Tascam Cd Rewritable Recorder CD-RW5000 Owners Manual

							 
2 - Parts of the CD-RW5000 
  TASCAM CD-RW5000  
11 
[12] ERASE key 
This key only has any effect when a CD-RW disc is 
inserted in the CD-RW5000. If a standard CD or a 
CD-R disc is inserted, it will have no effect.
Pressing this key once will prepare to erase the last 
recorded track. Pressing this key twice in quick suc-
cession will prepare to erase the whole disc. See 4.7, 
Erasing material (CD-RW only) for details. 
2.1.1 Transport controls 
These keys are similar to those on a conventional CD 
player, with the addition of a  
RECORD 
 key. 
[13] SKIP keys 
In playback mode, these keys work in the same way 
as on a   conventional CD player. They have no 
effect when the CD-RW5000 is in recording mode. 
[14] STOP key 
This key stops the current transport operation. 
[15] PLAY key 
This key starts playback of a disc. 
[16] PAUSE key 
This key is used to pause the current playback or 
recording operation temporarily.
Note that when the unit is in paused play or record 
mode, the  
PLAY  
key is used to restart playback or 
recording. 
[17] RECORD key 
This key is used for recording on a recordable disc. 
Pressing it puts the unit into record ready mode. It is 
also used when erasing and finalizing discs. 
[18] SYNC START key 
This key allows synchronized recording when digital 
audio data is received at the selected input (either the 
coaxial or optical inputs).
There are two settings:  
SYNC 1
 
 and  
SYNC ALL
 
. 
When the  
SYNC 1
 
 setting is selected, the recorder 
will start recording as soon as digital audio data starts 
to be received at the input jack, and will continue 
until the data signifying the start of the next track is 
received. When the  
SYNC ALL
 
 setting is selected, 
the CD-RW5000 will start recording as soon as digi-
tal audio data is received at the input, and will con-
tinue until data recording is stopped manually, or 
until no further audio signals are received. 
NOTE  
The CD-RW5000 needs between 150ms and 
400ms to recognize the start of a track. If the 
audio material starts too close (i.e. within this 
time) of the logical track start, the 
CD-RW5000 may not record the very first part 
of the audio material.
When recording using the sync start feature, 
therefore, make sure that there is a gap 
between the track start and the start of the 
audio. If there is not such a gap, you should  
use a manual start. 
2.2 Rear panel 
[19] ANALOG INPUT (BALANCED) 
These XLR-type connectors provide balanced inputs 
at a nominal +4 dBu.
These are wired according to the following standard: 
[20] ANALOG OUTPUT (BALANCED) 
These XLR-type connectors provide balanced out-
puts at a nominal +4 dBu, wired in the same way as 
the balanced inputs.
The trimmer beside each connector can be used to set 
the output level precisely to match the level expected 
by the equipment connected to the tape deck.
The “standard” setting (and the condition in which 
the unit is shipped from the factory) is with these 
trimmers set to +4 dBu. 
[21] DIGITAL INPUT (AES/EBU) 
This XLR-type connector accepts digital audio data 
in standard AES/EBU format. 
[22] ANALOG INPUT (UNBALANCED) 
These RCA connectors accept unbalanced analog 
audio signals at –10 dBV levels (consumer level). 
[23] ANALOG OUTPUT (UNBALANCED) 
These RCA connectors output unbalanced analog 
audio signals at –10 dBV levels. 
1
 
Ground
 
2
 
“Hot” (+)
 
3
 
“Cold” (–) 
						

							 
2 - Parts of the CD-RW5000 
12 
  TASCAM CD-RW5000 
[24] COAXIAL digital INPUT 
This RCA connector accepts digital audio data in 
SPDIF format. 
[25] COAXIAL digital OUTPUT 
This RCA connector outputs digital audio data in 
SPDIF format. 
[26] OPTICAL digital INPUT 
This optical connector allows input of digital audio 
data in SPDIF format. 
[27] OPTICAL digital OUTPUT 
This optical connector outputs digital audio data in 
SPDIF format. 
NOTE 
If these optical connectors are not being 
used, keep them covered with the dust caps  
supplied with the unit. 
[28] CONTROL I/O 
This 15-pin ’D’-sub connector is used for connection 
to a suitably-equipped controller.
The pinouts of this connector are given below:Tally signals are open collector, with a maximum 
current of 40 mA. Input signals are active when low 
(ground) for  
³  
 30 ms. 
[29] REMOTE IN connector 
This connector is used for the RC-RW5000 remote 
control unit supplied with the CD-RW5000. Do not 
attempt to connect any other kind of remote control 
unit to this connector. 
2.3 RC-RW5000 remote control  
unit 
For the most part, the keys on the remote control unit 
duplicate many of the keys on the main unit. How-
ever, there is a set of number keys which can be used 
for programmed playback, or to start playback at a 
particular track number. There are also some addi-
tional keys available, which are not provided on the 
main unit. 
Pin 
numberSignal
Direction
 
