Tascam Ministudio Porta02 Owners Manual

							4 Hints and advanced tips
21
4.1.3 Metering
In general, you should not try to record at
too high a level, and the 
+6 indicator
should not be lit more than half the time
(at the very most). 
The meters display the input levels to the
channels at all times except when playing
back with the input channels in 
SAFE
mode.When playing back if one or both of the
input channels has set to 
SAFE, they will
display the levels of the signal sent to the
left 
LINE OUT (channel and meter 1) or
the right 
LINE OUT (channel and meter
2). If a signal is also received at the 
MIC/
LINE
 input jacks, this will be added to the
playback for metering.
4.1.4 When you’re not recording
Try to get into the habit of always leaving
the 
REC FUNCTION switches in the SAFE
position unless you are actually recording
or rehearsing a take. This will stop yourecording by accident (remember that
pressing 
RECORD with both channels
SAFE is the same as pressing PLAY).
4.2 Mixdown
What sounds good is something that
depends on personal taste, but most pro-
fessionals try to avoid mixes with too
much bass or high end (unless it’s for a
special effect). However, the most impor-tant pieces of equipment that you have
are your ears! Train yourself to use them
so that you can spot mistakes quickly,
and you know how to put them right, just
by listening. It’s a useful skill!
4.2.1 Recording more than four tracks (i)
Although the Porta02 has only 4 tracks, it
is possible to produce a mix with more
than four sounds. Here’s one way, which
involves adding one or two more extra
inputs to the four recorded tape tracks.
These extra inputs will be panned either
fully left or right (or one track will be in
the center) and the mix proceeds as the
extra inputs are recorded. This method is
therefore useful for adding a pre-recorded
stereo backing to go behind the four
recorded tracks.
1) Record on all four tracks of the 
Porta02.2) Set both REC FUNCTION switches to 
SAFE.
3) Connect the source for the extra 
inputs to the 
MIC/LINE jacks and 
adjust the 
TRIM controls to match 
the level.
4) Play back the tape, and use the 
OUTPUT LEVEL and PA N controls to 
adjust the playback of the tape 
tracks.
5) Use the faders to adjust the levels 
of the input signals against the tape 
tracks.
4.2.2 Recording more than 4 tracks (ii)
For this method, there must be an ordi-
nary stereo cassette recorder used as the
mastering recorder.The four tracks of the Porta02 are mixed
in the usual way onto a stereo cassette.
This cassette is then removed from the
mastering recorder and replaces the 4- 
						

							5 Troubleshooting  
22
track tape in the Porta02. The left and
right stereo tracks of the mastering
recorder can be used as tracks 1 and 2 of
the Porta02, leaving tracks 3 and 4 ready
for recording.
There are a few points to remember:
• Although you can repeat this process 
of mixing 4 tracks to 2 and then add-
ing 2 more, as you repeat the mix pro-
cess, noise and hiss will build up to a 
point where the quality becomes unac-
ceptable.
• The mastering recorder must have its 
noise reduction turned off when mix-ing the Porta02 tracks to the mastering 
machine, as the Porta02 does not use 
noise reduction. Of course, on the 
final stereo mix, you can use noise 
reduction on the mastering machine.
• Once you have mixed the four tracks 
to two, you cannot adjust their levels 
or pan positions again on the new 
tape. Think ahead to what tracks you 
will record on the new tape, and mix 
accordingly.
• When using this technique, always use 
the same type of tape in the Porta02 
and mastering machine. Differences in 
tape type may affect the sound.
5 – Troubleshooting
Tracing faults in a recording setup is
often a mixture of logical deduction and
patience. Very often, the problem is
caused by something simple; a cablewhich hasn’t been plugged in properly, or
a faulty cable. If you discover a faulty
cable, replace it with a new one–it’s not
worth hanging onto bad cables!
The Porta02’s POWER light does 
not come onIs the PS-P2 adaptor plugged into the power supply?
Is the PS-P2 adaptor plugged into the Porta02?
Is the switch on the Porta02 set to ON?
The tape does not move when 
PLAY is pressedIs the tape properly inserted in the Porta02?
Is the tape at the end of the tape?
Some tracks have been recorded 
on the tape, but nothing can be 
heard when playing back
If you’ve just put in a tape you recorded in another session, make 
sure that it’s the right way round.
Make sure the 
OUTPUT LEVEL controls are set to monitor the 
tape tracks (not at 0). Set the 
REC FUNCTION switches to 
SAFE and look at the meters.
Try monitoring through headphones and adjust the 
PHONES 
LEVEL
. If you can hear something through the headphones, check 
the 
LINE OUT connections.
Make sure the amplifier is set to the correct input source.
Nothing appears on the meter 
indicators when a source is 
playedIs the source (microphone, guitar, etc.) switched on and volume 
control turned up? If it uses batteries, does it need new batteries?
Is the 
TRIM control of the channel set correctly?
Cannot press the RECORD keyIs the tape properly inserted in the Porta02?
Is the tape record-protected?
The RECORD key is pressed, the 
tape moves, but nothing is 
recorded, or the level is very lowIs the REC FUNCTION set to SAFE?
Check the 
OUTPUT LEVEL control for the track.
Is the 
TRIM level set correctly (a microphone feeding a channel set 
to 
LINE will sound very faint). 
						

