Cat. No. 14-676
High-Speed
R
Dubbing Stereo
Cassette Deck
SCT-56
Owner’s Manual
Please read before using this equipment.
Important Safety Instructions
The SCT-56 is made and tested to meet exacting safety
standards. It meets both UL and FCC requirements
Careful attention is devoted to quality standards in the manufacture of your cassette deck, and safe-
ty is a major factor in its design. However, safety is also your responsibility.
This section lists important information that will help you properly use and enjoy your cassette deck
and accessories. Read all the included safety and operating instructions before using your cassette
deck. Follow them closely, and retain them for future reference.
To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose this sys-
tem to rain or moisture.
Heed Warnings — Follow all warnings on the product and in the operating instructions.
Cleaning — Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning. Use only a damp cloth for
cleaning. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners.
CAUTION
Attachments — Do not use attachments/accessories not recommended by the product manufac-
turer, as they might create a hazard.
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK.
!
DO NOT OPEN.
Water and Moisture — Do not use this product near water (for example, near a bathtub, washbowl,
kitchen sink, or laundry tub; in a wet basement; or near a swimming pool).
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF
ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE
COVER OR BACK. NO USER-SERVICE-
ABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING
TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.
Accessories — Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table. The
product may fall, causing serious injury to a child or adult, and serious damage to the product. Use
only with a cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table recommended by the manufacturer or sold with the
product. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for mounting, and use a recommended mounting ac-
cessory.
Carts — Move the product on a cart carefully. Quick stops, excessive force, and
uneven surfaces may cause the product/cart to overturn.
Ventilation — Slots and openings in the cabinet provide ventilation, ensure reli-
able operation, and protect from overheating. Do not block or cover these open-
ings, and do not place the product on a bed, sofa, rug, or other similar surface. Do
not place the product in a built-in bookcase or rack unless it provides proper ven-
tilation as specified by the manufacturer.
This symbol is intended to alert you to the
presence of uninsulated dangerous voltage
within the system’s enclosure that might be of
sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of
electric shock. Do not open the system’s
case.
Power Sources — Operate this product using only the power source indicated on its marking label.
If you are not sure of your home's power type, consult your product dealer or local power company.
Polarization — This product is equipped with a polarized AC line plug (a plug having one blade
wider than the other). This plug will fit in the power outlet only one way. This is a safety feature. If
you cannot insert the plug fully into the outlet, try reversing the plug. If the plug still doesn't fit, con-
tact your electrician to replace your obsolete outlet. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polar-
ized plug. If you need an extension, use a polarized cord.
This symbol is intended to inform you that im-
portant operating and maintenance instruc-
tions are included in the literature
accompanying this system.
!
Power-Cord Protection — Route power-supply cords so they are not likely to be walked on or
pinched by items placed on or against them, paying particular attention to cords at plugs, conve-
nience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the product.
Lightning — For added protection for this product during a lightning storm, or when it is left unat-
tended and unused for long periods of time, unplug it from the wall outlet and disconnect the anten-
na or cable system. This will prevent damage to the product due to lightning and power-line surges.
This equipment complies with the limits for a Class B
digital device as specified in Part 15 of FCC Rules.
These limits provide reasonable protection against
radio and TV interference in a residential area. How-
ever, your equipment might cause TV or radio interfer-
ence even when it is operating properly. To eliminate
interference, you can try one or more of the following
corrective measures:
Overloading — Do not overload wall outlets, extension cords, or integral convenience receptacles,
as this can result in a risk of fire or electric shock.
Objects and Liquids — Never push objects of any kind into this product through openings, as they
may touch dangerous voltage points or short out parts that could result in a fire or electric shock.
Never spill liquid of any kind on the product.
•
•
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Servicing — Do not attempt to service this product yourself, as opening or removing covers may
expose you to dangerous voltage or other hazards. Refer all servicing to qualified service person-
nel.
Increase the distance between the equipment and
the radio or TV.
•
Use outlets on different electrical circuits for the
equipment and the radio or TV.
Damage Requiring Service — Unplug this product from the wall outlet and refer servicing to qual-
ified service personnel under the following conditions:
Consult your local Radio Shack store or an experi-
enced radio/TV technician if the problem still exists.
•
•
•
•
When the power-supply cord or plug is damaged.
If liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the product.
If the product has been exposed to rain or water.
You must use shielded interface cables with this equip-
ment.
If the product does not operate normally by following the operating instructions. Adjust only
those controls that are covered by the operating instructions, as an improper adjustment of other
controls may result in damage and will often require extensive work by a qualified technician to
restore the product to normal operation.
