- Analog Audio Inputs: This system has two sets (A & B) of 4-channel analog audio signal inputs having a 40 Hz to 40 kHz bandwidth. The A or B 4-channel input set is selected by a front panel switch. By selecting Auto mode (see below), the system automatically selects the input receiving the signal.The analog input signal levels can be individually adjusted by the eight input level trims on the front panel. Trimmed signal levels of the selected four channels of the analog inputs are shown by the front panel bargraph LED level meters. These indicated levels are also the levels for digitizing.
- Copy Rate (Conversion Speed) Selection: Digitizing speed can be selected from 4x, 2x, or 1x by a front panel switch. Incoming analog input signals must be played at the same playback rate as the copy rate selected by this selection.
- Sample Rate Selection: By using a front panel switch, sampling frequency for digitizing can be selected from 48 kHz, 44.1 kHz, and 22.05 kHz. The A/D converter's actual sampling frequency is a value obtained by multiplying the selected sample rate by the copy rate. For 48 kHz and 44.1 kHz, selection of 4x is defeated.
- Track Format Selection: According to the analog tape track format to be played back, the operator needs to select the input signal's track format with a front panel switch. When the track format is selected, the channels to be used are automatically selected. The following formats are available:
- Mono 2-trk (CH 1 fwd and CH 2 rev)
- Stereo 2-trk (CH 1 fwd Left and CH 2 fwd Right)
- Mono 4-trk (CH 1 fwd, CH 2 fwd, CH 3 rev, and CH 4 rev)
- Stereo 4-trk (CH 1 fwd Left, CH 2 fwd Right, CH 3 rev Right, and CH 4 rev Left)
(When mono 2-trk, mono 4-trk or stereo 4-trk format is selecetd, the tracks for side A and side B are played back simultaneously and the side B tracks are reproduced in the reverse direction. However, the system automatically flips the reversed audio signal in time during the digitizing process and stores the data on the storage media.)
- Storage of Converted Data: Two front panel SCSI device bays can accept two removable hard disk drives for storage of converted data. The drive to be used is selected by a front panel switch. Remaining capacity of the hard disk is shown by the front panel bargraph LED. Two 3.5-inch MO disk drives connected to the rear panel SCSI connectors can also be used for storage.
- Copy (Convert) Operation: Playback of connected tape players is controlled by pressing the START and CANCEL buttons on the ADC unit. When the system detects that the input signal level reaches a predetermined threshold, it automatically starts writing digitized audio data to the storage media. This eliminates cue-up operation of tape and simplifies conversion operation. When the input signal level is held lower than the threshold for a predetermined period of time, the operation automatically stops. Therefore, the operator does not have to watch for the tape to end to complete the operation. If Auto mode is selected, at the end of one tape, the system automatically starts playback of another tape to continue digitizing.
- Auto Mode: This mode provides automation of conversion operation. Auto mode is selected by a front panel switch. When the system is put into Auto mode, the set A inputs are selected. The operator sets the first reel of tape to be digitized onto the player A. By pressing the START button on the ADC unit, the player A starts automatically. If the operator sets the second reel of tape on the player B before the first reel ends, the second reel of tape automatically starts at the end of the first reel and digitizing is continued. If the operator sets following tape reels alternately on the players A and B, the system continues digitizing until the limit of the storage media is reached.
- Filenames and Keyboard Input: The operator can name digitized data files via a QWERTY keyboard connected to the keyboard connector on the front panel. If the operator does not name a digitized data file, it is automatically labeled with a default filename.
- Peak Level Information Recording: The maximum input level detected during digital conversion is memorized and it is written on the storage media as another file at the completion of digitizing. This information can be used for automatic normalization of recording level in later post processing steps.
- DAISY Format Support: The digitized data file is a standard WAVE format file and it can be acquired into a DAISY system by using its WAVE import feature. During digitizing, the ADC unit can generate the phrase index information which can be acquired directly by the DAISY system. If an analog signal includes a low frequency tone signal, the ADC unit can detect it and generate the index information. Implementation of this feature requires further discussion with each customer because tone signal application, frequency, etc. may differ between customers.
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