tascam 414mkII problem

[thirty2seconds]

okay, so i just bought a (supposedly new/never used) 414mkII 4track tape recorder/mixer off ebay.
i'm familiar with the 414 model, and this is basically the same, w/ xlr inputs and stuff.

anyhow, i wanted to use it, but i've found that there seems to be a problem...

the unit seems to record onto the tape, yet it is impossible to get it to playback. i am sure that it is recording SOMETHING, because when i attempt to play back, the VU lights light up, and if i turn the monitor level really high, i can faintly hear what i recorded.

also, i'm sure that it isn't the monitor speaker or any of the inputs/outputs, because i can get sound when monitoring the live guitar, it is only when trying to play back something that has been recorded that no sound comes out.

i've tried cleaning the tape heads, and i'm using high-bias type two tapes, so i'm stumped as to why its not working. i'm also sure that i'm recording and playing back in the correct procedure (i've followed the basic recording guide in the manual like 10 times, just to make sure!)

anyone have a solution/knowledge of something like this happening/know exactly what part isn't working correctly?
thanks in advance.

[masterofpuppets]

At the top of the mixer section there is a switch with "mic/line", "off", and "tape". Mach sur eon playback yo uhave the tracks yo uwant to hear on "tape". I am pretty sure that is the problem.

[thirty2seconds]

oh, the plot thickens...

well, i did as you said, switching all tracks to 'tape', and it works!

well sort of.

i have to put the 'l-r monitor' switch on.
meaning, i'm in mixdown mode. which still means my 4track is broken.
because i can't monitor the music using the 'tape cue' switch, which is how the manual advises me to hear playback.
but thanks, at least now i can hear recorded stuff.

but does anyone know why i cant monitor sound using the tape cue function? i am almost positive that i am doing everything correctly, in terms of switches and stuff. but maybe i'm just missing some little thing...

[Mark7]

You need to make sure both the L-R and Effect 2/Tape Cue switches are depressed. Then push the Effect 2/Tape Cue switch over to Tape Cue. Then make sure the Effect 2/Tape Cue pots in the relevant channel(s) are turned up. And, finally, make sure the rotary volume pot labelled MASTER is also turned up.

[thirty2seconds]

ha! that was it!

man i feel dumb. i just needed to turn the tapecue pots up.

man, thanks a ton.

[jeffree]

I'd suggest contacting Tascam for the manual (or downloading it). Years ago, I had this same machine and found it a bit tricky at first, but the manual was clear enough to solve my problems.

J.

[thirty2seconds]

thats the thing though, i have the manual, and unless i gratuitously overlooked the part on turning up the tapecue thingys, it doesnt say anything about it. ohhh well.

[DigitalSmigital]

I love a happy ending! *sob* Thanks, Mark7!

[Mark7]

I used to own a 414 (MKI), so I have some experience with them