Tascam MP-BT1 Owners Manual
»
MP-BT1
MP3 Bass Trainer
OWNER'S MANUAL
D00998701A
Contents
1 – Introduction...................................................... 3
Supplied accessories.................................................... 3
Manual conventions.................................................... 3
Precautions for placement and use.............................. 3
Beware of condensation ............................................... 3
About the power supply .............................................. 4
Recharging with a computer ......................................... 4
Recharging with a PS-P520 AC adapter ............................ 4
To turn the MP-BT1 power on ........................................4
To turn the MP-BT1 power off........................................ 4
Recharging the battery................................................. 4
Turning the power on and off........................................ 4
2–Part names and functions............................. 5
Top Panel ..................................................................... 5
Front Panel.................................................................. 6
Right Side Panel ..........................................................6
Left Side Panel............................................................. 7
Back Panel................................................................... 7
Home screen................................................................ 8
3 – Connections & MP3 Transfer................... 10
Making connections .................................................. 10
Connecting headphones or speakers ............................ 10
Connecting a bass..................................................... 10
Connecting to a computer ...........................................11
Disconnecting from a computer ....................................11
Moving MP3 files to the the MP-BT1..........................11
Copying tracks from a computer ...................................11
Preparing MP3 files on a computer ...............................11
4 – Menus & Settings........................................ 12
Menu items ............................................................... 12
Menu overview ......................................................... 12
Using the Menus....................................................... 12
5 – Playing and Selecting Tracks................... 14
Basic track playback functions................................... 14
Playing a track......................................................... 14
Pausing a track ........................................................ 14
Selecting a track ..................................................... 14
Searching a track ..................................................... 14
Adjusting the volume ................................................ 14
Selecting a track to play ............................................ 14
Using the Browse screen to select tracks................... 14
Setting the play area ................................................. 15
Using the playlist....................................................... 16
Adding tracks to the playlist........................................ 16
Editing the playlist..................................................... 16
ALL CLR: Remove all tracks from the playlist .................... 16
DELETE: Remove one track from the playlist .................... 16
MOVE: Change the order of tracks .................................17
Repeat and single-track playback (PLAY MODE) ........17
6 – Practice Functions..................................... 18
Changing playback pitch and tempo ........................ 18
Changing the tempo (TEMPO)..................................... 18
Change tempo without changing pitch (VSA)................. 18
Change key without changing tempo (KEY) ................... 18
Controlling bass sounds with Bass Enhance Effect
(BEE)........................ 18
Repeat playback of a selected loop ........................... 19
Connecting a guitar to practice ................................. 19
Practicing with tracks as they play ............................ 19
Using the metronome (METRONOME) ...................... 19
Turning the metronome ON and OFF ............................. 19
7 – Using Effects................................................... 20
8 – Using the Tuner............................................. 21
Chromatic tuner mode (AUTO) ..................................... 21
Bass tuner mode (BASS)............................................. 21
Oscillator mode (OSC.) .............................................. 21
9 – Setup Menu Options................................... 22
Cue and review speed ............................................... 22
Automatic power off.................................................. 22
Automatically turning off the backlight ......................... 22
Display contrast ........................................................ 22
Backlight brightness .................................................. 22
Initializing the unit..................................................... 22
Formatting the unit quickly ......................................... 23
Formatting the unit completely.................................... 23
10 – Using the Information Pages................ 24
File information page (FILE)......................................... 24
Memory information page (MEMORY)............................ 24
System information page (SYSTEM) ............................... 24
11 – Effect Lists ..................................................... 25
Effect preset list ........................................................ 25
Effect module parameters ......................................... 27
12 – Messages ....................................................... 28
13 – Recycling the Battery ............................... 30
How to remove the rechargeable battery....................... 30
14 – Specifications................................................31
Rated audio input and output .......................................31
Audio performance ...................................................31
Other specifications ...................................................31
Minimum computer requirements ..................................31
Stored settings .......................................................... 32
Dimensions................................................................ 32
2 TASCAM MP-BT1
NOTE
1 – Introduction
Thank you very much for purchasing the TASCAM
MP-BT1 MP3 Bass Trainer. Please read this Owner’s
Manual carefully before using the unit in order to maximize your use of all its features. We hope that you will
enjoy using this trainer for many years to come.
