Squeeling Tape Deck

palinilap · Post by **palinilap** » Sun Feb 12, 2012 11:53 am

Just picked up a TEAC 1230, and surprise, surprise, there's some issues...

At first it was doing OK, and recorded this (using Sony ULH back-coated tape probably not ideal for this deck):

http://soundcloud.com/palinilap/tape-deck-test

And then a squeeling started to occur, and the tape started winding down slower and slower.
This is a hi-hat track which demonstrates the squeeling imparting in the audio:

http://soundcloud.com/palinilap/tape-deck-test-hi-hat

Seller said they installed new belts and lubed everything.

My guess is a bad motor, but wanted some other opinions.

EDIT: Also the rewind function doesn't work. Neither does the timer, but I doubt that's related to anything.

Byll · Post by **Byll** » Sun Feb 12, 2012 12:21 pm

I think you are being victimized by an issue some call 'stiction.' The binder in the tape has become sticky, and it and much of the magnetic material is applying itself to everything in your machine that the tape touches. It is very sticky. You must clean every place in the machine the tape has touched with either denatured alcohol or a proprietary cleaner. The gunk is always visible... Use only a proprietary rubber cleaner on the pinch roller.

Upper level Sony tapes were infamous for having this problem, as were so many others. Our biggest problem has been with Ampex 456. It is possible to 'bake' problem tapes, according to a recipe available on the internet, and it is quite effective. However, this method is only used for getting valuable data from a tape so affected. It will not heal the tape so that it can be used again for general recording.

Bottom line: There is probably nothing wrong with your machine. However, you must clean the heads, capstan, guides, etc. You must then purchase quality new tape, or find old tape unaffected by the condition.

Your symptoms have been experienced by a lot of us old guys who have shelves and shelves of master tapes, and then some client comes to us from the 70s and wishes to have a copy of their mixes. Sounds easy. However, it is not...

Best to you.
Byll

Bob Weston · Post by **Bob Weston** » Sun Feb 12, 2012 2:05 pm

Yup. That tape needs to be baked. The machine is fine. Clean it well after playing that sticky tape.

bw

Bob Weston · Post by **Bob Weston** » Sun Feb 12, 2012 2:06 pm

Yup. That tape needs to be baked. The machine is fine. Clean it well after playing that sticky tape.

bw

palinilap · Post by **palinilap** » Sun Feb 12, 2012 2:59 pm

Wow, that's actually really good news, desipite the stickiness to clean up.

It makes sense as the start of the reel was unaffected, and the further in the reel I got, the worse it got.

Thanks for the input.

donny · Post by **donny** » Sun Feb 12, 2012 11:48 pm

what kind of tape is it? some older tapes (like Scotch 175) squeal but don't go sticky. baking will actually make this tape worse, since it's dried out (I think it's a loss of lubricant issue).

These tapes are likely on 7" reels; NEVER BAKE PLASTIC REELS!

palinilap · Post by **palinilap** » Mon Feb 13, 2012 5:55 am

donny wrote:what kind of tape is it? some older tapes (like Scotch 175) squeal but don't go sticky. baking will actually make this tape worse, since it's dried out (I think it's a loss of lubricant issue).

These tapes are likely on 7" reels; NEVER BAKE PLASTIC REELS!

It's Sony ULH back-coated tape, apparently known for this.

I've got Ampex 641 on the way, which will rule out other causes if it works ok.

Dominick Costanzo · Post by **Dominick Costanzo** » Mon Feb 13, 2012 12:53 pm

Keep in mind 641 is pretty low quality tape, "voice quality" is how Ampex described it.
Developed in the mid 60's, it has dramatically less dynamic range and HF retentivity compared to modern tape.
Best bet for your TEAC 1230 would be new RMGI LPR 35.

palinilap · Post by **palinilap** » Mon Feb 13, 2012 3:55 pm

Dominick Costanzo wrote:Keep in mind 641 is pretty low quality tape, "voice quality" is how Ampex described it.
Developed in the mid 60's, it has dramatically less dynamic range and HF retentivity compared to modern tape.
Best bet for your TEAC 1230 would be new RMGI LPR 35.

I've heard a lot of differing opinions on this. Some shudder at the thought of using high grade tape, and say the lower grade stuff is better because that's what the machine was biased for, and what the record eq caps are designed to compensate for.

I think I'll end up trying a little bit of everything until discovering what works best, and eventually try out the RMGI and Quantegy 456.

donny · Post by **donny** » Mon Feb 13, 2012 8:15 pm

641 will sound cool if you want a '60s type sound. it's also way more stable than most of the tapes that came later.

rogersbarton · Post by **rogersbarton** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 5:52 am

Well at least the machine is not broken. That's great news.

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