Technical Documentation PRODUCT OVERVIEW
TASCAM's DA-P1 is a professional portable DAT recorder capable of producing high quality recording in the field. A pair of high quality mic preamps are equipped with a -20dB pad, +48v phantom power, and a limiter circuit, allowing almost any microphone to plug in and print solid levels without having to worry about overloading the tape. The DAT can record in standard 16 bit tape times, as well as the 32kHz / 12 bit mode for extended interview recording time. The shoulder strap and one battery come with the unit.
Portable DAT Player 2 Mic Preamps with Limiter, -20dB Pad, Phantom Power Unbalanced RCA Analog I/O SPDIF Digital I/O (SCMS Free Recording) 100 Minute Battery Life (Phantom Power On) Headphone Output w/ Level Control Recording at 48kHz, 44.1kHz, & 32kHz Sample Rates Margin Counter with Reset Key Power Adapter, Battery and Shoulder Strap Included Optional BP-D1 Batteries and CB-D1 Charger Optional CS-D1 Carrying Case

APPLICATIONS

DAT tapes have been a standard transfer medium in the professional audio industry since the introduction of the format. DAT is the only true non-compressed digital audio format that was intended to be a target writing media. The simple flexibility and worry-free operation of DAT recorders contributed to the initial rise of the format, and continues to support it in all levels of recording. The DAT format also supports deeper levels of recording flexibility. Multiple sample rates can be used, ranging from the long play 32kHz, to the CD standard 44.1kHz, to 48kHz for higher quality. Plus, the DAT tapes are reasonably inexpensive and offer up to 2 hours (4 hours in LP mode) of uninterrupted audio. TASCAM is the leading manufacturer in professional DAT recorders. The DA-P1 continues the proud tradition of excellence in location recording DAT recorders. Sound Effects (Foley) The DA-P1 is an exceptionally high quality portable recorder, allowing you to bring the power of the studio on the road with you. With a pair of high quality mic preamps, phantom power, a -20dB pad and switchable limiter, you can efficiently gather subtle environments or loud Foley effects without crashing your inputs. When you get back to the studio, you can transfer the sounds you've gathered digitally into a DAW, multitrack, CD burner, or whatever. The DA-P1 doesn't limit you with SCMS codes, so you can transfer all you want without fear of copy prohibits getting in the way. News Gathering The DA-P1 provides an exceptionally long battery life of 100 minutes with the phantom power on. 120 minutes without phantom power. Feel free to let the interview run long. In fact, the DA-P1 can also record in a long play mode for up to 4 hours on a 120 DAT, so you'll never run out of space. Additional batteries and a carrying case are available for the road warrior.

SPECIFICATIONS

Performance Specifications: Tape Speed: SP - 8.15mm/s; LP - 4.075mm/s Recording Time (120 DAT): SP - 120 minutes; LP - 240 minutes Fast Winding Time: Approx 60 seconds (120 tape) Recording Resolution: SP - 16 bit linear; LP - 12 bit non-linear Recording Sample Rate: SP - 44.1kHz, 48kHz; LP - 32kHz Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz 0.5dB, SP; 20Hz-14.5kHz LP Signal to Noise Ratio: >90dB Playback (SP) Total Harmonic Distortion: <0.007% Playback (SP) Wow and Flutter: Unmeasurable (<0.001%) Mic/Line XLR Inputs: Mic Setting: Balanced -60dBm (0.8mV), 2.5kOhm -20dB switchable pad Line Setting: Balanced +4dBm (1.2V), 10kOhm Analog Line In: Unbalanced RCA, -10dBV (0.3V), <35kOhm Analog Line Out: Unbalanced RCA, -10dBV (0.3V), 500 Ohm Digital Coaxial I/O: Coaxial IEC60958 Type II Headphone Output: 15mW + 15mW @ 32 Ohms Average Battery Life: Approx 120 minutes, phantom power off Approx 100 minutes, phantom power on Battery Charge Time: Within 2.5 hours General Specifications: Power Supply Requirements: 120V AC, 60Hz (USA/Canada Model) 230V AC, 50Hz (UK/Europe Model) 240V AC, 50Hz (Australia Model) Power Consumption: 13W operating, 15W charging battery Dimensions: 258 x 54 x 188 mm 10-3/16" x 2-1/8" x 7-3/8" Weight: 1.2Kg, 2-10/16 lbs. (without battery) Standard Accessories: Shoulder Strap, PS-D1 Power Adapter, BP-D1 NiCd Battery Optional Accessories: BP-D1 Batteries, CB-D1 Battery Charger, CS-D1 Carrying Case

The DA-P1 is available at:

7733 Telegraph Road

Montebello, CA 90640

(323) 726-0303

http://www.tascam.com

Page 1 of 2

DA-P1_TECHDOC.pdf 033100
All features and specifications are subject to change without notice. Contact your local TASCAM representative for the latest information.
DA-P1 Technical Documentation ALL PANELS

Page 2 of 2

Operating Guide for Tascam DAP-1
Portable DAT Recorder Available in 16mm and Audio Studio
As with any equipment you get from Media Loan, you are responsible for 100% of the cost of the replacement of lost items or repair of any damage beyond normal wear and tear. You are required to check your equipment before you leave Media Loan. While we do our best to be sure you receive fully functional equipment and accessories, mistakes can occur. Once you leave the premises, it is your responsibility to return all items in good condition.

