Tascam 424 (Getting Started)

  • Thread starter Thread starter Inky
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Inky

New member
Hi guys!

I posted this same question in the newbie forum...
Maybe some of you with more specialized TASCAM knowledge can help me out :)

Ok, hi all!
This site came recommended and now I can see why! Very cool! I've recorded before, but this is the first time I've had a portastudio board under my own hands. To start, I have a ridiculously simple question: I was going along fine with the manual and whatever, until it got to the part where it says Press Play. So I press play and the little green LED light comes on, but then it goes off again right away. I tried holding it down, in case there was a time failsafe. No go. It sounds a lot like it should when it reaches the end of a side, but that's not possible at the very beginning of a tape. What's up with this??

Ink.
 
:cool: Is the tape good condition/new?
It's not in a bind of some sort?
ONe should use TDK or Maxell Crome for best operation.......

Which 424 are you using, it may need a new belt......


da MUTT
 
Hello Inky,

I'm not sure why, but my 424 did the same thing once after I had a new belt installed. I went nuts trying to fix it for about a week until one day it worked all of a sudden. But I don't remember what I did to make it work. It might have had something to do with the output switches on the back. It was a long time ago and I haven't changed the settings since, so it's hard to recall exactly what it was that did the trick. My advice is keep trying. I think it was my girlfriend who finally got it to work. Maybe that's what you need. A different pair of eyes, a fresh pair of eyes. The 424 can be difficult at times, but once I figured out how it works, how some of its functions are more convoluted than they should be, and then had enough sense to leave it alone and not change the settings, it was/is a beautiful machine to work with. I had some serious trouble learning how to use it (even after I got my hands on the manual), but once I learned the basic, the simplicity of the machine made it a pleasure to use. Don't give up on it.
 
Thanks for the encouragement, RA...

Actually I've been out of town for a few days, so I'll go take another look at the thing in a few minutes. Maybe I judt needed a break. Apparently though, this is a common broblem and I think it might have to do with the belt. It may just be too tight, or something.

Anyway, rest assured that I won't be giving up any time soon. I realize the value of such a machine in the creative/productive process and there's no way I can put that aside now that I know it's there!

Ink.
 
It sounds like the capstan belt has fallen off the flywheel.

The capstan should spin constantly when a cassette is inserted.

You may cheat the 'cassette-in-place' microswitch, up at the top of the cassette compartment, and the capstan should start spinning, right then. Also, by my observation, the 424mkII and mkIII spins the capstan CONSTANTLY, whether or not a cassette is in place.

Test that the capstan is spinning. If it is not, open up the bottom panel of the 424 and have a look. You'll likely see that the belt has slipped off. It may, in some cases, be put back on the flywheel for further use, but it's probably best to replace the belt while you're under the covers.;)
 
The wheel is spinning constantly. I know it is because I remember thinking it was odd when I first noticed. Given that fact, might the belt still have slipped off?

Ink.
 
Probably not, probably something else.

On those units, a belt is also responsible for moving the head completely in & out toward the tape, & engaging the pinchwheel to the capstan. Anyway, the pinch wheel must contact the capstan completely.;)
 
Hoooooray!!!

Been a while since I posted...

Weirdest thing ever...Portastudio is working now! Went to the shop. Took them a week to tell me that there's nothing wrong with it. Plugged it in at the shop and it worked fine. Took it home, plugged it in and the same old problem... Changed outlets and it worked. Changed back to the other one AND IT WORKED :D I can't figure out what I did to make it _not_ work!

Anyway...
Now that the problem is solved. thanks to all for the help! Anymore questions and comments, I will be back!!

Cheers!

Ink.
 
I love it when problems get solved! :)

You might want to have an electrician look at that outlet.:o
 
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