Does anybody get decent tape packs on their 388?

[sweetbeats]

This 388 I'm working on makes some relatively sloppy tape packs. For some reason I had it in my head the 388 had a library wind or spool mode for better tape packs, but it doesn't. Is this kinda what the status quo is for the quality of the tape pack?

 

[j.harv]

If I'm recording something and I rewind the tape back to the beginning, the pack is kinda all over the place.
If I decide to finish up with tales out, and fast forward the tape, the pack is pretty good.

Could it maybe be a reel table height adjustment issue???

 

[Bob Joneson]

I have about a dozen old tapes that were recorded on a 388 from the late 80s. They all look like that. In lieu of library wind, if you play back from the beginning, is that the result?

 

[sweetbeats]

The tape stays clear of the reel flanges in all transport modes so I don't think it's a reel table adjust issue. I'll have to see what the FFWD pack looks like. I'm think By it's normal, and it's air-cushion related...the pack is fine until the fast-wind speed gets to a threshold, and then the tape starts to hunt around on the reel. Air gets in between the layers of causing it to squirm around...like trying to push magnets with matching polarity together. I just wanted to see what other 388 user's experiences are. I haven't adjusted tensions yet, so who knows...that may have an impact. It's always more difficult to get a nice pack with 1/4" tape if the machine has decently fast wind-speed and lacks a library-wind mode.

---------- Update ----------

I have about a dozen old tapes that were recorded on a 388 from the late 80s. They all look like that. In lieu of library wind, if you play back from the beginning, is that the result?

The PLAY mode pack is beautiful. It's just the fast-wind pack that is sloppy.

 

[j.harv]

Here is a tales out FFW pack.. Not perfect.

 

[sweetbeats]

Here is a tales out FFW pack.. Not perfect.

View attachment 98323

Oh wow. That looks really nice. I'll have to see how mine does with FFWD.