Tascam TSR-8 Volume Drops

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dpholmes

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Hi There,
I have recently been recording on tracks 1 and 2 of my Tascam TSR-8. The tape is new, and I've recorded on it many times in the past. During playback, the tracks that were recorded have significant volume drops (6 or more db) randomly. Often, the volume will drop and then continue to drop, cutting in and out. I've checked all the input signals/cables/preamps and DI vs mic-in, and I can't seem to find the problem. Is this something anyone here is familiar with, and (hopefully) is it an easy fix?

P.S. Before recording on tracks 1 and 2 tonight, I recorded on track 4 with no trouble.

Best,
-Doug
 
Have you cleaned the heads and guides? I have had this when a small piece of oxide traveled between the head and tape.

Second thing to check is that the tape is traveling across the head flat and not riding up on the guide (alignment).

Third thing is to check the head wear are tracks 1 and 2 showing uneven wear on the heads.

Alan.
 
When that happens, clean the heads, clean the tape path. This happens on my TSR8 when the heads are dirty. Dont use ATR tape on this machine either unless youve got someone to tune your machine to that tape. itll be fucked in no time
 
Hi everyone,
I have not been able to fix this problem yet. I've cleaned the heads thoroughly. It's generally gotten worse (dropouts occur more frequently now).

Questions:
1. Is this an alignment issue? Does anyone know how to align a TSR-8? I've never done this and I can't figure it out. I have the manual, but it doesn't say anything about alignment.
2. I have never demagnetized these heads, could that cause this problem?
3. The heads look ok, but I'm not too experienced, but is the symptoms of heads going bad?

Thanks!
-Doug
 
The TSR-8 has two manuals, a user guide and a service guide, the latter of which is very hard to find. Out of interest, could you provide a shot of the heads? With and without flash?
 
I have a spare manual, I got it from Tascam a couple years ago. It is not the original, it is a factory produced 3 ring loose leaf, you would have to get a 3 ring binder for it. The manuals I have are the originally supplied Owners Operation/Maintenance manual, there is a very detailed section on doing all electrical and mechanical calibrations and adjustment. I have just finished calibrating 2 of my TSR-8's. With shipping I paid $50 for the manual, If you want it I can take Paypal.
Good luck with your machine,
VP
 
Hi all,
Here are some pictures of the heads. I have no idea what to look for and what they should look like. Any help would be appreciated. VictoryPete, where in RI are you? I'm from Lincoln originally, my family's still there. (sorry, they're all upside down for some reason.)

IMG_0651.webpIMG_0652.webpIMG_0653.webpIMG_0657.webp
 
Hi
I am in the middle of the state, not far from I-95. Your heads look great, there is not a lot of wear on them. Maybe your sound cards need to be reset, there is a removable panel on the bottom of the machine. The circuit boards are held in by friction in the connectors and the bottom plate. Sometimes just removing them and reseting them will help. There are holes on either end of the boards, use a hook of some kind to carefully pull on either side alternately until it is free. Be gentle. Some DeoxIt would be good on the connectors.
http://store.caig.com/s.nl/it.A/id.1703/.f?sc=2&category=188

VP
 

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It's always a bit hard to tell from photos, but it looks as if there is uneven wear from the top of the head in the photo to the bottom of the head. What you may need to do is get the heads relaped and then adjust the head alignment to the tape. However there is nothing to suggest that there should be problems with dropout.

When you clean the heads are you also cleaning the tape lifters? Sometimes oxide can be left on the lifters and then this dislodges when you are recording and gets caught up in the tape crossing the heads.

Cheers
Alan.
 
I took off the bottom cover. I was able to wiggle the cards around, but unable to get them fully dislodged (I was a bit nervous). I firmly rest the cards as best as I could. I did a quick test of recording 4 minutes of audio onto each track and I haven't noticed any dropouts yet. Cross your fingers. Thanks Victory Pete.
 
I guess moving them around would clean off the contacts a bit, it doesnt take much oxidation to make a poor connection. Good luck!

VP
 
Hi, i have a link for the manual i can PM it.

you will need an oscilloscope and a function/signal generator.

Is the problem intermittent ? does it comes and goes when you move the machine ? try that. The head has uneven wear, you can see that the thread is wider on track 8 (bottom close to the LEDs) which basically means that the transport/headstack has been misaligned for a while causing that problem, so response in all track won't be even, needs relaping + realignment.
 
I first noticed the problem after moving from New Jersey to Virginia. I packed the R2R very well in the move, but the dropouts first started after I got everything set back up again.

Upon removing the bottom cover I certainly smelled that familiar oxidized odor, so I imagine that is some of the problem.

I've never aligned the machine, but I would be very interested to. I can likely track down an oscilloscope and signal generator. I'd love to take a look at that manual. I'm not sure how I could get the heads relapped. If anyone knows a tech down here in southwest Virginia, please pass their name along!

Thanks,
-Doug
 
Has the problem re-appeared? If you can take your machine along when you visit your parents I can align your machine. The head does seem to have uneven wear, That shouldnt account for the drop outs. I have seen heads like that before and an alignment will compensate for the uneven wear up to a point and then they need to be re-lapped.
http://www.jrfmagnetics.com/
VP
 
The problem hasn't reappeared yet, but I haven't done much recording since testing it. I hope to give it a good run through this weekend. I appreciate your offer on the calibration, I may take you up on it next time I'm in RI!
 
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