Tascam 388 recording but fluctuating in volume on playback

[andrewlyross]

Hey Guys!

First post here as I am somewhat stumped and thought i'd pick one of your brains.

So my 388 has been working great as it was rebuilt by one of the best guys in LA. No problems whatsoever. Today, however, I noticed an issue that has persisted throughout the day. I recorded on two tracks, 1 and 6. I have drum machines on track 6 and syths on track 1. I record as normal and on playback there are noticeable fluctuations on the volume. It's almost like something just grabs it and lowers the volume and it wiggles back up to normal.

When I playback other recording on the same tape this appears to not happen. Only on the newly recorded song. I have cleaned the heads and didn't have the volume issues while I was actually recording.

Any idea what this could be or what I can do to troubleshoot? Could this be electrical?

Thanks for any help

EDIT: Just did some more troubleshooting. Just sent a single, stable tone into the machine. I recorded the tone right at 5 on the VU but on playback it started around 7 and on occasion did a quick dip down to 20 then slowly gets back to 7. Happening on all channels.

 

[ourshape]

Hi, I'm having this exact same issue on my 414 and am just wondering if you ever found a solution? It's quite frustrating searching through all these forums and finding no anwers. thanks

 

[TalismanRich]

Alas, since Andrew hasn't been back to the forum in 6 years, I doubt you'll get a response from him.

Hopefully one of our other members will see this. Sweetbeats is an excellent person for information on Tascam gear.

 

[sweetbeats]

What tape are you using? What is the condition of the heads and tape path? It all has to be meticulously clean. What’s your cleaning regimen and what products are you using?

 

[ourshape]

Glad to see you repsonding here as well haha I posted everywhere but as for tape im using maxell XL II 90 minute, and I cleaned the heads and entire path to what I thought was clean enough but I shall do that again to see if it helps. I have just been using 99% isopropyl alcohol and q tips.

 

[sweetbeats]

Glad to see you repsonding here as well haha I posted everywhere but as for tape im using maxell XL II 90 minute, and I cleaned the heads and entire path to what I thought was clean enough but I shall do that again to see if it helps. I have just been using 99% isopropyl alcohol and q tips.

Yes. It is helpful to avoid asking the same questions in multiple places. Keep us posted.