TASCAM ATR 60/16 Alignment with AMPEX 407

[zhou]

sorry my english is bad...
i want use 407 and i have +3 MRL.so everything is ok Follow the manual.1K Hz = 0VU...
if i want use +6 tape,i have to align deck again.and 1K Hz=-3VU,so i have a new reproduce level.
after that,all the adjustment like bias is Reference to 0VU on VU meter,right?

another problem is when i check head azimuth,connect channel 2 and channel 16 to a oscilloscope,i get this


will i must adjust head azimuth?
and i'm very afraid to do this...

 

[tape4reel]

There are a few things to consider. Azimuth should be done first. If the reading you show on the scope is at a higher frequency like 16khz, that's totaly acceptable...Generally you should start at a lower frequency like 1khz and the line should be tight. Then move to 8khz, it still should be pretty much a straight line...by the time you get to 16khz it will probably look like what you've got and that's fine. It's less than 45 degrees out of phase.

As far as reproduce alignment goes. It depends on whether you'll be using noise reduction or not. A +6 tape should be set up to +3 if using noise reduction. Having all the proper test equipment (and knowing how to use it) is essential. The Tascam service manuals are pretty informative...good luck.

 

[zhou]

thanks tape4reel

my MRL only have 1k,10k,16k for high frequency.
1k is like that

the line is not Complete tight i think.

then the 10k

but it's instability,


and the 16k is more instability,shake between the oval and round

even like this!


will i must adjust head azimuth?

 

[tape4reel]

Judging from your pics you could use a very small azimuth adjustment, but honestly your ears probably won't hear the difference. There will always be slight inconsistencies on the higher frequencies the closer you get to the edge tracks...but if you feel comfortable give it a try.

Play back the 10khz tone and with an allen wrench VERY gently tighten one of the azimuth screws Look at the scope while you tighten it. If it opens up more or flips to a diagonal pointing up to the left side then you need to tighten the other screw, if the circle gets tighter and becomes a diagonal line pointing up to the right then you're good. Technically you should tighten one while looseining the other...Remember this is a very small adjustment and it's really easy to get a false reading if you get too crazy with the wrench.

Now play the 16khz tone and you can adjust based on what you did with the 10khz tone. You most likely won't get a perfect straight diagonal and that's fine, that's the joy of analog, learning to accept a certain level of imperfection...remember you have to adjust the record head and the playback head seperately. Make sure you have the sync button engaged when you do the record head and the output button engaged when you do the playback head...If you don't already have the maintenance manual it's a good idea to get one and study it before attempting your own alignment unless you have a lot of experience with a particular machine.

 

[zhou]

thanks a lot!
if i couldn't hear difference,i will not try.i'm very new on tape...

and yes i get a manual.$80 from tascam reprint .in the manual they say first adjust azimuth,but they did not say howe to "tighten one of the azimuth screws..."now i think i know how to do it.thanks!i;i'll do it when i really know what i'm doing.
and yes i think "learning to accept a certain level of imperfection..."is not just for machine,is for life.blabla...

i want adjust azimuth,because when i play MRL tone,i see channel 16's VU needle alway jitter.so i think it's because azimuth...wrong or right?