Philips N4450 - Recording Level; Monitoring During Recording

source(s) can be determined by making test recordings.
The best distance between mouth and microphone when re-
cording speech is approx. 30cm.
The stereo effect becomes more marked as the left and right
portions of the sound source are placed further apart or the
microphones are placed closer to the relevant part of the
sound source.
The acoustics of the room where the recording is made also
determines the quality of the recording.
For example, if you record speech in a space with large re-
flecting surfaces, such as big windows and bare walls, this
results in annoying reverberation in the recording. This may
be prevented by speaking closer to the microphone or by
drawing the curtains or covering the walls. However, when
recording music (instrumental or vocal), reverberation is
necessary to make the recording sound natural. In this case
there is of course no need to draw the curtains.
This recorder also has a facility to add echo or reverberation
to a recording. Furthermore, it is possible to mix recordings
from a microphone and e.g. a record player.
3.2. RECORDING LEVEL
The quality of a recording is determined by the intensity
with which the sound is recorded on the tape: the so-called
recording level. Also when using the amplifier section
(function selector 12 in position “AMP”) the reproduction
quality depends on the setting of the recording level.
@ The recording level is adjusted with the recording level
controls (28 .. . 31) and can be checked with recording level
indicators (7) and/or (8). Depending on the setting of the
track selector (11), either one (mono) or two (stereo) re-
cording level indicators are operative. The scale of each
indicator is graduated in per cent and decibels —dB— (a unit
of volume).
@ The recording level is correct when the pointers of the
recording level indicators deflect to 100% at the loudest
passages of the recording (Fig. 8). If the recording level is
set too low, too much “noise” will be audible during
playback; if the recording level is too high, distortion will
result.
@ Bear in mind that the recording level should also be set
when using the amplifier section.
3.3. SELECTOR FOR BEFORE/AFTER TAPE
MONITORING (10)
“A’’ (red): this is the position for after-tape monitoring.
During recording, while the tape is running, the signal which
has just been recorded on the tape is reproduced via the
playback head. Thus, you hear the sound as it has been re-
corded on the tape. NB: In position “A” with stationary tape
(position recording/pause) the playback head supplies no
signal so that you will not hear anything.
“B”: this is the position for before-tape monitoring. The
signal is monitored before it is recorded on the tape via the
recording head. When the tape is not running (in position
recording/pause), you can consequently hear the signal to be
recorded.
3.4. MONITORING DURING RECORDING
To check the sound to be recorded, you can listen in during
recording via the loudspeaker enclosures or headphones.
When making microphone recordings it is necessary to use
headphones, in order to prevent the sound radiated by the
loudspeakers being picked up by the microphone(s)
(“acoustic feedback’’).
When monitoring via the headphones as well as the loud-
speaker enclosures, you may choose between before and
after-tape monitoring (Chapt. 3.3.)
a. Monitoring via headphones
You can monitor your recordings in stereo or mono with
the aid of the Philips’ headphones LBB 9902/00 or N 6302.
® Connect the headphones in the desired position to socket
(27) at the front of the recorder.
® Set the before/after-tape switch (10) to the correct
position.
© Adjust the headphone volume with volume control (32),
the balance with balance control (33) and tone with
controls (34) and (35).
b. Monitoring via loudspeaker enclosures
@ Adjust the volume as required with volume control (32),
the tone with the tone controls (34 and 35) and, in stereo
programmes, the relative volume with the balance control
(33). If “howling” occurs when using the microphones,
slide down the volume control (32) or place the micro-
phones farther from the recorder.
@ Set switch 10 to “B” or “A” for before or after tape
monitoring.
3.5. RECORDING
Introduction
@ During recording any previous recording on the same
part of the tape is automatically erased.
© The setting of the volume and tone controls of a radio
etc. with recorder connection does not affect the recording.
@ When making microphone recordings switch off the
other sound sources or set recording level control (30) to
“0” if you do not want a mixed recording. :
@ When not monitoring during microphone recordings, set
volume control (32) to “‘0”, or if monitoring is desired, use
headphones in order to avoid ‘“‘acoustic feedback”.
© The recording level may be set before recording is started;
if this is not possiblé, this may also be done during re-
cording.
Recording
@ For microphone recordings connect the microphone(s)
and check that recording level control (30) is set to “O”.
The setting of the input selector (9) does not matter.
© For other recordings, make sure that the relevant audio
source is connected and that the input selector (9) is in the
correct position.
© Set the normal/reverse switch (14) to the desired
position.
® Check that function selector (12) is in position “NOR”.
© Set the before/after tape switch (10) to position “B”.
@ Set the speed selector (13) to the desired position.
@ Set the track selector (11) to position ‘‘ST”’ for stereo
recordings and to position 1-4 or 3-2 for mono recordings.
© Note the reading of programme indicator (3) or set the
programme indicator to “0000” by pressing the zero-reset
button.
® Set the recorder to position recording/pause by simul-
taneously pressing the record key (17) and the pause key
(18).
@ Speak or sing into the microphones or switch on the
audio source. Adjust the recording level by sliding up the
appropriate recording level control(s) until the pointer(s)
of the recording level indicator(s) (7) and/or (8) deflect
to 100 %.
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