head cleaning

[givenblankets]

hi everyone, this is my first post. i recently got a tascam 388, im totally new to analog. anyway, when you clean the heads and metal components, are you supposed to see lots of dirt coming off onto the cotton swab? (im not seeing hardly and dirt, thats why im asking) i just want to make sure im cleaning the machine properly. also, is it bad for the machine to keep the reels on it all the time? like if you are recording and want to finish something later, is it bad to keep the reel spun up on the machine until to want to finish up? thanks for any responses, i appreciate it.

-Brian

 

[Herm]

If your not getting much dirt that is a good thing. It was probably cleaned by the past owner but you should still do it after or before each session.

As far as leaving the tape on there I would not do that. I dont know if it will happen with the 388 but I have had a good session ruined cause I left the tape on when i turned it off or back on cause it is possible to put a pop or click on the tape when you do that.
So it is probably best to load the tape with the machine on and take the tape off with the machine on. And dont just sit the tape on top of the 388 when you turn it off put it out of the way so that any magnetic stuff that might happen when you turn it off doesnt mess up your tape either.