Help with a 414 please

[leecea]

I just bought a used 414 Mk2.

I tried making some test recordings by following the "direct recording" section of the manual and I have noticed that Ch 1 seems to overpower everything else.

During recording I adjust the faders so that each channel is peaking at the same level, but during playback Chs 2-4 play back with significantly reduced levels but Ch 1 plays back with its meter showing the same levels as during recording. When I listen to the result, Ch 1 dominates the sound. I've tried a few different things and get the same effect each time.

Can anyone suggest what I'm doing wrong or have I been sold a defective unit?

In case it matters, I'm using some Quantegy 472 C-30 tapes that were sent along with the unit.

Thanks.

 

[The Ghost of FM]

The unit may not be defective but, merely out of calibration adjustment.

Generally, most Portastudio owners don't monkey around with the internal bias, level and eq adjustments that set the machine up to run the on a certain type of tape formulation. Some users do, and do so without really knowing what they are doing when they start twiddling with the calibration controls on the inside of the case.

You may have purchased a twiddler's unit and will have to take it to a decently qualifies service center to re-calibrate the setting for you, back to factory spec.

It's not a major procedure and should cost you more then an hour of bench time.

Cheers!

 

[cjacek]

I just bought a used 414 Mk2.

I tried making some test recordings by following the "direct recording" section of the manual and I have noticed that Ch 1 seems to overpower everything else.

During recording I adjust the faders so that each channel is peaking at the same level, but during playback Chs 2-4 play back with significantly reduced levels but Ch 1 plays back with its meter showing the same levels as during recording. When I listen to the result, Ch 1 dominates the sound. I've tried a few different things and get the same effect each time.

Can anyone suggest what I'm doing wrong or have I been sold a defective unit?

In case it matters, I'm using some Quantegy 472 C-30 tapes that were sent along with the unit.

Thanks.

Sounds EXACTLY as the type of problems I experienced with a newly purchased 414mkII and also had major "gain pumping" with a 424mkIII which was also new. Listen to Ghost and take it to a service center. I suspect the newer portas have a reliability problem. Did you purchase yours new ?

Daniel

 

[leecea]

>> Did you purchase yours new ?

No, I bought it through eBay. The guy selling it has been really nice and I'd hate to think he is ripping me off selling something that has a big problem.

I guess I'll try and find a service center in this area.