Tascam MF-P01 User Manual

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Tascam MF-P01 User Manual

D00637200A

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OWNER’S MANUAL

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

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

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

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

WARNING: TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

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. DO NOT make any connection to the larger terminal which is marked with the letter E or by the safety earth symbol ç or coloured GREEN or GREEN-and-YELLOW.

The wires in the mains lead on this product are coloured in accordance with the following code:

BLUE: NEUTRAL

BROWN: LIVE

As these colours may not correspond with the coloured markings identifying the terminals in your plug proceed as follows:

The wire which is coloured BLUE must be connected to the terminal which is marked with the letter N or coloured BLACK.

The wire which is coloured BROWN must be connected to the terminal which is marked with the letter L or coloured RED.

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.

Table of Contents

 

Important Safety Instructions ............................

2

An introduction to the MF-P01 ...........................

4

Multitrack recording - a brief

 

introduction...................................................

4

Some safety notes and precautions ...............

4

What you need to make recordings ...............

6

Connecting the MF-P01..................................

6

Parts of the MF-P01 ...........................................

7

Recording tracks .............................................

10

Setting up .....................................................

10

Setting the level ............................................

10

Recording the first track ..............................

11

Recording the next track (overdubbing) ......

11

Mixing down tracks..........................................

12

Setting up .....................................................

12

Mixdown .......................................................

13

Hints and advanced tips .................................

13

Recording techniques ..................................

13

Recording electric guitars ..........................

13

Recording with effects................................

14

When you’re not recording .........................

14

Recording more than four tracks................

14

Troubleshooting ...............................................

15

Specifications ..................................................

15

2 PORTASTUDIO MF-P01

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.

9)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 ventilation 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 built-up 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.

Example of Antenna Grounding as per

National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70

 

ANTENNA

 

LEAD IN

 

WIRE

 

GROUND

 

CLAMP

 

ANTENNA

 

DISCHARGE UNIT

 

(NEC SECTION 810-20)

ELECTRIC

 

SERVICE

GROUNDING CONDUCTORS

EQUIPMENT

 

(NEC SECTION 810-21)

 

GROUND CLAMPS

 

POWER SERVICE GROUNDING

 

ELECTRODE SYSTEM

NEC - NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE

(NEC ART 250. PART H)

 

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 opening 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:

a) when the power-supply cord or plug is damaged.

b) if liquid has been spilled, or objects have fallen into the product.

c) if the product has been exposed to rain or water.

d) 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.

e) 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.

PORTASTUDIO MF-P01 3

An introduction to the MF-P01

The TASCAM MF-P01 PORTASTUDIO allows you to perform multitrack recordings which are not possible with an ordinary stereo cassette recorder.

Multitrack recording - a brief introduction

This section gives you a brief introduction to some of the terms and techniques used in recording. If you are unfamiliar with these terms, you may find it useful to read through this section so that you understand the rest of the manual, which uses the terms explained here.

Multitrack recorders

The MF-P01 allows you to record up to 4 tracks on Type II (chrome) cassette tapes. It accepts an input and feeds it into a recorder which can record tracks independently of each other, and builds up the song by recording new tracks while listening to what has been recorded before ("overdubbing").

Ordinary cassetteMF-P01

The illustration below shows you how tracks are arranged on an ordinary stereo cassette tape, as well as on the MF-P01.

Notice that the stereo cassette arrangement allows you to use both sides of the cassette, by playing the tape in the other direction. The MF-P01, however, uses the whole width of the tape. Notice also that one pair of L and R tracks on the stereo cassette take up the same positions as tracks 1 and 2 on the MF-P01. This allows the MF-P01 to play back normal cassette tapes using tracks 1 and 2.

Mixing down

When you come to make the final version (on MD, cassette, etc.), you can adjust the level (volume) and the stereo position (panning) of each track.

The technique of converting a multitrack recording to a stereo recording is called "mixing down" to a "stereo master" recorder. The MF-P01 includes a mixdown section which allows you to mix to a stereo cassette or MD recorder.

Some safety notes and precautions

Always use the PS-P2 power adaptor supplied with the MF-P01. If you use any other adaptor, there is a risk of damage, or even fire. Make sure that the input voltage marked on the PS-P2 adaptor matches the power supply you are using. If you are in any doubt, consult your TASCAM dealer.

Turn off your MF-P01 and remove the cassette when you are not using the MF-P01. If you will not be using it for an extended period of time, unplug the PS-P2 adaptor.

