Yamaha MT3X - Manual (Page 4)

BEFORE OPERATION
■ THE DIFFERE^CE BETWEEN TRACKS AND CHANNELS
The words “track” and “channel” are often confused. In order to properly operate this unit, it is necessary to under­
stand the meanings of these terms.
TRACK:
The “band” on the tape itself where a certain signal is
recorded. The tape inside a cassette has four different
tracks, enabling the recording of four distinct signals.
For conventional recordings, there are two tracks (ste­
reo left and right) on each of the tape.
CHANNEL:
The route of a signal input or output. In the input side,
this unit has six INPUT channels and two AUX chan­
nels. The output side consists of one stereo channel
(made up of two mono channels) and an AUX channel.
■ WHAT IS A MULTITRACK CASSETTE RECORDER ?
The difference between the MT3X multitrack cassette recorder and a conventionai stereo cassette deck is shown
below. ----------
CONVENTIONAL STEREO CASSETTE DECK
For right channel track
For left channel track
For left channel track on the B side
For right channel track on the B side
For right channel track on the A side
For left channel track on the A side
MT3X MULTITRACK CASSETTE RECORDER
For channel 4
For channel 3
For channel 2
For channel 1
Track for channel 4 (track 4)
Track for channel 3 (track 3)
Track for channel 2 (track 2)
Track for channel 1 (track 1)
The diagram shows how a conventional stereo cas­
sette deck records and plays back music. The four
tracks on a cassette tape represent the left and right
(for stereo) sound for each side of the tape. The MT3X
uses these four tracks for single-direction recording
and playback on only one side of a cassette tape.
Conventional stereo cassette recorders always record
and play back in the same mode, with the tape side
(direction) determining which two tracks will be used.
These recorders do not allow separate selection of
tracks for recording and playback.
Multitrack recorders, however, allow you to record or
playback tracks separately as you choose. This en­
ables a degree of recording and playback freedom not
possible with conventional cassette recorders.
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