Page 2 - Table Of Contents; WARNING: TO PRIVENT FIRE OR SHOCK; CAUTION
2 Safety Instructions 3 Introduction 4 The Recording System 5 The three steps to multitrack 5 Understanding the Mixer 6-7 Signal flow in the 424 MKIII mixer 6 Tape cue monitor system 7 Multitrack Cassette Recorder 8 Track Format and Tape Recommendations 9-10 PORTASTUDIO 424 MKIII Brief Guide 11-14 S...
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 - Introduction; About the weld line
Using this manual : To get the most out of your424 MKIII, please take the time to read throughthis manual. Some time spent now will keep youfrom overlooking some of the features that maket h e 4 2 4 M K I I I a m o r e c r e a t i v e t o o l . Yo u m a yd i s c o v e r s o m e n e w t r i c k s y o...
Page 5 - The Recording System; The Three Steps to Multitrack
5 The PORTASTUDIO 424 MKIII is a complete audioproduction facility in a single box. It is dividedinto two major sections: a full-function mixer andan 4-channel, multitrack cassette recorder. To c o m p l e t e t h e r e c o r d i n g s y s t e m , y o u ' l la d d i t i o n a l l y n e e d t h e s e...
Page 6 - Signal Flow in the 424 MKIII Mixer; Understanding the Mixer
6 jacks. This is the most important signal route inthe mixer and is called "Main Mix". The illustration below shows how input signalspass through the 424 MKIII Mixer section. Afterthe MASTER fader they go to the L/R LINE OUT Signal Flow in the 424 MKIII Mixer Understanding the Mixer
Page 7 - Tape Cue Monitor System
7 Tape Cue Monitor System The TAPE CUE mix and MONITOR switches arealso crucial for successful multitrack recording,b e c a u s e t h e y c o n t r o l w h a t y o u h e a r i n t h eheadpnones. This CUE mix is totally independentfrom the Main Mix going to tape. If you don't usethe CUE mix, you run ...
Page 8 - Multitrack Cassette Recorder
8 ∑ A three-point autolocator (MEMO/LOC 1 and 2and RTZ) lets the tape STOP at, or PLAY frompreset points. ∑ REPEAT allows a section to be played overand over between the MEMO 1 and MEMO 2points. ∑ REHEARSAL programs the 424 MKIII to repeata punch-in/out sequence as many times asyou wish, and AUTO PU...
Page 9 - Track Format and Tape Recommendations
9 Tape Speed and Track FormatThe Portastudio 424 MKIII uses a HIGH speed of9.5 cm/sec. (3-3/4 inches per second) which is twotimes (2X) the normal speed of a standard audiocassette. Its NORMAL speed is 4.8 cm/sec (1-7/8i.p.s.), the same as that used by conventionalrecorders. It also employs a discre...
Page 11 - PORTASTUDIO 424 MKIII Brief Guide
Ch 7-8 STEREO INPUT: Connect any stereo line-level signal (such an effectreturn or electronic instrument)h e r e . A l t e r n a t i v e l y, y o u c a nc o n n e c t t w o m o n o l i n e - l e v e lsignals. M O N O f e a t u r e : I f o n l y o n e m o n o s i g n a l i s t o b e c o n n e c t e d...
Page 12 - Recorder Controls; Rear Panel Connections
13 Recorder Controls R E C O R D F U N C T I O N 1 - 4 : T h e s e c o n t r o l which track(s) will be recorded when themaster RECORD and the PLAY key ispressed, and choose where the signal tobe recorded is coming from. œ S e t t i n g t o D I R E C T r o u t e s t h echannel signal directly to the...
Page 13 - H a v e t o h a n d a d y n a m i c m i c r o p h o n e a n d a s e t o f s t e r e o; Notes to be read prior to making connections
Input connections Powering on Headphone connection Routing inputs Let’s try the 424 MKIII mixer To learn how the mixer works, first you need to plug a signal sourceinto one of the 1-8 jacks located at upper top of the unit, in your easyreach. As an example, we'll use a microphone as the source. 1. H...
