TOA Electronics AM-821 User Manual

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

SPOT ANNOUNCING MACHINE

AM-821

WARNING (120V MODEL ONLY)

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 residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case

the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.

TOA Corporation

CONTENTS

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

FEATURES

PRECAUTIONS

USER CARE

PART DESCRIPTION

CONNECTIONS

RECORDING PROCEDURE

CONFIRMATION OF RECORDING

AUTOMATIC PLAYBACK PROCEDURE

MICROPHONE PAGING AND ORDER OF PRIORITY

TROUBLE-SHOOTING SPECIFICATIONS

DIMENSIONS

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The TOA AM-821 fully automatic spot announcing machine is designed for use where recorded tape

messages are required to be repeated at specific time intervals or on command during background music

play. Instant live announcements may also be made. Designed for easy operation using normal cassette

tape. Unrecorded sound section necessary for automatic playback can be easily made in the tape. Also, the

built-in AGC keeps output levels constant and you can turn out message tapes for yourselves. You can skip

unneccessary messages between the first and the ninth message if you wish. The AM-821 has a built-in timer for distributing the message at prearranged intervals. The message tape may also be played at specific time intervals by using an external timer.

The microphone may be used for both recording and paging. Paging level can be kept constant by the built-in

AGC. Remote control of the cassette operation during recording is possible with the RM-820 optinal remote microphone.

Fitted with an input terminal for background music and the announcement takes precedence of the

background music.

Can be mounted on the 19" rack cabinet with the help of optional mounting brackets.

FEATURES

1. Permits any normal type of cassette tape

2. Priority function overriding BGM

3. Message omit selectors

4. Built-in interval timer

5. Built-in AGC circuit

6. Balanced, transformer isolated output

7. Rack mountable with optional brackets

— 2 —— 2 —

PRECAUTIONS

1. Avoid setting up unit in the locations exposed to direct sunlight, or heaters or other heat sources, or with high humidity or dust.

2. The cassette tape can last only 200 hours on average. After 200 hours of use, replace the tape with the

new

one.

3. Do not use the C-120 cassette tape. (You may use other normal tapes.)

USER CARE

1. CLEANING THE HEAD SECTION

If the head, capstan or pinch roller gets dirty or accumulates dust, the deterioration of the sound quality or

unstable operation will result. An occasional wiping down with soft cloth damped with alcohol is

recommended to keep unit in good shape.

2. DEMAGNETIZING THE HEAD

The recording head becomes magnetized when the recorder is used for prolonged periods of time. This

results in noise being generated and the treble dropping off during recording. So, the recording head

should be regularly demagnetized with the head eraser.

3. HANDLING CASSETTE TAPES

The AM-821 can accept normal tape only. Do not use chrome or metal tapes to avoid loss of sound

quality.

Do not use the C-120 cassette tape. Since the it is thin and easily damaged, they may stretch during use

causing unstable tape movement which may result in the tape becoming tagled in the rotating parts of

this unit.

Do not use tapes which have been stored in a hot moist place or close to a television or speaker. Such tapes may curl or have greasy places altering tape speed and preventing proper tape performance.

Always store in a cool, dry place which is free from dirt, oil and magnetic effects.

Before using a tape, check to confirm if tape slack exists. Because the tape slack causes the tape twist

or tangle around the pinch rollers and capstans, take up the slack, if necessary, by inserting a pencil

through the reel hub and turning it.

To prevent erasing of recorded sounds, remove the erase-prevention tabs using a screwdriver or similar

object to break out the tab (thus preventing recording). To record again, cover the slot with adhesive

tape.

The cassette tape can last only 200 hours on average. After 200 hours of use, replace the tape with the

new

one.

4. CLEANING THE FRONT PANEL

Use a soft cloth to wipe off dust and grease of the front panel and cassette receptacle covers. When they

are very dirty, damp the soft cloth slightly with neutral cleanser, remove the dirt and wipe with a dry cloth.

Never use volatile spirits like thinners, benzines or alcohol because they will damage the panel's finish.

5. Avoid setting up the recorder in the locations exposed to direct sunlight, or near heaters or other heat sources, or in areas of high humidity or dust.

— 3 —

PART DESCRIPTION

POWER SWITCH

Place this switch in the ON position and power is supplied.

Note : When not loading the tape :

The auto switch

is placed in the manual

mode.

When loading the tape :

Unrecorded tape

placed in the manual mode.

Recorded tape

placed in the automatic mode.

AUTO SWITCH

When using a built-in interval timer timer Place this switch in the OFF position (manual mode) for the tape deck operation

MESSAGE OMIT SELECTOR

These selectors function only when placing the auto switch

, set this switch to ON (automatic mode).

in the automatic mode. If wishing to omit

the auto switch

or an external

one or more of the recorded messages (No.1 through

No.9), depress this switch(es).

TAPE COUNTER, RESET BUTTON

This indicates how far the tape has travelled. Depress the reset button to reset the tape counter display to "000".

CASSETTE RECEPTACLE

Load the cassette tape with the exposed tape face down, and then close lid. Note : Be sure to depress the eject button after the

auto switch

is turned to the manual mode. Ejecting the tape in the automatic mode may lead to malfunction of the deck.

MESSAGE COUNTER

This indicates the message number while its announcement is being made. The message number

to follow next is indicated when the tape motion stops.

TAPE DECK CONTROLS and LED INDICATIONS

These controls function only when placing the auto

switch

in the manual mode.

Rewinds the tape at high speed. Advances the tape at high speed. Advances the tape for playback, and the green LED illluminates during playback.

The tape stops travelling automatically

after each announcement has been finished. Depress this button to stop the tape motion or to release the recording mode.

First of all, depress this button before starting

recording. Thereafter, also depress after recording of each message is finished. The tape

continues to travel for approximately 7 seconds to

make an unrecorded sound section on the tape even after the recording is finished and this button is depressed. The red LED of this button flashes during tape travel and it illuminates

instead of flashing when the tape motion stops.

After placing in the recording standby mode by depressing the REC SPACE button, depress this switch and record with the remote microphone

RM-820.

TIMER SWITCH

This functions only when placing the auto switch

the automatic mode. Place this switch in the OFF position when an external timer is used.

EJECT BUTTON

Depress this button to open lid of the cassette

receptacle. (Do not depress this button while the

cassette tape is travelling.)

— 4 —

PHONES (HEADPHONE) JACK

Accomodates stereo or monaural headphone. Insertion of the headphone into this jack cuts line output out.

Note : When inserting the headphone into this jack,

output signal from the line out

is not

fed.

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