Recording Operations
Adjusting the Recording Level Automatically (Auto Rec Level) 8 Fading In and Out (Fader) 9 Dubbing a Tape 9 Inserting a Blank Space During Recording (Record Muting) 10 Synchro-Recording With a CD Player Through a Monaural (2P) Mini-plug (TC-WE525/WE425 only) 11

Additional

Information

Precautions

Notes on Cassette Tapes 13 Cleaning 14 Troubleshooting 15 Specifications 16

Index 17

Hookups

Unpacking

Connecting Check Audio that you received cords the following (2) items: Connect the tape deck to an amplifier to the LINE IN/OUT connecting connecting cords. cord, be sure to connectors audio an audio the amplifier connecting using the supplied When connecting
match the color-coded cord to the appropriate jacks on the components: Red (right) to Red and White (left) to White. Be sure to make connections noise. firmly to avoid hum and below.

Hooking Up the System

This section describes how to hook ut_ the tape deck to of each an amplifier. Be sure to turn off the power component before making the connections.

Connect

the tape deck to the amplifier

as shown

Tape deck

Amplifier

To purchasers of the TC-WR681 For information on connecting your tape deck to the Instructions TA-AV581 Amplifier, refer to the Operating included with the TA-AV581.
To purchasers of the TC-WE525/WE425 Follow the instructions below to connect your tape deck to an amplifier.

Signal flow

Connecting the tape deck to a CD player equipped with CONTROL A1 connectors (TC-WE525/WE425 only) TC-WE525/WE425 For information A1 connectors, manual. on connections through the CONTROL refer to the pamphlet included with this

Connecting

the AC power cord

cord to an AC outlet.

the AC power
Amplifier Now to a wall outlet you're

do I go next?

ready to use your tape deck. go to pages 5 to 7;for advanced starting from page 8.
For basic operations, operations,

go to the sections

CD player

Playing 32

a Tape 4

.t-r2z"

See page 4 for hookup information. You can use either deck for playback. "_ To locate the beginning a tape and start playback automatically (Auto Play) Press _ while holding down 12>. For the reverse side, press down <:]. _ while holding of

Turn on the amplifier

and select the tape deck position.

Press I/_

(or @), and then press ___

and insert a cassette.

With the side you want to play facing you
To play a tape recorded with the Dolby NR* system Set DOLBY NR to the same position recorded that the tape was in--B or C. NR

Set DIRECTION

To play back One side only

Set to _---

Both sides continuously* Both decks in succession* RELAY stops after playing back five times.
What is the Dolby system? The Dplby NR (noise reduction) low-level frequency recording, them during C provides reduction system signals

* The deck automatically

eliminates
tape hiss noise by boosting in the highrange during then lowering playback. greater noise To Stop Type
Press [2>. The deck starts playing.
Do not turn off the deck during

Adjust the volume

operation.

on the amplifier.

than type B.
Press playing from the reverse side PAUSE resume II. Press play. the button again to
You can connect the headphones to PHONES only) (TC-WE525/WE425

Start playback Pause

(deck B only)
Dolby noise reduction manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories Licensing "DOLBY" symbol Corporation. and the double-D of Fast-forward Take or rewind
or playing only) Pitch Control
out the cassette To adjust

_ON_ OFF

_ after stopping function)

the pitch (Pitch Control

(TC-WE525 to activate

1:113 trademarks are

Dolby Laboratories Corporation.

Licensing

Push in the PITCH CONTROL

button

function and turn the control clockwise counter-clockwise to lower it.

You can

pIT2_OL

to raise the pitch or

_n deck A or normal_F

adjust

the pitch

during

playback

dubbing.

Recording 32

on a Tape. 5 4

See page 4 for hookup information. Use deck B (on your right hand side) for recording. See "Dubbing a Tape" (page 9) to make a copy of the tape.
Turn on the amplifier to record.

and play the program

source you want
(or 0), and then press into deck B.

the side you want to rec

and insert a cassette

With facing

To record Only on one side

Set to

Both sides* * Recording stops when the tape reaches
(2::D the end of reverse side.
PressREC O. E:> lights up for recording-on press g:> once.

the side facing you.

