TCWE405 - Cassette tape SONY - Free user manual and instructions

USER MANUAL TCWE405 SONY

Stereo Cassette Deck

Operating Instructions EN
Mode d'emploi
Manual de instrucciones ES
Manual de Instruções P

TC-WE405

TC-WR661

WARNING

To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose the unit to rain or moisture.

Welcome!

Thank you for purchasing the Sony Stereo Cassette Deck. Before operating the unit, please read this manual thoroughly and retain it for future reference.

About This Manual

The instructions in this manual are for models TC-WE405 and TC-WR661. Check your model number by looking at the rear panel of your tape deck. In this manual, the TC-WE405 is the model used for illustration purposes. Any difference in operation is clearly indicated in the text, for example, "TC-WE405 only."

Type of differences

Feature\Model	WE405	WR661
Dolby HX PRO	●
PHONES jack	●

Convention

The following icon is used in this manual:

Indicates hints and tips for making the task easier.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Getting Started

Unpacking 4 Hooking Up the System 4

Playing a Tape 5

Recording on a Tape 6

Advanced Recording Operations

Adjusting the Recording Level Automatically (Auto Rec Level) 8
Fading In and Out (Fader) 9
Dubbing a Tape 9
Inserting a Blank Space During Recording (Record Muting) 10

Additional Information

Precautions 11
Notes on Cassette Tapes 11
Cleaning 12
Troubleshooting 13
Specifications 14

Index 15

Unpacking

Check that you received the following items:

Audio connecting cords (2)

Hooking Up the System

This section describes how to hook up the tape deck to an amplifier. Be sure to turn off the power of each component before making the connections.

To purchasers of the TC-WR661

For information on connecting your tape deck to the TA-AV561 Amplifier, refer to the Operating Instructions included with the TA-AV561.

To purchasers of the TC-WE405

Follow the instructions below to connect your tape deck to an amplifier.

Hookups

When connecting an audio connecting cord, be sure to match the color-coded cord to the appropriate jacks on the components: Red (right) to Red and White (left) to White. Be sure to make connections firmly to avoid hum and noise.

Connect the tape deck to the amplifier as shown below.

: Signal flow

Setting the voltage selector (only on models supplied with a voltage selector)

Check that the voltage selector on the rear panel of the tape deck is set to the local power line voltage. If not, set the selector to the correct position using a screwdriver before connecting the AC power cord to an AC outlet.

TC-WR661TC-WE405

Connecting the AC power cord

Connect the AC power cord to an AC outlet.

Where do I go next?

Now you're ready to use your tape deck.

For basic operations, go to pages 5 to 7; for advanced operations, go to the sections starting from page 8.

Playing a Tape

See page 4 for hookup information.
- You can use either deck for playback.

To locate the beginning of a tape and start playback automatically (Auto Play)

Press while holding down .For the reverse side, press while holding down < 1

To play a tape recorded with the Dolby NR* system

Set DOLBY NR to the same position that the tape was recorded in-B or C.

What is the Dolby NR system?

The Dolby NR (noise reduction) system eliminates tape hiss noise by boosting low-level signals in the high-frequency range during recording, then lowering them during playback. Type C provides greater noise reduction than type B.

You can connect the headphones to PHONES (TC-WE405 only)

• Dolby noise reduction manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation.

"DOLBY" and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation.

1 Turn on the amplifier and select the tape deck position.

2 Press POWER, and then press and insert a cassette.

With the side you want to play facing you

3 Set DIRECTION.

To play back Set to

One side only

Both sides continuously*

Both decks in succession* RELAY

• The deck automatically stops after playing back five times.

4 Press

The deck starts playing. Adjust the volume on the amplifier.

To

Press

Stop playing

Start playback from the reverse side

Pause (deck B only) PAUSE. Press the button again to resume play.

Fast-forward or rewind

or

when the deck is stopped.

Take out the cassette after stopping playing

Basic Operations

Recording on a Tape

See page 4 for hookup information.
- Use deck B (on your right hand side) for recording.
See "Dubbing a Tape" (page 9) to make a copy of the tape.

Note

When deck B is recording or in recording pause, all buttons on deck A do not work.

1 Turn on the amplifier and play the program source you want to record.
2 Press POWER, and then press and insert a cassette into deck B.

With the side you want to record facing you

3 Set DIRECTION.

To record on

Set to

Only one side

Both sides*

• Recording stops when the tape reaches the end of reverse side.

