414MKII Pops and Clicks

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sogarcia

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Hello,

I just purchased a 414MKII. When I plug my Bass in the guitar jack with the trim set down I noticed on playback there are pops and clicks in the recording especially on the low end. Channel 1 seems to be the worse, 2 gets better, and 3 is better also. I have the channel fader so it doesn't peak. It's peaking at at about -5 on the channel meter. I have DBX enabled. What could be the problem? I'm pretty new to recording.

Thanks
 
sogarcia said:
Hello,

I just purchased a 414MKII. When I plug my Bass in the guitar jack with the trim set down I noticed on playback there are pops and clicks in the recording especially on the low end. Channel 1 seems to be the worse, 2 gets better, and 3 is better also. I have the channel fader so it doesn't peak. It's peaking at at about -5 on the channel meter. I have DBX enabled. What could be the problem? I'm pretty new to recording.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Is this a new machine ? Are the heads and entire tape path clean ? What type of tape are you using ? I've had major dropouts on new 424mkIII and 414mkII machines and the cause was bad batches of Maxell XLII and TDK SA/SAX tape along with some Fuji I tried. Are you sure you're getting click and pops and not dropouts ?

~Daniel
 
Make sure you have the genuine PS-414 power supply,...

or a generic power supply module with the same rating. A low current power module can make funny things happen to the sound, especially if you use the "guitar" input and record on all 4-tracks simultaneously,... which is a big current draw.

Make sure you're not overloading the guitar input, preamp stage (trim). Maybe try a regular input channel (1-4), and compare it to the "guitar" input.

Make sure your heads are cleaned and demagnetized, and you're using the correct (Type II) tapes.

From the description, it sounds like run of the mill clipping in the Input stage.

You can set levels by setting the Master fader and Channel faders to "7", and then use the Trim control to achieve a proper peak at/near 0vu. If it still sounds like clipping, turn down the Trim control some more.
 
Power Supply

Nope the guy I bought if from sent a Radio Shack power supply. I'll have to purchase a real PS from Tascam or something. Can you believe it? I should have asked. I'm going to make him purchase one. I'll try your suggestions.

Thanks
 
Tapes

It's more of a clipping or pop rather than dropout. I'm not sure what dropout is but I assume it's gaps in recording. Tapes came with the unit. I'll have to buy new tapes to check and a demagnetizer.
 
Later,...

when I get home, I'll post the specs for the PS-414 power supply module. As long as you have the right voltage, current and polarity, a generic supply should be okay.

It's probably a matter of setting the gain staging right.

The manual dictates setting the Master and Channel faders at about "7", then using the Trim control to adjust the signal for a 0vu peak. It's fairly simple, and it assures you're not overdriving the preamp stage, while attenuating on the channel or master.

You do have the manual, right?;)
 
Yes sir I have the manual.

I'll check it out right now and let you know.
 
Yes sir I have the manual. I'll check it out right now. The guy sent me a big honking 12V 1000ma Radio Shack power supply. I'm going to order a new one. Will this one damage the unit in anyway? I'm afraid to power it up now. I think spec calls for 11W and with this power supply it's 12W
 
The power supply you have should be fine.

................;)
 
Sounds really dirty almost fuzzy

I adjusted the trim to 0vu and listened to the recording. The clipping is still there and the recording sounds really dirty. I'm thinking I need the right power supply and new tapes to start with.
 
Those are the two items I'd check and verify first.

No doubt, if the power supply is underpowered, then the tone you'll get on the guitar input may be a bit like "fuzztone".

The power supply specs you quoted should mean the power supply is fine,... but you never know! If you can source a replacement PS-414 from Tascam, that would probably be a good idea. Tascam Parts is at (323)727-4840.

The tape can make a world of difference, too. Verify it against other tapes. I've had the best luck with TDK tapes, overall.

Hang in there!

Dave.
 
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