cassettes have wave/flutter

[jaebaeli]

I was doing a practice track on my MKIII and noticed my tape was making a fluttering/wavy sound, like part of the sound drops off. I tried about 7 other cassettes in it, and it did the same thing at some point in each tape. This makes me believe there might be something going on with the heads or other parts in there....any ideas? I have cleaned the heads as suggested on these baords (with just spit) and the pinch roller with lighter fluid ALSO AS SUGGESTED HERE--since then this has happened. Have i now damaged my machine???

 

[Beck]

I was doing a practice track on my MKIII and noticed my tape was making a fluttering/wavy sound, like part of the sound drops off. I tried about 7 other cassettes in it, and it did the same thing at some point in each tape. This makes me believe there might be something going on with the heads or other parts in there....any ideas? I have cleaned the heads as suggested on these baords (with just spit) and the pinch roller with lighter fluid ALSO AS SUGGESTED HERE--since then this has happened. Have i now damaged my machine???

May be gummed up with spit.

If you must use spit, spit is for the pinch roller, not the heads. Lighter fluid on the roller... don't think that's a good idea.

Anyway, it sounds like a belt or slipping pinch roller. Lighter fluid may have destroyed the pinch roller. You can get a new pinch roller from Tascam parts.

In the future clean your heads with 90% or higher isopropyl alchohol or Clean-strip denatured alcohol.

For the pinch roller use Caikleen RBR rubber cleaner/conditioner, (or Windex, or spit while you're waiting for your rubber cleaner to arrive in the mail.)

 

[Be Loveless]

Who the FUCK told you to use spit and lighter fluid!!!! Were you advised to do this as a reply to a post of yours or did you read this in a thread. That is irrresponsible advice and I'm sorry that you recieved it.

 

[jaebaeli]

Here's where i got the lighter fluid recommendation:

If you have been following this story here's the latest: I called TASCAM in California and spoke to a nice, wizened tech. He tells me that I need to:

A) clean my heads again without using an alcohol based head cleaner. He says to use Chemtronic (?) or some other brand (I forget which but I wrote it down) of non-alcohol based head cleaner.

B) clean my pinch roller with Kingsford Lighter Fluid!! This I have to double check with him since I have no desire to see my MK3 go up like Johnny Human Torch when I start laying down my "hot" tuba tracks. Then again, I do need a new BBQ grill. Why not go toxic!

C) STOP IMMEDIATELY USING MAXELL TAPE (damn, just bought a new pack). The TASCAM guy says that Maxell shreds like crazy and mucks up the heads. He recommends TDK SM tape which is made for TASCAM 424 compatibility. I'm paraphrasing here folks.

D) If all of that doesn't work and I am still cursed with phantom track #3, then I am to call him back and discuss.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the phone lines are open. Comments welcome from all.

So it was actually from TASCAM! Geez i hope i don't have to replace parts now. Maybe we should hunt down that guy at TASCAM and run HIM THROUGH A PINCH ROLLER.

I'll try to clean it the more "standard" ways and if the problem continues, guess i'm going to have to contact TASCAm. I'll be sure to mention the advise one of their techie's is giving out.
Thanks to all for your input....
Yours in Consternation,
Jae

 

[jaebaeli]

Update on Lighter Fluid Fiasco

I called Teac in California and spoke with Jimmy...i asked him about the lighter fluid, and he said, indeed it is a great way to clean the pinch roller, but the trick is to make sure you get the dissolved goo all wiped off, and to let it dry at least an hour before use. i must have done a poor job of getting it all wiped off, and i used my machine about 20 minutes later. "Dammit, Jim, I'm a singer-songwriter, not a technician!"

...he said it takes longer for the fluid to evaporate/dry than the other cleaners. HE said you can follow that up cleaning with Windex, and it should help my problem of residue, although, again, they don't recommend using Windex all the time, only in a PINCH (on a pinch--har har)...okay, so i am off to wipe down that pinch roller more thoroughly, and hopefully, it will be okay, Jimmy said it shouldn't have actually done any damage to the pinch roller itself; but to be careful not to get the Lightr fluid on the other things in there....
so....hopefully, all will be well, i'll keep you all posted.
Crossing my fingers,
Jae