•
•
If the product has been dropped or damaged in any way.
When the product exhibits a distinct change in performance.
Replacement Parts — When replacement parts are required, be sure the service technician uses
replacement parts specified by the manufacturer or having the same characteristics as the original
part. Unauthorized substitutions may result in fire, electric shock, or other hazards.
Safety Check — Upon completion of service or repairs to this product, ask the service technician
to perform safety checks to determine that the product is in proper operating condition.
Wall or Ceiling Mount — The product should be mounted to a wall or ceiling only as recommended
by the manufacturer.
Heat — The product should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers,
stoves, or other products (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
Contents
Con n ect ion s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Con n ectin g to You r Receiver/ Am plifier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Con n ectin g th e Rem ote Con trol Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Con n ectin g th e CD-Deck Syn ch ro Con trol Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Con n ectin g Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Basic Operat ion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Loadin g an d Playin g a Cassette Tape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Dolby Noise Redu ction (NR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Special Feat u res . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Fast-Forward/ Rewin d . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Pau se. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Blan k Skip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Tape Cou n ter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Au tom atic Search Mu sic System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Usin g Relay Play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Rewin d Au to Play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Dem o Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Recordin g an d Du bbin g . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Tape Hin t s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 4
Restorin g Tape Ten sion an d Sou n d Qu ality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Erasin g a Cassette Tape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Erase-Protection Tabs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Care an d Main t en an ce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 5
Clean in g th e Tape-Han dlin g Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Trou blesh oot in g . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 6
Specificat ion s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 8
In dex t o Feat u res by Con t rol Nam e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 9
Connections
1. Usin g on e of th e su pplied au dio cables, con n ect th e cassette
deck’s L an d R LINE OUTPUT jacks to th e receiver/ am plifier’s left an d
righ t tape in pu t jacks.
Connecting to Your
Receiver/Amplifier
2. Usin g th e oth er au dio cable, con n ect th e cassette deck’s LINE INPUT
jacks to th e receiver/ am plifier’s tape ou tpu t jacks.
Not e: If you are n ot su re wh ich receiver/ am plifier jacks to u se, refer to
you r receiver/ am plifier’s own er’s m an u al.
If you h ave an Optim u s receiver/ am plifier th at h as a rem ote con trol
jack (labeled CONTROL IN/OUT), you can u se th e receiver/ am plifier’s rem ote
con trol to operate th e cassette deck.
Connecting the Remote
Control Cable
Con n ect th e receiver/ am plifier’s CONTROL OUT jack to th e cassette deck’s
CONTROL IN jack u sin g th e su pplied rem ote con trol cable.
If you h ave an oth er Optim u s au dio com pon en t th at h as a rem ote con -
trol jack, con n ect th e cassette deck’s CONTROL OUT jack to th e com po-
n en t’s CONTROL IN jack. Th is relays th e rem ote con trol sign al from th e
receiver/ am plifier to th e oth er com pon en t.
Not e: You m u st also con n ect au dio cables to you r receiver for th e
receiver’s rem ote con trol to operate you r cassette deck.
If you h ave an Optim u s CD player th at h as a CD-DECK SYNCHRO con trol
jack, con n ect th e jack to you r cassette deck’s CD-DECK SYNCHRO con trol
jack u sin g th e su pplied CD-deck syn ch ro con trol cable. Th is con n ection
lets you easily m ake CD-to-cassette deck recordin gs. See “CD-Deck
Syn ch ro Recordin g” on Page 13.
Connecting the CD-Deck
Synchro Control Cable
Carefu lly ch eck all con n ection s. Th en plu g th e AC power cord in to a
stan dard AC ou tlet. Th e power cord’s plu g is polarized an d fits on ly on e
way. Th e cassette deck au tom atically tu rn s on .
Connecting Power
War n in g: To preven t electric sh ock, do n ot plu g th e power cord in to an
exten sion cord or oth er receptacle u n less you can fu lly an d easily in sert
th e plu g’s blades.
Basic Operation
Loading a Cassette Tape
Loading and Playing
a Cassette Tape
1. Use you r fin ger or a pen cil to tu rn th e cassette’s h u b an d take u p
an y tape slack.
Not e: Avoid tou ch in g th e tape. Fin gerprin ts attract dirt.
2. Press th e appropriate EJECT ( ) bu tton (Deck 1 or Deck 2) to open
th e cassette com partm en t door.