4 Press REC.

lights up for recording on the side facing you. If it doesn't, press once.

The tape deck automatically adjusts the recording level (see page 8). After the AUTO indicator lights up continuously, stop playing the program source. If you wish to adjust the recording level manually, see "To adjust the recording level manually" on page 7.

To protect recordings against accidental erasure

Break out the record-protect tab(s) (see page 11).

5 Press PAUSE I or. Recording starts.
6 Start playing the program source.

To	Press
Stop recording	■
Start recording from the reverse side < twice in Step 5
Pause PAUSE■. Press the button again to resume recording.
Take out the cassette △ after stopping recording

The Dolby HX PRO* system automatically works during recording (TC-WE405 only)

Distortion and noise in the high-frequency response are reduced to produce high-quality sound that can be enjoyed even during playback on other tape decks.

Use these switches (controls) to perform additional operations

To record with the Dolby NR system

Set DOLBY NR to B or C before you start recording.

To adjust the recording level manually

After pressing REC in Step 4 on page 6, turn REC LEVEL so that the peak level meters reach the recommended level for the corresponding tape type. After completing the adjustment, stop playing the program source, then continue the procedure from Step 5.

Adjusting the Recording Level Automatically (Auto Rec Level)

The Auto Rec Level function automatically measures the peak signal level and adjusts the recording level accordingly.

1 Follow Steps 1 to 3 of "Recording on a Tape" on page 6.

Make sure that record-protect tabs on the cassette have not been removed.

2 Press REC.

The AUTO indicator flashes and the deck automatically adjusts the recording level. The AUTO indicator lights up continuously after the recording level has been adjusted.

3 Press PAUSE I or >

Recording starts.

To cancel the Auto Rec Level function

Press ARL or turn REC LEVEL so that the AUTO indicator goes off. If you do either of these during recording, recording will continue but with the Auto Rec Level function turned off.

To stop recording

Press

What is the Auto Rec Level function?

The Auto Rec Level function automatically sets the recording level according to the peak signal level of the program source. While the AUTO indicator is flashing, the deck sets the recording level as high as possible without causing distortion. If the signal level rises excessively after the start of recording, the deck gradually decreases the recording level.

You should adjust the recording level manually with REC LEVEL in the following cases:

The recording level cannot be adjusted properly due to excessive noise in the program source.
The program source level is too low and the recording level does not increase.

During a quiet passage in a program source such as classical music, the recording level may not increase for some time. If a high sound level is expected later on in the track, play that portion first so that the right adjustment can be obtained.

The recording level does not decrease for a long time. The Auto Rec Level function may not work properly when you try to record sound produced by a graphic equalizer that has extremely high-level signals.

To record with the optimum recording level

• To prevent changes in the recording level after recording starts, press REC while playing the highest sound level portion of the program source to be recorded. The result is a more natural-sounding recording.
• If you play the entire program source after the AUTO indicator has stopped flashing and is lit continuously, the deck will set the recording level for the portion of the program source with the highest signal level.

Recording level setting remains even after the recording has ended

After you have finished recording with the Auto Rec Level function, the AUTO indicator remains on and the recording level setting remains the same. To cancel the setting, do one of the following:

• Press ARL to turn off the AUTO indicator
• Turn REC LEVEL
• Turn the deck off.

Fading In and Out (Fader)

You can gradually increase the recording level at the beginning of a recording (fade in) or gradually decrease the recording level at the end of a recording (fade out).

It is convenient to use this function, for example, when the tape reaches to its end and you don't want the track to be cut off abruptly.

You can do fade in or out recording only when you have adjusted the recording level manually (see page 7).

To Do the following:

Fade in 1 Follow Steps 1 to 4 of "Recording on a Tape" on page 6.

2 Press FADER. During fade-in, the AUTO indicator flashes, then goes off when the fade-in has completed.

Fade out Press FADER when you want to start fading out while recording. When the fade-out has completed, "REC" flashes in the display and the deck pauses.

Note

Fade-in or fade-out is not possible when REC LEVEL is set to 0 (minimum).

Dubbing a Tape

You can copy a tape in deck A to a tape in deck B at normal or high speed.

1 Insert the recorded cassette into deck A and a blank cassette into deck B.

Make sure the record-protect tabs on the cassette in deck B have not been removed.