Page 15 - Press the COUNTER RESET switch, so you can use the RTZ
Resetting the counter Selecting tracks Mic level adjustment Beginning to record Stopping recording Putting track into "Safe" 4. Press the COUNTER RESET switch, so you can use the RTZ (Return-To-Zero) function to get back to this point. 5. Set the RECORD FUNCTION switch for TRK 1 to its BUSS ...
Page 16 - Press STOP to stop play.
Switching TAPE CUE on Monitor selection Locating tape to zero Begin to play Listening leveladjustment Routing tape signals toTAPE CUE Stop play Track 1 playback through TAPE CUE 1. Set the EFFECT 2/TAPE CUE selection switch located below theLEVEL control to the right/TAPE CUE position. 2. S l i d e ...
Page 18 - You will hear track 1 play, together with the new signal going to; Begin to record
20 How to record tracks 3 and 4 How to record many sources onto a single track 9. Hold RECORD and press PLAY to initiate recording. The REC "2" indicator that was blinking will turn on solid, indicating track 2 isnow being recorded. 10. You will hear track 1 play, together with the new signa...
Page 19 - How to record a mix onto two tracks simultaneously; You can't record channels 7 and 8 onto a single track.
21 How to record a mix onto two tracks simultaneously œ Set the PAN control of each channel to the same setting, forexample : I n t h i s e x a m p l e , a l l i n s t r u m e n t s p l u g g e d i n t ochannels 1-4 will be recorded onto Track 1 or 3. If you want to record multiple sources onto two ...
Page 20 - Recording on more than two tracks simultaneously : DIRECT; you can record only two tracks at once
22 Recording on more than two tracks simultaneously : DIRECT ∑ Set the MONITOR SELECT LINE OUT switch to L-R or MONO, andset the EFFECT 2/TAPE CUE switch to TAPE CUE if you need tohear tape tracks or MIDI virtual tracks. Recording is the same procedure as for one track. In the exampleabove, set both...
Page 23 - Using Memory Location Points; Establishing new MEMOs
25 Using Memory Location Points MEMO 1 MEMO 2 Establishing new MEMOs Recalculation of MEMOs Checking MEMO points Erasing Loading MEMO points Two autolocation points can be established in the 424 MKIII's memorysystem. At the desired moment, hold the MEMO IN key and press the LOC 1key. The MEMO 1 indi...
Page 24 - Press the RTZ key to fast wind the tape to the counter zero point.
26 To zero To MEMO 1 To MEMO 2 Auto play Locating the tape Press the RTZ key to fast wind the tape to the counter zero point. If you press COUNTER RESET during the RTZ process, the tapecounter is reset to 0000 and the tape stops. Hit the LOC 1 key to fast wind the tape to the MEMO 1 point. Note : On...
Page 25 - Repeat Play; Operating procedure; To resume the REPEAT sequence –
27 Repeat Play Operating procedure To interrupt REPEATsequence Note 1 Note 2 The REPEAT function provides a "Playback Loop" or "Block Repeat"b e t w e e n t h e t w o p r o g r a m m e d M E M O p o i n t s . T h e 4 2 4 M K I I Iunderstands the lower MEMO point as the start point of...
Page 26 - PUNCH-IN or INSERT Recording; Preliminary
28 PUNCH-IN or INSERT Recording Selecting in and out points "Punching in" or "insert recording" is recording over a small sectionof previously recorded track to correct or improve a performance,while keeping the rest of the track intact. The mixer settings shouldbe exactly the same a...
Page 28 - Actual Auto Punch In/Out
30 When the tape reaches the preset punch-out point, you will beable to hear the old material existing on track 2, letting you checkthat the new material is smoothly followed by the old one. TheRECORD LED will turn off, indicating that the "dry-run" record isover. After 3 seconds of play (&#...
Page 29 - Auto Review
31 Manual Punch-in 8. Press the AUTO PUNCH switch. "RHSL" will turn off and "AUTO" will start blinking in the display. 9. Press PLAY. What you have anticipated in REHEARSAL will automaticallyoccur in sequence: preroll, punch in, punch out, postroll, rewind,and stop. "AUTO" wi...
