Viking MCX-106 - Manual (Page 11)

Types of cassette tape
T y p e
Tape t r a v e l h o u r
Tape t h i c k n e s s
C-30
30 m i n .
18 m i c r o n
C-46
46 min
18 m i c r o n
C-60
6 O m i n .
18 m i c r o n
C-90
90 m i n .
12 m i c r o n
C-120
120 m i n .
9 m i c r o n
CAUTION:
A C-120 t a p e is so t h i n t h a t it can be easily s t r e t c h e d ,
causing tape slack and possible e n t anglement around
the pinch roller and capstan. We do not recommend the
use of C-120 cassette tapes.
NOTE:
The MCX detects the type of tape ( N o r m a l , CrO
2
,
Metal) when the cassette is inserted and the door is
latched, a u t o m a t i c a l l y selects the proper EQ and bias
settings, and gives a visual indication on the front
panel.
For highest q u a l i t y recordings and extended d y n a m i c
range, we recommend the use of metal tape whenever
possible.
SAVING YOUR RECORDINGS
Cassette tapes are provided with two b r e a k - o u t tabs
as shown in figure. To prevent accidental erasure or
overtaping, break the tabs with a screw-driver or
similar tool and remove. You may cover the tab
Cleaning the tape heads
NOTE:
We recommend removal of the cassette receptacle door
prior to the cleaning o p e r a t i o n ; this will f a c i l i t a t e easy
access to all the inner workings of the tape t r a n s p o r t
assembly.
1. The cassette door opens when the EJECT b u t t o n is
pushed. A f t e r opening, press the door d o w n w a r d
(see i l l u s t r a t i o n ) to disconnect the "top m o u n t e d
detents" which hold the door to the chassis. Now
pull o u t w a r d and a w a y f r o m the main a s s e m b l y .
Place the door aside in a safe location for later
cleaning.
CAUTION:
To p r e v e n t d a m a g e to the t r a n s p o r t and head
assembly, use only c o t t o n swabs or a soft cloth f o r
the cleaning p r o c e d u r e .
2. Using any good grade of commercially available
tape cleaning f l u i d (or an acceptable s u b s t i t u t e such
as a l c o h o l ) , t h o r o u g h l y clean the tape heads, tape
guides, and all other metal parts in the tape p a t h .
shown in the i l l u s t r a t i o n . To prevent damage or
degradation of recordings, always store tapes in
locations free from direct sunlight, high temperature
or h u m i d i t y , and magnetic e f f e c t s f r o m other electrical
equipment, speaker systems, etc.
openings with adhesive tape if you desire to erase or
record the tape at a later date.
Hints on Cassette Tape Handling
1. Tape Slack can cause the tape to twist or break.
When necessary, always t a k e up slack by inserting
a pencil or similar o b j e c t into the reel hub and
t u r n i n g .
2. W i n d i n g t h e t a p e too t i g h t l y on the reel may cause
t h e t a p e to r o t a t e u n e v e n l y ; in worst case, the tape
may bind and not wind f r o m reel to reel.
Before using a tape again a f t e r c o n t i n u o u s playback
or recording, lightly tap the cassette housing or both
sides, and if n e c e s s a r y , r e w i n d the tape in either the
f a s t - f o r w a r d or re-wind mode.
Storing Tapes
Always store cassette tapes in their cases with a
protective insert over the exposed portion of the tape;
if not a v a i l a b l e , a t t a c h a "stopper" made f r o m paper as
3. Clean the r u b b e r p a r t s of the t r a n s p o r t assembly
with cleaning f l u i d , or alcohol, and wipe dry with a
clean, soft cloth.
NOTE:
If a t r a n s p o r t " L u b r i c a n t " of any kind is used on the
metal p a r t s , t a k e care to avoid c o n t a c t w i t h r u b b e r
parts.
CAUTION:
The tape heads and guides are c a r e f u l l y a d j u s t e d to
ensure smooth and a c c u r a t e tape t r a v e l during both
recording and play b a c k ; DO NOT USE EXCES-
SIVE FORCE when cleaning: m i s a l i g n m e n t may
r e s u l t .
We r e c o m m e n d t h r o u g h c l e a n i n g of t h e t a p e t r a n s p o r t
assembly a f t e r e v e r y f o u r t o six h o u r s of use to e n s u r e
o p t i m u m r e c o r d i n g and p l a y b a c k p e r f o r m a n c e .
Demagnetizing the tape heads
The recording head will become "magnetized" a f t e r
p r o l o n g e d use. This r e s i d u a l m a g n e t i s m will degrade
and p o s s i b l y d e s t r o y y o u r v a l u a b l e recordings by
a d d i n g u n w a n t e d noise and d i s t o r t i o n , so it is
n e c e s s a r y to f r e q u e n t l y " d e m a g n e t i z e " t h e heads.
There are m a n y i n e x p e n s i v e head demagnetizers
a v a i l a b l e ; f o l l o w t h e m a n u f a c t u r e r ' s d i r e c t i o n s for use.
m i c r o n : 1/1000mm
— 10 —
Types of Cassette Tape
Maintenance of Stereo Cassette Mechanism