When connecting or disconnecting the MF-P01 to or from any other equipment, make sure the power to the MF-P01 and all other equipment is turned off. This will avoid possible damage to equipment.

Do not keep your MF-P01 in a very hot place. Remember that in sunny weather, the inside of a parked car heats up very quickly. Avoid leaving your MF-P01 in such a place.

Do not spill liquid onto your MF-P01. Avoid eating, drinking and smoking near it (smoke particles are bad for audio equipment). If any liquid or any objects such as paperclips, guitar picks, etc. fall inside the MF-P01, do not try to operate it. Return it to a TASCAM service center for repair.

If the case of the MF-P01 becomes dirty, clean it only with a damp (not wet) cloth, moistened with a little detergent. Do not use solvents or thinners, etc. to clean the MF-P01, as these will damage the surface.

There are no parts inside the MF-P01 that you can repair by yourself. Do not open the MF-P01 case or try to make any repairs. Return it to a TASCAM service center for repair.

Tape cassettes

Since the MF-P01 uses the whole width of a cassette tape, you can use only one side of a cassette for playing and recording. You should try to use either side A or side B for all cassettes, to avoid confusion when changing tapes.

Only use Type II (chrome or high position) cassettes with the MF-P01.

Remember that because you are only using one side of the cassette, the marked length of the tape will be halved (that is, a C60 tape will run for 30 minutes, a C40 for 20 minutes, etc.).

Always store cassettes in a safe place (away from the magnetic fields produced by speakers, television sets, computer monitors, etc.).

4 PORTASTUDIO MF-P01

Record-protecting cassettes

The record-protect tab on a cassette stops you recording on that side when it is removed.

The MF-P01 also recognizes this protection, and will not allow you to record on the side of a cassette where this tab has been removed.

However, we suggest that you remove both tabs when you want to protect a MF-P01 cassette. This will stop you putting in the cassette the wrong way round and recording over old material accidentally.

Playing back stereo cassettes

As mentioned earlier, the MF-P01 can play back cassettes recorded on a stereo cassette recorder, using tracks 1 and 2.

Also, if tracks 1 and 2 have been recorded on the MFP01, these cassettes can be played back on a stereo cassette recorder.

However, if tracks 3 and 4 are used for recording on the MF-P01, these cannot be played back on a stereo cassette recorder.

Also, note that if a cassette has been recorded with noise reduction, such as Dolby, etc., it will sound strange when played back on the MF-P01. Any tapes (tracks 1 and 2) recorded on the MF-P01 should be played back without noise reduction on a stereo recorder.

"Dolby" is a registered trademark of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation.

NOTE

Never use C120 cassettes with the MF-P01. The tape in these cassettes is thin, and may stretch and break.

Cleaning the heads

You should clean the tape heads of the MF-P01 regularly to keep it working properly. Dirt and tape oxide buildup on the heads will force the tape away from the tape head gaps that record and playback. Head cleaner will remove the dirt and restore the sound quality.

In addition to affecting performance by coating the heads, and keeping the tape away from the recording and playback gaps, dirt and oxide in the tape path will also act in the same way as very fine sandpaper, which will wear down internal parts of the MF-P01, and affect the recording in this way as well.

All of these problems can be avoided if you buy a head cleaning kit such as the TEAC TZ-261 and keep it with your MF-P01 for regular use. The kit consists of head cleaner, cleaner for the rubber parts of the MF-P01, and cotton-tipped swabs.

An introduction to the MF-P01

WARNING

Only use head and rubber cleaning fluid and cleaning swabs designed for use with tape recorders. The use of any other cleaning materials may cause damage to the MF-P01.

Clean the heads and metal parts of the tape path before every session with the MF-P01 and also after every session.

ERASE

 

CAPSTAN

HEAD

 

PINCH ROLLER

RECORD/REPRODUCE

HEAD

1)Open the tape cassette cover.

2)Carefully clean the heads and metal parts as shown in the illustration using a swab dipped in the head cleaning fluid.

3)Dry off the heads with a dry swab.

Cleaning the pinch roller

You should also clean the rubber pinch roller at regular intervals (at least once each day that you use the MF-P01).

1)Open the tape cassette cover.

2)Press the PLAY key.

The pinch roller will engage with the capstan shaft and start turning.

3)Press a swab dipped in the rubber cleaning fluid against the right side of the pinch roller.

If you press the right side of the roller, the swab will not get caught between the roller and capstan.

4)Dry the capstan with a dry swab and make sure that there is no material on the pinch roller or capstan before you insert a cassette.

PORTASTUDIO MF-P01 5

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