC IN, WORD 2-9 SYNC THRU, WORD 2-9 Synchro recording 4-7 System software version 3-4

Tally indicators 7-1 Time and date setting 4-4 Time display (relative) 4-2 Time display and indicators 2-7 TIME key 2-3 Time-based location 6-2 Timer-controlled playback 3-2 Title copying together with audio 4-8 Title editing with keyboard 6-3 Title entry (track and disc) 5-7 TITLE key 2-3 Titles

copying disc and track 5-9 displaying during playback 4-4 editing existing 5-8

viewing 5-8 TOC EDIT indicator 2-7 TOC WRITE key and indicator 2-5 TOC, rebuilding 4-5 Track

attributes, changing 5-6

combining tracks 5-2

cueing the next automatically 4-3

cueing to the first audio position 4-3

displaying title during playback 4-4

dividing 5-1

EOM 3-2

erasing 5-2

MD-801R/P Mk II

III

Page 51

Index U - W

erasing from the start 5-4 erasing to the end 5-4 moving 5-3 playing back single 4-2 protect 5-7 splitting 5-1

titles 1-2 Track and disc title editing with the keyboard 6-3 Track and disc title entry 5-7 Track auto-numbering level 3-4 Track entry, direct 6-3 TRACK keys 2-2 TRACK NO. display and indicator 2-7 Track number incrementing 4-6 Track search operations 4-3 Track title copying together with audio 4-8 TRACK TITLE indicator 2-6 Track titles, copying 5-9 Transport operations, general 6-1 Trimmers, balanced inputs 2-8

Trimmers, balanced outputs 2-8

UNBALANCED ANALOG INPUTS 2-8 Unpacking the unit 1-3 Unprotecting tracks 5-7 Using a PS/2 keyboard with the MD-801 6-1 U-TOC, random access and 1-1

Varispeed mode 4-3 Viewing titles 5-8

Whole disc, playing back 4-1 WORD SYNC IN 2-9 WORD SYNC THRU 2-9

MD-801R/P Mk II

Page 52

MD-801R@#/ MD-801P@#

TEAC CORPORATION

Phone: (0422) 52-5082 3-7-3, Nakacho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-8550, Japan

TEAC AMERICA, INC.

Phone: (213) 726-0303 7733 Telegraph Road, Montebello, California 90640

TEAC CANADA LTD.

Phone: 905-890-8008 Facsimile: 905-890-9888 5939 Wallace Street, Mississauga, Ontario L4Z 1Z8, Canada

TEAC MEXICO, S.A. De C.V

Phone: 5-658-1943 Privada De Corina, No.18, Colonia Del Carmen Coyoacon, Mexico DF 04100

TEAC UK LIMITED

Phone: 01923-819699 5 Marlin House, Marlins Meadow, The Croxley Centre, Watford, Herts. WD1 8YA, U.K.

TEAC DEUTSCHLAND GmbH

Phone: 0611-71580 Bahnstrasse 12, 65205 Wiesbaden-Erbenheim, Germany

TEAC FRANCE S. A.

Phone: 01.42.37.01.02 17 Rue Alexis-de-Tocqueville, CE 005 92182 Antony Cedex, France

TEAC BELGIUM NV/SA

Phone: 0031-30-6048115 P.A. TEAC Nederland BV, Perkinsbaan 11a, 3439 ND Nieuwegein, Netherlands

TEAC NEDERLAND BV

Phone: 030-6030229 Perkinsbaan 11a, 3439 ND Nieuwegein, Netherlands

TEAC AUSTRALIA PTY.,LTD. A.C.N. 005 408 462

Phone: (03) 9644-2442 106 Bay Street, Port Melbourne, Victoria 3207, Australia

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Phone: 02-66010500 Via C. Cantù 11, 20092 Cinisello Balsamo, Milano, Italy

PRINTED IN JAPAN 1098U0.6 M-1423A

Tascam MD-801R-P Mk II User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual