help 424 problem--can't erase track 4!

[sigi]

I've had the machine for four years and no problems--until now....

Once I put something onto track four -- I can't get it off! I can still record onto the track (sounds continue to layer upon themselves) --but if I attempt to record nothing, i.e. effectivly erase the track, no dice.


Anyone run into/hear of this this before? Any suggestions?

I've tried:
cleaning heads
demagntizing (never hurts right?)
tried different tapes to eliminate the possibilty of a bum tape

[TOMMYIII]

Really don't know but does that model have in back a sync switch,like the MKIII does for MIDI and turns track 4 off .
If so check in back and see if it's off or on or whatever.
Good luck to ya,
TOMMY.. ..

[sigi]

Actually, not sure about that switch--I'll look. I didn't intentionly switch anything, that's for sure, but it's worth looking. It certainly has this "I MUST have something 'set' wrong" feel but I think I've checked everything.

I've seen REEL's posts (I'm new to the board)--I'll try to make contact. Thanks though.

[A Reel Person]

Make sure the ERASE head is spotlessly clean, as well as the Rec/Repro head, and that the DBX switch is in the ON position, not SYNC.

It sounds like the erase head or erase circuit is not doing it's job. Besides a dirty ERASE HEAD, this could be caused by a loose or faulty connection, or bad component, somewhere in the erase circuitry. It's hard to tell.

It sounds like you've gone through the basics, but maybe go through the basics a few more times, then maybe it's time for Tascam Service.

[JR#97]

You might have a bad head or a bad componant. But if it records ok, all is not lost. Turn the tape over and erase track 1.

[sigi]

I've cleaned and cleaned Reeland checked the DBX switch--and in despair finally called someone here in Seattle that was listed on the Tascam site. The fellow I spoke with seemed to know what I was talking about exactly, and his hypothesis seems right in line with your's Reel, specifically that there is probably a shake up in the wiring connection to the head. But possibly erase circutry as well.

Four years of very regular use (hey, I'm not in a band, I four track--alot), it's not a stretch to imagine that it's possible something that is not extremely well connected in the first place has come loose. So it looks like I'm going to take it in---he's estimating around $50, no more than 100. Kinda hurts (I'm poor)but it's worth it to me. I'll scrounge it up.

Anyway, JR#97, thanks for looking on the brightside--that would totally work. It had occured to me that I could do that if I had to. But it's nice to know that it's not just my desperate mind alone that would do such a thing.

I'll post to let you know how it comes out if anyone is interested.

[sigi]

Ok, so I took it in.

I've never taken my 424 MKII apart, so I didn't know this but FYI for those like me--every time you press record and press stop there are a set of wires connected to the head that flex up and down. Well should any of these become "not so connected anymore," you run into problems. Not going to happen to every machine, but you know, it's going to happen to some of them eventually. In my case, the wire responsible for conducting the erase signal to the fourth track was just loose enough that I couldn’t wipe everything off. Took him a while to be sure it was the wire and not the circuitry on the board, but 70 bucks later I'm ok again.

Hope this helps somebody in the future.

[TOMMYIII]

Congrats sig!,
Glad for ya -for I guess we all know how frustrating something like that can be. You try and try and eventually give in. Good luck and let's start recording again. Everything works out for the best as long as u have Faith,.
Take care,
TOMMY.. ..

[A Reel Person]

The old 'loose or intermittent head wire or cold solder joint'! [Ah yes, I know it well].

See, that was a not-too-expensive and very valuable fix! Now, you can get back to tracking! /DA