If it doesn't,
The tape deck automatically adjusts the recording level (see page 8). After the AUTO indicator lights up continuously, stop playing the program source. If you wish to adjust the recording level manually, see "To adjust the recording level manually" on page 7.
To protect against tab(s)

recordings erasure

accidental

Press PAUSE I I or 1>. Recording starts.
Break out the record-protect (see page 13).

Start playing

the program

source.

To Stop recording Start recording Pause from the reverse side
Press <SI twice PAUSE resume in Step 5 I I. Press recording. recording the button again to
Take The Dolby HX PRO* system automatically works during recording Distortion reduced quality enjoyed playback and noise in the response highthat can be tape decks. are to produce sound even during on other high-frequency

out the cassette

_ after stopping
Use these switches (controls) operations

to perform

additional

F_----7

DOLBYNR

REC EVEL

To record with

the Dolby NR system

Set DOLBY NR to B or C before you start recording.
To adjust the recording level manually
After pressing REC so that level in Step 4 on page level meters 6, turn reach L,---_-_. For type I or II tape For type IV tape -=_ __ 0.,., T'" REC LEVEL the peak

the recommended

for the corresponding.. tape type. After completing the aojusrment,_stoP-type playing the program source, then continue the procedure from Step 5.

HX Pro headroom

extension
originated by Bang & Olufsen and manufactured under license from Dolb_ Laboratories Licensing Corporation. symbol
"DOLBY", the double-D 1313 and "HX PRO" are trademarks Laboratories Corporation. of Dolby Licensing

"_

YOU should adjust the recording level manually with REC LEVEL in the following --The recording level cannot to excessive cases: be adjusted properly due source.
Adjusting the Recording Level Automatically (Auto Rec Level)
The Auto Rec Level function automatically measures the peak signal level and adjusts the record_ftg level accordingly.

AUTO indicator RECLEVEL

noise in the program
--The program source level is too low and the recording level does not increase. During classical a quiet passage music, in a program source such as later the recording If a high sound level may not increase level is expected first so that the right for a long time. by a graphic signals.

for some time.

on in the track, play that portion adjustment can be obtained. --The recording The Auto Rec Level function when you try to record sound equalizer that has extremely
level does not decrease produced high-level

may not work properly

PAUSEII REC
*_J To record with the optimum To prevent recording changes starts, sound
recording level level after the source to

in the recording

press REC while playing of the program
Follow Steps 1 to 3 of "Recording page 6. Make sure that record-protect have not been removed.

on a Tape" on

highest

level portion The result

be recorded. recording.
is a more natural-sounding source after the AUTO of

tabs on the cassette

If you play the entire program indicator has stopped flashing the deck will set the recording
and is lit continuously, level for the portion signal level.
Press REC O. The AUTO indicator

flashes and the deck

source with the highest
automatically adjusts the recording level. The AUTO indicator lights up continuously after the recording level has been adjusted.
Recording level setting remains even after the recording has ended After you have finished recording with the Auto Rec Level function, the AUTO indicator remains on and the recording level setting remains the same. indicator To cancel the setting, do one of the following: Press ARL to turn off the AUTO Turn REC LEVEL Turn the deck off.
Press PAUSE I I or 1::>. Recording starts.
To cancel the Auto Rec Level function Press ARL or turn REC LEVEL so that the AUTO indicator goes off. If you do either recording will continue turned off. of these during but with the Auto recording, Rec Level function
To stop recording Press II.
"_ What is the Auto Rec Level function? The Auto Rec Level function recording program without gradually level according source. causing While.the distortion. automatically AUTO indicator If the signal level. sets the level of the is flashing, to the peak signal
the deck sets the recording excessively
level as high as possible level rises the deck

after the start of recording, decreases the recording
Fading In and Out (Fader)
You can gradually increase the recording level at the beginning of a recording (fade in) or gradually decrease the recording level at the en_bf a recording (fade out). It is convenient to use this function, for example, when the tape reaches to its end and you don't want the track to be cut off abruptly.

AUTO indicator FADER

Dubbing a Tape
You can copy a tape in deck A to a tape in deck B at normal or high speed.