3. Load th e cassette with its open edge down . Sin ce th e decks play in
eith er direction , it does n ot m atter wh ich side faces ou t.
4. Gen tly close th e com partm en t door.
Playing a Cassette Tape
1. Tu rn on th e cassette deck by pressin g POWER.
2. Load a tape.
3. Set DOLBY NR to th e settin g u sed wh en th e tape was recorded. See
“Dolby Noise Redu ction .”
4. Set REV MODE for on e-side, two-side, or con tin u ou s two-side play.
Th e cassette deck plays or records on e side of th e tape
an d stops.
Th e cassette deck plays or records both sides of th e tape
an d stops.
Not e: To play or record both sides, you m u st press (n ot
).
Th e cassette deck plays th e tape u p to eigh t tim es (16
sides) an d stops.
Not e: Du rin g recordin g, th is settin g is th e sam e as on e-
side play.
See “Usin g Relay Play” for m ore details abou t REV MODE.
5. Set th e receiver/ am plifier’s volu m e to its lowest position .
6. Press on th e appropriate deck to play th e side facin g you . Press
to play th e side facin g away from you .
7. Adju st th e receiver/ am plifier’s volu m e, ton e, an d balan ce.
8. Press STOP ( ) to stop playback.
9. Press EJECT ( ) to open th e cassette door an d rem ove th e cassette.
10. To tu rn off th e cassette deck, press POWER. On ly th e STAND BY in di-
cator ligh ts.
Basic Operation
Dolby NR system s redu ce tape h iss an d backgrou n d n oise. Wh en
recordin g, th e system s listen for places wh ere you m igh t later h ear h iss.
Th e system s record th ese section s at a h igh er level. Wh en you play th e
tape, th e system s decrease th ese section s’ volu m e, restorin g th e m u sic
to its origin al level an d redu cin g th e n oise level.
Dolby Noise Reduction (NR)
Dolby B NR redu ces backgrou n d n oise by abou t 10 dB. Dolby C NR
redu ces backgrou n d n oise by abou t 20 dB.
Setting DOLBY NR for Playback
Wh en you play a cassette tape, set DOLBY NR for th e system u sed wh en
th e tape was recorded. For prerecorded tapes, u se th ese gu idelin es to
set DOLBY NR:
•
•
If Dolby NR or
If Dolby NR or
is n ot on th e cassette label, set th e switch to OFF.
does appear, bu t th e label does n ot specify Dolby
C NR, set th e switch to B.
•
If Dolby C NR is on th e label, set th e switch to C.
Setting DOLBY NR for Recording
Set DOLBY NR for th e system you wan t to u se.
You can play cassette tapes recorded with Dolby B or C NR on players
th at do n ot h ave th e sam e system . However, h igh -frequ en cy sou n ds
m igh t be too lou d —especially in Dolby C NR recordin gs.
Recording with the Dolby HX Pro System
If th e sou rce you are recordin g h as m an y h igh -frequ en cy sign als, th e
sign als can redu ce th e overall recordin g qu ality. Du rin g recordin g, th e
Dolby HX Pro system adju sts for th ese sign als to im prove h igh -fre-
qu en cy respon se. Th is featu re is always tu rn ed on du rin g recordin g.
You can play a cassette tape recorded with th e Dolby HX Pro system on
an y cassette player.
Special Features
To rapidly advan ce or rewin d th e tape, press
press STOP ( ). Wh en th e tape reach es th e en d, th e cassette deck au to-
or
. To stop th e tape,
Fast-Forward/Rewind
m atically stops.
To tem porarily stop Deck 2 du rin g playback or recordin g, press PAUSE
Pause
( ). To restart, press
,
, or
.
Not e: You can n ot pau se wh ile fast-forwardin g or rewin din g.
To h ave th e cassette deck au tom atically fast-forward th rou gh blan k
spaces on th e tape, set REV MODE to RELAY/SKIP. If th e cassette deck
en cou n ters 15 secon ds of silen ce, it fast-forwards to th e en d of th e
blan k section an d resu m es n orm al play from th at poin t. If th e tape
reach es th e en d, it reverses an d plays th e oth er side.
Blank Skip
As you play or record a tape, th e tape cou n ter advan ces for th e tape side
facin g you or decreases for th e tape side facin g away from you . At th e
begin n in g of a tape or selection , press RESET to reset th e cou n ter to
0000. You can th en u se th e tape cou n ter to qu ickly locate a specific sec-
tion on th e tape.
