Tape recorders

By enribar

Paragon (1206)

enribar's picture

06-06-2012, 09:31

I have a problem with a tape recorder...
Main question is: how many years do they work?
Since the last week, after many readings, my tape has a output volume very very low.
I do not explain further, this is the problem:
http://forums.generation-msx.nl/read.php?5,8289
Thanx for any help.

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By RetroTechie

Paragon (1563)

RetroTechie's picture

06-06-2012, 13:26

Many possibilities:

  • The load/save connectors on these tape recorders are kind of crappy, they can easily give a bad contact.
  • Soldering work in these recorders is also crappy, maybe a contact came loose somewhere.
  • Maybe the volume potentiometer (component attached to volume setting wheel) could use a dose of contact spray. Put a music tape inside & while playing, turn the volume wheel - if that causes a crackling noise, apply contact spray.
  • Maybe there's an electrolytic capacitor somewhere in the output signal, that has dried up over time.
  • Tape head alignment not good anymore (see setting screw right beside the tape head).
  • Tape head magnetized. Myself I never did head demagnetization, but despite that never had much problems with tape recorders. So I wouldn't know how often this occurs or how much of a problem it would be.

Any of the above could be fixed. But unless you already know what the problem is & how to fix it, I doubt it is worth the trouble. Question

Perhaps problem is the tape, not the recorder. Have you tried listening to this tape (using your own ears, not loading with computer!) in another tape recorder? How do other tapes behave in this recorder?

By erwinmusik

Master (140)

erwinmusik's picture

06-06-2012, 15:00

Don´t forget, in most cases a broken cable or plug are the problem.
Do You monitoring the output via headphone? Is the headphone as loud as before?

By enribar

Paragon (1206)

enribar's picture

06-06-2012, 19:48

thankyou very much friends for all these hints, I will try them the next days and let U know results.
regards

By enribar

Paragon (1206)

enribar's picture

07-06-2012, 21:55

So this is the end of the story (?)... Shake it, shake it, shake it Smile
I shook the recorder a bit, I heard something moving inside, and after that volume is ok!
Thankyou very much folks, you hints remains in the MSX knowledge base Nishi