Midistudio 688 Belt Repair

[jgstar]

Does anyone have advice about repairing the playback / record belt on a midistudio 688 machine?
Fast forward and rewind work fine but play and record won't budge. Someone told me to order a belt kit so I did. It came in the mail the other day but I haven't attempted repair yet. I've never done this before...

Thanks
JG

[A Reel Person]

I've never disassembled a 688, but going on my basic experience with Portastudio repair, I'd say you'll have to turn the unit upside-down, and remove the bottom panel. From there, you should be able to see the cassette mechanism and belt area. If it's like most other high end Portastudios, (based on assumption), then there's a way to partially remove the flywheel hold-down bracket, just enough to "sneak" the belt under it, and back onto the pully & flywheel.

Sight unseen, that'd be my best advice. If you get under the covers and discover something different, (like a direct drive motor and no belt), then let us know!!!

[jgstar]

As it turns out it's the main drive motor that burned out and not the belt. So I'm sending the belt (expensive rubber band) back and have ordered a motor. I must say though, I'm not looking forward to attempting repair as it wasn't that easy to get into.
We started out opening it from the bottom but that was the base for all of the circuit boards. We flipped it back over and had to take the 2 sides, front and back panels off. Then we were able to remove just the midi / tape machine section and not the 10 channel mixer section. We quickly found that due to wires it was nessecary to remove the 2 screws holding the tape mechanism from the top cover. Finally we're in!
The belt was hooked up and everything looked good so we turned it on, pressed FF and watched that motor work just fine. Then we pressed Play (while holding the tape detecter of course) and saw the Tape heads move into place but no movement of the belt for the main drive. damnit.
We tested the conections and there was power so it must be the motor, right? In looking at the caseing for the tape mechanism we can't figure out how to remove and replace the motor without the whole compartment falling apart.
long story short (too late), a Tascam midistudio 688 is belt driven and not direct motor.

Thanks for your help...
JG

[A Reel Person]

You are the reigning 688 expert techspert!

[jgstar]

The thing is, I would get rid of it and get a digital machine but I can't find one that will record 8 tracks at once that won't break the bank. My studio is too small to record drums so I need something portable. It sounds great and it gives that instant tape compression so if I can just replace the motor I'd be happy. I really don't use that many of it's features.
Do you happen to know what that motor might cost me?

[A Reel Person]

You'll have to call Tascam Parts, at (323) 727-8480.

[A Reel Person]

I don't know why I always misquote Tascam's number, since I call it often enough!

Tascam Parts' CORRECT NUMBER is (323)727-4840.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!