frilyd
New member
Greetings from snowy Norway to all you knowledgeable sirs & madams,
I have been lurking on these forums for some years, and have learned a lot that has helped me keep my analogue gear in somewhat good shape. For that, I thank you all.
Now, I have recently acquired a Tascam 244, partly for playing my old 4-track recordings, partly for actually using it to record. According to previous owner, it was used as a mixer (sic) and has been out of use for the last few years.
It seems to be in relatively good condition. The heads have no wear that I can detect, and the interior is relatively clean. Of course, after so many years, both belts are much too slack, and will be replaced. I've already ordered replacements, and useful resources such as Dr. Zee's instructions will make the belt replacement easy.
I listened to a few tapes today before the belts finally said goodbye. All in all, it was a good experience: None of the faders are crackly (a problem I haven't been able to remedy on my Tascam 388), and all audio goes where it's supposed to. There are some pops and crackles in the pan & EQ pots, but I can live with that for now.
My problem is that the headphone outputs are very hissy, even with no signal going to them. This is the "white noise" type of hiss, and it's loud enough that I will have difficulty using the 244 for recording. It's been many years since I touched one of these, but I can't recall them being that noisy - and my hearing certainly isn't better now than it was 20 years ago... But my memory may be failing me, and perhaps the 244 just is this hissy? Any experiences?
I suspect I am looking at an electronics problem here, but I'm in the dark about where to start diagnosing and eventually fixing it. Any input would be most welcome.
I can't repay much in the form of technical advise, but perhaps someone will find some merit in a recording I've done on my Tascam 388. It's a cover of a Steve Miller Band song, done for my mother's 60th birthday
I have been lurking on these forums for some years, and have learned a lot that has helped me keep my analogue gear in somewhat good shape. For that, I thank you all.
Now, I have recently acquired a Tascam 244, partly for playing my old 4-track recordings, partly for actually using it to record. According to previous owner, it was used as a mixer (sic) and has been out of use for the last few years.
It seems to be in relatively good condition. The heads have no wear that I can detect, and the interior is relatively clean. Of course, after so many years, both belts are much too slack, and will be replaced. I've already ordered replacements, and useful resources such as Dr. Zee's instructions will make the belt replacement easy.
I listened to a few tapes today before the belts finally said goodbye. All in all, it was a good experience: None of the faders are crackly (a problem I haven't been able to remedy on my Tascam 388), and all audio goes where it's supposed to. There are some pops and crackles in the pan & EQ pots, but I can live with that for now.
My problem is that the headphone outputs are very hissy, even with no signal going to them. This is the "white noise" type of hiss, and it's loud enough that I will have difficulty using the 244 for recording. It's been many years since I touched one of these, but I can't recall them being that noisy - and my hearing certainly isn't better now than it was 20 years ago... But my memory may be failing me, and perhaps the 244 just is this hissy? Any experiences?
I suspect I am looking at an electronics problem here, but I'm in the dark about where to start diagnosing and eventually fixing it. Any input would be most welcome.
I can't repay much in the form of technical advise, but perhaps someone will find some merit in a recording I've done on my Tascam 388. It's a cover of a Steve Miller Band song, done for my mother's 60th birthday