1
 
STOP TALLY OUT
 
2
 
REC-PLAY TALLY OUT
 
3
 
SKIP (forward) IN
 
4
 
SKIP (back) IN
 
5
 
REC-PAUSE TALLY OUT
 
6
 
REC IN
 
7
 
Track increment IN
 
8
 
Ground —
 
9
 
PLAY TALLY OUT
 
10
 
PAUSE TALLY OUT
 
11
 
N/C —
 
12
 
STOP IN
 
13
 
PLAY IN
 
14
 
PAUSE IN
 
15
 
N/C — 
						

							 
2 - Parts of the CD-RW5000 
  TASCAM CD-RW5000  
13 
The remote control unit keys are listed here, together 
with the number (in square brackets) of the corre-
sponding key on the main unit, when these keys are 
identical in function to those on the main unit. When 
these keys have a different function, or are additional 
to those on the main unit, an explanation of their 
function is provided. 
[30] OPEN/CLOSE key 
See  
[4] 
. 
[31] Number keys 
These number keys are used to select tracks for pro-
grammed playback, or to select a particular track to 
play. See section 3, Playback operations, for details 
of how to perform these operations.
When entering track numbers greater than nine, the 
two keys corresponding to the digits that compose 
the track number should be pressed in quick7 succes-
sion. For instance, when entering track number 14, 
first press the  
1 
 key, quickly followed by the  
4 
 key. 
[32] REPEAT key 
This key works in the same way as the repeat key on 
conventional CD players.
Repeated presses of this key will cycle between the 
following repeat modes: repeating the current track 
( 
REPEAT 1
 
), repeating the whole disc ( 
REPEAT
 
  
ALL
 
), and no repeat. 
[33] PGM key 
Use this key in conjunction with the number keys for 
programmed playback, as described in 3.3.1, Pro-
grammed playback. 
[34] DISPLAY key 
See  
[6] 
. 
[35] FINALIZE key 
See  
[11] 
. 
[36] ERASE key 
See  
[12] 
. 
[37] SYNC START key 
See  
[18] 
. 
[38] AUTO/MANUAL 
See  
[7] 
. 
[39] TRACK INCR key 
When the track increment function is in manual 
mode, as selected with the  
AUTO/MANUAL  
 key   
[7] 
, pressing this key while a disc is being recorded 
will increment the current track number. See 4.4, 
Manual track division and 4.4, Manual track divi-
sion for details.
This is equivalent to pressing the  
RECORD  
 key on 
the main unit  
[17] 
 when recording a disc. This key 
has no effect in playback mode. 
[40] SKIP keys 
See  
[13] 
. 
[41] SEARCH keys 
These three keys allow fast playback in either the for-
ward or backward direction in order to assist precise 
location of a point on a disc, similar to the cue and 
review modes on a tape recorder.
Pressing the  
ð 
 or  
ï 
  
key will start playback at 
twice normal speed in either the forward or backward 
direction respectively.
Pressing the  
FAST  
key, followed by the  
ð 
 or   
ï  
   
key, will start playback at eight times normal speed 
in either the forward or reverse direction, 
respectively. 
[42] STOP key 
See  
[14] 
. 
[43] PLAY key 
See  
[15] 
. 
[44] PAUSE key 
See  
[16] 
. 
[45] RECORD key 
See  
[17] 
. 
						