DIRECTION MODE

PAUSE II

<::3 / _>

HIGH/NORMAL
Insert the recorded cassette into deck A and a blank cassette into deck B. Make sure the record-protect tabs on the cassette in deck B have not been removed.
To Fade in Do the following: 1 Follow Steps I to 4 of "Recording on a Tape" on page 6. 2 Press FADER. During fade-in, the AUTO indicator flashes. When the fade-in has completed, the AUTO indicator goes off. (The AUTO indicator lights continuously if the Auto Rec Level function is on.) Fade out Press FADER when you want to start fading out while recording. When the fade-out has completed, "REC" flashes in the display and the deck pauses.

Select

the side(s) on

to be recorded

To record One side Both sides

Set DIRECTION MODE to

c_:D. Recording on the reverse side on deck B starts independently of playback on deck A. RELAY. Recording on the reverse side on deck B starts simultaneously with playback of the reverse side on deck A.
Note Faae-in or fade-out is not possible when REC LEVEL is set to
Select the dubbing To select Normal speed High speed
speed. Press HIGH/NORMAL Once Twice

0 (minimum).

"HIGH" or "NORM" appears in the display. The tape deck changes to dubbing standby.
Select the side from which to start dubbing. To record from The front Side The reverse side Press

II to start

To stop dubbing During Normal-speed High-speed dubbing dubbing Press on deck B on either deck

(Continued)

During high-speed dubbing Only is operative.
You don't have to adjust the recording level or select the Dolby NR system during dubbing Dubbing recording during is automatically performed with the same as the original the sound in level and Dolby NR system dubbing,
Inserting a Blank Space During Recording (Record Muting)
You can insert a blank space of 4 seconds between track or erase unwanted portions on a tape. each
deck A. If, however, normal-speed

you want to monitor

set DOLBY NR to match
the tape in deck A (see page 5).

You can adjust the pitch of the playback on deck A (TC-WE525 only) See page 5.

PAUSEII RECMUTING O E_

O where you want to insert a
Note If a TV set is placed during high-speed near the tape deck, noise may occur dubbing. In that case, turn the television from the tape deck.
Start recording. Press REC MUTING blank space.

set off or move it away

Dubbing only specific portions
You can do this only dubbing. during the normal-speed
"REC" flashes in the display and a blank is recorded on the tape. After 4 seconds, i I lights up and the tape deck changes to recording pause.
Press on deck A at the portion skip. Deck B changes to recording

you want to

Press PAUSE I I or _

to resume

recording.

pause. recording on

If you want to insert a blank space longer than 4 seconds Hold down REC MUTING O as long as you want. After 4 seconds, "REC" flashes faster. When you release REC MUTING to recording to resume O, || lights pause. recording. up and the tape deck changes
Locate the point you want to resume deck A, then stop the tape. Press PAUSE II to resume dubbing.

Press PAUSE I| or _

If your CD player has the Peak Search function:
Synchro-Recording With a CD Player Through a Monaural (2P) Mini-plug Cord (TC-WE525/ WE425 only)
By pressing SYNCHRO, you can perform synchrorecording on your tape deck with a Sony CD player connected to the CONTROL A1 connector through an optional monaural (2P) mini-plug cord (connecting cord for CONTROL A1) (see page 4). The monaural (2P) mini-plug cord supports advanced functions not possible with the commander-based CD synchrorecording function on previous models. Further information on the various operations made possible by a monaural (2P) mini-plug cord is provided in the pamphlet attached to this manual.
<:3 / _ SYNCHRO "_"
The SYNCHRO player level. locates to be recorded completed,

indicator signal

lights
up and the CD the tracks is automatically. the recording

the highest

level among

as the tape deck adjusts

When the recording

level adjustment starts

CD Synchro-Recording
If your CD player does not have the Peak Search function: The CD player recording pause. changes to play pause and deck B to level SYNCHRO.

Press PAUSE Adjust

|1 on deck B to start pressing
Synchro-Recording. automatically

the recording

(see page 8) before
To stop CD Synchro-Recording Press on deck B or the CD player.
You can use an optional player

remote to operate

the CD
To start CD play, press II twice; to pause || once; to locate a CD track, press _

CD play, press or ItH_l.

