retrodave
New member
Hey guys!
I've only just joined this forum, as I've been stumbling on it via Google for a while I thought I'd give it a try! I'm looking for some advice on a Tascam MS-16 1" I've just bought (I'm looking at it from a pro point of view, I have a good digital DAW but really wanted that tape sound for myself and clients). I *love* tape and have been lucky enough to work with it a bit in the past, 2" is *way* too pricey but this machine seemed in good nick, came from a genuine guy and has been relatively looked after I think.
Before I start throwing sessions at it I want to make sure it's set up right and I'm not going to kill it by using it! I have a Zonal ref tape that came with it (not good I know but I'm out of budget now sadly) which should hopefully do, a scope, access to a tone generator and a good-ish meter. I've cosmetically cleaned up this machine (and done the heads well with iso, all appears to be in good order), and generally checked the capacitors on all PCB's - amazingly they all seem good too! Now I'm thinking I should clean up and protect the rubber, check the heads (and perhaps relap if necessary - possibly sell the car to do that one!!), go for a calibration and finally replace the two bulbs that have died (one in the meters, the other in the STOP button). Anybody know how to change those bulbs? If they're even available!
I'm no expert on heads, these seem fair to me, but look like they're ready to relap about now. The sync head seems good (about 50% I thought??), the repro seems worse (maybe 35% left??), I've taken some shots which I've added to this thread. What I was wondering was if you kind people (who know a hell of a lot more about this machine than I do!!) could help me answer a few queries?
1) How do I clean the pinch roller and tacho rubber? Do I need to get something like "Rubber Renue" on them now to protect their remaining life?
2) What condition do you reckon the rubber is actually in? It all feels good and there doesn't seem to be any sticking or friction from the tape.
3) From the poor pics I've got, what condition are the heads in? Do they need relapping, or are they worn too badly already and need replacing? Obviously this is my main concern!
4) Is there an idiot-proof way to set the tape tension and alignment on the MS-16? If I do have to remove the heads to get them looked at or something I don't want to start wearing components down unevenly!
5) I've heard the MS-16 manual's calibration procedure is useless! But I figure I'm still going to need owner and service manuals. Where's the best place to get them from? Are they expensive (or even available) via the Tascam site?
6) I've heard some lovely sounds from some 499 that came with this machine, but 499 causes more wear than 456 / 406 right? If I want to protect the heads, should I be looking at using softer tape primarily? +9 would be nice! But a good general sound and longer life would be okay with me.
7) Some 456 came with it too - looks to me to be suffering from sticky shed. Should I put a blade through that or will storing it at proper humidity and temp make it usable? Is it worth doing, if only for my own projects?
8) Is there anything I'm missing with the MS-16 that I should check, or that could become a future problem? I'll probably never be able to buy another tape machine, I want to take good care of this one!
9) It's safe to clean the plasticy-looking capstan shaft with iso, right?
10) Lastly, I'm probably going to never use the DBX (sounds clean enough to me as it is!), I've heard there's a wiring mod (probably just straight OUTS to INS or something) that lets me bypass this completely. It's not important as I quite like the sound of the extra circuitry, but offhand does anyone know what the mod is? I'm sure the schematic will show me anyway when I can get my hands on one.
If anyone could throw any light on this stuff I'd be very, very grateful! I love this machine and really think it could add a 10% that's been missing from those organic/live sounds I try to capture. Any insight into getting her going and keeping her healthy would be much appreciated!
Great site by the way guys! I only wish I'd been reading these forums years ago!!
Thanks!
Dave
I've only just joined this forum, as I've been stumbling on it via Google for a while I thought I'd give it a try! I'm looking for some advice on a Tascam MS-16 1" I've just bought (I'm looking at it from a pro point of view, I have a good digital DAW but really wanted that tape sound for myself and clients). I *love* tape and have been lucky enough to work with it a bit in the past, 2" is *way* too pricey but this machine seemed in good nick, came from a genuine guy and has been relatively looked after I think.
Before I start throwing sessions at it I want to make sure it's set up right and I'm not going to kill it by using it! I have a Zonal ref tape that came with it (not good I know but I'm out of budget now sadly) which should hopefully do, a scope, access to a tone generator and a good-ish meter. I've cosmetically cleaned up this machine (and done the heads well with iso, all appears to be in good order), and generally checked the capacitors on all PCB's - amazingly they all seem good too! Now I'm thinking I should clean up and protect the rubber, check the heads (and perhaps relap if necessary - possibly sell the car to do that one!!), go for a calibration and finally replace the two bulbs that have died (one in the meters, the other in the STOP button). Anybody know how to change those bulbs? If they're even available!
I'm no expert on heads, these seem fair to me, but look like they're ready to relap about now. The sync head seems good (about 50% I thought??), the repro seems worse (maybe 35% left??), I've taken some shots which I've added to this thread. What I was wondering was if you kind people (who know a hell of a lot more about this machine than I do!!) could help me answer a few queries?
1) How do I clean the pinch roller and tacho rubber? Do I need to get something like "Rubber Renue" on them now to protect their remaining life?
2) What condition do you reckon the rubber is actually in? It all feels good and there doesn't seem to be any sticking or friction from the tape.
3) From the poor pics I've got, what condition are the heads in? Do they need relapping, or are they worn too badly already and need replacing? Obviously this is my main concern!
4) Is there an idiot-proof way to set the tape tension and alignment on the MS-16? If I do have to remove the heads to get them looked at or something I don't want to start wearing components down unevenly!
5) I've heard the MS-16 manual's calibration procedure is useless! But I figure I'm still going to need owner and service manuals. Where's the best place to get them from? Are they expensive (or even available) via the Tascam site?
6) I've heard some lovely sounds from some 499 that came with this machine, but 499 causes more wear than 456 / 406 right? If I want to protect the heads, should I be looking at using softer tape primarily? +9 would be nice! But a good general sound and longer life would be okay with me.
7) Some 456 came with it too - looks to me to be suffering from sticky shed. Should I put a blade through that or will storing it at proper humidity and temp make it usable? Is it worth doing, if only for my own projects?
8) Is there anything I'm missing with the MS-16 that I should check, or that could become a future problem? I'll probably never be able to buy another tape machine, I want to take good care of this one!
9) It's safe to clean the plasticy-looking capstan shaft with iso, right?
10) Lastly, I'm probably going to never use the DBX (sounds clean enough to me as it is!), I've heard there's a wiring mod (probably just straight OUTS to INS or something) that lets me bypass this completely. It's not important as I quite like the sound of the extra circuitry, but offhand does anyone know what the mod is? I'm sure the schematic will show me anyway when I can get my hands on one.
If anyone could throw any light on this stuff I'd be very, very grateful! I love this machine and really think it could add a 10% that's been missing from those organic/live sounds I try to capture. Any insight into getting her going and keeping her healthy would be much appreciated!
Great site by the way guys! I only wish I'd been reading these forums years ago!!
Thanks!
Dave