							 
14 
  TASCAM CD-RW5000 
3 - Playback operations 
This section gives details of the basic operations you 
can perform when using the CD-RW5000 to play 
back CDs.
Playing back CDs on the CD-RW5000 is similar to 
playing back CDs on any other CD player.
The CD-RW5000 can play back ordinary 
pre-recorded commercial CDs, and CD-R discs, as 
well as CD-RW discs recorded on the CD-RW5000. 
These last discs may not be playable on other CD 
players.
Also, note that unlike some other CD players, but in 
common with other TASCAM devices, the  
PLAY 
 
key on the CD-RW5000 is used to restart playback 
after the  
PAUSE 
 key has been used to pause play-
back. 
3.1 Display modes 
The different display modes available when playing 
back a CD are: track elapsed time ( 
TRACK TIME
 
) 
with the level meters displayed, track remaining time 
( 
REMAIN TIME TRACK
 
), disc remaining time 
( 
TOTAL REMAIN TIME
 
), and track elapsed time 
( 
TRACK TIME
 
) without the level meters displayed.
Press the  
DISPLAY 
 key ( 
[6] 
 or  
[34] 
) to cycle 
between these modes. 
3.2 Playing back a selected track 
Use the number buttons on the remote control unit to 
enter a track number. If the number of the track is 
greater than nine, press the keys of the two digits in 
order to enter the 2-digit number.
• If the CD-RW5000 is already playing, the playback 
will jump to the start of the selected track.
• If the CD-RW5000 is in pause mode, the playback 
position will be at the start of the selected track in 
pause mode.
• If the CD-RW5000 is stopped, playback will start 
from the start of the selected track. 
3.3 Repeating playback 
1 
To repeat one track, press the  
REPEAT 
 key  
[32] 
 on the remote control unit once to show  
REPEAT 1
 
 on the display. The current 
track will continue to be repeated until 
stopped. 
2 
To repeat the whole disc, press the  
REPEAT  
 
key  
[32] 
 on the remote control unit twice to 
show  
REPEAT ALL 
 
on the display. The disc 
will play to the end and then restart playing 
from the beginning until stopped. 
3.3.1 Programmed playback 
To program a sequence of tracks for playback, follow 
the steps below: 
1 
Make sure that playback is stopped. 
2 
Press the  
PGM 
 key  
[33] 
, and  
PROGRAM
 
 
is shown on the display. 
3 
Enter the numbers of the tracks that you 
want included in the programmed play, 
using the number keys on the remote control 
unit  
[31] 
. 
The step number of the programmed track appears 
briefly, and the display shows the word  
PROGRAM
 
 flashing at the left of the display. 
NOTE  
As explained earlier, pressing two number 
keys in quick succession will enter that 2-digit 
track number. Leave a pause between the 
entry of the different track numbers to sepa- 
rate the program steps. 
4 
Start the programmed playback by pressing 
the  
PLAY 
 key on the main unit  
[15] 
 or on the 
remote control unit  
[43] 
. 
5 
Stop programmed playback by pressing the  
STOP 
 key on the main unit  
[14] 
 or on the 
remote control unit  
[42] 
. 
While a programmed playback sequence is active, 
even while playback is stopped, the display shows 
the word  
PROGRAM
 
 at the left of the display. 
6 
Cancel programmed playback by pressing 
the  
STOP 
 key on the main unit  
[14] 
 or on the 
remote control unit  
[42] 
 twice in quick 
succession. 
Opening the disc tray will also cancel the pro-
grammed playback.
It is possible to program up to 20 program steps for 
programmed playback. If more than 20 program 
steps are entered, the display shows  
FULL
 
. 
						

							 
3 - Playback operations 
  TASCAM CD-RW5000  
15 
3.3.2 Fast searching 
The remote control unit features keys to allow pre-
cise searching and positioning within the CD. 
1 
Press and hold the backward or forward key 
to search backward or forward at twice nor-
mal speed. 
2 
Press the   
FAST   
key, followed in by the back-
ward or forward key to search backward or 
forward at eight times normal speed. 
						

							 
16 
  TASCAM CD-RW5000 
4 - Recording operations 
Before starting to record CDs, make sure that all 
appropriate connections (analog and digital) are 
made both into and out of the CD-RW5000. Turn off 
all equipment while making connections to avoid 
transient noises which may damage your monitoring 
speakers, etc. 
WARNING 
Make sure that power to the CD-RW5000 is 
not cut off while recording is taking place. If 
power is cut off while recording is taking 
place, the data on the disc will be corrupted. 
When power is restored and a corrupted disc 
is inserted, the CD-RW5000 will attempt to 
recover the disc. The display will show the 
word “ 
RECOVER”
 
