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Recording with the Portable DAT September 2004 1

Johns Hopkins University Digital Media Center digitalmedia@jhu.eduMattin Center 226, Baltimore, MD 21218 (410) 516-3817M.S./studentstaff/17 Sept 04

What youll need:

Portable DAT RecorderMicrophone(s) and cables

Setting Up:

1) Connect the power adapter,microphones, etc. The DAT has aninternal rechargeable battery, but theswitch by the power supply connectionmust be set to Operate.

2) Turn on the DAT by sliding the power switch to the right momentarily. Press theeject button and load a suitable tape.

3) Use the Input switch to select digital or analog source. Use the Analog Inputswitches to select the appropriate input configuration.

Analog Input Mic Uses the two XLR

connections for inputPad 20 dB uses the XLR

connections with a20 dB pad forrecording loudmaterial.

Line uses the RCA Line

In connections torecord.

4) You may monitor what you are recording by plugging headphones in to thePhones output on the right side of the DAT. (Optional but suggested)

5) Push the Record button to activate the level meters on the display. Set therecord level with the Input knobs.

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Recording with the Portable DAT September 2004 2

Johns Hopkins University Digital Media Center digitalmedia@jhu.eduMattin Center 226, Baltimore, MD 21218 (410) 516-3817M.S./studentstaff/17 Sept 04

Recording:

Push and hold the Record button then push the Play button to begin recording. Thedisplay will show total recorded time. Press the Pause button to momentarily stoprecording; press the Stop button when you are finished. The transport controls work aswith any other tape device.

As with other digital devices,the DAT contains a time code thatmust remain intact. Be sure toleave a short portion of silence (3-5sec) at the end of recordings thatcan be recorded over if you need torecord more. If the time code isbroken it may be impossible toaccess parts of the tape before thebreak.

Transferring to PC:

Once you have recorded some material, you will probably want to transfer it to PC toedit or burn to CD. The easiest way to accomplish this is via analog connection with theMobilePre attached to every computer. You will need a stereo RCA cable and two RCAto _ adapters.

1) Plug the RCA cable in to the Line Out jacks on the DAT. Connect the adaptersto the other end and plug them into the Inst/Line inputs of the MobilePre. The

jack for channel two is on the back of the unit.2) Open Adobe Audition (PC) or Peak 4 (Mac). Create a new document and adjust

the Gain knobs on the MobilePre to avoid clipping during recording. If you have

any questions on this step, please see Audio Recording on the PC or AudioRecording on the Mac or ask one of the staff.

3) Once the levels are set, press record in Audition (or Peak) and then press playon the DAT. The recording will play through the MobilePre and you should beable to listen to it on the headphones connected to the MobilePre.

If you would like to know about transferring your material digitally, please ask our AudioSpecialist or one of the Audio Lab Coaches.