Level Anything
Member
Hey guys,
So I've been recording with my Fostex Model 80 for the last couple months in preparation for my upcoming album, and it's been awesome. I track to tape (sometimes use a click and put down main guitar, bass, vocals, and keyboard/synth tracks) and then run everything into Logic for overdubs, edits and mixing. I've found a nice balance where the two compliment each other and I feel like I've finally found a method of recording that inspires me to make more music. There really is a difference in performance when you use tape, and my stuff just sounds way better with the color that tape adds. I started on cassette 4-track back in the late 90's and find that my recording sound more like me when I use analog.
Here's where I ask some questions though. First, I was wondering if any has ever adjusted the supply reel RW speed by turning it's PCB pot (or whatever that's called?) I've read a couple things about people fixing their slow rewind problem by adjusting one those, but there are no descriptions out there that document just how to do it. My machine rewinds really slowly when I'm at the start of a fresh tape, and only starts to act normal when I'm about halfway into the reel. I know where the control pots are on the bottom of the unit, but I've never messed with any of them. I would like to increase the strength of the supply reels RW so it doesn't struggle to get going when it has a full reel of tape, and also fail to stop at zero when I hit RTZ, often going way over and then having to auto FF to get back.
My other issue is that after about 30-45 minutes of use, an intermittent squeaking starts to happen that's audible on the recordings. It a real take killer. Super obnoxious sound! It sounds sounds like it's coming from the take-up side, somewhere right around the capstan and pinch roller wheel and that tape guide thing right before the tension wheel arm. It happens once a second (not continuous).
It's not from old sticky shed tape, or a dirty tape path as I'm using new LPR 35 and have cleaned the path and PRW often. I tried putting a little oil on the shaft of that tape guide wheel next to the pinch roller (don't know what that thing's called, sorry) and have even held the plastic wheel that spins as the tape goes over it to see if that was what was creating the sound, and it kept on happening so I'm at a loss. I looked up some possible remedies, but so far haven't found much besides oiling different things inside of it, which I'm reluctant to do as I have no experience with this machine. I've opened it up a couple times to inspect the belts and they seem okay.
If anybody has any tips or suggestions they'd be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Jau
So I've been recording with my Fostex Model 80 for the last couple months in preparation for my upcoming album, and it's been awesome. I track to tape (sometimes use a click and put down main guitar, bass, vocals, and keyboard/synth tracks) and then run everything into Logic for overdubs, edits and mixing. I've found a nice balance where the two compliment each other and I feel like I've finally found a method of recording that inspires me to make more music. There really is a difference in performance when you use tape, and my stuff just sounds way better with the color that tape adds. I started on cassette 4-track back in the late 90's and find that my recording sound more like me when I use analog.
Here's where I ask some questions though. First, I was wondering if any has ever adjusted the supply reel RW speed by turning it's PCB pot (or whatever that's called?) I've read a couple things about people fixing their slow rewind problem by adjusting one those, but there are no descriptions out there that document just how to do it. My machine rewinds really slowly when I'm at the start of a fresh tape, and only starts to act normal when I'm about halfway into the reel. I know where the control pots are on the bottom of the unit, but I've never messed with any of them. I would like to increase the strength of the supply reels RW so it doesn't struggle to get going when it has a full reel of tape, and also fail to stop at zero when I hit RTZ, often going way over and then having to auto FF to get back.
My other issue is that after about 30-45 minutes of use, an intermittent squeaking starts to happen that's audible on the recordings. It a real take killer. Super obnoxious sound! It sounds sounds like it's coming from the take-up side, somewhere right around the capstan and pinch roller wheel and that tape guide thing right before the tension wheel arm. It happens once a second (not continuous).
It's not from old sticky shed tape, or a dirty tape path as I'm using new LPR 35 and have cleaned the path and PRW often. I tried putting a little oil on the shaft of that tape guide wheel next to the pinch roller (don't know what that thing's called, sorry) and have even held the plastic wheel that spins as the tape goes over it to see if that was what was creating the sound, and it kept on happening so I'm at a loss. I looked up some possible remedies, but so far haven't found much besides oiling different things inside of it, which I'm reluctant to do as I have no experience with this machine. I've opened it up a couple times to inspect the belts and they seem okay.
If anybody has any tips or suggestions they'd be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Jau
