Yamaha MT4X User Manual page 52

51 Appendix
Capstan
A slender metal pillar adjacent to the pinchroller. The capstan is driven by the DC
servo motor and controls the tape speed. The tape pulled across the erase and
record/playback heads by the pressure between the capstan and pinchroller.
CUE monitor
This bus is used to listen to previously recorded tracks. It is mostly used to assist the
musicians recording a new part. You can also process effects through the monitor
bus without recording them to tape. The CUE bus is monaural.
DAT (Digital Audio Tape)
A two-channel, 16-bit digital recording system using magnetic tape and a rotary
head mechanism. DAT machines are often used as master recording units.
Professional units can record at 33 kHz, 44.1 kHz, and 48 kHz sampling rates.
dbx™ noise reduction
A system to reduce tape noise and improve the dynamic range of analog tape.
dbx™ employs a pre-emphasis to boost the high frequencies, followed by a 2:1
compression of the signal during recording. The signal is expanded and then de-
emphasized on playback. The MT4X uses dbx™ noise reduction to reduce noise
and keep your recordings clean and crisp.
Demagnetizer
A hand-held device that removes the residual magnetic field that routinely builds
up on a recording head. Without demagnetizing (also called degaussing), this
residual magnetic field can cause distortion. Use of a demagnetizer is an integral
part of maintaining any tape recorder.
Equalization (EQ)
The process of adjusting (boosting or cutting) the frequency ranges for optimal
sound. Many engineers try to record with flat equalization, only adjusting the
frequencies on mixdown.
Fader
Each channel module contains a fader, a slider that is used to adjust the level of that
channel relative to the other channels. The MASTER module fader is used to adjust
the overall stereo level.
FSK (Frequency Shift Keying)
A method of recording MIDI clock data onto one of the tracks of the MT4X. A
device translates the data into two distinct frequencies that represent the two binary
states: "on" and "off". Some MIDI instruments can directly output FSK sync
signals. Otherwise, you will need a MIDI/FSK converter such as the Yamaha
YMC10.
GAIN
Various musical instruments and devices output different levels of signal. Gain is a
measure of electronic input over output. Each channel module includes a GAIN
control that can alter the input levels to compensate for line, instrument, or
microphone levels.
Head
A transducer used to convert electrical impulses into patterns of magnetism during
recording and to convert patterns of magnetism into electrical impulses during
playback. The MT4X uses a special 4-track permalloy record/playback head.
Instrument level
The level of gain output by such devices as an electric bass or guitar.
Line level
The level of gain output by such devices as a synthesizer, drum machine, CD player,
etc.
User's Guide