CTR-69  (140-1154)             Recording               Faxback Doc. # 7784

PREPARING TO RECORD

Before you record with the CTR-69, set the voice-actuated recording (VOX)
switch and the automatic level control (ALC) switch.

USING VOICE-ACTUATED RECORDING (VOX)

You can use the CTR-69's voice-actuation function (VOX) to record only 
when the microphone receives sound.  When you set the VOX switch to HI or 
LO, before or during recording, the cassette deck begins recording when it 
receives sound.  Then the cassette deck temporarily stops recording when it
receives no sound for 3 to 4 seconds.

    Set the VOX switch to HI for the cassette deck to most sensitive and
    require only a soft sound to begin recording.

    Set the VOX switch to LO for the cassette deck to be least sensitive
    and require a louder sound to begin recording.

    Set the VOX switch to OUT for continuous recording until the cassette
    tape reaches the end or until you press PAUSE or STOP/EJECT.

USING THE AUTOMATIC LEVEL CONTROL (ALC)

You can use the CTR-69's automatic level control (ALC) to automatically
set the cassette deck's recording level, or you can use it to manually set
the recording level for unusually loud or soft sounds.

    Set the ALC switch to IN for automatic setting of the recording level.

    Set the ALC switch to OUT to manually set the recording level.

When the ALC switch is set to OUT, set VOLUME/REC LEVEL so that the record
level indicator's 0 lamp occasionally lights when you speak into the
microphone in a normal voice, or when you record from an external sound
source.

RECORDING

You can record to a cassette tape from the built-in microphone, an
external microphone, or an external sound source.

For the best performance, use regular length (60-minute or 90-minute)
cassette tapes.  C-120 cassette tapes are not recommended.  For low-noise,
wide-range recordings, use only normal-bias tapes.

RECORDING FROM THE BUILT-IN MICROPHONE

To record from the CTR-69's built-in microphone, follow these steps:

1.  Insert a cassette tape into the cassette deck.

NOTE:  Be sure the erase-protection tabs are in place on the cassette
       tape.  See "Preventing Accidental Erasure."

2.  Set the VOX and ALC switches.  See "Using Voice-Actuated Recording
    (VOX)" and "Using the Automatic Level Control (ALC)."

3.  Press RECORD.  The RECORD/LOW BATT indicator lights.

    To temporarily stop recording press PAUSE.  To resume recording, press
    PAUSE again.

    To stop recording, press STOP/EJECT.

NOTE:  If the cassette tape records to the end, the cassette deck
       automatically releases RECORD and stops.

RECORDING FROM AN EXTERNAL MICROPHONE

To record from an external microphone, follow these steps:

1.  Insert a cassette tape in the cassette deck.  See "Inserting a
    Cassette Tape."

NOTE:  Be sure the erase-protection tabs are in place.  See "Preventing
       Accidental Erasure."

2.  Set the VOX and ALC switches.  See "Using Voice-Actuated Recording
    (VOX) and "Using the Automatic Level Control (ALC)."

3.  Insert a microphone's 3.175mm (1/8-inch) plug into the cassette deck's
    MIC jack.

NOTE:  If you are using a microphone with a remote switch, insert the
       microphone's sub-mini plug into the cassette deck's REM jack and
       turn on the microphone's remote switch for operation.  You can turn
       off the remote switch for operation.  You can turn off the remote
       switch to momentarily stop the cassette deck while you record,
       play, fast-forward, or rewind a cassette tape.

4.  Press RECORD.  The RECORD/LOW BATT indicator lights.

    To temporarily stop recording, press PAUSE.  To resume recording,
    press PAUSE again.

    To stop recording, press STOP/EJECT.

NOTE:  If the cassette tape records to the end, the cassette deck
       automatically releases RECORD and stops.

RECORDING FROM AN EXTERNAL AUDIO SOURCE

To record directly from a radio, cassette deck, or CD player, do the
following:

1.  Insert a cassette tape into the cassette deck.

2.  Disconnect any external microphone from the CTR-69.

3.  Connect the audio source to the cassette deck by inserting the 3.175mm
    (1/8-inch) plug of an appropriate patch cord (not supplied) into the
    AUX jack.  Then, connect the patch cord's other end to the audio
    source.

4.  Actuate the external audio source.  Then, set the audio source's
    volume to a normal listening level.

5.  Set the VOX and ALC switches.  See "Using Voice-Actuated Recording
    (VOX)" and "Using the Automatic Level Control (ALC)."

6.  Press RECORD.  The RECORD/LOW BATT indicator lights.

    To monitor the recording from the CTR-69, insert the supplied
    earphone's plug into the EAR/SPKR jack.

    To temporarily stop recording, press PAUSE.  To resume recording,
    press PAUSE again.

    To stop recording, press STOP/EJECT.

NOTE:  If the cassette tape records to the end, the cassette deck
       automatically releases RECORD and stops.

ERASING A CASSETTE TAPE

For the fastest and most thorough cassette tape erasure, use a bulk tape
eraser available at your local Radio Shack store.  Otherwise, follow these
steps:

CAUTION:  A bulk eraser erases both sides of a cassette tape.

1.  Insert the supplied dummy plug into the MIC jack.

2.  Insert a cassette tape in the cassette deck.

NOTE:  Be sure the erase-protection tabs are in place on the cassette
       tape.

3.  Press RECORD.

    The tape deck records silence over the previous recording and
    automatically stops at the end of the tape.

4.  Press STOP/EJECT to stop recording.

If necessary, you can turn over the tape and repeat steps 2 and 3 to erase
the other side of the tape; otherwise, remove the dummy plug.

PREVENTING ACCIDENTAL ERASURE

Cassettes have an erase protection tab for each side of the tape.  If you
break off a tab, you cannot record on the corresponding side of the tape.

To protect your valuable recordings, remove the Side A tab to protect
Side B.

CAUTION:  If you use a bulk eraser, removal of the erase-protection tabs
          does not prevent erasure of both sides of the cassette tape.

If you later want to record on the tape, place a piece of heavy plastic
tape over the tab hole.

If you use a cassette with the erase-protection tabs removed, do not force
down RECORD.  This can damage the mechanism.

MAINTAINING THE TAPE MECHANISM

You should clean the tape heads after about every 20 hours of tape
operation.  If you do not do this, metal oxide particles accumulate on the
recording/playback head.  This accumulation can degrade the high-frequency
response, interfere with tape travel, and might cause your tape to become
tangled in the mechanism.

Use a tape head cleaning kit available from your local Radio Shack store.

1.  Remove the batteries and disconnect any power source.

2.  Press PLAY.

    The tape mechanism moves upward, exposing parts you need to clean.

3.  Follow the instructions in the tape head cleaning kit.

DEMAGNETIZING THE TAPE HEADS

You should demagnetize the recording/playback and erase heads after
approximately every 10 hours of playing or recording.  If you do not do
this, the heads build up magnetism that degrades their high-frequency
response.  Carefully read the demagnetizing instructions.

We recommend a tape head demagnetizer, available at your local Radio Shack
store.

(ALL-10/3/94)