The MP-BT1 is a flash memory (1 GB) music player that
has been optimized for practicing bass. If you run into
a phrase on a recording that is too difficult for you to
learn by ear at ordinary speed, you can play and loop the
music at a slower speed to study the part. Furthermore,
Supplied accessories
In addition to this manual, the following accessories are
supplied.
Quick Start Guide.......................................................1
•
•
Mini-B USB cable ......................................................1
•
Warranty card.............................................................1
the dedicated bass input allows you to use the unit’s
built-in effects as you play along with the music. Using
a computer, you can also transfer music as MP3s easily
from audio CDs and other sources to the MP-BT1.
Please contact the store where you purchased this unit
if any of these accessories are missing or have been
damaged during transportation.
We recommend that you keep the original box and
packing materials for transportation of this unit.
Manual conventions
In this manual, we use the following conventions:
Controls and keys on the MP-BT1 are written like
•
this: MENU.
Messages shown on the display are written like this:
•
Are you sure? .
Precautions for placement and use
The MP-BT1 may be used in most areas, but to maintain
top performance, and prolong operating life, observe the
following notes, precautions and environmental conditions:
Avoid exposing it to extremes of temperature and
•
humidity and avoid mechanical shocks and vibration.
Keep the unit away from strong magnetic fields (TV
•
sets, computer monitors, large electric motors, etc.).
The nominal temperature should be between 0°C and
•
40°C (32°F and 104°F).
Relative humidity should be 30 to 80 percent.
•
If a fixed onscreen indicator (i.e. one which cannot
•
change) is shown, it is written like this: VSA.
•
We use the term “key” to describe the push-button
controls on the MP-BT1.
As the unit may become hot during operation, always
•
leave sufficient space above the unit for ventilation.
Do not install this unit in a confined space such as a
bookcase, and do not put anything on top of the unit.
Avoid installing this unit on top of any heat-generat-
•
ing electrical device such as a power amplifier.
Make sure that the unit is mounted in a level position
•
for correct operation.
The voltage supplied to the unit should match the
•
voltage as printed on the rear panel. If you are in any
doubt regarding this matter, consult an electrician.
Beware of condensation
If the unit is moved from a cold to a warm place,
or used after a sudden temperature change, there
is a danger of condensation; vapor in the air could
condense on the internal mechanism, making correct
operation impossible. To prevent this, or if this occurs,
let the player sit for one or two hours at the new room
temperature before using.
TASCAM MP-BT1 3
NOTE
NOTE
Battery
indicator
1 – Introduction
About the power supply
The MP-BT1 uses a built-in lithium ion battery that can
be recharged by connecting the unit to a computer with
the included USB cable. You can also use an AC adapter
(sold separately) to power the unit and recharge the
battery.
When new, the battery charge lasts about 8 hours.
Recharging the battery
Recharging with a computer
To charge the battery using a computer, connect the unit
to the computer using the included USB cable and turn
the computer on if it is off and not transmitting power to
the unit.
Connect the MP-BT1 directly to the computer.
Recharging cannot be guaranteed if a USB hub is used
between the computer and the MP-BT1.
When you purchase the MP-BT1, the battery is not
fully charged. Please charge it before use or use it
with an AC adapter (sold separately).
The indicator at the right side of the display shows
the battery’s charging status. It lights orange while
charging and goes out when charging is complete.
Recharging takes about 6 hours (when the MP-BT1
power is OFF).
If the MP-BT1’s power is turned ON when it is being
recharged from a computer, it is automatically treated
by the computer as a connected USB drive. (See
“Connecting to a computer” on page 11.)
