No Manual - and fluttering sounds
I've also had a hard time finding the manual for the original Tascam. I downloaded the PDF file of the manual for the MKII, which allowed me to figure out some stuff on my machine, but there are still some things I haven't got a clue about... things I'll ask about in this forum if I decide to keep my 424. Here's another problem I'm having with (copied from a message I posted as a seperate thread):
I just bought an original Tascam 424 over ebay, having been told that it was slightly used but in perfect working condition.
It didn't come with the original Tascam AC adapter but one of those all-in-one Radio Shack power supplies. When I plugged it in, there was a loud buzz on all the channels.
So I replaced the adapter with one I use with my PC speakers that I happened to have on hand, and that got rid of the buzz. But I'm still not sure if the machine is getting enough power--or if the motor is shot. Here's why:
When I record on NORMAL speed, the playback sounds like a tape that's about to get eaten by the machine--fluttery and worbly sounding. In other words, garbage comes out.
So I give it a try on HIGH speed, and when I play it back, the fluttering sound is gone (as well as I can detect anyway), but about 5 seconds into it, the speed of the tape slows down for a second and then speeds back up. And it does this about every 10 seconds.
So it seems like my Tascam isn't recording/playing at a consistent speed. I'm thinking one of two things:
1) The motor is shot, or 2) The motor isn't running properly because I'm not using the original power supply (the Tascam-manufactured adapter).
The power supply I'm using is a regular 12v adapter.
Does anyone know what might be causing these problems? Does not having the original power supply cause these kind of problems?
Thanks,
RA Makaila