Squealing gears?

  • Thread starter Thread starter watash
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watash

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I'm recording some stuff on my Tascam 488 mkii, and I am hearing this really high pitched squealing sound that seems to originate from the gears turning the tape. I want to fix the problem with some oil or lube or something, but i thought someone could give me advice on what to do. I dont want to mess up any electronics, so any help would be great.

thanks guys,
Watash
 
Try it with machine switched on:

1. no tape inserted
2. tape inserted but not playing
3. tape inserted and playing

Out of those when does it squeak?


Tim
 
+1 on what Tim said.

If the tape you're using has sticky-shed syndrome, that could be the cause of the squeal. I encountered that more than once when I was doing audio preservation work.
 
Replace rubber belts.

Reel drive (control belt), and capstan drive belt.

When they become loose enough they will slip and cause a ringing or sqealing sound. It's hard to know which one, but if one is gone it's time for the other to be replaced as well. :)
 
hmm...

If playback is the problem then what you may want to also look at as well as what is already mensioned. Are the following.

1. Tape guides
2. Capstan motor (ie: bearings + check for any oxide deposits on the tip of the capstan.)
3. Pinch roller (squeeze the roller to see if the consistancy is not too soft or stiff).

But just to clarify are we talking about a reel to reel or cassette ???

but either way the above would be worth looking into even on a cassette machine.

What you could also experiment with is try a few different tapes in the machine to see if the fault lies with the machine or tape.

Hope this info helps
Keith
 
I recall, some years back, when I replaced the capstan belt on my TASCAM 246 and found it squealed when playing back. I noted it was probably too tight. I got the belt from an electronics store, before I got smart and bought straight from TASCAM. It's possible that, in your case, someone replaced the belt with a wrong one. It is also possible, someone fooled around with the nylon piece (if present in your machine) in the middle of the bracket. I too would suggest ordering the original belts (both for capstan and control) directly from TASCAM and go from there.
 
watash said:
it squeaks when the tape is playing only.
Click to expand...

As mad audio says, could be sticky shed tape. The problem was not as common with cassettes but did happen.

What brand is the tape?
Look to see if there's any gunk on heads and tape path. You might need a small inspection mirror to see it properly.

If there's gunk, clean it off with head cleaner and try a known good tape to see if it still squeals.

Process of elimination before delving too deeply.

If not the tape, could well be as Beck says, the head platform control belt squealing as it slips, trying to get the heads all the way in.

Tim
 
I am using TDK SM60 tapes, but I'm going to try using some other tapes to see if that is the problem. thanks so much guys.
 
watash said:
I am using TDK SM60 tapes, but I'm going to try using some other tapes to see if that is the problem. thanks so much guys.
Click to expand...

Unlikely that it's the tapes. Open up the bottom and check the integrity of the belts and whatever you can see that may be wrong in that area. Turn the big wheel by hand (where the capstan belt goes around) and note what you see or hear. Report back.
 
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