kristian
New member
hey, are the arms on a reel to reel supposed to kind of move up and down when its playing? or is that a problem? you know the tension arms?
G
gjhardwick
New member
i've only noticed them moving when i've been rewinding or fast forwarding tape, but i'd say yeah, they are supposed to move.
i guess, they're just keeping the tension of the tape correct....
i guess, they're just keeping the tension of the tape correct....
kristian
New member
thats what ive thought. since they are called tension arms. iwas just curious
John Sayers
Solar Power!!
They are capable of moving but if they are moving regularly I would suggest that the take up tensions are a bit slack and need tweeking. The right hand one shouldn't be moving a it is constantly taking up the slack. I'd check your tensions.
What sort of reel to reel is it??
John
What sort of reel to reel is it??
John
kristian
New member
Fostex E16. They move more as the are approaching speed. Once they arrive at full speed less movement. I wnated to get it serviced as it hasnt in a while. I dont have the service manual nor the tools needed for tension 
but it seems alright. The place in austin A to Z electronics has a 30 day wait from when you put in your submission for a checkup. a $65 fee to get an estimate. then anything on top of that! I undersand paying for services. But paying to wait 30 days, thats a little bunk.
but it seems alright. The place in austin A to Z electronics has a 30 day wait from when you put in your submission for a checkup. a $65 fee to get an estimate. then anything on top of that! I undersand paying for services. But paying to wait 30 days, thats a little bunk.
kristian
New member
fixed it!
tension is fixed, all is good.
Now i was wondering about the actual placement of the recording/playback head. can that affect playback and record? or does it just screw up playback on other machines. Will it do anything like make the tracks quiter that have less tape contact ie like this pic...
head /
/
tape __
ehe.. that is really confusing i hope it comes out right. that is an extremely exagerated pic, but thats all the stuff i can do with the keys i have. hehe.
tension is fixed, all is good.
Now i was wondering about the actual placement of the recording/playback head. can that affect playback and record? or does it just screw up playback on other machines. Will it do anything like make the tracks quiter that have less tape contact ie like this pic...head /
/
tape __
ehe.. that is really confusing i hope it comes out right. that is an extremely exagerated pic, but thats all the stuff i can do with the keys i have. hehe.
regebro
Insane Genious!
Eh?
The tape should be placed against the head. If it isn't, you would really not hear anything, since the inductance falls rapidly with distance. Half a mm away, and you'd probably only get silence.
The tape should be placed against the head. If it isn't, you would really not hear anything, since the inductance falls rapidly with distance. Half a mm away, and you'd probably only get silence.
kristian
New member
yea thats kinda what i mean.. if there is a slgith incline would the tracks starting a 1 be quiter and 16 be louder. ?
regebro
Insane Genious!
Uhm...
Maybe you mean head alignment? Yes, the tape should be placed correctly over the head and parallel to the head.
If it isn't, take it to a workshop, they can align the heads. In most cases the head needs to be realapped before aligning. This can be pretty expensive...
If instead you actually mean that some parts of the tape doesn't have contact with the head, something has probably hit the head so it moved. Still needs to go to the workshop... Maybe you could try that drawing again, because I think I misunderstand it.
How it should look, from the top:
And there should be NO DISTANCE whatsoever between the tape and head. Full contact only!
Maybe you mean head alignment? Yes, the tape should be placed correctly over the head and parallel to the head.
If it isn't, take it to a workshop, they can align the heads. In most cases the head needs to be realapped before aligning. This can be pretty expensive...
If instead you actually mean that some parts of the tape doesn't have contact with the head, something has probably hit the head so it moved. Still needs to go to the workshop... Maybe you could try that drawing again, because I think I misunderstand it.
How it should look, from the top:
Code:
| Head |
------======---- This here is the tape running...
From the side:
| Head |
====== The tape in the middle of the head.
From the front:
.------.
-----------------------
The tape is parallel to the head...
-----------------------
'------'And there should be NO DISTANCE whatsoever between the tape and head. Full contact only!
kristian
New member
yea maybe ill draw what i mean. i understand the head has to touch. thats why i dont think my heads are wearing because its louder as it goes towards track 16 and is quiter towards 1.
regebro
Insane Genious!
That does indicate that the head is somehow badly aligned.
It COULD be some kind of bad level trimming, though, but if its consistent over all tracks, thats unlikely.
Record the same signal (a test tone) on all tracks, and turn the tape over and see what effects you get.
It COULD be some kind of bad level trimming, though, but if its consistent over all tracks, thats unlikely.
Record the same signal (a test tone) on all tracks, and turn the tape over and see what effects you get.