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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 you
recording 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-