2 Select the side(s) to be recorded on.

To record on	Set DIRECTION to
One side←→
Both sides←→.	Recording on the reverse side on deck B starts independently of playback on deck A.
	RELAY. Recording on the reverse side on deck B starts simultaneously with playback of the reverse side on deck A.

3 Select the dubbing speed.

To select	Press HIGH/NORMAL
Normal speed	Once
High speed	Twice

"HIGH" or "NORM" appears in the display. The tape deck changes to dubbing standby.

4 Select the side from which to start dubbing.

To record from	Press
The front side ▷
The reverse side ▽

5 Press PAUSE to start dubbing.

To stop dubbing

During	Press
Normal-speed dubbing	■ on deck B
High-speed dubbing	■ on either deck

During high-speed dubbing

Only is operative.

You don't have to adjust the recording level or select the Dolby NR system during dubbing

Dubbing is automatically performed with the same recording level and Dolby NR system as the original in deck A. If, however, you want to monitor the sound during normal-speed dubbing, set DOLBY NR to match the tape in deck A (see page 5).

Note

If a TV set is placed near the tape deck, noise may occur during high-speed dubbing. In that case, turn the television set off or move it away from the tape deck.

Dubbing only specific portions

You can do this only during the normal-speed dubbing.

1 Press on deck A at the portion you want to skip.
Deck B changes to recording pause.
2 Locate the point you want to resume recording on deck A, then stop the tape.
3 Press PAUSE to resume dubbing.

Inserting a Blank Space During Recording (Record Muting)

You can insert a blank space of 4 seconds between each track or erase unwanted portions on a tape.

1 Start recording.
2 Press REC MUTE where you want to insert a blank space.

"REC" flashes in the display and a blank is recorded on the tape.

After 4 seconds, lights up and the tape deck changes to recording pause.

3 Press PAUSE I or to resume recording.

If you want to insert a blank space longer than 4 seconds

Hold down REC MUTE as long as you want. After 4 seconds, "REC" flashes faster.

When you release REC MUTE, lights up and the tape deck changes to recording pause.

Press PAUSE I or to resume recording.

Precautions

On safety

• Do not disassemble the cabinet - this may result in an electrical shock. Refer servicing to qualified personnel only.
• Should any solid object or liquid fall into the cabinet, unplug the tape deck and have it checked by qualified personnel before operating it any further.

On power sources

• Before operating the tape deck, check that the operating voltage of the tape deck is identical with your local power supply. The operating voltage is indicated on the nameplate at the rear of the tape deck.
• The unit is not disconnected from the AC power source (mains) as long as it is connected to the wall outlet, even if the unit itself has been turned off (not applicable to European models).
• If you are not going to use the tape deck for a long time, be sure to disconnect the tape deck from the wall outlet. To disconnect the AC power cord, grasp the plug itself; never pull the cord.
• AC power cord must be changed only at the qualified service shop.

On operation

• Because of a safety mechanism, the function buttons will not operate if the cassette holder is not completely closed, if there is no cassette in the cassette holder, or if a cassette has been incorrectly inserted into the cassette holder.
• Be sure to stop the tape before turning off the tape deck. Otherwise, the tape may be damaged.

On placement

• Place the tape deck in a location with adequate ventilation to prevent heat build-up in the tape deck.
• Do not place the tape deck:

on a soft surface such as a rug that might block the ventilation holes on the bottom.
in a location near heat sources.
in a place subject to direct sunlight.
in an inclined position.
in a place subject to excessive dust or mechanical shock.

On cleaning the tape deck

Clean the cabinet, panel and controls with a soft cloth slightly moistened with a mild detergent solution. Do not use any type of abrasive pad, scouring powder or solvent such as alcohol or benzine.

If you have any questions or problems concerning your tape deck, please consult your nearest Sony dealer.

Notes on Cassette Tapes

To protect a recording on side A or B

Break out the respective tab.

To record on a tape with a missing record-protect tab

Cover the respective tab hole with adhesive tape.

When you are using a type II or type IV tape, be careful not to cover the detector slots that the deck uses to determine the tape type.

Detector slots

Detector slots

On tapes longer than 90 minutes

We do not recommend the use of tapes longer than 90 minutes except for a long continuous recording or playback. They are very thin and tend to stretch easily.

