Page 2 - Table Of Contents; WARNING: TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK
2 Table Of Contents Safety Instructions 3 The PORTASTUDIO 414 MKII is... 4 The Recording System 5 The Three Steps to Multitrack 5 Understanding the Mixer 6-7 Signal Flow in the 414 MKII Mixer 6 Tape Cue Monitor System 7 Multitrack Cassette Recorder 8 Track Format and Tape Recommendations 8-9 Optiona...
Page 3 - Safety Instructions
3 Safety Instructions CAUTION: • Read all of these Instructions. • Save these Instructions for later use. • Follow all Warnings and Instructions marked on theaudio equipment. 1) Read Instructions — All the safety and operating instructions should be read before the product is operated. 2) Retain Ins...
Page 4 - To get the most out of your; If the plug fitted is not suitable for the
4 The PORTASTUDIO 414 MKII is... The PORTASTUDIO 414 MKII is a 4-track "Multi-track Master" cassette tape recorder and a full-function mixer with 8 inputs/stereo outputs includinga balanced microphone input and a dedicated guitarinput combined into a single workstation. Its high audio qualit...
Page 5 - The Recording System; The Three Steps to Multitrack
5 The Recording System The PORTASTUDIO 414 MKII is a complete audioproduction facility in a single box. It is divided intotwo major sections: a full-function mixer and a 4-channel, multitrack cassette recorder. To complete the recording system, you'll additionallyneed these: input devices (microphon...
Page 6 - Understanding the Mixer; Signal Flow in the 414 MKII Mixer
6 Understanding the Mixer Signal Flow in the 414 MKII Mixer The illustration below shows how input signals passthrough the 414 MKII Mixer section. After theMASTER fader they go to the L/R LINE OUT jacks. This is the most important signal route in the mixerand is called "Main Mix".
Page 7 - Tape Cue Monitor System
7 Understanding the Mixer Tape Cue Monitor System The TAPE CUE mix and MONITOR switches arealso crucial for successful multitrack recording,because they control what you hear in theheadphones. This CUE mix is totally independentfrom the Main Mix going to tape. If you don't usethe CUE mix, you run th...
Page 8 - Tape Speed and Track Format
8 Multitrack Cassette Recorder The 414 MKII records on readily available standard(Philips) Compact Cassette tape, high bias Type II.The recorder has 4 tracks while the mixer has astereo output; however, using the Direct Recordingfeature you can record on any or all of the 4 tracks atone time. For mo...
Page 9 - Track Format and Tape Recommendations; Tape Type
9 Track Format and Tape Recommendations Tape Type The Portastudio 414 MKII is internally adjusted forHIGH BIAS Type II tape. This means that for bestresults, you should only use tapes of this type. TDKSA, Maxell XL-II or equivalent formulations arerecommended. We strongly suggest that you selectone ...
Page 10 - Optional Accessories; RC-30P Remote Footswitch
10 Optional Accessories RC-30P Remote Footswitch Head Demagnetizer TZ-261 Cleaning Kit (Except U.S.) MIDI-Tape Synchronizer PW-2Y/PW-4Y Insertion Cable HC-1 Head Cleaner & RC-1 Rubber Cleaner(U.S.only)
Page 11 - PORTASTUDIO 414 MKII Brief Guide; Input Selection and Adjustment; Master Section
12 11 PORTASTUDIO 414 MKII Brief Guide For detailed information on each feature, see"Features and Controls", pp. 31-35. ✂ Channels 1 through 4 EQ HIGH : Cuts or boosts treble frequencies. Shelving point is at 10 kHz. EQ LOW : Cuts or boosts bass frequencies. Shelving point is at 100 Hz. EFFE...
Page 12 - Recorder Controls; Connections on the Rear Panel
13 14 PORTASTUDIO 414 MKII Brief Guide DBX switch : Normally, leave this switch at ON. When you use track 4 to record andplay back MIDI sync tones or time code,set to SYNC then the dbx is on for tracks1-3, and off on track 4. Tape counter : Shows the distance the tape has moved from a zero reference...