							6 Specifications
23
6 – Specifications
The PAN controls don’t work
If you’re listening through headphones, is the Porta02’s MONO 
switch pressed?
If you’re listening through speakers, is there a 
MONO switch on 
the amplifier which has been pressed?
Recorded sound is distorted 
when recording
When monitoring while recording, the sound will often be a little 
different to when it is played back. A large amount of distortion 
may be caused by recording at too high a level (shown by the meter
 
+6
 indicator being lit all or most of the time). Adjust the TRIM 
level and/or back off on the faders.
If the meter 
+6 indicator is not constantly lit, you may want to 
reduce the headphone level; you may be driving the headphones 
too hard.
Recorded sound distorts on 
playback.
Either the sound was recorded at too high a level, or the summed 
level of all four tracks is too high. Try reducing the level of all 
tracks so that the meter 
+6 indicator is not constantly lit on play-
back (set 
REC FUNCTION to SAFE). If one track only is dis-
torted, it was recorded at too high a level.
Tape sounds muffled on play-
backThe heads are dirty. Clean them (see 1.2.4, “Cleaning the heads”)
Pitch changes (wow and flutter)The capstan and pinch roller are dirty. Clean the capstan and pinch 
roller (see 1.2.5, “Cleaning the pinch roller”).
A stereo tape recorded on 
another machine sounds really 
strange!
You’re probably listening to tracks 1 and 2 forwards at the same 
time as 3 and 4 backwards. Turn down the 
OUTPUT LEVEL con-
trols of tracks 3 and 4.
If the sound is unnaturally “bright”, it’s quite likely that the tape 
was recorded on the other machine using noise reduction.
Recommended tape typeCompact cassette tape, CrO2 (Type II, 70ms EQ), C-30 to 
C-90
Track format4 tracks, 4 channels
Head configuration1 x 4-track record/replay head (Permaloy)
1 x 4-track erase head (ferrite)
Motor type1 x DC motor (capstan and reel motor)
Tape speed1 7/8 in./sec (4.76 cm/sec)
Wow and flutter0.18%
Fast wind speedApprox 120 seconds (C-60 tape)
Power requirementsUSA/CANADA:120V AC,  60Hz
U.K./EUROPE: 230V AC, 50Hz
AUSTRALIA: 240V AC, 50Hz
Power consumption7W, via the supplied PS-P2 AC adaptor
Physical dimensions (w x h x d)305 x 64 x 205 (mm), 12.0 x 2.5 x 8.1 (in.), maximum 
height (including controls) 80 (mm), 3.1(in)
Weight (main unit)1.5kg (3.3lb)
MIC/LINE inputs (2 x 1/4 jacks)
Input level
Input impedance
–50dBV, TRIM at maximum; –10dBV, TRIM at minimum
50k
W 
						

							6 Specifications  
24
LINE outputs (2 x RCA jacks)
Output level
Output impedance
–10dBV
10k
W
Headphone output (1/4 stereo 
jack)
Output level
Output impedance
60mW + 60mW
30
W
Frequency response50Hz – 12.5kHz ±3dB
Signal-to-noise ratio43dB
Total Harmonic DistortionBetter than 3.0% (400Hz, –10dB)
Channel separationBetter than 40dB (at 1kHz)
Erasure65dB (at 1kHz)
305mm
205mm
64mm
80mm
PRINTED IN TAIWAN 1097 M-1349A
TEAC CORPORATION3-7-3, Nakacho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180, Japan   Phone: (0422) 52-5082
TEAC AMERICA, INC. 7733 Telegraph Road, Montebello, California 90640   Phone: (213) 726-0303
TEAC CANADA LTD. 5939 Wallace Street, Mississauga, Ontar io L4Z 1Z8, Canada   Phone: 905-890-8008  Facsimile: 905-890-9888
TEAC MEXICO, S.A. De C.V Privada De Corina, No.18, Colonia Del Carmen Coyoacon, Mexico DF 04100 Phone: 5-658-1943
TEAC UK LIMITED 5 Marlin House, Marlins Meadow, The Croxley Centre, Watford, Herts. WD1 8YA, U.K.   Phone: 01923-819699
TEAC DEUTSCHLAND GmbH Bahnstrasse 12, 65205 Wiesbaden-Erbenheim, Ger many   Phone: 0611-71580
TEAC FRANCE S. A. 17 Rue Alexis-de-Tocqueville, CE 005 92182 Antony Cedex, France   Phone: (01) 42.37.01.02
TEAC BELGIUM NV/SA P.A. TEAC Nederland BV, Perkinsbaan 11a, 3439 ND Nieuwegein, Netherlands   Phone: 0031-30-6048115
TEAC NEDERLAND BV Perkinsbaan 11a, 3439 ND Nieuwegein, Netherlands   Phone: 030-6030229
TEAC AUSTRALIA PTY., LTD. 106 Bay Street, Port Melbourne, Victoria 3207, Australia   Phone: (03) 9644-2442
A.C.N. 005  408  462
TEAC ITALIANA S.p.A. Via C. Cantù 5, 20092 Cinisello Balsamo, Milano, Italy   Phone: 02-6601050
0 dBV is referenced to 1 volt
Changes in features or specifications may be made without notice or obligation.