Recharging with a PS-P520 AC adapter
(sold separately)
Connect the AC adapter to the MP-BT1’s DC IN 5V jack
and plug the adapter into a working power outlet.
Recharging takes about 3 hours.
You can use the MP-BT1 when it is connected to an AC
adapter and recharging.
Furthermore, the recharging time is the same whether
the MP-BT1 power is ON or OFF.
Turning the power on and off
To turn the MP-BT1 power on
Slide the POWER switch in the direction of the arrow
and hold it until TASCAMappears on the screen.
Release the switch.
The MP-BT1 starts and the home screen appears.
To turn the MP-BT1 power off
Slide the POWER switch in the direction of the arrow
and hold it until Trainer seriesappears on the
screen. Release the switch. The MP-BT1 then shuts
down.
4 TASCAM MP-BT1
Top Panel
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
2 – Part names and functions
1Display (LCD)
The display shows the Home screen and the
menus related to using the metronome and making
operation and effect settings. (See “Home screen” on
page 8.)
2Wheel
Use to select items and change values when using
menus and the effect section.
3ENTER key
Press this key to confirm a selection when using
menus and the effect section and to advance to the
next screen.
4LOOP key
Press this key to start loop playback mode and
automatically repeat playback of a section of a song
that you select. The indicator appears on the
display. (See “Repeat playback of a selected loop”
on page 19.)
Press this key again to exit loop playback mode.
5MENU key
When the home screen is open, press this key to
open the MENU screen.
During use of menus or the effect settings screen,
press this key to return to the previous screen.
Repeated presses eventually returns to the home
screen.
6FX key
Press this key to open the EFFECT screen. When the
EFFECT screen is open, press this key to return to the
home screen.
7I/O key
Use this key to set the IN and OUT points to set a
section for loop playback.
When both IN and OUT points are set, pressing
this key again will clear these points. (See “Repeat
playback of a selected loop” on page 19.)
8¥?π key
Press this key to start playback or to pause playback
at the current position.
When the METRONOME screen is open, press this to
start and stop the metronome.
9≤ key
Press this key to skip to the next track.
Press and hold to search forward.
0µ key
Press this key to return to the beginning of a track
that is playing or paused.
When at the beginning of a track, press to skip to
the previous track.
Press and hold to search backward.
TASCAM MP-BT1 5
q
w
e
NOTE
y t r
2 – Part names and functions
Front Panel
q /LINE OUT jack
Connect headphones to this jack to hear the playing
tracks and the sound of a connected bass.
This jack can also be used as a line output jack.
Right Side Panel
wINPUT volume
Use to adjust the input level of the BASS IN jack.
eBASS IN jack
Connect a bass with a standard bass cable here.
rDC IN 5V jack
Connect an AC adapter (TASCAM PS-P520, sold
separately).
tPOWER switch
Slide and hold this switch in the direction of the
arrow (to the left) to turn the power ON and OFF.
Slide it to the right to engage the HOLD function.
When set to HOLD, all keys are disabled.
yUSB port
Connect the included USB cable to this port and
your computer.
6 TASCAM MP-BT1
Trouble-free use of a USB hub cannot be guaranteed.
If you experience trouble using a USB hub, connect
the unit directly with the computer.
Left Side Panel
u
i
CAUTI ON
2 – Part names and functions
uMIX BALANCE (BASS, PLAYBACK) keys
Use these keys to adjust the balance between the
volume of the bass connected to the BASS IN jack
and the playing track. During adjustment, the
balance status is shown at the bottom of the display.
Press the BASS key to increase the relative level
of the bass, and the PLAYBACK key to increase the
relative level of the playing track.
During metronome playback, these keys adjust the
bass and metronome balance with the PLAYBACK
key increasing the metronome volume relatively.
Back Panel
iOUTPUT VOLUME (+, -) keys
Use to adjust the overall signal level sent from the
/LINE OUT jack.