TASCAM DA-P1 PORTADAT

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. SETTING LEVELS Connect mic to MIC/LINE IN (XLR) on the right side. Set the ANALOG INPUT switch to M I C and set the I N P U T switch to ANALOG ANALOG. Set the F S switch (Sampling Rate) to 4 4. 1 1khz. Set LIMITER to O f f (its on the right side). Push the R E C button to set record levels. You can set the record levels without a tape in the recorder. Pushing R E C sets the recorder into input mode to set levels. Pushing R E C and P A U S E or R E C and P L A Y makes the tape thread around the heads and the tape is ready to record. Set the levels with the dual input controls on the front. With digital recorders you cannot go over zero. You should set the levels to peak around 18 (the dot between 20 and 12). If the level control is low (1-3) but you are getting really hot levels on the meter you should use the pad. At the ANALOG INPUT switch (#2 above) set it to P a d 20dB. This is the middle position. This lowers the input signal before the input level controls. This allows you to turn the level controls up to get a better range of levels. The M A R G I N counter on the bottom right of the display can be useful while setting levels and recording. The number shows how close the input has gotten to zero. A display of 5 would mean that you were 5dbs away from the zero. To reset the margin press the Margin Reset button at the right of the display. After the levels are set you may turn the limiter on.
Media Loan The Library Group (360)867-6253 The Evergreen State College Olympia, WA 98505
http://www.evergreen.edu/media
Recycled & Recyclable

Tascamdat /07/12/01/AK

RECORDING 1. The first time a tape is used it should be exercised. This means to fast-forward it all the way to the end and then rewind it back to zero. 2. When using a new tape rewind it so that the counter is at zero. 3. Press R E C and P A U S E to get ready to record. Press P A U S E to start recording. Record 1 minute of silence to start with. 4. Press the ID SELECT button on the front until the display shows AUTO ID Now ID. every time you record a program number will be recorded when the audio starts. 5. Cue the tape up near the end of the minute of silence and press R E C and P A U S E E. Check the levels and press p a u s e to start recording. Always let the deck record about 10 seconds before the material starts and let it record 10 seconds after the material ends. 6. You can press P A U S E to stop and start recording. If you press stop you want to make sure that the tape is cued up with numbers in the time display. If you ever start recording without numbers on the display the ABS time is lost and you cant see the total time on the tape. ID SELECT DAT machines can record start IDs and program numbers that allow the different takes to be cued up like tracks on a CD. The DA-P1 has two different modes to do this. There is Auto ID and Manual Mode. Press the ID SELECT button on the front until AUTO ID shows on the left of the display. In Auto ID an ID is recorded every time a recording is started. The ID is not recorded when the recording starts but when the audio starts. The annoying thing about this mode is that if the input level drops bellow 48dbs a new ID is recorded when the audio gets loud again. If a recording has quite moments you could get many different IDs and program numbers on each take. The other mode is Manual mode. Press the ID SELECT button until W R T S T A R T shows on the right side on the display. In this mode you must manually record the start ID and program number. Press R E C and P A U S E to get ready to record. Press P A U S E to start recording and then press R E C to record the ID. The WRT START will flash and the PGM NO on the left should increase by one number. The advantage of this mode is that there is only one ID per take but you have to remember to push the extra button each time. In this mode you can record IDs whenever you want. While recording you can press R E C anytime you want an ID recorded on the tape.

ID ADD/ERASE AND RENUMBERING After you have recorded your material you can add and erase ID numbers. While adding and erasing ID numbers the tape will be in play and you will press R E C to add/erase. You do not want to enter record mode or you will erase your audio. To add an ID number press the ID SELECT button until WRT START shows on the right side on the display. While playing the tape press R E C where you want a new ID and WRT START will flash. To erase an ID press the ID SELECT button until E R A S E S T A R T shows in the right of the display. Cue the tape so that it is after the ID that you want to erase. While the tape is stopped press R E C and the tape will rewind to the previous ID and start playing at normal speed. ERASE START will flash to confirm that the ID was erased. When you manually erase or add start IDs the program numbers are not changed. So after you are done adding/erasing you can renumber the IDs. Press the ID SELECT button until R E N U M shows on the right of the display. Press R E C and the tape will rewind to zero and it will then go through the tape and renumber the IDs. Then every ID will have a program number. TRANSPORT CONTROLS The transport controls are like a normal tape deck with a few extra features. The S K I P controls are like the skip function on a CD player. They allow you to skip to the next start ID on the tape. For example, if you press it 3 times, the tape will skip 3 ID numbers. The DAT deck rewinds and fast-forwards really fast. This can make cueing the tape difficult. While the tape is playing if fast-forward or rewind is pressed the tape will play at a faster speed. This is like using a shuttle wheel on a video deck. You should only do this for small sections at a time. This can wear down the tape and clog the Dat heads if it is done a lot. You can use it to scan 30 seconds to cue up the tape. Do not rewind in this mode for over a minute because it can damage your tape. COUNTER MODE PAUSE RECORD DISPLAY RESET

INPUT LEVELS

HEADPHONE LEVEL

MARGIN RESET

LIGHT ID SELECT
SAMPLING RATE ANALOG INPUT PHANTOM POWER INPUT SELECT

REWIND

FAST STOP PLAY FOWARD
DIGITAL LINE LINE LIMITER IN IN OUT

MIC/LINE IN

HEADPHONE

DIGITAL OUT