Tascam 388/demagnetizer question

[superbeatballer]

I recently purchased a 388 and had some initial problems with recording and playback on 3 channels. The problem was solved with some soldering at the playback/record card contacts. Now I have 8 functioning channels and I'm fairly happy with the recording quality, but I think I need to demagnetize the heads. I have an old radio shack demagnetizer, but I'm not sure if its doing the job. Is there a way to test it for functionality?

[A Reel Person]

activate the demag wand & wave it in front of your color TV!
I'm not kidding. That should make things obvious.

[rayc]

Reel is being real.
I had to use my demag wand to deal with a colour distortion problem in my TV screen caused by a build up of magnet charge in the screen caused by too many pieces of equipment, (including powerful speakers) stacked on above & near the television.
It did a great job &&&&&&&& was a cool light show to boot -
Oh, just turn it on & wave it about & look for distortions not unlike the polarisation rainbow in sunnies - if you do it's working - don't get TOO CLOSE though as it will cause probs if overdone.
Cheers
rayC

[superbeatballer]

I tried your suggestion and there was a minor light show around the tip of the wand. I hope this means its working.
Thanks for you help all!

[Beck]

It still may not be doing the job even if it’s “working.”

I can only recommend two degaussers in good conscience:

TEAC E-3
R.B. Annis Hand-D-Mag

If you have either of these you can put your mind at ease.

[The Ghost of FM]

For those who don't want to damage their CRT TV sets, just listen and feel for the buzz/vibration from your AC powered demag wands. So long as you hear and feel the buzz, you know it's working.

Cheers!

[A Reel Person]

Originally Posted by The Ghost of FM

So long as you feel the buzz, you know it's working.

[pffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffftt!!... ]

Oh yeah,...

It's working!............

[Han]

You can try it on any metal part, a screwdriver for example.

Anyway, follow Beck's advise, Annis Hand-D-Mag
is the only good demagnetizer.

[cjacek]

I'd never question the wisdom of all my good friends here but I think the Han-D-Mag is overkill. Why not just use the TEAC E-1 or E-3 ? Also, why demag if you aren't sure the recorder needs it ? I'd opt for a Magnetometer first, like the one from Annis.

[superbeatballer]

The manual says it should be demagnitized before every session. The demagnitizer didn't make a buzzing noise so I'm purchasing a Teac E-3. Thanks for your help.

[countrymarxist]

Nice coincidence.... I just purchased a TEAC E-3 on ebay for demagnetizing my Tascam 388 (as well as a 424 4-track cassette and a Sony cassette deck and Imight do my VCR while I am at it).

I've had some of this equipment for years and it's never been demagnetized, but the TEAC E-3 I got off E-bay did NOT come with any instructions!

I saw on an another thread earlier here (that's how I decided on the E-3) that it was *extremely* important to follow the instructions to the letter, but I have not been able to find any instructions on the net.

So, at the risk of making someone play secretary, could an E-3 owner on this board PLEASE provide me with a brief summary of correct and safe operation?

Thanks in advance!

[countrymarxist]

Here is what I found on the net for general degmagnetizations hints. Can anyone tell me if there is anything more/different that should be considered when using the TEAC E-3?

1. Use a commercial tape deck demagnetizer.

2. With the deck off, turn on (or plug in, if the demagnetizer doesn't have a switch) demagnetizer away from deck, other audio equipment and tapes.

3. Slowly move tip of demagnetizer toward head.

4. Make sure the demagnetizer doesn't touch the tape head (the magnetic field will cause it to try).

5. Slowly move the tip back and forth across the tape head for a few seconds. Get close to the head without touching it.

6. Slowly pull demagnetizer far away from head. Unplug demagnetizer after demagnetizing both heads.

[MCI2424]

Originally Posted by Beck

It still may not be doing the job even if it’s “working.”

I can only recommend two degaussers in good conscience:

TEAC E-3
R.B. Annis Hand-D-Mag

If you have either of these you can put your mind at ease.

True, all true. Those little Rad Shack demags can introduce more problems than they cure. You should invest in a good one (without a switch is preferred).