424 MkIII has very weak output...

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BFC

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I just bought a 'new condition' 424 MkIII and the headphone jack has a very weak and distorted output. The line outs and monitor outs are also very, very weak but sound fine. I needed to crank any monitor system way up to get even a modest volume level with the outputs of the 424 wide open. I did the typical trouble shooting routine and it has to be the unit.

Is this typical of the casette Portastudios or did I possibly get taken on this item?

Thanks for any advice.
 
If you've checked the wiring and all the other sources of portential issues amp/speakers, then you probably got a lemon >:-( Sorry I can't be of any technical assistance.....
 
Looking at the specs from the manual, the 424 MkIII only offers 60 milliwatts per channel at a 30 ohm load to the headphone output which is pretty weak so, while your machine may not be "lemon", it's no hot tomato either.

As for the line outs and monitor outs, all of those are -10db/0.3 volt output at unity gain which compared to a home CD player at 2 full volts, is also a low number by comparison so I don't believe there is anything acting out of order on your unit.

For adequate headphone volume, make use of very efficient headphones and/or make use of an external headphone distribution amp like the TASCAM MH-40 which offers 1.5 WPC to each of its 4 outputs.

As for decent monitoring levels, ensure that your recording levels are alway up around the 0vu mark on the meters but not much over that or you will induce dbx tracking errors and tape distortion which is not fixable in the mix. For monitoring through speakers for tracking and mixing, set your 424 at unity gain positions; 7 on the sliders or knobs and then turn your monitors up to a comfortable level...Many professional engineers try to aim for an 80db sound pressure level for ear safety and to avoid ear fatigue. Radio Shack sells a cheap but decent SPL meter for around 50 bucks; Buy one! :cool:

Cheers! :)
 
Thanks for the advice. I did some more trouble shooting and it appears that channel one of the mixer section is the culprit. Everything else works well though.
 
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