 while this is taking place. 
However, despite this, it may not be possible  
to recover the disc. 
4.1 General recording notes 
Note the following with regard to all forms of record-
ing (from both digital and analog sources):
• The minimum length of a track on a CD is four sec-
onds. It is not possible to record a track with a 
length of less than four seconds.
• There is a limit, set by the CD standard, of 99 
tracks on a CD. Do not attempt to record more than 
99 tracks on a disc.
• Since the CD-RW5000 has no information about 
the total length of a track while it is recording, the  
DISPLAY 
 key works slightly differently to its 
operation in playback mode. Repeated presses 
cycle between track elapsed time and time remain-
ing for recording on the disc.
• After recording is stopped, the CD-RW5000 will 
update the temporary TOC. The display will show 
the word  
UPDATE
 
 while this is going on.  
DO 
NOT 
 turn off the power to the CD-RW5000 or 
attempt to remove the disc while this is taking 
place.
• Place the CD-RW5000 into record pause mode by 
pressing the  
RECORD 
 key. If a digital input 
source has been selected, and no such source is 
detected at the appropriate connector, the  
DIGITAL 
 
indicator on the display will flash to indicate that 
the connection is not ready.
• To go manually from record pause mode into 
record mode, press the  
PLAY 
 key.
• Press the  
STOP 
 key to stop recording. 
4.1.1 Disc types 
Both CD-R and CD-RW discs can be used. When 
inserted into the CD-RW5000, the unit detects the 
type of disc that has been inserted, and shows either  
CD RECORDABLE
 
 or  
CD REWRITABLE
 
 as 
appropriate. If you insert a non-recordable CD (i.e. a 
pre-recorded disc, or a CD-R which has been final-
ized), the display will simply show  
CD
 
 and you can-
not record on the disc 
1
 
.
If the recordable disc is a blank disc, the display will 
show  
OPC
 
 while the drive calibrates itself (optimal 
power calibration). When this process is finished, the 
display shows track  
0
 
, followed by an elapsed time 
of  
00
 
M 
00
 
S 
.
If the recordable disc already has material recorded 
on it, the OPC checking process will also be carried 
out, and when this is completed, the CD-RW5000 
shows the number of tracks recorded so far, together 
with the total elapsed time so far. 
NOTE  
If a recordable disc is inserted more than 99 
times, the process cannot be carried out, and 
the message “ 
OPC Fail
 
” is shown on the dis-
play. Take care not to insert a recordable disc 
too many times (over 99) otherwise you can-
not make any further recordings on the disc 
and cannot finalize it.
However, when the OPC operation has been 
carried out 96 times, the CD-RW5000 will 
show “ 
Final
 
” on the display when the disc has 
been inserted and the OPC operation has fin-
ished. This is a warning to you that the disc 
should now be finalized (see 4.6, Finalizing 
discs). Finalize the disc and remove it before  
recording on another disc. 
4.2 Recording from digital sources 
Before starting to record a CD from a digital source, 
do the following: 
1 
Use the  
SOURCE 
 key  
[8] 
 to select a digital 
source (as opposed to analog), as shown by  
DIGITAL
 
 on the display. 
1. If the disc is a CD-RW disc that has been final-
ized, you can erase the whole disc and use it 
again for recording. 
						

							 
4 - Recording operations 
  TASCAM CD-RW5000  
17 2 
Use the  
DIGITAL INPUT 
 key  
[9] 
 to select 
between the three possible digital audio 
sources:  
AES/EBU
 
,  
COAXIAL
 
 and  
OPTICAL
 
. 
It is assumed that the digital program material has 
been edited so that there is no clipping. If a digital 
signal goes over the maximum level, audible distor-
tion occurs. It is not possible to adjust the level of 
digital audio signals input to the CD-RW5000.
If the program material which is to be recorded con-
tains track divisions (PQ code or START IDs on a 
DAT) which you want to use as track divisions when 
making the CD, use the  
AUTO/MANUAL 
 key  
[7] 
 to 
set the track division mode to  
AUTO
 
. See 4.3, 
Automatic track division for details. 
4.2.1 Recording with synchronized start 
The synchronized start facility allows recording to 
start when the digital start of a track is recognized 
(coaxial or optical) or when the input level from 
AES/EBU sources goes from below –36 dB to above 
this level.
There are two different ways in which the sync start 
facility can be used: you may wish to record only one 
track from a digital source— 
SYNC 1
 
.
Alternatively, you may simply want to start recording 
when the source starts playing, and finish recording 
when the source stops— 
SYNC ALL
 
