First post: Teac 80-8

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jovas
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Jovas

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Hi All,

this is my first post on this forum. I've read quite some topics on the analog section with great interest. I always wanted to try recording the analog way (already got a Tascam 244), so when I got the chance two days ago to get a Teac 80-8 for 100 Euro I didn't have to think about it and took it :) It's an old beast and there are some issues. When I try to record, the record light keeps blinking and nothing gets recorded. The manual states the light should stay on permanant when recording. Does anybody recognise this problem? I love to playback the reel that I got with it, but I rather record some of my own music ;)

Thanks!

Joeri
 
You need to arm whatever track you want to record on. If you want to record on track 5 push in track 5. You also need to hit the play and record button at the same time. Or you can also hit the record and pause button at the same time. Never used this deck, but should work. Welcome and let us know.
 
When I arm the tracks, the leds above start to blink. When I press record and play, all lights (including the record light) keep blinking, while they should stay on (if I'm correct). Strange isn't it?
 
Strange. I hope someone with more knowledge will interject.
 
you have tape spooled on the deck and it is moving? do you have it in "normal" mode? you also have to wait a few seconds after turning it on for it to stop blinking. make sure the "cue" lifter is down also.
 
I tried everything but it just doesn't want to switch to recording. The reels are spinning and the record light is blinking (in normal mode). Is there maybe some sticky relay that prevent the recording for going into real recording mode?
 
Jovas said:
I tried everything but it just doesn't want to switch to recording. The reels are spinning and the record light is blinking (in normal mode). Is there maybe some sticky relay that prevent the recording for going into real recording mode?
Click to expand...

Not sure about any relay but it might just be a case of the record button itself having oxidized switch contacts which prevents the record mode from actually being engaged! Try doing it again but this time exerting a higher amount of pressure when you push the record button. If it kicks in at that point, the switch contacts might just need a simple cleaning with Deox-it.

Cheers! :)
 
Thanks for the suggestion. I've just tried to press it real firm, but I don't think the button is the problem. When I press it, the light next to it starts to blink, so there should be some sort of contact. The whole deck stays in some kind of 'record-ready' mode, but doesn't go into real recording mode (when i press record + play, the blinking continues)
 
Hmmm! Puzzling! :confused:

How about the remote control plug on the back of the unit? Is there a jumper plug in there currently? If so, maybe try removing that and re-seating it...perhaps some oxidized contacts on that?

Or if you have the remote, will it engage from pressing the REC button on that?

Cheers! :)
 
hi,

i had a similar problem before. i don't think it was exactly like that but i had a problem with he pause button flashing and not being able to record. the right tension arm was out of line and i had to get it fixed. the arm is very sensitive and if it is not exactly in the right place it wont work. does it do everything else (play, rewind) fine?
 
There's no jumper in the connector and I don't have the remote. Do you know which pins I must connect for recording? I can give it a try. Thanks!
 
bryar said:
hi,

i had a similar problem before. i don't think it was exactly like that but i had a problem with he pause button flashing and not being able to record. the right tension arm was out of line and i had to get it fixed. the arm is very sensitive and if it is not exactly in the right place it wont work. does it do everything else (play, rewind) fine?
Click to expand...

The tension arm looks fine. Everything else works perfectly. It just won't record :(
 
Jovas said:
There's no jumper in the connector and I don't have the remote. Do you know which pins I must connect for recording? I can give it a try. Thanks!
Click to expand...

I found a wiring diagram for the RC71 remote so if this is the correct remote for your unit, it looks like you could just jumper the record pin #6 to the ground pin #8 and see if that engages the record mode.

Here's the diagram



rc71.jpg




Cheers! :)
 
If your unit uses the RC-70 remote, Pin #7 is the ground, not pin #8!

Pin #6 would be the same though.

Let us know!

Cheers! :)
 
Hmm.. I'm wondering if the remote connector on my 80-8 is the original one. I tried to google some info about the connector and it seems that it has to got 12 pins. However, my machine got a DB15 'computer style' connector with all 15 pins connected :s Maybe some previous owner added some functions? Haha. Fact is I now don't know which pin corresponds with the schematic from Ghost. Can I damage anything if I just try to short some pins?
 
sweetbeats said:
YES YOU CAN. :eek: :(

Don't just start trying stuff out!
Click to expand...

Ok. Thanks for the warning. Is it possible that there's a wire interrupted (for punch ins?) that prevents the deck from going into recording? I've read something in the schematics about 'Record DC'. Can I measure a voltage somwhere that's neccesary for recording?
 
Jovas said:
Ok. Thanks for the warning. Is it possible that there's a wire interrupted (for punch ins?) that prevents the deck from going into recording? I've read something in the schematics about 'Record DC'. Can I measure a voltage somwhere that's neccesary for recording?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure but if that plug has been modded by the previous owner, all bets are off and my best advice would be to seek out a qualified and experienced local repair shop to have a go at it if you're unequipped to do this yourself.

It's hard enough trying to help people out over the Internet with stock machines. Modded ones are a bit beyond the pail. :o

Cheers! :)
 
I will try to allocate the routes of all wires tonight. I'll keep you informed.
 
Jovas said:
Thanks for the suggestion. I've just tried to press it real firm, but I don't think the button is the problem. When I press it, the light next to it starts to blink, so there should be some sort of contact. The whole deck stays in some kind of 'record-ready' mode, but doesn't go into real recording mode (when i press record + play, the blinking continues)
Click to expand...




Hey there, I don't own a 80-8(But I am looking feverishly for one)
anyways, what you say about the "Record-Ready", is absolutely correct.

I read some info about the 80-8 on Reel-To-Reel Texas' website(in the vintage ads section) and it says that the lights blink when in "Record-Ready" which is the exact term TEAC used on the ad.
Go to "Yahoo Images" and type in "TEAC 25-2"(This gets you tp his site much faster. Choose "Resources" on the top bar menu and click on "Vintage Ads and Catalogs". Then choose the year 1976.
The info about the 80-8 is towards the bottom.
Very helpful stuff.

You should get the User/Owner's Manual. That always helps me
with this stuff. I know my Vintage Amalog Equipment SO much
better than if I didn't read the Manuals to them.
The 80-8 User Manual goes for about $15 on Ebay and/or Vintage Manual websites. There are quite a bit of websites that specialize in vintage manuals


Anyways, your deck isn't messed up.

I don't know how to get it passed "Record-Ready", have you chosen the Function Select(Tracks) you want to record?
The Brochure says that the deck will blink when it is ready, and then hit the Play/Record Buttons and it will record.

What exactly happens when you hit Rec./Play after the deck is at
Record-Ready?


Hope this helps
 
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