DIRECTIONMODE
If the SYNCHRO button indicator flashing three times The tape cannot be recorded
goes off after the recordhas

on because side(s)

"protect tab(s) on the selected (have) been removed.

of the cassette

Set the source player.

selector

on the amplifier
Length of tape used for recording Tracks on a CD differ in length. and others often have tracks time of a single cassette side. Classical music CDs the that exceed the recording

In this case, record

Insert

a CD into

the CD player.

tape manually.

Select the play mode (CONTINUE, PROGRAM) of the CD player.

SHUFFLE,

When recording from the middle of the tape A tape that is inserted and has not been played is in the middle to bypass delay, or recorded on is assumed by the deck to be a new tape, of the tape. before the portion play or record the CD the tape for 10 seconds

a'cassette

B. Set DIRECTION MODE to
even if the present To record on Only one side Both sides _ or RELAY starting Recording

location

The deck will transport corresponding
CD Synchro-Recording with the leader. without
To begin CD Synchrobefore starting
the ten-seconds procedure.

on the tape for a few seconds
Select the side(s) to be recorded Press SYNCHRO.
Select the side on deck B. To record from The front side The reverse side you want to start

Synchro-Recording

recording

Press 12>

"_ If the tape ends during CD Synchro-Recording the front side of the tape (_> DIRECTION MODE is set to _ Recording direction reverse lights up) and or RELAY the tape
of the track ends immediately, is reversed, and recording starts of the track.

again from

the beginning Recording
If the tape ends on the up), CD Synchrostops playing.
side of the tape (_1 lights stops and the CD player
Notes To prevent interruption of the recording process, do not CD
press any operation Synchro-Recording.

buttons

on the CD player
Certain operation buttons on the tape deck are disabled during CD Synchro-Recording.
On safety Do not disassemble electrical only. Should unplug personnel any solid object or liquid before operating fall into the cabinet, by qualified the tape deck and have it checked it any further. shock. the cabinet Refer servicing -- this may result to qualified in an personneL,,_-

Notes on Cassette Tapes

To protect a recording on side A or B Break out the respective tab.

Side A

Tab for!ide On power voltage supply. nameplate sources the tape deck, check that the operating with your local power on the source even if voltage is indicated of the tape deck is identical The operating Before operating

for side A

To record on a tape with a missing record-protect Cover the respective tab hole with adhesive tape.
at the rear of the tape deck. from the AC power
The unit is not disconnected
(mains) as long as it is connected to the wall outlet, the unit itself has been turned off. If you are not going be sure to disconnect To disconnect never service AC power pull the cord. cord must be changed
to use the tape deck for a long time, the tape deck from the wall outlet. cord, grasp the plug itself; only at the qualified When you are using a type II or type IV tape, be careful not to cover the detector slots that the deck uses to determine
On operation Because of a safety mechanism, the function buttons will not operate if the cassette holder is not completely closed, if there is no cassette in the cassette holder, or if a cassette has been incorrectly Otherwise, inserted into the.cassetle holder. Be sure to stop the tape before turning the tape may be damaged. off the tape deck.

the tape type. Type II Type IV
On placement Place the tape deck in a location with adequate to prevent heat build-up in the tape deck. Do not place the tape deck: -- on a soft surface such as a rug that might ventilation holes on the bottom. -- in a location -- in an inclined near heat sources. to direct sunlight. dust or mechanical shock. position. to excessive -- in a place subject -- in a place subject block the ventilation

Detector slots

On tapes longer than 90 minutes We do not recommend 90 minutes playback. the use of tapes longer than or easily. except for a long continuous recording
They are very thin and tend to stretch
On handling cassettes To prevent avoid the heads away and tape path from getting of a cassette. with magnets, such may cause tape sunlight, extremely cold from equipment which dirty, touching the tape surface
Place cassettes On cleaning the tape deck Clean slightly the cabinet, moistened panel and controls scouring With a soft cloth solution. powder Do not or solvent with a mild detergent as speakers distortion temperature,
and amplifiers, cassettes
or erase the recordings. to direct or moisture.

Do not expose

use any type of abrasive pad, such as alcohol or benzine.
If you have an.y questions or problems tape deck, please consult your nearest
concerning your Sony dealer.