.
Neither of these modes is available when recording 
from analog sources.
In both cases, it is possible to stop the recording 
manually at any time. 
NOTE 
The CD-RW5000 needs between 150ms and 
400ms to recognize the start of a track. If the 
audio material starts too close (i.e. within this 
time) of the logical track start, the 
CD-RW5000 may not record the very first part 
of the audio material.
When recording using the sync start feature, 
therefore, make sure that there is a gap 
between the track start and the start of the 
audio. If there is not such a gap, you should  
use a manual start. 
1 
If the audio source is not a CD connected dig-
itally to the CD-RW5000, locate the audio 
source to a little before the start of the track you are recording and enter pause mode on 
the source player. If the audio source is a dig-
itally-connected CD (coaxial or optical), 
make sure the CD player is stopped, not 
paused. 
2 
Insert a recordable disc into the 
CD-RW5000. 
• To record one track only, press the  
SYNC START  
 
key once to show  
SYNC-1
 
 on the display. 
• To record more than one track, press the  
SYNC 
START 
 key twice to show  
SYNC
 
 on the display.
• The CD-RW5000 will go into record ready mode 
(the  
RECORD 
 and  
PAUSE 
 key indicators will 
both light, and the  
RECORD
 
 indicator will flash 
in the display). 
3 
Start playing back the audio source. 
• If  
SYNC-1
 
 is selected and the source is input 
through the coaxial or optical inputs, recording 
starts automatically when the start of a track within 
the digital audio signal is detected, and continues 
until the start of the next track within the source 
material is detected, when recording will stop.
• In the case of SYNC-1 being selected, and the 
recorded signal being input through the AES/EBU 
inputs, recording will start when the audio level 
exceeds –36 dB. It will stop when the signal falls 
below this level for 20 consecutive seconds.
• If  
SYNC ALL 
 
is selected, recording starts auto-
matically when the start of a track within the digital 
audio signal at the optical or coaxial connector is 
destected, or when the audio level exceeds –36 dB 
at the AES/EBU connector.
When recording starts, the currently-recording track 
number is shown, together with the elapsed track 
time. To show how much recording time remains on 
the disc, press the  
DISPLAY 
 key  
[6] 
 or   
[34]  
.
The recording may be stopped in either of the follow-
ing ways: 
SYNC-1
 
• The start of the next track within the source mate-
rial is detected.
Record Record pause Stop
Source material
Track starts
CD-RW5000 
						

							 
4 - Recording operations 
18 
  TASCAM CD-RW5000 
• Automatically, when the signal level drops below 
–36 dB and stays below that level for 20 seconds or 
more.
• Manually, using the CD-RW-5000’s  
STOP 
 key. 
SYNC ALL
 
• Automatically, when the signal level drops below 
–36 dB and stays below that level for 20 seconds or 
more.
• Manually, using the CD-RW-5000’s  
STOP 
 key. 
NOTE 
If you are recording from a SPDIF source, you 
should  
not 
 pause the source to cut the signal; 
you should stop it. This will avoid the writing of  
spurious tracks.  
NOTE 
Manual track division (4.4, Manual track divi- 
sion) is not available in sync start mode. 
4.3 Automatic track division 
When material is recorded from an SPDIF audio 
source, the CD-RW5000 can recognize track divi-
sions in the digital audio data, and will automatically 
increment track numbers as the track divisions are 
received. The track divisions may be either PQ code 
or the START ID on a DAT recorder.
If recording is being carried out from an AES/EBU 
or an analog source, a track division will be entered 
automatically after each continuous period of relative 
silence (–36 dB) of three seconds or more in length.
This mode is always selected automatically when the  
SYNC ALL 
 
or  
SYNC-1
 
 mode is selected.
If neither of these modes is selected, it is possible to 
change between automatic and manual track division 
modes as recording takes place. 
NOTE 
Certain styles of music may include passages 
of relative silence which will be interpreted by 
the CD-RW5000 as track divisions. If you are 
recording such material, we recommend that 
you do not use the automatic setting. Unlike a 
DAT recorder, track divisions cannot be edited  
and erased once they have been recorded. 
1 
Locate the audio source to a little before the 
start of the material you are recording, and 
insert a disc into the CD-RW5000. 
• If you are recording a CD using a digital connec-
tion , you should not pause the CD player, but leave 
it stopped.
• If you are using the automatic synchronization 
facility, press the  
SYNC START  
 key   
[18]  
 or   
[37]  
 
twice so that the display shows  
SYNC
 
 ALL  (see 
4.2.1, Recording with synchronized start), and 
you should ignore the following two steps, as these 
are performed automatically when the 
CD-RW5000 enters sync start mode. 
2 
Press the  
AUTO/MANUAL 
 key   
[7]  
 or   
[38]  
 so 
that the display shows  
TRACK INCR 
AUTO
 
