tascam porta one, can only use 3 tracks

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tapebouquet

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Hi everyone,

I ran across this forum trying to figure out how to fix my tascam. Regardless of how it goes, I'm pretty excited to found out this community exists.

Anywho, let me give it a shot...

I'm having playback issues with just one track (channel 1). It doesn't really record anything. When I play back what I recorded it's garbled fuzz and a bit of crosstalk from whatever I have on the other 3 tracks. Before I record and while I'm recording it sounds fine through the headphones. (that's probably a duh statement.)

Oh yeah, I've also tried recording on track one using each of the other inputs. I know that is an option sometimes but it's not working in this case.

Needless to say, it's a real hassle having one less track to work with. Hoping maybe somebody has ran across this problem or could point out some possibilities.

Thanks for any help!
 
I actually have a similar problem on my Porta one, but it is with the 3rd track. I don't really get cross-talk, but compared with all the other tracks, even the fourth, it plays back extremely low. While recording the levels and monitor sound fine though.

When you're recording track one, are you setting the pan all the way to the left, and all the way to the right for tack two?
 
Might be a similar problem. Mine doesn't play back anything that's even intelligible. Just fuzzy noise cutting in and out mixed with crosstalk.

Changing the pan doesn't do anything to help.

Have come across anything for fixing your problem?
 
Give the heads a good cleaning.The other day I was recording with my Tascam 388 and track 3 just wasn't picking anything up.
I never had that problem before and could'nt figure out what was going on.I was getting signal on input but barely,if anything on playback.
I unthreaded the tape and took a look at the heads and there was a tiny,tiny little bit of tape oxide right over track 3 on the head.I cleaned it off and everything worked great afterwards.
 
Thanks for the reply j.harv.

Total noob question, but what is the best way to clean specific tape heads? Do you need to open the back of the machine?

I've cleaned the 2 tape heads that I can see.

Thanks.
 
The only heads that are there are the ones that you can see.
So I guess you cleaned them already.Did you use Isoproply alcohol(rubbing alcohol)?
Give them another good cleaning.Wiping from side to side with a q tip.Make sure there isn't any fluff left over from the q tip.
Make sure the heads are dry before trying it out.
 
I tried cleaning the heads again. Gave them a pretty thorough cleaning and waited for them to dry. Still no luck dangit.

I've also noticed that track 3 can be recorded onto fine, but it can't be bounced to or from. Weird.

So 2 and 4 are fine, 1 is garbled and 3 can only be used as a standalone. Maybe the issue is with the 1/3 circuit? Total guess. Looks like I'm going to be in the market for a new 4 track.

Too bad, this one is so close to be operational I hate to give up on it. I've already opened it up but I have no idea where to start.

Thanks for the help and feel free to offer up suggestions anyone else.
 
So this is my rudimentary knowledge of how the Porta One's circuits for recording work:
There are two buses - Left and Right.
Track 1 and 3 record to the Left bus, hence panning to the left for recording on these tracks.
Track 2 and 4 are on the Right bus, hence panning to the right to record on these tracks.

If you try to record using the left bus on track 4, do you still get a signal? If so, then perhaps your circuits are still functioning.

There's a guy's site posted on this forum that has the service manual and user manual for the Tascam Porta One. It has been a huge help for me. Maybe there is more information about circuits and bus issues somewhere in there. I would post the link but since I am still new to this forum, I don't have that privilege yet.

As for me, I will definitely try doing a fresh head cleaning to see if it clears up recordings onto my track 3.

Thanks everyone
 
You could always opener' up and take a look a the cuircuit boards.Look for bad capacitors.Thats one of the first things
I look for when something starts acting up.Check for leaky or swollen caps.Look at the tops of the caps to see if they have started to round off.They kinda get dome like on the top.That means they have gone bad and need replacing.
 
Thanks. Today I'm gonna open it up and check the capacitors. *fingers crossed*
 
Any luck with inspecting the capacitors?

My Porta One is still having a problem with the very low recording level for track 3. I have checked and cleaned the heads and they look clear.

Could magnetism have any effect on the abilities for the recording heads to record at full capacity? I've been considering picking up a demagnetizer, but not sure if that will help at all.
 
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