Teac A-3300S - General Recording Information; Tape Track Formats and Compatibility

General Recording Information
Tracks, Channels, and Compatibility
Sound recordings are made in a strip on the magnetic
surface of a recording tape. This magnetized strip is called
the “Track”. The full tape width divided by two is called
a “2” track recording, and the full tape width divided into
quarters is called a “4” track recording.
“2” track recording
2 Track recording (Stereophonic)
2-track recording is mainly employed in radio stations
and professional recording studios for stereo recording. In
this case both tracks are recorded simultaneously and in
the same direction. 2-track recording in the home is usually
done one track at a time and is played back mono-
phonically.
“4” track recording (Monophonic)
1st 2nd
4 Track recording (Monophonic)
In this mode, each of the four tracks is recorded indivi¬
dually. At the end of the tape the reels are interchanged
between left and right and the next track is recorded.
The order in which the tracks are recorded is #1, #4, #3
and lastly *2.
Note: With tape threaded on the machine the tracks are
numbered 1 through 4, from the top to the
bottom, viewed from the base side of the tape.
Four track monophonic recording gives maximum playback
time, but without the benefits of stereo reproduction.
“4” track recording (Stereophonic)
4 Track recording (Stereophonic)
1st 2nd
In this mode two tracks are recorded simultaneously. On
the first pass of the tape, tracks # 1 and # 3 are recorded.
The left and right reels are then interchanged and tracks
#2 and #4 are recorded. The left channel sound will be on
tracks #1 and #4 and the right channel sound will be on
tracks #2 and *3. Four track recording in stereo is the
most widely used recording method today.
4 Track only
Playback Sequence
1st 2nd 3rd
4th
T , r, r lr 1Icni f | 4 Tr ^ Ck
1 |
4
3 2
1 rack used [ ^ .
| 2 Track
i i
2
_-
Level control knob inner L
inner L outer R outer R
Level meter pointer
left left right
right
Playback compatibility
A four track stereo tape deck can playback both 4 track
and 2 track tapes and from the point of compatibility
has the widest possible range of utilization. When playing
a 2 track stereo tape on a 4 track recorder, track #1 will
be completely covered by the head. Track «2 will be
slightly off alignment but stereo can still be enjoyed by
compensating for the slight loss of track #2 volume with
the volume or balance controls. On the other hand a four
track tape cannot be played back on a two track (Mono¬
phonic) recorder as both tracks =1 and =2 will be re¬
produced together resulting in mixed unintelligible sound.