Nagra PORTABLE ANALOGUE AUDIO TAPE RECORDER Instruction Manual - page 10

1.2 CONTROLS: DESCRIPTION AND USE 

FRONT PANEL 

1. TAPE / DIRECT SWITCH (line and phones) 

When in "TAPE" position, the signal is reproduced directly from the tape. 

When in "DIRECT" position, there are two possibilities: 

A.  When recording, the signal is available before arriving on the tape. 

B.  When playing back, the signal may be adjusted by means of the level  control and 

corrected by filter switch (13). 

2. TAPE / DIRECT (snap switch) 

This switch affects the meter in the same way that the previous switch affects the output. Thus 

when it is held to the left, the meter will display the "OFF TAPE" signal whereas normally it displays 

the "DIRECT" (EE) signal. 

3. POWER SELECTION SWITCH (EXTERNAL / BATTERIES) 

The NAGRA 4.2 may be powered by either internal batteries or by an external source which may be 

selected using this switch. See also the "POWER SUPPLY" section of this manual. 

4. MAIN FUNCTION SELECTOR (six position rotary) 

STOP 

Stops the machine completely from any function, and will slightly move the 

pinch wheel away from the capstan to prevent a "flat" being caused on the 

pinch roller. In this mode no circuits are powered. 

TEST 

Will power all circuits and allow level adjustment by means of level controls 

(6), (7) and (9). In this mode the motor is not powered. All indications of the 

modulometer will be of the DIRECT input, irrespective of the position of tape 

/ direct switch (1).  

RECORD 

Is the first of the two RECORD positions and corresponds to RECORD 

WITH LIMITER where the recording level is limited to +4 dB. This level 

remains constant when the input level is between +4 dB and +10 dB. Thus in 

this position tape saturation cannot occur and distortion is avoided. 

RECORD 

The limiter is inactivated in this position so(no that recordings that should be 

saturated can be limiter) made. (e.g. gun shots or explosions). 

PLAYBACK 

Is the first of the two playback possibilities and corresponds to playback of 

the tape to the headphones and line output only. 

PLAYBACK 

This position is exactly as above, only it allows (with monitoring via the 

internal loudspeaker at the same speaker) time. This is also the only position 

of the main function selector that permits the FAST FORWARD function to 

be performed.