Hello,
There are two kinds of track bouncing schemes: "internal" & "external".
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The Internal Bounce/Collapse bounce:
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Unfortunately, the Porta 02mkII isn't capable of doing the "internal" bounce. There is no "master" mix section interfacing between the 2-In/4-Out architecture, which would enable you to assign the 3 prerecorded tracks to the 4th open track.
Most other high-end or midrange model Portastudios have a mixer section with L/R track/buss assignment (routing), that's capable of an "internal" track bounce. The differentiating feature indicating that the Portastudio is capable of an internal track-bounce, is if the mixer channels have a "MIC | OFF | TAPE" Input-select switch.
On the "typical" 4-track internal track-bounce, you'd select 3 playback channels to TAPE, mix accordingly, and pan the channels hard (L or R), then record in Buss (L/R) mode on the target track: (1/3:Left) & (2/4:Right).
Technically, you may get a "collapse" bounce on the Porta02mkII, by patching a cable from one (L or R) RCA Line Output, to one (L or R) 1/4" Input. Mix the 3 playback tracks with the PAN conctrols set to CENTER, (mix in Mono). Keep the Output levels on the playback tracks 1-3 (prerecorded tracks) to about "7", mix to taste, & adjust the Input for normal "0VU" level. Make sure to select the correct Input-track assignment for the target track.
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The External Bounce:
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... is where you'd record on all-4 primary tracks of the Portastudio. Then, mix down tracks on the Porta- & dub onto an external stereo recorder, such as another tape drive/CDr recorder or your 'puter:
'PUTER:
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Play back on the Porta-, & mix tape tracks 1-4 into stereo. Connect from the Porta's stereo (RCA) Line Out's to the (1/8"-stereo) LINE INPUT on the 'puter (soundcard). Use recording software to create a (PC: WAV file: 16-bit/stereo/44.1kHz) destination music file for each song. Use cd-layout/recording software to create songlists & burn an audio CDr of the files (mixes). Play back the CDr in a normal CD player. Patch from the CD player's RCA Line Outs to the Portastudio's (1/4") Line In's OR the (RCA) Submix In's. Using the Porta's Line In's gives you more flexibility than using the Sub-Ins, but it's not absolutely necessary. Use either Line Ins or Sub Ins, and dub the stereo mix from the CD player back onto 2-tracks of the Porta-, on a fresh section of tape.
CDr recorder:
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Mixdown on the Portastudio, & record a copy on the CDr recorder, with similar operation to a cassette deck. Dub resulting CDr mix back onto 2-tracks of the Porta-, leaving 2 open tracks for overdubs.
THE PORTA02mkII (or MF-P01) to STANDARD STEREO CASSETTE TAPE DECK:
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Play back & mix on the Porta02mkII, patch the RCA Line Out's from the Porta- to the RCA Line In's on the destination stereo cassette recorder, and record onto standard cassette with NO NOISE REDUCTION, (NR OFF). Then, take the mix tape you've just created, and pop it back into the Porta02mkII, and continue recording on 2-blank tracks. Simple, huh? The Porta 02mkII is a single-speed/No Noise-Reduction recorder, so it lends itself to this simple cassette-swap type of external tape bounce. Hopefully there are no problems with PITCH. If there are problems with pitch, a second dub will be necessary. See below.
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TWO HIGH SPEED/DBX PORTASTUDIO BOUNCE:
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If by chance you have TWO High Speed/dbx Portastudios to work with, you can mix down from the first Porta- to the second Porta- in stereo, dbx NR ON, then keep recording on second Porta- on the 2 blank tracks. Simple? Yeah, but expensive! (Heh).
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ONE HIGH SPEED/DBX PORTASTUDIO AND cassette/CDR/'puter:
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If you're working with a just ONE High Speed/dbx Portastudio and either a cassette/CDr recorder or the 'puter as a destination device, you'd make one external bounce from the Porta- to either destinaion device, then dub the stereo (tape/CDr) mix back onto the Portastudio on 2-tracks, leaving 2 open tracks for overdubs.
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If a second-dub stage is required for an external-bounce: (from the Porta- to the destination recorder, then back to the Portastudio), using CDr is preferrable to tape, for better high fidelity, but in the end you use what you have, & upgrade gradually, as you can.
/DA