Tascam 424 mk111 Problem...

[roblluke]

I have discovered a problem with my Tascam 424 mk111.
I will record on Track 1 and then press stop and then disarm the track by putting it in safe mode. I will then arm track 2 and press play.
(I can here my recorded stuff on track 1 because i have it switched to tape)
But when I press record the old stuff cuts out and I record my new stuff on both tracks 1 and 2.
I have no idea why...Cos only track 2 is armed to direct.
Can anyone help?

[AndyK12]

Hi,

I'm not totally sure about this, but I think when you move the switch to where you want the signal to go (bus, direct, tape) if you have it on BUS the PAN position assigns it to which track.

Don't quote me, but thats all I've got off the top of my head.

andy.

[krhall]

Hmm...
I am having similar problems on my model 80

I will arm tracks 1 and 2 for recording run through a 7" Tape reel (24 Mins recording time per side).

Then when i playback the recording on tracks 1 and 2 i get little or no output whatsoever.

But i do get output on tracks 5 and 6, so whatever is inputed to tracks 1 and 2 comes out on tracks 5 and 6 while tracks 1 and 2 have little or no output on playback.

Tracks 1 and 2 show an input signal as do all the tracks but this issue is just with tracks 1 and 2 all other tracks work fine.

The only thing i can suggest for your machine is to check head allignments, and make sure that the machine is specificly set to the tracks you want to record on.

ok Question, when you record on track 2 do you get any bleed through on track 1 and/or any dropouts, or does the machine record on both tracks and playback normal ?

Keith

[roblluke]

Thanks for your reply keith.
Track 1 is on 'Off' - Safe
Track 2 is on 'Mic/Line' - Direct.

When I check my input level on Track 2 I can also see an input level on track 1 (not as high as track 2) I dont understand this as track 1 is on safe mode.

How do i check the head allignment, I'm not technical with parts and components and stuff...

[krhall]

hmm...
The only thing i can suggest is set track 2 on record and adjust the record head until the signal on tack 1 goes down to 0 then try the same with track 2

or if you have 2 machines then you can record 1 tape on track 1 and another tape on track 2 then put each tape on that machine to check the track alignments.

The machines i have are
Fostex Model 80 - 8 track - 15IPS single speed

Teac A3300S - 4 track - 7.5 and 15IPS

Problem - My Teac machine does 4 tracks and my Fostex does 8
so in my case it wouldn't work, and most likely would be heavily inaccurate

Realisticly you need a Calibration tape from MRL
and i need 2

1 for 4 track at speeds 7.5 IPS and 15IPS
and an 8 track version for 15IPS
both machines use 1/4" tape

Hope this helps

Keith

[krhall]

Another thing would be to search the internet for a service manual.

I have both the user and service manual for the fostex model 80, and it details alignment of heads and tape travel path, as well as input and output levels and bias adjustments.

I am in uk and i havent been able to get hold of any mrl calibration tapes or find any retailer in uk that sells them.

Keith

[roblluke]

On the subject of findng it difficult to find retailers in the UK, Where do you buy your rubber cleaner from for your pinch roller?

[krhall]

Hmm i have never had to buy any, but it would be useful to know cos i know how bad it is when the pinch roller starts deforming and you start to hear variations in tape speed as a side effect. As for Uk retailers, the only one i found is this one but at the moment their website doesn't appear to be working.

www .audio shop on line .co. uk

This retailer also sells items on ebay (user ID "Zonalmedia")
i know i can get Zonal branded tape reels from him.
Usually i go for Ampex or Quantegy 457

Hope this helps

Keith

[jpmorris]

Originally Posted by krhall

I am in uk and i havent been able to get hold of any mrl calibration tapes or find any retailer in uk that sells them.

http://www.canford.co.uk/ - They also sell Zonal 700, although bizarrely they don't seem to sell Quantegy tape.

[krhall]

If you go to http://www.quantegy.com

There is a list of international retailers
follow the above link then click on Support > Customer service
then it lists a Uk retailer.

The following links are the media i might place orders for later on.

for 7" Recording Tape Reels --> http://www.quantegy.com/specsheets/PDF/478.pdf

For 10.5" Recording Tape Reels --> http://www.quantegy.com/specsheets/PDF/456.pdf

Hope this helps

Keith

[jpmorris]

Originally Posted by krhall

If you go to http://www.quantegy.com

There is a list of international retailers
follow the above link then click on Support > Customer service
then it lists a Uk retailer.
Keith

All I see is the UK sales rep. If you actually want to buy the stuff, you can get it from http://www.studiospares.com - (who are in the UK)
River Pro Audio used to sell it, and I preferred them since their delivery was always next-day. Since the collapse they only sell 467 (?!?)

There are a couple of other online retailers but I haven't found anyone selling RMGI tapestock yet, which annoys me.

[krhall]

ok thanks for that

I will take a look

Keith