4 Track Cassette Problem - Please Help

[nalpak333]

I recently bought an older Fostex X-12 Cassette 4 track. Everything works fine except: when I record AND have the levels up on at least one track other than the one i'm recording on, I get a large amount of noise/hiss and bass response reduces dramatically (very trebly!). When I stop recording the noise goes away and everything's fine and when I go back to play the recording it sounds fine...it's just the monitoring while recording that is messed up. Does anybody know what the issue is? Is this an issue that could be remedied by cleaning the recording head or demagnetizing the unit? I am using an XLR cable into my preamp and then a TS cable into the recorder...should I be using a TRS cable into the recorder instead? Is this an issue with the type of cassette used, i'm just using a regular new type 1 cassette? Any info will be helpful, i'm new to cassette recording. Thanks!

 

[heatmiser]

I recently bought an older Fostex X-12 Cassette 4 track. Everything works fine except: when I record AND have the levels up on at least one track other than the one i'm recording on, I get a large amount of noise/hiss and bass response reduces dramatically (very trebly!). When I stop recording the noise goes away and everything's fine and when I go back to play the recording it sounds fine...it's just the monitoring while recording that is messed up. Does anybody know what the issue is? Is this an issue that could be remedied by cleaning the recording head or demagnetizing the unit? I am using an XLR cable into my preamp and then a TS cable into the recorder...should I be using a TRS cable into the recorder instead? Is this an issue with the type of cassette used, i'm just using a regular new type 1 cassette? Any info will be helpful, i'm new to cassette recording. Thanks!

I'm afraid I don't have the answer for you, but I think you can rule out a few things. Since the new track sounds fine once you're done recording I think you can rule out the cables, preamp, tape, etc. (although normally one would use type II cassettes). Your recording chain seems fine.

From your desription, the problem is specific to monitoring only, so that is where the problem lies. It won't hurt to clean the heads and demag, something one should probably do regardless, see if that improves things at all. Again, I'm thinking that can't hurt, but would be surprised if that alone solved it.

Hopefully someone else here more knowledgeable than myself can help...good luck.