Tape Counter
Th e deck can also sh ow th e elapsed playin g tim e (in m in u tes an d sec-
on ds) sin ce you reset th e tim e. To switch between displays, press TIME/
COUNTER on th e deck you are u sin g. (Th e tim e does n ot advan ce wh en
you fast-forward or rewin d th e tape.)
Th e au tom atic search m u sic system (ASMS) lets you qu ickly locate a
desired selection on a cassette tape. It search es for th e blan k space
before a selection an d au tom atically stops ju st before playback begin s.
Automatic Search
Music System
ASMS operates on ly du rin g play. If th e cassette deck is stopped, first
press or
.
•
To sk ip t o t h e begin n in g of t h e cu rren t (or an earlier) selec-
t ion :
Press
or
—wh ich ever poin ts in th e opposite direc-
tion of th e or in dicator.
To skip to th e begin n in g of an earlier selection , repeatedly press
th e bu tton .
•
To sk ip t o t h e begin n in g of t h e n ext (or a lat er) select ion :
Press
or
—wh ich ever poin ts in th e sam e direction
as th e or in dicator.
Not e: If you press
(or
) m ore tim es th an th e n u m ber of selection s
on th e side you wan t to search , an d h ave n ot set REV MODE to
, th e
search con tin u es to th e oth er side.
ASMS m igh t n ot operate as expected if:
•
•
•
Th e pau se between selection s is less th an 4 secon ds lon g.
Th e overall recorded volu m e level of a selection is very low.
Th e n oise level between selection s is very h igh .
Special Features
You can load two cassette tapes to play on e after th e oth er.
Not es:
Using Relay Play
•
•
•
•
Th e cassettes you load sh ou ld h ave th e sam e Dolby NR type.
You can start relay play from eith er Deck 1 or Deck 2.
You can replace th e tape in th e idle deck du rin g relay play.
Wh en a tape au tom atically begin s playin g du rin g relay play, it
always starts from th e forward ( ) playback side. Be su re to set
th e tapes properly before startin g relay play.
•
If th e deck en cou n ters an u n recorded portion of tape m ore th an
15 secon ds lon g, it fast forwards th e tape u n til it fin ds an oth er
recorded portion , an d resu m es playback from th at poin t (i.e.,
blan k skip is au tom atically set).
1. Load a cassette tape in each tape com partm en t, th en close th e
com partm en t doors.
2. Set DOLBY NR for th e n oise-redu ction system you wan t to u se. See
“Dolby Noise Redu ction ” on Page 7.
3. Set REV MODE to RELAY/SKIP.
4. Press or on Deck 1 or 2. Playback starts. See “Playback
Sequ en ce.”
5. Adju st th e volu m e, ton e, an d balan ce con trol on you r receiver/
am plifier for th e desired sou n d.
6. To stop relay play before it au tom atically stops, press STOP ( ) on
th e deck th at is playin g an y tim e du rin g playback.
Playback Sequence
Th e cassette deck repeats th e followin g sequ en ce 8 tim es (u p to 32
sides).
Wh ere playback starts in th e sequ en ce depen ds on wh ich play bu tton
you press first:
I.
II.
Side facin g ou t, Deck 1
Side facin g in , Deck 1
Side facin g ou t, Deck 2
Side facin g in , Deck 2
III.
IV.
•
Wh en you press
on Deck 1 , playback starts at I.
on Deck 1 , playback starts at II.
on Deck 2 , playback starts at III.
on Deck 2 , playback starts at IV.
•
•
•
Wh en you press
Wh en you press
Wh en you press
Special Features
Rewind Auto Play
To h ave Deck 1 rewin d th e cassette to th e begin n in g of th e cu rren t side
an d start play, press REWIND AUTO PLAY.
Not e: If both decks h ave tapes loaded, th e decks operate as described
u n der “Usin g Relay Play.”
Th e cassette deck h as a dem on stration m ode th at altern ately tu rn s on
variou s in dicators an d m eters so you can see wh ere th ey sh ow on th e
deck.
Demo Mode
To tu rn on th e dem on stration m ode, press TIME/COUNTER an d RESET on
Deck 2 at th e sam e tim e wh ile th e cassette deck is stopped. To can cel
th e m ode, press an y bu tton except EJECT ( ) an d POWER.
Special Features
You can record from an y com pon en t con n ected to th e receiver/ am plifier
or du b (copy) cassette tapes.
Recording and Dubbing
Not es:
•
•
Tape qu ality greatly affects th e qu ality of th e recordin g. You r cas-
sette deck can play Type I, Type II, an d Type IV tape. We recom -
m en d Radio Sh ack bran d tapes.
