cleaning the 488MKII's pinch roller

[h7er6]

ok maybe i'm a bit slow, or just got used to my older cassette decks, but how should i clean the pinch roller on my 488MKII? on other machines, i usually just press play and keep q-tips up against it until it's clean, but on the 488MKII, i have to hold that erase tab checker thing up and it only stays on play for a few seconds. anyone know how to do this properly? i checked the tascam bbs and someone posted the same question there with no replies. thanks.

[twist]

If the reel tables (the spindles that wind the tape) are not turning, the machine thinks its at the end of the tape (you've tricked it into thinking there's a tape in it by holding in the tab thingy), and it automatically goes to "stop" mode. If you had enough hands, you could manually spin the supply spindle with your fingers, and it would play all day. I just clean mine with it in the "stop" mode while I rotate it with my fingers.

Twist

[h7er6]

thanks twist, but wouldn't you figure that there would be a better way to do it? i did it that way, but thought that getting the oil or whatever else is on my fingers on the roller and on the tape isn't a good idea... maybe i'll just have to wash my hands every so often now. damn.

[moo]

Here it is!
With the power off, hold down the rehearsal button and the stop button at the same time. wwhile doing this, turn the power on. Instaed of the Tascam logo coming up on the screen, the word " cleaning" will scroll across. The capstan will be turning you can clean that . Press play and the roller will engage. Beauty eh!
later moo

[h7er6]

moo! excellent! why is that not in the manual? how'd you stumble across that? thanks eternally.

[moo]

I actually found this info here on this bbs. it's probably listed way back in the archives. I would make time to read all the postings for the last year. I learned everything I know from this site . There's always someone out there who can answer your question. I was glad to help.
moo

[Gear_Junky]

This "C L E A N I N G" mode is a cool feature, I just got my 488 mkII and it's great! Is there something like this on the 424 mkII?

Are there any more "undocumented features" on the 488 mkII? Maybe xtra 8 tracks?