Tascam Portastudio 414mk II Cassette Question

[bradypalvarez]

Hey everyone,
I just got my Tascam Portastudio 414 mk II in the mail and I am really excited to start recording analog, however I have a question regarding tape types.

Is it possible to record on the 414mkII with a Type I Low-bias Tape with less quality? I tried doing this (only because I can't find a store on a Sunday evening that sells Type II high bias tape ) and the Tascam pushes the tape reel forward, instead of backwards...

Is this because the Tascam detects the Low-bias Type I tape, and prevents any recording on it? Hopefully that's the answer, and not some other internal issue. Thanks!

-Brady

 

[Cosmic]

Brady,
Yes, you can use Type 1 tape on any cassette deck, including 4-trackers. The machine is optimized for Type II tape, but you should be able to get some halfway decent tests done with type I as well.

I don't understand what you mean about the cassette tape being pushed 'forward' instead of 'backwards' , but it has nothing to do with the machine's ability to detect what kind of tape you use.
The machine would not change direction or any such thing just because of a different tape formulation.

You need to specify a bit more. You have the full load on the left and the empty spool on the right. What happens when you hit 'play' or 'record'?

BTW, here's a link to the manual, in case you don't have one:

http://www.accessguitar.com/inventory/tascam/porta_414mkii_manual.pdf

C.

 

[heatmiser]

Brady,
Yes, you can use Type 1 tape on any cassette deck, including 4-trackers. The machine is optimized for Type II tape, but you should be able to get some halfway decent tests done with type I as well.

I don't understand what you mean about the cassette tape being pushed 'forward' instead of 'backwards' , but it has nothing to do with the machine's ability to detect what kind of tape you use.
The machine would not change direction or any such thing just because of a different tape formulation.

You need to specify a bit more. You have the full load on the left and the empty spool on the right. What happens when you hit 'play' or 'record'?

BTW, here's a link to the manual, in case you don't have one:

http://www.accessguitar.com/inventory/tascam/porta_414mkii_manual.pdf

C.

Ditto this...no harm in using lo-bias tape other than reduced sound quality (and for that reason alone - not recommended). Whatever issue you're describing (not sure I quite get it) sounds mechanical in nature...