Cleaning

Demagnetizing

After 20 to 30 hours

the heads
of use, or when you notice a

assembly

hissing sound or loss of high frequencies, demagnetize the heads with a commercially available demagnetizer for tape decks. Please refer to the instructions of the demagnetizer.

Eras,no. ad I

Recording/playback head
Cleaning the heads and tape path
Clean the heads and tape path of the tape deck after every 10 hours of operation to guard against: low-quality sound a decrease in sound level excessive wow or flutter sound dropout incomplete erasure impairment of recording To ensure better recording, function we recommenct that you
clean the heads and tape path before every recording. i Press _ to open the cassette holder. Grasp the lift to remove

front cover on both sides and gently it.
With the tape deck turned off, wipe the heads, the pinch rollers and the capstans with a cotton swab slightly moistened available cleaning with alcohol or a commercially fluid for tape decks.

Replace the front cover.

The DOLBY NR function
does not work properly during function is on and the

Troubleshooting

If you've experienced any of the following difficulties while using the tape deck, use this troubleshooting guide to help you remedy the problem. Should the problem persist, consult your nearest Sony dealer.__
playback. The Pitch Control frequency characteristics of the sound is altered. Push the PITCH CONTROL button again to turn off the function (TC-WE525 only).
There is excessively loud tape transport fast-forwarding or rewinding. is caused problem. This noise
noise during and is not a
The function buttons do not work. '_ The tape deck has been just turned not operate for about 3 seconds. is inserted stops flashing. Check that the cassette the cassette holder on and does Wait until II correctly and

by the cassette

mechanical
does not work. There 13as been a power operation. Reconnect failure the power. or the power tape cord has been disconnected during

is closed

completely.
The tape deck does not play or record. There is no cassette in the cassette The tape has come to the end. The tape is slack. The record-protect the cassette ,'_ '_
holder. There is a short break in sound output You pressed the other deck was playing. Or you pressed PAUSE |1, 1::>, or -<:3 on deck B while deck A was playing. during playback. IH_, <1_, or on one deck while
Take up the tape slack. tab has been removed from setting is correct. are "--E--" Clean them

(see page 13).

Make sure the amplifier
Check that the tape deck connections secure. The heads and tape path are dirty. (see page 14). The recording/playback Demagnetize
appears in the display. All the operation buttons deck do not work. Turn off the deck, and controls on the

head is magnetized.

then turn it on.

it (see page 14).

There is excessive wow, flutter '_ The capstans them (see page 14).
or sound drop-out. are dirty. Clean

and pinch rollers

There is a decrease in sound level, sound drop-out, poor reproduction of high frequencies./The erase completely./Noise increases. '_ '_ The recording/playback tape path are dirty. The recording/playback magnetized. Demagnetize Clean them
tape does not head and head is

or erasing or erasing

(see page 14).
There is hum or noise. The tape deck is placed near a TV or VCR. Move the tape deck away from the TV or VCR._ The tape deck is placed amplifier. amplifier. on or under the Move the tape.deck away from the
There is an unbalanced Check

tone. is the same as

that DOLBY NR position
wh, en the tape was recorded. The tape deck is placed near a TV or VCR. from the TV or VCR. Move the tape deck away
The tape stops before the tape has been fully rewound. The tape is slack. Take up the tape slack. The cassette shell is bent. Use another cassette.