During adjustment, the output volume is shown at
the bottom of the display.
Reset hole
If the MP-BT1 starts to operate incorrectly, insert the
end of a paper clip or similar object into this hole to
press the System Reset Button inside. Pressing this
button turns the power OFF.
Do not press the System Reset Button if the unit is
operating normally.
TASCAM MP-BT1 7
2 – Part names and functions
NOTE
Home screen
During normal operation the Home screen appears on
the display. The following explanation is for the Home
screen.
When using menus or the built-in effects dedicated
screens are opened. See other sections for explanation of menu and effect screens.
1Power
The battery indicator appears when the built-in
lithium ion battery is used. Three bars show a full
battery. This indicator blinks when the battery needs
to be recharged.
2Player operation indicators
These indicators show what the player is doing.
¥ Track is playing
π Track is paused
ª Track stopped at beginning
˚ Fast forwarding
∆ Fast rewinding
≤ Skipping to next track
µ Skipping to previous track
3Elapsed time (00m00s)
The elapsed time (minutes: seconds) appears during
track playback.
4Playback position bar
This bar shows the current playback position. The
dark bar extends from the left as playback proceeds.
5Remaining time
6Loop IN point and OUT point markers
Shows the loop playback IN and OUT points.
When the IN point is set, I appears below the
playback position bar at the position relative to the
time of the IN point.
When the OUT point is set, O appears below the
playback position bar at the position relative to the
time of the OUT point.
7Loop/repeat setting status indicators
The following indicators appear according to the
playback settings.
Current track plays and then playback stops
Current track plays repeatedly
All tracks in the play area play repeatedly
Playback loops between IN and OUT points
8Track information
Tag information or file name appears during
playback.
If there is ID3 tag information, the Title information
will be shown, but if not, the file name will be
shown.
The remaining time (minutes: seconds) appears
during track playback.
8 TASCAM MP-BT1
2 – Part names and functions
9Play area
The currently selected play area appears.
ALL All files in the MUSIC folder
FOLDER Files in a subfolder of the MUSIC folder
P.LIST Files added to the playlist
Playback track number/total number of tracks
The current track number and the total number of
tracks in the selected play area appears.
0Track number
Shows the current track number/number of tracks in
the selected play area.
qINPUT level meter
Level of the bass signal entering the BASS IN jack
appears.
wStatus of playback control functions
The status of each playback control function (VSA,
tempo, key, BEE) is shown.
When a function is ON, its indicator appears with
light colored letters on a dark background.
eEffect setting status
Shows whether the effects are ON or OFF. When the
effect function is ON, its indicator appears with light
colored letters on a dark background.
TASCAM MP-BT1 9
NOTE
Headphones
Powered speakers or
amplifier and speakers
Bass Guitar
3 – Connections & MP3 Transfer
Making connections
Connecting headphones or speakers
You can connect headphones or a monitoring system
(powered speakers, amplifier/speaker system, etc.) to the
MP-BT1 /LINE OUT jack.
Connecting a bass
Using the MP-BT1’s bass input jack and built-in bass
effects, you can create a variety of electric bass tones
with just the MP-BT1. You can also play bass along with
an MP3 track on the unit. (See the “Practice Functions”
chapter on page 18 and the “Using Effects” chapter on
page 20.)
The INPUT level meter appears at the bottom of the home
screen. Use this to confirm input and adjust the level
of the bass signal. If the input level is too high, the dot
at the far right end of the bar will stay lit briefly. If the
input level is low, then the meter bar will extend only a
short distance from the left when you play the bass.
Watch this meter as you adjust the INPUT volume to set
the input level so that it is neither too high or too low.
The bass sound is output through the /LINE OUT jack.
When using a bass with a high output level, such as
Active bass guitars, adjust its output volume as well
as reducing the input volume to avoid clipping the
sound. This will give you a better bass sound.
10 TASCAM MP-BT1
Loading...