On handling cassettes

• To prevent the heads and tape path from getting dirty, avoid touching the tape surface of a cassette.
• Place cassettes away from equipment with magnets, such as speakers and amplifiers, which may cause tape distortion or erase the recordings.
• Do not expose cassettes to direct sunlight, extremely cold temperature, or moisture.

Cleaning

Cleaning the heads and tape path

Clean the heads and tape path of the tape deck after every 10 hours of operation to guard against:

• low-quality sound
• a decrease in sound level
  excessive wow or flutter
• sound dropout
• incomplete erasure
• impairment of recording function

To ensure better recording, we recommend that you clean the heads and tape path before every recording.

1 Press to open the cassette holder. Grasp the front cover on both sides and gently lift to remove it.
2 With the tape deck turned off, wipe the heads, the pinch rollers and the capstans with a cotton swab slightly moistened with alcohol or a commercially available cleaning fluid for tape decks.
3 Replace the front cover.

Demagnetizing the heads

After 20 to 30 hours of use, or when you notice a hissing sound or loss of high frequencies, demagnetize the heads with a commercially available demagnetizer for tape decks. Please refer to the instructions of the demagnetizer.

Troubleshooting

If you've experienced any of the following difficulties while using the tape deck, use this troubleshooting guide to help you remedy the problem. Should the problem persist, consult your nearest Sony dealer.

The function buttons do not work.

The tape deck has been just turned on and does not operate for about 3 seconds. Wait until stops flashing.
Check that the cassette is inserted correctly and the cassette holder is closed completely.

The tape deck does not play or record.

There is no cassette in the cassette holder.
The tape has come to the end.
The tape is slack. Take up the tape slack.
The record-protect tab has been removed from the cassette (see page 11).
Make sure the amplifier setting is correct.
Check that the tape deck connections are secure.
The heads and tape path are dirty. Clean them (see page 12).
The recording/playback head is magnetized. Demagnetize it (see page 12).

There is excessive wow, flutter or sound drop-out.

The capstans and pinch rollers are dirty. Clean them (see page 12).

There is a decrease in sound level, sound drop-out, or poor reproduction of high frequencies./The tape does not erase completely./Noise increases.

The recording/playback or erasing head and tape path are dirty. Clean them (see page 12).
The recording/playback or erasing head is magnetized.Demagnetize it (see page 12).

There is hum or noise.

The tape deck is placed near a TV or VCR. Move the tape deck away from the TV or VCR.
The tape deck is placed on or under the amplifier. Move the tape deck away from the amplifier.

There is an unbalanced tone.

Check that DOLBY NR position is the same as when the tape was recorded.
The tape deck is placed near a TV or VCR. Move the tape deck away from the TV or VCR.

The tape stops before the tape has been fully rewound.

The tape is slack. Take up the tape slack.
The cassette shell is bent. Use another cassette.

There is excessively loud tape transport noise during fast-forwarding or rewinding.

This noise is caused by the cassette and is not a mechanical problem.

does not work.

There has been a power failure or the power cord has been disconnected during tape operation. Reconnect the power.

There is a short break in sound output during playback.

You pressed ,or on one deck while the other deck was playing. Or you pressed PAUSE I,or on deck B while deck A was playing.

Additional Information

Specifications

System

Recording system

4-track 2-channel stereo

Fast-winding time (approx.)

180 sec. (with Sony C-60 cassette)

Bias

AC bias

Signal-to-noise ratio (at peak level and weighted with Dolby NR off)

Type I tape, Sony Type I (NORMAL): 55 dB

Type II tape, Sony Type II (HIGH): 57 dB

Type IV tape, Sony Type IV (METAL): 58 dB

S/N ratio improvement (approximate values)

With Dolby B NR on: 5 dB at 1 kHz, 10 dB at 5 kHz

With Dolby CNR on: 15 dB at 500 Hz, 20 dB at 1 kHz

Harmonic distortion

0.4% (with Type I tape, Sony Type I (NORMAL):

160 nWb/m 315 Hz, 3rd H.D.)

1.8% (with Type IV tape, Sony Type IV (METAL):

250 nWb/m 315 Hz, 3rd H.D.)