Page 13 - Let's Try the 414 MKII Mixer
15 Let's Try the 414 MKII Mixer To learn how the mixer works, we’ll use amicrophone as the source. If your dynamicmicrophone cable has a balanced XLR-typeconnector, we’ll use the rear-panel XLR-type INPUT(L, R) connector. If it is fitted with an unbalanced1/4" connector, we’ll use the front-pane...
Page 14 - How to Record on Track 1
16 Step-By-Step-Operation Guide 9 Monitor selection Press the MONITOR "L-R" switch on. 10 Monitor level Turn the MONITOR level control up to the12 o'clock position. 11 TRIM adjustment While speaking into the microphone, slowlypush the TRIM control in channel 1. Youwill hear your voice on the...
Page 15 - Speak into the microphone.; Track 1 Playback through TAPE CUE
17 Step-By-Step-Operation Guide 6 Mic level adjustment Speak into the microphone. You will seemeter 1 move. Slowly push the channel 1TRIM control until the meter peaks at nomore than "+6". 7 Beginning recording Hold RECORD and press PLAY to initiaterecording. The REC indicator that wasblinki...
Page 16 - Press STOP to stop playing.; How to Make an Overdub on Track 2
18 Step-By-Step-Operation Guide 6 Routing tape signals to TAPE CUE Locate the EFFECT 2/TAPE CUE levelcontrol on channel 1 and slowly turn it tothe right. You'll hear, in center mono, whatyou have recorded on track 1. 7 Stopping playback Press STOP to stop playing. ‘ How to Make an Overdub on Track 2...
Page 17 - NOTE; Stopping recording
19 Step-By-Step-Operation Guide 6 Locating tape to zero Making sure that the ZERO RETURNswitch is ON, press REW and the tape willrewind to the beginning of the track 1recording. 7 Track selection Set the RECORD FUNCTION switch fortrack 2 to its R position. The track's RECindicator will start blinkin...
Page 18 - How to Record Tracks 3 and 4
20 Step-By-Step-Operation Guide How to Record Tracks 3 and 4 Tracks 3 and 4 can be recorded using almost thesame procedure just shown for tracks 1 and 2. Justuse the applicable RECORD FUNCTION switches,and the PAN controls should be rotated to the LEFTfor recording on Track 3 and to the RIGHT for Tr...
Page 20 - How to Mix Down; Connections
22 Step-By-Step-Operation Guide Recording on More than Two TracksSimultaneously : Direct Recording It is possible to record on three or four tracks at thesame time by setting the respective RECORDFUNCTION switches to their numbered (1-4)position. In this Direct recording, each track gets itssignal f...
Page 21 - Press PLAY on the 414 MKII.; Record level
23 Step-By-Step-Operation Guide 5 Playback level Press PLAY and, while listening to the tapeplay, tentatively set the channel faders. 6 Adjust the PAN controls to set each track'sleft-to- right position for the desired stereoimage. You may also want to use the EQcontrols to adjust the individual tra...
Page 22 - PUNCH-IN or INSERT Recording; Preliminary; Selecting in and out points
24 PUNCH-IN or INSERT Recording "Punching in" or "insert recording" is recording overa small section of previously recorded track tocorrect or improve a performance, while keeping therest of the track intact. The mixer settings should beexactly the same as they were during the origin...
Page 24 - PAN all the way to R, and
26 Bouncing Tracks (Ping-Pong) The recording capability of the PORTASTUDIO 414MKII is not limited to four tracks. You can "bounce"or combine tracks you have recorded to an emptytrack, and then replace the original tracks with newmaterial. A bounce is like a mixdown, except you arerecording t...
Page 25 - Using Effects with the PORTASTUDIO 414 MKII; The processing that's; Setting Effect Send Levels
27 Using Effects with the PORTASTUDIO 414 MKII Effects and signal processing are areas where youcan really start to have fun customizing your sound,and develop your own unique recording style.Because there are so many possibilities, it also canbe confusing. There are many different effect unitson th...
Page 26 - How to Connect Your Effects Devices; A special feature of the STEREO; Patching effects to an input channel:
28 Using Effects with the PORTASTUDIO 414 MKII Setting the Mix/Balance Control onEffect Devices When it's being used in a send-return mix, set themix/balance of your effect device all the way to"wet" or full processing with no direct originalsignal. In send/receive processing, the dry signal...