Before recordin g or du bbin g, be su re th e cassettes on to wh ich you
wan t to record or du b h ave th eir erase-protection tabs in place. To
preven t acciden tal erasu re of a tape, rem ove th e erase-protection
tabs. For m ore in form ation , see “Erase-Protection Tabs.”
•
To record at th e begin n in g of a cassette, tu rn th e cassette’s h u b
with you r fin ger or a pen cil u n til th e dark part of th e tape en ters
th e open in g in th e edge of th e cassette. Before du bbin g, position
both tapes th is way to preven t m issin g recordin g m aterial at th e
very begin n in g of a tape.
Recording from Line-In Sources
To record from th e device con n ected to th e cassette deck’s LINE INPUT
jacks, follow th ese steps.
1. Press POWER to tu rn on th e cassette deck.
2. Load a blan k tape (or on e you wan t to record over) in to Deck 2. Be
su re th e side you wan t to record on is facin g you an d th e fu ll reel
is to th e left.
3. Press on Deck 2 to set th e tape direction an d th en press
.
4. Set DOLBY NR for th e n oise-redu ction system you wan t to u se. See
“Dolby Noise Redu ction ” on Page 7.
5. Set REV MODE. See “Loadin g an d Playin g a Cassette Tape.”
6. Press RECORD ( ). Th e cassette deck en ters th e record pau se m ode.
7. Play th e lou dest part of th e selection you wan t to record.
Set REC LEVEL so th e LEVEL m eter goes to –3 dB m ost of th e tim e an d
to 0 dB at peaks. Th is gives th e recordin g a h igh sign al-to-n oise
ratio with m in im u m distortion .
8. Start th e sou rce you wan t to record, th en press on Deck 2 to
begin recordin g.
9. To stop recordin g, press on Deck 2.
Special Features
Recording Blank Spaces Between Selections
Som e cassette decks search for th e blan k spaces between selection s so
you can qu ickly locate specific selection s. If th e origin al program does
n ot h ave blan k spaces, you can add th em wh en you m ake a n ew record-
in g.
Wh ile th e cassette deck is set to record or record pau se, press REC MUTE
( ). Th e deck records 4 1/ 2 secon ds of silen ce an d pau ses. To begin
recordin g again , press PAUSE ( ) or th e appropriate play bu tton ( or ).
•
To record a blan k space of m ore th an 4 1/ 2 secon ds, press again
after th e cassette deck pau ses, or press an d h old for th e desired
len gth of tim e. To begin recordin g again , press , , or
.
•
To record a blan k space of less th an 4 1/ 2 secon ds, press before
4 1/ 2 secon ds pass. To begin recordin g again , press , , or
.
Copying a Cassette Tape (Dubbing)
Not es:
•
If th e origin al recordin g h as Dolby B NR or Dolby C NR, th e copy
will also h ave it, regardless of th e position of DOLBY NR. If th e origi-
n al does n ot h ave Dolby NR, you can n ot add it to th e tape you are
du bbin g.
•
•
REC LEVEL does n ot affect th e recordin g level du rin g du bbin g.
Both decks au tom atically stops wh en eith er tape reach es th e en d.
We recom m en d you du b on to a tape th at is th e sam e len gth as th e
origin al, so th e decks stop at th e sam e tim e.
To copy a cassette tape:
1. Press POWER to tu rn on th e cassette deck.
2. Load th e cassette tape you wan t to copy in to Deck 1. Be su re th e
side you wan t to copy faces you with th e fu ll reel to th e left.
3. Load a blan k tape (or on e you wan t to record over) in to Deck 2. Be
su re th e side you wan t to record on is facin g you an d th e fu ll reel
is to th e left.
4. Set REV MODE. See “Loadin g an d Playin g a Cassette Tape.”
5. Press on Deck 1 to set th e tape direction , th en press
6. Press on Deck 2 to set th e tape direction , th en press
7. To begin du bbin g, press th e appropriate COPY bu tton :
NORMAL to du b at n orm al playback speed.
.
.
HI-SPEED to du b at twice th e n orm al speed.
Th e cassette in Deck 1 au tom atically plays.
Both decks au tom atically stops wh en eith er tape reach es th e en d.
To m an u ally stop du bbin g, press on eith er deck; th is stops both cas-
sette decks.
Special Features
CD-Deck Synchro Recording
If you r CD player h as a com patible CD Syn ch ro fu n ction , you can au to-
m atically record you r CDs. Con n ect th e CD player’s an d cassette deck’s
CD SYNCHRO jacks as described in “Con n ectin g th e CD-Deck Syn ch ro Con -
trol Cable.”