Frequency response (Dolby NR off)

Type I tape, Sony Type I (NORMAL): 30 - 16,000 Hz ( ± 3 dB, IEC)

Type II tape, Sony Type II (HIGH): 30 - 17,000 Hz

(±3 dB, IFC)

Type IV tape, Sony Type IV (METAL): 30 - 19,000 Hz (±3 dB, IEC)

30-13,000 Hz (±3 dB,-4 dB recording)

Type I tape, Sony Type I (NORMAL): 20 - 17,000 Hz

(±6 dB)

Type II tape, Sony Type II (HIGH): 20 - 18,000 Hz (±6 dB)

Type IV tape, Sony Type IV (METAL): 20 - 20,000 Hz

(±6dB)

Wow and flutter

± 0.15% W. Peak (IEC)

0.1% W.RMS (NAB)

± 0.2% W. Peak (DIN)

Inputs

Line inputs (phono jacks)

Sensitivity: 0.16V

Input impedance: 47 kilohms

Outputs

Line outputs (phono jacks)

Rated output level: 0.5V at a load impedance of

47 kilohms

Load impedance: Over 10 kilohms

Headphones (stereo phone jack) (TC-WE405 only)

Output level: 0.25mW at a load impedance of

32 ohms

General

Power requirements

Where purchased Power requirements

U.S.A. and Canada 120V AC, 60 Hz

U.K. and Continental Europe 220 - 230 V AC, 50/60 Hz

Australia 240VAC,50 / 60Hz

Other countries TC-WE405:

120/220/240VAC,50/60Hz

TC-WR661:

120/220/230-240VAC,50/60Hz

Power consumption

18 W

including projecting parts and controls

Mass (approx.)

3.8kg (8 lbs 7 oz)

Supplied accessories

Audio connecting cords (2 phono plugs - 2 phono

plugs) (2)

Optional accessory

Remote commander RM-J910

For more information on the availability of the remote

commander, contact your nearest Sony dealer.

Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.

Index

A,B

Adjusting recording level automatically. See Auto rec

level

recording level manually 7 volume 5

Audio connecting cord 4, 14

Auto play 5

Auto rec level 8

C

Cassette. See Tape

Cleaning

cabinet 11

heads and tape path 12

Connecting. See Hooking up

D, E, F, G

Dolby HX PRO system 7

Dolby NR system 5,7

Dubbing

high-speed dubbing 9

normal-speed dubbing 9, 10

only specific portions 10

Fader 9

Fading

in. See Fader

out. See Fader

H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O

Heads

cleaning 12

demagnetizing 12

Hooking up

hookups 4

overview 4

Insert

blank space 10

cassette 5,6

P, Q, R, S

Playing

auto play 5

basic play 5

Recording 6

Record muting 10

Specifications 14

T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z

Tape

ejecting 5,7

notes 11

path cleaning 12

protect the recording 11

type 11

Troubleshooting 13

Unpacking 4

Names of Controls

Buttons

ARL (automatic recording level adjustment) 8

FADER 9

HIGH/NORMAL 9

PAUSE 5,7-10,13

REC (recording) 6-8

REC MUTE (record muting) 10

(eject) 5-7, 12, 13

stop)5,7-10,13

forward play) 5-10,13

(1 reverse play) 5,7,9,13

fast-forwarding and rewinding) 5,13

Switches

DIRECTION 5,6,9

DOLBY NR 5,7,10,13

POWER 5,6

Controls

REC (recording) LEVEL 7-9

Jacks

LINE IN 4

LINE OUT 4

PHONES 5

Others

AUTOindicator6,8,9

Cassette holder 5,6,12

Peak level meters 7

AVERTISSEMENT

Cassette type I, Sony Type I (NORMAL): 55 dB

Cassette type II, Sony Type II (HIGH): 57 dB

Cassette type IV, Sony Type IV (METAL): 58 dB

Cassette type I, Sony Type I (NORMAL):

30-16.000 Hz (±3 dB, IEC)

Cassette type II, Sony Type II (HIGH):

30 - 17.000 Hz (±3 dB, IEC)

Cassette type IV, Sony Type IV (METAL):

30-19.000 Hz (±3 dB, IEC)

30 - 13.000 Hz (±3 dB, -4 dB enregistrement)

Cassette type I, Sony Type I (NORMAL):

20-17.000 Hz (±6 dB)

Cassette type II, Sony Type II (HIGH):

20-18.000 Hz (±6 dB)

Cassette type IV, Sony Type IV (METAL):

20-20.000 Hz (±6 dB)

Saillies et commandes comprises

Poids (approx.)

3.8 kg (8 li. 7 on.)

Accessoires fournis