Low Playback Volume.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mbetz01
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Mbetz01

New member
Hello!

I just picked up a Tascam 38 reel-to-reel and a Tascam M-30 mixer a couple of weeks ago. I'm brand new to the art of analog recording so I'm currently trying to learn all the controls and connections.

The problem that I am running into right now is the playback volume is very low. I'll walk the you through everything that I am doing so someone can hopefully diagnose this problem and I can begin recording :)

I have my TAPE INs on my mixer connected to my respective OUTPUTS on the reel-to-reel. The BUSS CHANNELS are connected as follows:

Buss 1's Line Out to Input 1; Buss 1's Aux Out to Input 5.
Buss 2's Line Out to Input 2; Buss 2's Aux Out to Input 6.
Buss 3's Line Out to Input 3; Buss 3's Aux Out to Input 7.
Buss 4's Line Out to Input 4; Buss 4's Aux Out to Input 8.

My goal is to record on a single channel. On the mixer: I assign CHANNEL 1 on the mixer to BUSS 1, my input to MIC, I select MONITOR.

On the reel-to-reel: I select channel one, select SYNC, depress the RECORD/PAUSE, and, subsequently, depress PLAY to enter RECORD.

The VU Meters are in the red but not clipping. I can hear everything fine while recording! It isn't until I try to playback the recording (I stay in SYNC) that I can barely even hear the recording.

Hopefully I got every bit of detail in this message. Any suggestions?
 
You might get more replies in the Analog Forum instead of the Newbie Forum. Many people in the Analog Forum never leave that place.

:D
 
Mbetz01,
If you are going to do successful tape recording you need some support test equipment (or a tape tech) .
Minimum is a test tape with standard levels on it, and audio millivoltmeter and a signal source, that last could be a computer.

Maybe someone at Analogue Only could send you a few minutes of reference flux at 1kHz test recording?

"Line up" and diagnosis starts at the output and tape systems demand constant care or the performance will "get away from you".

Dave.
 
Okay! I will take your advice, Dave.

Thanks everyone,

Matthew
 
...

You have to clean the heads to a mirror finish, as a lot of units like this have been subjected to sticky tape that's left a heavy sludge on the heads and tape path. Any sort of black marks on the heads should be removed with alcohol & swabs.

:spank::eek:;)
 
1st thing is always:

Clean Heads
Clean Guides
De-magnetise

Then:
Quality of the tape used,

If this does not fix the problem move to checking out the electronics.

Alan.
 
Okay, great! I'll get everything clean tomorrow and let you all know if that takes care of the problem :)

Matthew
 
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