. 
3 
Press the  
RECORD 
 key  
[17] 
 or   
[45]  
 to place 
the CD-RW5000 in record pause mode. The 
word  
RECORD
 
 will flash on the display and 
the  
RECORD 
 and  
PAUSE 
 key indicators 
will also light. 
4 
Start playing back the source material.  
5 
If the automatic synchronization facility is 
not in use, press the  
PLAY 
 key  
[15] 
 or  
[43] 
 to 
start recording. 
• If the automatic synchronization 
  
facility is in use, 
recording will start automatically.
To stop recording, press the  
STOP 
 key  
[14] 
 or  
[42] 
.
Recording will also stop if the signal level drops 
below –36 dB for 20 continuous seconds or more.  
NOTE 
If you are recording from a SPDIF source, you 
should  
not 
 pause the source to cut the signal; 
you should stop it. This will avoid the writing of  
spurious tracks.  
4.4 Manual track division 
When recording a longer piece without track divi-
sions (for instance, when recording a CD backup of a 
DAT recording of a live concert where track divisions 
have not been inserted), it is necessary to enter the 
track divisions manually. 
						

							 
4 - Recording operations 
  TASCAM CD-RW5000  
19 
NOTE 
You cannot use the manual track division 
facility if the automatic synchronization is 
selected. Make sure that this facility is turned 
off before you start recording with manual 
track divisions.
It is possible to switch between manual and 
automatic track division, even while recording 
is taking place, when the sync start facility is  
turned off. 
We suggest that before making the CD, you play 
back the source material, and make a note of the 
times at which the track divisions will occur. When 
you are actually recording, use these notes and the 
time counter on the CD-RW5000 or on the source 
device in order to cue you for the track entries.
Prepare to start recording as described above, but 
make sure that  
TRACK INCR MANUAL
 
 is shown 
on the display. If it is not, you should press the  
AUTO/MANUAL 
 key until it appears.
At the points where you want to enter a track divi-
sion, press the  
RECORD 
 key  
[17] 
 or  
[45] 
, or the  
TRACK INCR 
 key  
[39] 
 on the remote control unit.
Pressing any of these keys will write a track division, 
and will increment the track number by one. 
NOTE 
The CD standard states that a track cannot be 
less than four seconds in length. Do not 
attempt to make tracks which are shorter than 
four seconds. Also bear in mind that there can  
only be 99 tracks on a CD. 
4.5 Analog recording 
The CD-RW5000 can accept analog signals in either 
balanced or unbalanced format.
The automatic synchronization facility is not avail-
able when making recordings from analog sources.
The balanced signals received at the XLR-type con-
nectors should be at professional +4 dBu level, and 
the unbalanced signals received at the RCA jacks 
should be at –10 dBV levels. Select the appropriate 
input using the  
SOURCE 
 key  
[8] 
.When recording from analog sources, you should 
take care that the signal level is low enough to avoid 
distortion on the finished CD.
The  
INPUT  
level controls  
[10]  
 should be used to 
adjust the level of the input signal, with reference to 
the meters.
The controls neither cut nor boost the signal when 
they are at the 2 o’clock position.  
4.5.1 Reference levels 
The meters on the CD-RW5000 are similar to the 
meters on other digital equipment; their highest read-
ing is  
OVER
 