Not e: A 4 1/ 2-secon d blan k space is au tom atically created between
selection s.
1. Load a com pact disc in th e CD player.
2. Load a blan k tape (or on e you wan t to record over) in to Deck 2. Be
su re th e side you wan t to record on is facin g you an d th e fu ll reel
is to th e left.
3. Press on Deck 2 to set th e tape direction an d th en press
4. Set REV MODE an d DOLBY NR.
.
5. Press RECORD.
6. Select th e CD player on th e receiver/ am plifier, th en begin play on
th e CD player.
7. Adju st th e recordin g level.
8. Press th e stop bu tton s on th e cassette deck an d th e CD player.
9. Press CD SYNCHRO RECORD. Recordin g au tom atically begin s.
Wh en t h e com pact disc fin ish es playin g, th e CD player stops an d th e
cassette deck pau ses. With in 1 m in u te, ch an ge th e disc an d start play
on th e CD player to resu m e recordin g. If th e CD player does n ot start
play with in 1 m in u te, th e cassette deck stops.
Wh en t h e CD player ch an ges discs (m u lt i-d isc CD p layers), th e cas-
sette deck pau ses, th en resu m es recordin g wh en th e CD player begin s
playin g th e n ext disc.
If t h e casset t e deck reach es t h e en d of t h e t ape an d st ops wh ile t h e
CD plays, th e CD player retu rn s to th e start of th e cu rren t track, th en
pau ses. To resu m e recordin g, load an oth er tape an d en su re th e tape is
m ovin g in th e desired direction . If it is n ot, press a play bu tton ( or
on th e cassette deck to ch an ge th e tape direction , th en im m ediately
)
press . You can resu m e recordin g by pressin g CD SYNCHRO RECORD again .
(Press th e bu tton with in 1 m in u te after th e CD player pau ses. If m ore
th an 1 m in u te elapses, th e CD player stops.)
If REV MODE is set t o au t om at ically swit ch t o t h e ot h er side of t h e
t ap e an d t h e t ape reach es t h e en d of t h e first sid e wh ile t h e CD
player is p layin g, th e CD player retu rn s to th e begin n in g of th e cu rren t
track an d pau ses. A 4 1/ 2-secon d blan k space is au tom atically created
on th e reverse side of th e tape, th en th e CD player resu m es playback
an d th e deck resu m es recordin g.
Tape Hints
After you play a cassette tape several tim es, th e tape m igh t becom e
tigh tly wou n d on th e reels. Th is can cau se playback sou n d qu ality to
deteriorate.
Restoring Tape Tension and
Sound Quality
To restore th e sou n d qu ality, fast-forward th e tape from th e begin n in g
to th e en d of on e side, th en com pletely rewin d it. Th en loosen th e tape
reels by gen tly tappin g each side of th e cassette’s ou ter sh ell on a flat
su rface.
Not e: Be carefu l n ot to dam age th e cassette wh en tappin g it. Do n ot
tou ch th e exposed tape or allow an y sh arp objects n ear th e cassette.
If you n o lon ger wan t a recordin g, you can record over it or erase it.
Erasing a Cassette Tape
To record over a cassette tape, sim ply record as u su al. Th e cassette
deck records over th e previou s recordin g.
To erase a cassette tape, tu rn off th e in pu t sou rce an d set REC LEVEL to
MIN an d press RECORD ( ). Th en press or to begin recordin g. To erase
th e en tire cassette tape, let th e tape record to th e en d of both sides.
You can qu ickly erase both sides of a cassette tape u sin g a bu lk tape
eraser, available at you r local Radio Sh ack store.
Most cassette tapes h ave two erase-protection tabs —on e for each side
of th e tape. Wh en a tab is in place, you can erase or record on th at tape
side.
Erase-Protection Tabs
To protect you r recordin gs from bein g acciden tally erased or recorded
over, carefu lly break off th e erase-protection tabs, u sin g a screwdriver
or sim ilar tool.
Not e: Breakin g off th e tabs does n ot preven t a bu lk tape eraser from
erasin g th e tape.
If you later decide to erase or record over th e tape, you can place a piece
of tape over th e h oles.
Not e: Wh en coverin g th e h oles, cover on ly th e place th at was origin ally
protected by th e plastic tab.
