Yamaha MT120s track 4 dbx problem

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dubhausdisco
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Dubhausdisco

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Hello all-
I purchased an mt120s on eBay, and I am having a problem with track 4 and the dbx encoding.. There is a similar thread from a couple of years back:
"I know about recording with DBX and playback and stuff, what I meant is I tried to record with DBX on, then switch it off to see, and the playback on track 4 was way too loud and had a lot of distortion compared to the other tracks that have been also recorded on with DBX, when I put back the DBX all tracks were fine except #4 which had very low volume, and sounded distorted even though you would barely hear it.

So track #4 surely has a problem, and the record and playback calibration is fine, I checked, so it's probably a circuit problem."
Now either I have the same exact unit (LOL), or this is a common problem.
Anyone else experience this?
Heads are clean, and I have Dolby 4trk tapes that show proper signal.. It's just with dbx and track 4..
Ps- I understand the sync function, too, and that may be a last resort to transfer these cassettes, even though trk 4 usually contains the drums/bass bounce :-(
Thanks!
 
Are you saying record/playback without the dbx is fine?

The playback levels could still be out but your meters may be compensating to make it look like there's not a problem when there is. Dont just rely on the meters. Check playback levels using an alignment tape.

A basic method without an alignment tape is to play a completely demagnetised tape with dbx off and compare aurally the level of playback hiss. All 4 tracks should sound very close in level as well as tonal balance. In this test ignore the meters.

Tim
 
Tim Gillett said:
Are you saying record/playback without the dbx is fine?

The playback levels could still be out but your meters may be compensating to make it look like there's not a problem when there is. Dont just rely on the meters. Check playback levels using an alignment tape.

A basic method without an alignment tape is to play a completely demagnetised tape with dbx off and compare aurally the level of playback hiss. All 4 tracks should sound very close in level as well as tonal balance. In this test ignore the meters.

Tim
Click to expand...

Tim,
Thanks for your reply!

I purchased the unit to transfer old cassettes, so I haven't yet recorded with it.
Yes, the playback is normal when I play Dolby encoded cassettes.

On further inspection, the play head does look normal, except track 4 looks "longer", as in the shiny surface...

I will try your suggestion. Thank you!
Dave
 
Wait, do you mean you're trying to play back Dolby-encoded tapes through DBX...? I don't know what that will do, but it won't be good.
 
No..LOL.... I mean I tried a Dolby 4 trk cassette in the mt120 with dbx OFF,
And I get correct levels.
Cassettes I recorded with dbx (same exact make and model yamaha) exhibit the described problem.
Dbx off= correct levels on all four tracks but dbx-less washed out sound
Dbx on= correct levels on tracks 1,2,3, but extremely low level on track 4
Sync mode on- correct levels on 1,2,3, and 4 but dbx-less washed out sound on track four

Dave
 
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