, i.e. harsh-sounding digital clipping 
occurs when this signal level is reached.
The meters on analog equipment are typically refer-
enced to a “nominal” level (which is either +4 dBu or 
–10 dBV), shown as 0 dB on the meter. Typically, 
signals are recorded so that they go above this nomi-
nal level, and the meter can go “into the red” without 
unpleasant distortion being apparent.
The 0  dB marking on the meter of an analog device, 
and the 0  dB marking on the CD-RW5000’s meters 
therefore refer to different levels.
When dealing with mixed analog-digital audio sys-
tems, it is common to refer to a “reference level”. 
This level is the level which is displayed on the digi-
tal equipment’s meters when a signal at the analog 
nominal level is received by the digital equipment. 
The actual level of the nominal signal depends on the 
input at which it is received (balanced = +4  dBu, 
unbalanced = –10 dBV).
In the case of the CD-RW5000, this reference level is 
–16 dBFS. When the REC LEVEL controls are at 
their nominal position (see above) and an analog sig-
nal which registers 0  dB on the analog equipment’s 
meter is input, this would be equivalent to a reading 
of –16 dB on the CD-RW5000’s meters.
Another way to view this is to think of 16  dB of 
headroom being available when a nominal level ana-
log signal is input. 
4.6 Finalizing discs 
When all material has been added to a disc, it must 
be finalized to allow it to be played on a standard CD 
player.
Finalizing the disc writes a permanent table of con-
tents (TOC) to the disc, and “closes” it so that no fur-
ther recording is possible (in the case of a CD-RW  
						

							 
4 - Recording operations 
20 
  TASCAM CD-RW5000 
disc, the disc can be completely erased for further 
recording, however). 
1 
With the disc to be finalized inserted into the 
CD-RW5000, press the  
FINALIZE 
 key  
[11] 
 
or  
[35] 
. 
2 
Press the  
RECORD 
 key  
[17] 
 or  
[45] 
 within 
two seconds of pressing the  
FINALIZE 
 key. 
The CD-RW5000 will display the approximate time 
it will take to finalize the disc, together with  
REMAIN TIME
 
, as the finalization process takes 
place. This time may vary, depending on the com-
plexity of the disc (the number of tracks) but will 
typically be around two minutes. 
NOTE 
While the finalization process is taking place, 
the CD-RW5000 will not respond to any con-
trols or commands.
Do not turn off the power to the CD-RW5000 
while the finalization process is taking place. 
This will corrupt the data on the disc and  
make it unplayable on any system. 
4.7 Erasing material (CD-RW only) 
If you use CD-RW discs, you can erase tracks 
(before finalization) and the whole disc (after the disc 
has been finalized). CD-R discs cannot be erased. If 
you make a mistake recording a CD-R disc, it is not 
recoverable.
After a CD-RW disc has been finalized, it is not pos-
sible to erase individual tracks. The whole disc must 
be erased if the disc is to be used for further 
recording. 
NOTE 
Do not turn off the power to the CD-RW5000 
while erasure processes are taking place. 
This will corrupt the data on the disc and 
make the disc unusable for further playback  
or recording. 
4.7.1 Erasing a finalized disc 
The whole contents (audio material and subcode) 
will all be erased. This allows you to use a single 
CD-RW disc many times as a pre-master disc for 
duplication. 
1 
Make sure that a finalized CD-RW disc is 
inserted, and that the CD-RW5000 is 
stopped. 
2 
Press the  
ERASE 
 key  
[12]  
. The display will 
show  
ERASE DISC
 
. 
3 
To start the erasure process, press the  
RECORD 
 key  
[17] 
 or  
[45] 
 within two sec-
onds of pressing the  
ERASE
 
 key.  
If you press the  
ERASE 
 key by mistake, simply wait 
for more than two seconds without pressing any 
other keys. The  
ERASE DISC
 
 indication will dis-
appear from the display.
While the erasure process is going on, the display 
will show  
ERASE
 
 and  
RECORD
 
 and the  
RECORD 
 indicator will flash. 
4.7.2 Erasing a track on a non-finalized 
disc 
Only the last track on the disc can be erased. For 
example, if you have recorded ten tracks on a disc, 
only the tenth track can be erased. To erase the eighth 
track, you must first erase the tenth and ninth tracks, 
so that the eighth track becomes the last track on the 
disc. 
1 
Make sure that a non-finalized CD-RW disc 
is inserted, and the CD-RW5000 is stopped. 
2 
Press the  
ERASE 
 key  
[12] 
. The display will 
show  
ERASE TRACK
 
. 
3 
To start the erasure process, press the  
RECORD 
 key  
[17] 
 or  
[45] 
 within two sec-
onds of pressing the  
ERASE
 
 key. 
If you press the  
ERASE 
 key by mistake, simply wait 
for more than two seconds without pressing any 
other keys. The  
ERASE TRACK 
 
indication will 
disappear from the display.
While the erasure process is going on, the display 
will show  
ERASE
 
 and  
RECORD
 
 and the  
RECORD 
 indicator will flash.