Care and Maintenance
You r Optim u s SCT-56 High -Speed Du bbin g Stereo Cassette Deck is an
exam ple of su perior design an d craftsm an sh ip. Th ese su ggestion s will
h elp you care for th e cassette deck so you can en joy it for years.
Keep th e cassette deck dry. If it gets wet, wipe it dry im m ediately. Liq-
u ids can con tain m in erals th at can corrode th e electron ic circu its.
Han dle th e cassette deck gen tly an d carefu lly. Droppin g it can dam age
th e circu it boards an d case an d can cau se th e cassette deck to work
im properly.
Use an d store th e cassette deck on ly in n orm al tem peratu re en viron -
m en ts. Tem peratu re extrem es can sh orten th e life of electron ic devices
an d distort or m elt plastic parts.
Keep th e cassette deck away from du st an d dirt, wh ich can cau se pre-
m atu re wear of parts.
Wipe th e cassette deck with a dam p cloth occasion ally to keep it lookin g
n ew. Do n ot u se h arsh ch em icals, clean in g solven ts, or stron g deter-
gen ts to clean th e cassette deck.
CLEANER
Modifyin g or tam perin g with th e cassette deck’s in tern al parts can
cau se a m alfu n ction an d m igh t in validate you r cassette deck’s warran ty
an d void you r FCC au th orization to operate it. If you r cassette deck is
n ot operatin g as it sh ou ld, take it to you r local Radio Sh ack store for
assistan ce.
Clean th e tape-h an dlin g parts after abou t every 20 h ou rs of u se. Use a
cotton swab dipped in tape h ead clean in g solu tion or den atu red alcoh ol
to gen tly clean th e parts sh own in th e illu stration .
Cleaning the Tape-Handling
Parts
Note: Radio Shack stores sell a
wide variety of tape deck cleaning
supplies.
Troubleshooting
You r cassette deck sh ou ld give you years of trou ble-free service if you follow th e in stru ction s in th is m an u al. If you
do h ave problem s, th e ch art below can h elp you solve th em . If you still h ave problem s after followin g th e su gges-
tion s below, take th e cassette deck to you r local Radio Sh ack store for assistan ce.
Symptom
Cause
Remedy
Power does not come on.
• The power cord is unplugged.
• Plug in the power cord.
• Turn on the component.
• The component to which the power cord is
attached is turned off.
The door does not open.
The door does not close.
The tape immediately stops.
• The deck is not stopped.
• Press
.
• The cassette is not properly loaded.
• The tape is at the end of that side.
• Remove and reinsert the cassette.
• Play the other side of the tape or rewind the
tape.
• The tape has too much slack.
• Take up the slack.
The level meter does not work
during playback.
• There is nothing recorded on the tape.
• Replace the tape with one that has a record-
ing.
• The tape heads are dirty.
• Clean the tape heads.
There is no sound.
• The receiver/amplifier’s input selector is not
properly set.
• Set the receiver/amplifier’s input selector to the
same input you connected the deck to.
• The receiver/amplifier’s volume is too low.
• There are connection problems.
• Turn up the receiver/amplifier’s volume.
• Check all connections.
The record indicator does not
light when you try to record.
• The erase protection tabs are broken off.
• Replace the tape with one with unbroken tabs
or cover the holes with tape.
The level meter does not work
during recording or nothing
records onto the tape.
• The receiver/amplifier or other audio signal
source is not delivering an audio signal to the
deck.
• Correctly set the receiver/amplifier’s controls.
• The REC LEVEL control is set too low.
• There are connection problems.
• The tape heads are dirty.
• Turn up REC LEVEL.
• Check all connections.
• Clean the tape heads.
• Clean all tape handling parts.
The sound is unstable or inter-
rupted.
• The heads, pinch rollers, capstans, or other
tape-handling parts are dirty.
• The tape is not uniformly wound.
• Completely rewind then fast forward the tape.
High-frequency sounds are miss- • A tape recorded without Dolby NR is being
• Correctly set DOLBY NR.
ing.
played back with DOLBY NR set to B or C.
• The tape heads are dirty.
• Clean the tape heads.
High-frequency sounds are
emphasized.
• A tape recorded with Dolby NR is being played
back with DOLBY NR set to OFF.
• Set DOLBY NR to the same position as was
used for recording.
The sounds from previous
recordings are still on the tape
with new recordings.
• The tape heads are dirty.
• Clean the tape heads.
The sound is distorted.
• The recording level is too high.
• The original signal was distorted.
• The heads are dirty.
• Turn down REC LEVEL and re-record.
• Replace the original recording source.
• Clean the tape heads.
