Akai GX 400D Owners Manual

Page 1

mn-- ~ ~. ~ . . . i I f ...... .."...". ... ALL GX (glass & single crystal ferrite) HEADS Akai has equipped this model wfth its new and amazing GX Heads to bring you unequalled open reel high fidelity sound. With the symmetrical head block lay-out and dual capstan drive system of this model, an undistorted wide frequency response range covering 30,000 Hz für com- pletely professional performance. With the GX Heads, a wider dynamie range and excellent signal-to-noise ratio arealso attained. These accomplishments are contributable to head materials, superior processing technique, and a "focused-field" recording system. The core of these extra-ordinary heads are made of single crystal ferrite and are mounted and set in glass. This focused-field recording ..".; system minimizes high frequency lass and eliminates undue equalization für perfect recording results. A.D.R SYSTEM The GX-400D incorporates Akai's new and unique Auto- matie Distortion Reduction circuit. This circuit prevents interference and beat noise from occuring during high input recording. At input signals over 8,000 Hz where tape is easily saturated, the selective network of the A.D.R circuit is automatically activated to change the recording equali- zation according to input. The result is clear and dis- tortionless high range playback over an extended frequencyrange.

Page 2

w w r INDEX Controls 2 PIe ase read the following precau tions before operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Howtoload amagnetic tape 4 4-Track stereo recording and playback system 5 4-Track monaural recording and playback system 5 Automatic and manual reverse recordingandplayback ,5 Tapeselectorswitch 6 Tapespeedselection 6 Direct function change control system. . . . . . . . . . . .. 6 Cueswitch 6 Automaticstopandshut-off , 6 Pausecontrol 6 Remotecontrol 6 Connectionsforplayback 7 Playback 8 Connectionsforrecording 9 Recording 10 Echo effect IO Sound-on-soundrecording 111 Soundmixing 11 Tapeerasing 11 Tape splicing andediting 11 Heads should always be kept clean. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212 Pinch wlieel and capstan cleaning 212 Headdemagnetizing 12 Voltage and cycle conversion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1313 Technicaldata 14 Standardaccessories 14 Troubleshootingchart 15 [I]

Page 12

.. SOUND-ON-SOUND RECORDING For transfer of previously recorded material from one track to another accumulating as many individual recordings on a single track as is desired. Use für language training or various interesting musical compilations. First Recording 1. Connect power cord and turn on Power Switch. 2. Confirm that there are no connections to the input jacks and turn all input level controls to minimum. 0 3. Plug in microphone to left Mic-I Microphone Jack. . 4. Depress left Track Selector Switch für recording on track 1. 5. Depress SOURCE Monitor Switch. 6. Adjust left MIC-I/DIN Input Level Control while observing the left VU Meter. 7. With Reset Button, set Index Counter to "0000". 8. While holding Recording Safety Button at depressed position, depress Forward Button to begin first record- ing; Le., Do-Re-Mi-. 9. When the first recording is completed, rewind tape to starting point. Second Recording 10. Confirm that the Monitor Switch is at SOURCE position and set S.O.S./Echo Selector Switch at rear of unit to S.O.S. position. 11. Depress fight Track Selector Switch für recording on track 3 while monitoring track 1 through headphones. The left Track Selector Switch must be set to OUT position. 12. Set Line Output Level Controls to "0" VU (position 5) ~ and plug in microphone to fight Mic-l Microphone Jack. 13. Set fight MIC-I/DIN and MIC-2/UNE Input Level Controls to about position 7 or 8. 14. Connect stereo headphones für monitoring the first recording on track 1. 15. While holding Recording Safety Button at depressed position, depress Forward Button to be gin recording; i.e., Do-Do'-Re-Re'-Mi-Mi'oo. . The second recording (Do'-Re'-Mi' . . .) is made on track 3 as the first recording (Do-Re-Mi. . .) is heard through headphones. The two recordingswill merge on track 3 (Do-Do'-Re-Re'-Mi-Mi' . . .). .The third (Left MIC-2jLINE Input Level Control must be set to same level as fight MIC-2jLINE Input Level Control) and sub- sequent recordings are made in the same way as the second by switching Track Selector Switches to and from 1-4, 3-2 and reinserting microphone to corresponding channel. For playback, set Track Selector Switch to track on which the last recording wasmade, depress the TAPE Monitor Switch, and set the S.O.SjEcho Selector Switch to NOR position. t . , SOUND MIXING One of the features of this model is its varied sound mixing ability. MIC-I + UNE, MIC-2 + DlN, UNE + DlN, or MIC-I + MIC-2 can easily be accomplished. For sound mixing, choose any of the above combinations and follow recording procedure, connecting source to appropriate inputs, and adjusting input level controls accordingly in step 8. TAPE ERASING Any signals previously recorded on the tape will beautomatically erased as a new recording is made. For erasing only, thread tape and set machine to recording mode. No plugs should be connected to the input jacks and the input level controls should be kept at minimum. For quick and complete erasure, a bulk tape eraser is recom- mended. . Be sure that the proper Track Selector Switches are depressed. If both switches are depressed, both the left and fight channels will be erased. TAPE SPLICING AND EDITING Q) / ,/ J ./,-' r- Tl ~L7 / /__J ~ @ [ Cut the tape diagonally with an overlap so that the ends are lined up. Cutting tape on the diagonal eliminates detection of the splice in recording. Cover aligned ends with splicing tape, exerting pressure to secure ends evenly. Trim off excess splicing tape. Cutting into the tape very slightly will eliminate the possibility of a sticky splice. Splicing using scissors requires skillful work. For smooth and easy spicing, Akai Tape Splicer AS-3 is highly recommended. [ß]

Page 20