Tascam DA-40 Owner's Manual

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Tascam DA-40 Owner's Manual Manual pdf 7 page image

1 - Introduction to the DA-40TASCAM DA-40 7Always store DAT cassettes in their plastic cases toprevent dust damage. Keep them away from mag-netic fields (TV sets and monitors, speakers, etc.)Although 180-minute DAT cassettes are available,we do not recommend their use, as the tape in thesecassettes is thin, and may cause winding problems,and physical damage to the tape.DAT cassettes play in one direction only. Alwaysload DAT cassettes with the tape window uppermost,and the arrow on top of the cassette pointing into thetape deck, as illustrated below:NOTEStart recording on a new blank tape from thebeginning of the tape. There is no need for alead-in section, and recording from the startof the tape will record the subcode from thestart, allowing accurate positioning within thetape.Also note that DAT cassettes are fitted with a slidingwrite-protect tab to prevent accidental recording. Thecassette is write-protected when the tab is closed.1.4.1 Head cleaningNever attempt to clean the head of a DAT deck in thesame way that you clean the head of an analog tapedeck. Always use a special DAT head cleaning cas-sette. Follow the instructions on the cleaning cassettefor optimum performance.The head may need to be cleaned if you hear errors(noise) on playback or while recording. You canmake a visual check of the error rates and error loca-tions using the DISPLAY [23] key or the error dis-play menu (3.15, "Viewing points at which blockerrors have occurred").1.5 Making connectionsNOTEBefore making any audio connections to thetape deck, make sure that all equipment isturned off.1.5.1 Making analog connectionsUse balanced cables to make connections betweenthe BALANCED INPUT (female) and OUTPUT(male) XLR connectors of the tape deck, and the out-puts and inputs of other audio equipment operating atthe professional +4 dBu level. The wiring standardsfor the XLR connections are printed on the rear panelof the tape deck (1 = ground, 2 = hot, 3 = cold)Use unbalanced cables to make connections betweenthe unbalanced input and output RCA connectors ofthe tape deck and the outputs and inputs of audioequipment operating at other levels.1.5.2 Digital formatsPreviously, the professional and consumer digitalaudio formats were referred to as "AES/EBU" and"SPDIF". In this manual, they are referred to by theirofficial names as "AES/EBU3-1992" and"IEC60958" formats respectively. Please note thatthere is no change to the data format--this is a namechange only.1.5.3 Making digital audio connectionsUse cables wired in accordance with the AES/EBUstandard to connect the DIGITAL (AES/EBU)INPUT (male) and OUTPUT (female) XLR connec-tors of the tape deck to other digital audio equipment.Use unbalanced cables to connect the DIGITAL(COAXIAL) INPUT and OUTPUT RCA connec-tors of the tape deck to other digital audio equipment.NOTEThe use of analog cables is not recom-mended for digital audio use, and TASCAMcannot guarantee reliable performance if suchcables are used for digital audio connections.1.5.4 Making control connectionsThe optional RC-D45 remote control unit may beconnected to the REMOTE IN jack, using the 5 m(approximately 16 ft) cable of the RC-D45.