Symptom
Cause
Remedy
There is too much noise.
• Poor-quality tape is being used.
• There is a faulty connection.
• Recording level is too low.
• The tape heads are dirty.
• Use a better-quality tape.
• Check all connections.
• Turn up REC LEVEL and re-record.
• Clean the tape heads.
ASMS does not operate properly. • Blanks between selections are less than 4 sec- • Use tapes with blanks of 4 seconds or more
onds long.
between selections.
The system remote control does
not work.
• The control cord is not connected.
• The audio cables are not connected.
• Properly connect the control cord.
• Properly connect the audio cables.
CD-deck synchro recording does
not work.
• The CD-deck synchro control cord is not con-
nected.
• Properly connect the control cord.
• The cassette tape’s erase protection tabs are
broken.
• Replace the cassette with one with unbroken
tabs or cover the holes with tape.
The CD-DECK SYNCHRO stops
working during CD-Deck Syn-
chro recording.
• The end of the tape was reached during CD-
Deck Synchro recording.
• Replace the tape with a longer one.
• After the deck entered the standby mode, more
than 1 minute elapsed before the CD player
resumed play.
• Change the disc and press CD SYNCHRO
RECORD again.
Specifications
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Track, 2-Ch an n el Stereo
Heads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . On e Hard Perm alloy Record/ Playback Head
On e Hard Perm alloy Playback Head
On e Ferrite Erasin g Head
Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Two DC Servo Motors
Wow an d Flu tter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.09% (WRMS, J IS)
Fast Win din g Tim e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Less th an 120 secon ds (C-60 tape)
Frequ en cy Respon se (at –20 dB recordin g level):
Type IV (Metal) Tape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 to 16,500 Hz
Type II (Ch rom e) Tape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 to 16,000 Hz
Type I (Norm al) Tape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 to 16,000 Hz
Sign al-to-Noise Ratio (Dolby NR Off) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . More th an 45 dB
Noise Redu ction Effect:
Dolby B NR ON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . More th an 10 dB (at 5 kHz)
Dolby C NR ON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . More th an 19 dB (at 5 kHz)
Harm on ic Distortion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No m ore th an 0.8% (at –4 dB: 160 n wb/ m )
In pu t (Sen sitivity) LINE (INPUT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 m V (In pu t Im pedan ce 68 kOh m )
Ou tpu t (Referen ce level) LINE (OUTPUT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.5 V (Ou tpu t Im pedan ce 1.9 kOh m)
Power Requ irem en ts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AC 120V, 60 Hz
Power Con su m ption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Watts
Dim en sion s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 15/ 16 × 16 9/ 16 × 9 13/ 16 In ch es (HWD)
(125 × 420 × 250 m m )
Weigh t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 lbs 1 oz (4.1 kg)
Specifica tions a re typica l; individua l units might va ry. Specifica tions a re s ubject to cha nge a nd improvement w ithout
notice.
Index to Features by Control Name
Th is table lists th e con trol an d in dicator n am es on th e fron t of you r SCT-56 alon g with th e page n u m ber wh ere th e
item is discu ssed.
Control
Page
6
6
ASMS
and
8
13
10
7
CD SYNCHRO RECORD
DEMO
DOLBY NR
EJECT
6
HI-SPEED
NORMAL
12
12
8
PAUSE
POWER
6
REC LEVEL
REC MUTE
RECORD
11
12
11
8
RELAY/SKIP
RESET
8
REV MODE
REWIND AUTO PLAY
STAND BY
STOP
6, 9
10
6
6
TIME/COUNTER
8
RADIO SHACK LIMITED WARRANTY
This product is warranted against defects for 1 year from date of purchase from Radio
Shack company-owned stores and authorized Radio Shack franchisees and dealers.
Within this period, we will repair it without charge for parts and labor. Simply bring your
Radio Shack sales slip as proof of purchase date to any Radio Shack store. Warranty
does not cover transportation costs. Nor does it cover a product subjected to misuse or
accidental damage.
EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, RADIO SHACK MAKES NO EXPRESS WARRAN-
TIES AND ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES ARE LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE DURA-
TION OF THE WRITTEN LIMITED WARRANTIES CONTAINED HEREIN. Some states
do not permit limitation or exclusion of implied warranties; therefore, the aforesaid limita-
tion(s) or exclusion(s) may not apply to the purchaser.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from
state to state.
We Service What We Sell
9/94
Radio Shack
A Division of Tandy Corporation
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
<RRB1160-A>
6A6
Printed in Malaysia
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