Page 27 - Problem
30 29 Syncing MIDI-Tape — Using the TASCAM MTS-30 Troubleshooting Problem Possible Cause Playback sounds dull Dirty heads Playback level is too low Dirty heads Transport keys not effective Power turned off, or tape not loaded No recording RECORD FUNCTION set to SAFE, or cassette tab broken Wrong tra...
Page 28 - Features and Controls; Input Section
31 32 Features and Controls 414 MKII MIXER 1. POWER switch (on the rear panel): Turns the 414 MKII on and off. 2. DC IN 12 V connector (on the rear panel): This is for connection of the provided TASCAMPS-P414 AC adaptor only. 3. MIC/LINE IN jacks (Channels 1-4): These 1/4" jacks accept unbalance...
Page 30 - Tape path components; Transport Controls; Cassette Loading and dbx System
34 Features and Controls 414 MKII RECORDER 27. Cassette compartment door: To insert or remove a cassette, pull the door open. Once acassette is inserted, be sure to close the door toprevent objects, dust or liquids from falling intothe tape path. Tape path components 28. DBX switch : When this switc...
Page 31 - For connection to an optional; These meters show; Track REC indicator; Displays; Using a good head cleaning fluid and a cotton
35 Features and Controls Care and Maintenance 38. REMOTE PUNCH IN/OUT jack (on the front panel): For connection to an optional RC-30P remote footswitch. 39. RECORD FUNCTION switches 1-4: These switches put the respective tracks into RecordReady. Recording starts when RECORD ispressed together with P...
Page 32 - Cleaning the Pinch Roller; Clean the pinch roller with a cotton swab; Cleaning the Capstan Shaft; SUBSONICS AND INTERFERENCE
36 Care and Maintenance How the dbx Works Cleaning the Pinch Roller Clean the pinch roller at least once each day the deckis used. Use a good rubber cleaner. 1. Clean the pinch roller with a cotton swab moistened with rubber cleaner, until there is novisible residue on the pinch roller. 2. Using a c...
Page 33 - Specifications
38 37 Specifications MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS Tape: Compact Cassette (C-60 to 90), High-Bias (CrO2) Track Format: 4-track/4-channelHead Configuration: 4-channel record/play (permalloy) x 14-channel erase (ferrite) x 1 Motor: DC servo motor x 1Tape Speed: 9.5 cm/sec. (3-3/4 ips) Pitch Control: ± 10...
Page 34 - Block Diagram
39 40 Block Diagram LINE OUT (-10dBV) L R MONITOR (-10dBV) (-10dBV) EFFECT 1 SEND EFFECT 2 SEND/TAPE CUE OUT ATT PHONES (60mW+60mW) MONITOR OUT (-10dBV) L/R EFFECT 1 L SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE 1 R 2 L TRK1 TRK2 EFFECTF 2/TAPE CUE L R LED METER 3 R 4 TRK3 TRK4 RECORD FUNCTION 4TRK 4CH R/P AMP DBX TYPE 2 N...
Page 35 - Level Diagram
41 Level Diagram 1 2 10 9 3 7 8 4 5 6 TRK 2 TRK 3 TRK 4 TRK 1 REPRO EQ AMP REC/REPRO HEAD REC REPRO REC EQ AMP BIAS ADJ. ERASE HEAD TRAP BIAS AMP REC MUTE REC LEVEL 85kHz OSC ENC OUT IN DEC OUT PLAY MUTE dbx NR REPRO LEVEL EQ LPF REC IN TAPE OUT REC IN TAPE OUT REC IN TAPE OUT REC IN TAPE OUT 5 ( dB...
Page 36 - TEAC CORPORATION
TEAC CORPORATION Phone: (0422) 52-5082 3-7-3, Nakacho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-8550, Japan TEAC AMERICA, INC. Phone: (323) 726-0303 7733 Telegraph Road, Montebello, Califor nia 90640 TEAC CANADA LTD. Phone: 905-890-8008 Facsimile: 905-890-9888 5939 Wallace Street, Mississauga, Ontario L4Z 1Z8, Cana...