Page 30 - To stop the tape press STOP.
32 Using the remotefootswitch (RC-30P) If you are recording alone and are too busy playing an instrument topush the switches, the optional remote footswitch really comes inhandy. 1. Plug the RC-30P into the REMOTE PUNCH IN/OUT jack on therear panel of the 424 MKIII. 2. Check that the REC 2 indicator...
Page 33 - Using Effects With the PORTASTUDIO 424 MKIII; Setting effect send levels
Using Effects With the PORTASTUDIO 424 MKIII 35 Effects and signal processing are areas whereyou can really start to have fun customizing yoursound, and develop your own unique recordingstyle. Because there are so many possibilities, italso can be confusing. There are many differente f f e c t u n i...
Page 35 - Troubleshooting
Problem Solution Old tracks are always recorded along Use the TAPE CUE section instead of the with new material. main mixer for monitoring previous tracks. Make sure all mixer channel INPUT switchesare in the OFF position except ones you are Recording is noisy. using. Also, increase the volume fader...
Page 36 - Features and Controls; INPUT select switches:
424 MKIII MIXER 1. POWER switch (on the rear panel): Turns the424 MKIII on and off. 2. Power connector: Connect the power adaptorf o r t h e 4 2 4 M K I I I t o t h i s c o n n e c t o r. I t i simportant that you use only a power adaptorspecially designed for the 424 MKIII which isdesigned for use ...
Page 42 - Optional Accessories; Head Demagnetizer; Open the cassette compartment door. Tape; CLEANING; Care and Maintenance
47 Optional Accessories TZ-261 Cleaning Kit (Except U.S.) HC-1 Head Cleaner & RC-1 Rubber Cleaner(U.S.only) Head Demagnetizer RC-30P Remote Footswitch MIDI-Tape Synchronizer Cleaning the Heads and Tape Guides All heads and metal parts in the tape path mustbe cleaned after every 6 hours of operat...
Page 43 - Cleaning the Pinch Roller; Press a cotton swab that has been moistened; Cleaning the Capstan Shaft; Clean the capstan shaft by lightly pressing a; Degaussing the Tape Path; To complete the cleaning and demagnetizing; How the dbx Works
49 The dbx is a wide-band compression-expansions y s t e m w h i c h p r o v i d e s a n e t n o i s e r e d u c t i o n(broadband, not just hiss) of a little more than 3 0 d B . I n a d d i t i o n , t h e c o m p r e s s i o n d u r i n grecording permits a net gain in tape headroom ofabout 10 dB....
Page 44 - Specifications; DC servo motor x 1
50 Specifications Mechanical Characteristics Tape: Compact Cassette (C-30 to 90), High-Bias (CrO 2 ) Track Format: 4-track/4-channel Head Configuration: 4-channel record/play (permalloy) x 14-channel erase (ferrite) x 1 Motor: DC servo motor x 1 Tape Speed: Switchable two speeds: 9.5 cm/sec. (3-3/4 ...
Page 46 - * dbx is a registered trademark of dbx Incorporated.
52 419mm 115mm 51mm 4mm 357mm 351mm Others Power Requirements USA/CANADA: 120 V AC, 60 Hz U.K./EUROPE: 230 V AC, 50 Hz AUSTRALIA: 240 V AC, 50 Hz Power Consumption: 22 W In these specifications, 0 dBV is referenced to 1 Volt. Actual voltage levels are also given in parentheses(0.316 V for -10 dBV ro...
Page 47 - Block Diagram
Page 48 - Level Diagram; TEAC CORPORATION
55 Level Diagram 424@$ TEAC CORPORATION 3-7-3, Nakacho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-8550, Japan Phone: (0422) 52-5082 TEAC AMERICA, INC. 7733 Telegraph Road, Montebello, California 90640 Phone: (323) 726-0303 TEAC CANADA LTD. 5939 Wallace Street, Mississauga, Ontario L4Z 1Z8, Canada Phone: 905-890-8008...
