Tascam 488 MK-II - I just lost track 5

[mattsurowiec]

I think the erase head for track 5 is hosed. I moved about 2 months ago, but haven't tested out the Tascam until last night. I did a test recording on all tracks, and I could hear everything except track 5. I turned the volume up all the way, and I could faintly hear what I recorded on that track.

So I tried to rerecord the part onto track 5, and upon playback, I heard not only the new recording (very faintly) but also the original track.

Hopefully there is a way to repair this, otherwise I'll soon be listing a Tascam 7 track recorder on eBay.

 

[The Green Hornet]

Yo Matt the Hat:

Uh, are you putting the track into the CUE mode before you "overdub?"

If you don't, you will all kinds of strange things happening to your tracks.

I had two 488 MKs -- nice box and does a nice job but once you go to a DAW workstation, or PC program, and push rewind - POOF - back to go, you'll never want to wait for the tape to rewind.

Ah, I know, we all love our recorders no matter what style or configuartion.

I hate to wait when I want to re-do or un-do or doo=doo.

Green Hornet

 

[mattsurowiec]

Yes I am - plus I recorded each track one at a time, and the only track that didn't record correctly was track 5.

 

[The Green Hornet]

Yo Matt:

Strange things happen when recording. A couple of weeks ago I burned two CDs on my DAW and got nothing but a open line hum.

I may have had a plug plugged into the wrong place; I tried again the next day and made sure all plugs were OUT and burned the CD = no problema.

Can't really be sure if your unit has a defective track or something other, like a button or a switch -- but, I know you'll have fun with the unit.

Hope you find the glitch.

Green Hornet

 

[overseas]

Clean and demagnetize first

Yes I am - plus I recorded each track one at a time, and the only track that didn't record correctly was track 5.

Try cleaning and demagnetizing the heads before considering other alternatives. Tracks on an 8-track cassette multitrack are about the size of the tip of a #2 pencil, if not smaller. It doesn't take much excess tape oxide or dust to completely block off a track or make it sound extremely muffled. I've had this happen a number of times with the 488 MKII. You really do need to keep the heads clean.

Bruce in Korea