488MKII de-magging question

[mooseknuckles]

Hello,
I've recently snatched a 488MKII from ebay, and I'm sure it was not de-magnetized before I recieved it. I've used it much. I don't own (nor can I find anywhere) a good wand-type de-magger. I've decided to take the "demagging ain't so important" approach to my recording. No problems so far and the sound is great.
(1) Is this going to kill my Tascam?

I have also built a roll-around stand that will carry a set of monitors nearby the 488 (monitors = 1" below the Tascam)
(2) Will these monitors (Yorkville) create even more magnetization and force me to change my recording approach?

 

[muttley]

No, but keep your eyes open and you may find one down the road, magnatism is not a real big problem for cassette format.
Do you have a Radio Shack or a decent electronics store where you live?, try there. PLease don't buy the cassette type, more harm than good!!


Should be ok, I keep my monitors a few feet away from all machines.


I have also built a roll-around stand that will carry a set of monitors nearby the 488 (monitors = 1" below the Tascam)
Does the 488 sit above the monitors? How do you listen? Belly level?


da MUTT

 

[mooseknuckles]

Basically its all set up to be rolled around the room during a jam session. The Tascam is above the monitors and they are separated by a thin board (3/4")of wood. the monitors are facing forward from the 488 and sit low-to-the-ground, but they work fine. I was told that the monitors will add magnetism if they run close to the 488 unit and will eventually kill my sound (buzzing & stuff) - who knows? hasnt happened yet.
I have looked in radio shack, best buy, circuit city, and Ebay, - I still cannot find a handy-mag, teac de-magger, etc. I kinda gave up on it. But I do keep it super clean.
Do you think he's right and my 488 days are close to over? or will the (magnetization-shmagnetization) theory pull me through?

 

[muttley]

It depends on how close the monitors are, I presonally in my studio or on location, donot allow my monitors or amps to be anywhere near the tapemachines or mixers. They are a good 2-4 ft away, the nearfields in studio are about 2ft away from the main mixer, amp is much further. This does defeat the rolling portability that you are after.

How about modifying the cart so the monitors are at ear level while sitting, the 488 a foot or so below the monitors on another shelf, or raise the top shelf 1ft above the monitors?

A tip; the monitors should be at ear level when recording for the most accurate listening possible.

I don't think the 488 days are over, but to bring peace of mind in your part of the world, maybe a cart remodeling would be in order.



da MUTT

 

[mooseknuckles]

Hey Mutt!
Good tip. I'm workin on another extension that'll not only raise, but separate the speakers. You were right on the sound quality.
- Another demag question if you don't mind. Does it noticably improve the sound to de-magnetize, or is it just general maintenance upkeep? I only ask so I dont get my hopes too high and find out the sound didn't improve. Or with my luck I'd scrape the tape head and screw the whole damn pooch! But if it makes for a more clear and crisp sound, then a mans gotta do...........

PS. I dont have a manual yet so I'm learnin as I go

Thanks again Muttley - You ARE Da Mutt!!

 

[muttley]

WOOF!! Tailwaggin pride on your last commit.

1 see if you can down load the manual at the Tascam website, there's a section on manuals( current ones only) that can be downloaded for FREE!

2 demagging a tape machine prevents the built up magnatism from ERASSING critical high ends on your music recordings. Don't give up the search for a hand held unit, make sure to get the instructions= nutshell/ turn on unit 3' from machine,slowly move towards machine, move slowly around heads/capstan, then move slowly from machine 3', then turn off.
If the demag goes off while demagging, yer screwed. Your tapes will be being erased as they pass by the metal parts. GREAT CARE must be exercised while doing this operation.


da MUTT

 

[muttley]

OOPS, your cart modification is a great step in the right direction

Demagging is a necessary maintenance item for any recorder that has tape flying past metal heads.

da MUTT