Tascam 244

[Good Friend]

I have a Tascam 244 that id like to use but im having some problems. The Belts were recently replaced, so i dont think its those. Whats happening is after being on for around 10 minutes the tape starts playing slow. Is that the motor going bad? Does anyone have any advice on either what is wrong, or what can be done to fix it? Thanks.

[Flangerhans]

What kind of tape are you using? Is it 1.5 mil? Look at your heads with a jewelers' loupe and see if they are coated with oxide gunk, that may be a problem too.

[Good Friend]

No. The tape path i clean and clear. Ive kept it clean and demagged always.

[Flangerhans]

Does it get hot? Burning smell? Any caps look bulgy?

[The Ghost of FM]

Along with changing the belts, there's also an idler drive wheel that has a rubber outer edging to it that also should be changed as it can stop the transport from pulling tape once it looses it's grip.

It's also possible that the drive motor itself is weakening from age or possibly the circuitry that drives and controls it.

Basically, it should be brought in for qualified professional service. But, before you do that, ensure that the tapes you're using are not at fault because of overly tight windings or internal friction of the tape spool against the inside of the shell casing. Try fast winding the tapes back and forth first and also flexing the shells by hand a bit to loosen them up.

Cheers!

[Good Friend]

Also, if the machine is powered up with a tape in, the motor doesnt start. I have to power it up without a tape in, then put one in for the motor to start.

If i sent it to tascam, does anyone know what best and worst case cost would be to get it functioning well again? Thanks

[The Ghost of FM]

Originally Posted by Good Friend

Also, if the machine is powered up with a tape in, the motor doesn't start. I have to power it up without a tape in, then put one in for the motor to start.

If i sent it to tascam, does anyone know what best and worst case cost would be to get it functioning well again? Thanks

If it's just the idler drive wheel and they have a replacement in stock, I can't see the job going for more then $100.00 but if the motor is weak, that could easily double the repair bill because of the part being more and the bench time to change it.

Basically, these are 25 year old machines at this point. Newer 424 series Portastudios can be had for around $200.00 for a fully functional one so it's up to you to decide if it's worth the cost of repair. When working normally, the 244 can yield pretty decent results but not stellar ones because of the tape format and Mic pre performance.

Tough call without a written estimate.

Cheers!

[A Reel Person]

Originally Posted by Good Friend

I have a Tascam 244 that id like to use but im having some problems. The Belts were recently replaced, so i dont think its those. Whats happening is after being on for around 10 minutes the tape starts playing slow. Is that the motor going bad? Does anyone have any advice on either what is wrong, or what can be done to fix it? Thanks.

I hate to go back on this, but even though the belts were recently replaced, the symptom sounds again like the belt,... has stretched or is not properly sized. The main drive belt for the 244 is 12.7" (total length). Perhaps your replacement belt was not that exact size, or perhaps it's new-oldstock and is experiencing an undue amount of stretch when warmed up.

That's my 2¢, to not overlook the most basic things (belts) & double check them if neccessary before progressing to more difficult things (motors, drive x-istors).

How about the pinch roller, itself? Is it fresh and new, or is it tired and slick, or perhaps a bit mushy?

[Good Friend]

I guess ill check those things out. I got the belts from tascam.

I have a functioning 38 so im not really trying to get really hifi results from the 244, i just want something for multi part ideas, and i dont feel comfortable just screwing around with 1/2 inch tape.

[A Reel Person]

Maybe it's experiencing a stretch of it's own, anyway. Belts of a certain age would tend to stretch as they warm up. YMMV.

I'd disagree w/GFM, that the 244 is capable of 'stellar' results on par with the latest Portastudios, and are not limited by their mic preamps, which sound quite good. That it's a 1/4" input does not automatically make it an inferior preamp. I would never say the 244 sounds inferior to the likes of the 424mkIII, however they do sound slightly different. They're of different designs, eras and components, kinda like varieties of apples, a very close comparison. Heh, heh.

The 244 would have to be aligned & calibrated for the comparison to be valid, though many 244's out there have not been calibrated since being set factory.

I wish I had more time to tinker on gear, due to how much inoperative & fixit gear I've acquired, but sometimes you might want to skip the techy stuff and just record. On balance, if you desire to work with vintage gear, some gear maintenance is necessary and it worth it [imo], though it may be a real pain, plain & simple.

[The Ghost of FM]

Originally Posted by The Ghost of FM

Basically, these are 25 year old machines at this point. Newer 424 series Portastudios can be had for around $200.00 for a fully functional one so it's up to you to decide if it's worth the cost of repair. When working normally, the 244 can yield pretty decent results but not stellar ones because of the tape format and Mic pre performance.

Dave,

I don't believe I stated that the 244 was inferior to the newer 424 series Portastudios. I was simply stating that for a worse case scenario of repairing the 244, you could get a fully working 424.

The reference to the words "not stellar" was more so in comparing it to an open reel decks with an outboard mixer with more features and cleaner specs.

Cheers!

[A Reel Person]

I'll admit I've seen many great deals on like-new 424mkIII's, & there's nothing wrong with that. I still like the 244 too, fwiw. I like the older vintage models & the latest ones alike, though the vintage decks require a bit of maintenance to keep 'em up.

[A Reel Person]

Originally Posted by Good Friend

I guess ill check those things out. I got the belts from tascam.

I have a functioning 38 so im not really trying to get really hifi results from the 244, i just want something for multi part ideas, and i dont feel comfortable just screwing around with 1/2 inch tape.

Anyone w/a 244 & a 38 is alright in my book. Those were my 2 first Tascams, on which I merrily produced stuff since the early 80's, without caring to look at newer or other decks for about 15 years. That's satisfaction! I had the classic M30 hooked to the 38. It's pretty minimal, but I had lots of fun on that system! I'm still just as serious about my cassette Portastudio productions, and I feel I get good sound out of 'em, pretty cosistently.

[Good Friend]

Yeah im using an m30 mixer with the 38.

I was thinking about just getting a 234 and using the m30 with it instead of trying to fix the 244. But it seems like such an awful waste. And even still with a 234 i might end up with the same, similar, or worse problems.

[A Reel Person]

The 234 with the M30 is a sweet package, but I'd opt for fixing the original 244 'cause it's such a nice machine. The 38, M30, 234 & 244 is a really nice set of stuff, though. Really analog-centric and progressive, (for 1982!) Sounds great, too!

Gear repair is a difficult issue, it's true. Buying used gear can be fabulous sometimes, but it's not a surefire solution to maintenance issues. Need I say more?

I have lots of used gear that I received with problems, and some outright fixit gear that I bought, so on the issue of maintenance I feel your pain!!!

[A Reel Person]

I'd fix the 244 and get the 234! Heheh.