424mkii tape speed problem!

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andyhix

andyhix

:dank:
Hey dudes.

While trying to record some crappy scratch tracks for the "crazy idea" project, I encountered a problem with my tape speed becoming inconsistent. I'd play the guitar part along with a pre-recorded click, then play it back and half way through the take, the tempo and pitch would drop, maybe as much as 1/2 step.

In one case it seemed that it was consistantly at a specific spot (indicating to me that the tape speed increased during tracking), and then another time, it happened during playback, but not everytime, nor at the same spot everytime (indicating the tape slowed during playback?). I don't know, but as you can imagine, it really threw a monkey wrench into the whole process.

The wierd thing is it didn't happen consistently. My theory is that maybe there is a belt that got warmed up after a while, then got strethchy. But that doesn't explain the possible increased tape speed, or at least I wouldn't think....I'm quite concerned/confused.

Another sort of related question - is it common for the tape speed to drop a bit when the record head is engaged? I.e. I'm playing a track, then get to a punch it spot and just hit the record button on the fly, rather than using the proper punch in technique. It seemed that things slowed slightly when I did this. And if this is common, that seems like a major flaw that play and record speeds aren't the same. Hard to practice along with a track and be in tune, then. And this happened on a different machine than the first problem, FWIW.
 
It sounds like the belt isn't getting warmed up and stretching. It sounds like it's just worn out. I'd see about changing all the belts if I were you. It's good to do that every once in awhile. I know they do wear down. That model has the pitch control knob on it, right? I would change that one first...
 
I'll look into that (literally!) Is seems that might be a doable DIY fix, eh? I've never opened up the little fella before, but I guess it might be time...

Thanks Rokket!
 
andyhix said:
I'll look into that (literally!) Is seems that might be a doable DIY fix, eh? I've never opened up the little fella before, but I guess it might be time...

Thanks Rokket!
No problem! I used to mess around with an old Teac reel-to-reel that would literally eat up belts. Got rid of it after I spent more in belts than I paid for it at a garage sale.
I hope it fixes the problem. It should. Use your manual...
 
I opened the machine up last night and took a look. Apparently I'm not the first to do this, as there was only 1 screw holding the tape deck part down, but there was 4 screw holes. Actually I think there were screws missing from the case too. Anyway, there seems to be only 1 belt (from the motor, to the tape reel or whatever). Does that seem right? There is no pitch control belt as far as I can tell. But I only barely looked into it as it was getting late, and I decided I need to be situated with better light, less beer in my gut, and a bit more confidence before I preceded. So I put off any further reverse engineering for a bit.

Should I just contact Tascam about a new belt, or is there a better place to buy one?

The belt seemed intact, by the way, with no signs of physical damage. It was sort of soft and loose, but I don't have anything to compare it too, so maybe it was fine...who knows.
 
tape

did you try another tape ??? maby the tape is stretching ???
 
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