General

Specifications
Power requirements System
Recording system 4-track 2-channel _'= stereo
Wherepurchased U.S.A. U.K., China and certain countries in Asia Australia
Power requirements 120 V AC, 60 Hz 220 - 230 V AC, 50/60 Hz
Fast-windingtime (approx.) 100 sec. (with Sony C-60 cassette) Bias AC bias Signal-to-noise ratio (at peak level and weightedwith DolbyNR off) Type I tape, Sony Type I (NORMAL): 55 dB Type II tape, Sony Type II (HIGH): 57 dB Type IV tape, Sony Type IV (METAL): 58 dB SIN ratio improvement(approximatevalues) With Dolby B NR on: 5 dB at 1 kHz, 10 dB at 5 kHz With Dolby C NR on: 15 dB at 500 Hz, 20 dB at 1 kHz Harmonicdistortion 0.4% (with Type I tape, Sony Type I (NORMAL): 160 nWb/m 315 Hz, 3rd H.D.) 1.8% (with Type IV tape, Sony Type IV (METAL): 250 nWb/m 315 Hz, 3rd H.D.) Frequency response (Dolby NR off) Type I tape, Sony Type I (NORMAL): (-+3dB, IEC)Type II tape, Sony Type II (HIGH): 30 (+3 dB, IEC) Type IV tape, Sony Type IV (METAL): (+_3dB, IEC) 30 - 13,000 Hz (_+3 dB, -4 dB recording) Type I tape, Sony Type I (NORMAL): (+_6dB) Type II tape, Sony Type II (HIGH): 20 (-+6 dB) Type IV tape, Sony Type IV (METAL): (+_6dB) Wow and flutter _+0.15% W. Peak (IEC) 0.1% W. RMS (NAB) +0.2% W. Peak (DIN)

240 V AC, 50/60

Power consumption 18W
Dimensions(approx)(w/h/d) Model for U.K. and Australia: 430 x 120 x 310 mm (17 x 4 3/4 x 12 1/4 in.) Model for other countries: 430 x 120 x 290 mm including projecting parts and controls
Mass(approx.) 4 kg (8 lbs 13 oz)
Supplied accessories Audio connecting plugs) (2) cords (2 phono plugs - 2 phono
30 - 16,000 Hz - 17,000 Hz 30 - 19,000 Hz
Optional accessory Remote commander RM-J920 For more information on the availability of the remote commander, contact your nearest Sony dealer.

20 - 17,000 Hz - 18,000 Hz 20 - 20,000 Hz

Design notice.

and specifications

are subject to change

without
Inputs Line inputs (phono jacks) Sensitivity: 0.16 V Input impedance: 47 kilohms
Outputs Lineoutputs(phonojacks) Rated output level: 47 kilohms Load impedance:
0.5 V at a load impedance Over 10 kilohms
Headphones (stereophonejack) (TC-WE525/WE425 only) Output level: 0.25 mW at a load impedance of 32 ohms
Accessories optional 16 supplied 4, 16 Adjusting recording level automatically. level recording level manually 7 volume 5 Audio connecting cord 4, 16 Auto play 5 Auto rec level 8

T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z

Tape ejecting 5, 7 notes 13 path cleaning 14 protect the recording type 13 Troubleshooting 15 Unpacking 4 See Auto rec

Buttons

of Controls
Cassette. See Tape CD Synchro-Recording 11 Cleaning cabinet 13 heads and tape path 14 Connecting. See Hooking up

D, E, F, G

Difference among the models 3 Dolby HX PRO system 7 Dolby NR system 5, 7 Dubbing high-speed dubbing 9 normal-speed dubbing 9, 10 only specific portions 10 Fader 9 Fading in. See Fader out. See Fader
ARL (automatic recording level adjustment) 8 FADER 9 HIGH/NORMAL 9 PAUSE || 5, 7- 10, 15 PITCH CONTROL 5 REC (recording) 6- 8 REC MUTING O (record muting) 10 SYNCHRO 11 (eject) 5 - 7, 14, 15 (stop) 5, 7- 11, 15 I_ (forward play) 5 - 11, 15 (reverse play) 5, 7, 9, 11, 15 1_4_, _ (fast-forwarding and rewinding) 5, 15 Switches DIRECTION MODE 5, 6, 9, 11 DOLBY NR 5, 7, 10, 15 I/_ (or O) (power) 5, 6 Controls PITCH CONTROL 5 REC (recording) LEVEL 7- 9 Jacks CONTROL ALINE IN 4 LINE OUT 4 PHONES 5 Others AUTO indicator 6, 8, 9 Cassette holder 5, 6, 14 Peak level meters 7

H, I, J, K, L, M,

Heads cleaning 14 demagnetizing 14 Hooking up hookups 4 overview 4 Insert blank space 10 cassette 5, 6 Locating beginning of the tape 5 Monaural (2P) mini-plug cord

P, Q, R, S

Pitch control function _5 Playing auto play 5 basic play 5 Record muting 10 Recording basic recording 6 CD Synchro-Recording Remote commander 16 Specifications 16