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5 - Basic operations
28
TASCAM DA-78HR
recorder. Of course, a non-HR (16-bit) record-
ing made on the DA-78HR can be replayed on
any DTRS recorder.
7
To start formatting the tape, hold down the
RECORD
key and press the
PLAY
key.
NOTE
The tape counter may show a negative ABS time for
a short while at the start of the formatting process.
While it is displaying a negative value, no audio
recording can take place.
8
The tape will format to the end, and then
rewind automatically.
You are now able to use the tape for recording.
All transport controls are disabled during formatting,
except for the
STOP
key, which can be used to abort
the format process.
It is possible to format tapes on a number of DTRS
units simultaneously. For details, see 8.5, “Synchro-
nized formatting”.
5.1.3 Aborting the format process
To abort the process before formatting actually takes
place (i.e. you have pressed the
FORMAT/Fs
switch
twice in error), press the
CLEAR
or the
STOP
key.
The only transport operation you can perform once
formatting has started is to stop the tape.
However, we do not recommend interrupting the for-
matting process, but suggest that you let the tape run
to the end.
If you interrupt the formatting (or the formatting is
interrupted by a power cut or events beyond your
control), rewind the tape and start the format from
the beginning of the tape again.
5.1.4 Recording while formatting
If you have armed any tracks (you have pressed its
REC FUNCTION
switch, and the indicator is flash-
ing), any audio signal routed to that track will be
recorded while formatting is in progress.
NOTE
S
If you have recorded and formatted part of a tape, and you
wish to continue formatting and recording on the rest of the
tape (“assembly”), you should rewind to a pre-formatted,
blank section of the tape and resume formatting and
recording from there.
Recording and formatting will continue at the sampling fre-
quency used on the first part of the tape.
Avoid re-starting recording and formatting from an
unformatted section of the tape.
5.2 Recording the first tracks
There are a number of different ways of recording the
first tracks. However, all follow the same basic
principles.
• When using a newly-formatted tape, we suggest
that you record a blank “leader” about 30 seconds
long, starting from the beginning of the tape, to
avoid dropout. Leave a similar recorded blank
“trailer” at the end of the recording. You can use
the Rec Mute function as a convenient way of
recording silence. See 7.10, “REC MUTE (record-
ing silence)”.
• If the tape counter shows a negative value, you can-
not record on the tape at that position.
5.2.1 Preparing to record
1
If you have not already loaded a formatted
blank tape, do so now.
2
Make sure that varispeed is turned off. Check
the
VARI SPEED
indicator 7.6, “Vari speed
(pitch control)”.
3
Select the recording source (see 5.3, “Input
selection”) as either all digital, all analog or a
mixture of these sources. The DA-78HR con-
tains a “patch bay” which allows you to route
inputs to tracks.
5.2.2 Selecting a clock source
1
If you have selected a digital source, you should
select the word clock master using the
CLOCK
key.
This can either be an external word clock con-
nected to the rear panel BNC
WORD IN
con-
nector, or it can be the SPDIF (
COAXIAL
)
digital audio signal. The appropriate indicator
to the right of the time counter will light.
Alternatively, if both of these are lit, the unit
will serve as the word clock master in the audio
system.
NOTE
Remember that there must be one, and only one,
word clock master unit in a digital audio system.
5.2.3 Write-protecting cassettes
You cannot record on a cassette where the write-pro-
tect tab has been closed (write-protected).