Message Board

Don't get an ADAT! They're digital, yet they have all the potential transport problems of a tape machine. They use VHS tapes, but only to encode digital information. And they sound awful. Often described as the worst of both worlds. That Tascam unit is digital as well, but doesn't have moving parts ...

Hey folks,

This is in regard to the 'ol RodC modification of an Akai M8 amp. I'm replacing the multicap filter cap (2X20uF 350V) What I have in the drawer is a couple 33uF 450V caps. These should be fine right?

If you have all 16 tracks full, what would you record back to? I'm sure in a pinch, the occasional tape track>compressor>tape track works, but if you start doing that all over the place, you'll notice your noise floor going through the roof because the compressor brings up tape hiss when used post t...

Hey,

If anybody out there has one of these in the closet that needs new belts that you're looking to sell for el cheapo, let me know ($50-$100) I want one. I got big basement plans for the summer.

PM or email

jonw541 at yahoo dot com

Scum, I can't believe you're not all over that shit. (No room?) The JLM modification for the eq makes it really really good. (for folks interested in the PM2K, the mid band eqs aren't very useful as it is. The bands are very narrow. Maybe that can be remedied by some resistor changes, but the best b...

Whoah. False alarm. So I unscrewed the VU meter section and pulled it out/down (it's on hinges) and rechecked w/ the magnetometer and the heads are clear of magnetism. Phew! It was the VU meters! Damn. They sure do have a big magnetic field. Thanks Nick. Yeah, one of the first things I did with the ...

I should chime in and give Michael Joly a plug for re ribboning my Apex 205 (w/ closer to a Coles style ribbon thickness) I replaced the transformer, as well, with a Cinemag, but the ribbon change makes a much bigger difference, imo. It's more sensitive and extended up top. I destroyed my ribbon try...

Don't worry about a mismatch, just try that switch when you have everything plugged in and see which setting gives you enough volume/headroom The Otari's ins and outs (though they are XLR's) are unbalanced, so the connection from the busses of the board is still going to be unbalanced. Regardless, u...

So, I have the 2 RB Annis tools, the Han D Mag, and the magnetometer. I've been working on an MX5050 two track, and it been a long time since I degaussed it, so I did the usual. I was about 3 or 4 feet away when I turned the han d mag on, came in at 45 degree angle, went slow. I know the drill fairl...

As far as aligning the MX5050, there's a lot to learn. The manual is pretty confusing concerning exactly how to measure the right level going in/out of the machine (using true RMS voltmeter, but where ground the negative lead?) Can the mixing console generate tones? I'm lucky enough to have one that...

I took a look at a pic of the back of the M512 mixer. Looks like most connectors are RCA. You probably will eventually want to try to find the cleanest way in/out of the mixer. Looks like you might have direct outs out on the mixer channel mic preamps?. I'd wire those RCA tip to pin three on the Ota...

Well, it took me awhile, but I had rattling around in the back of my head this notion that the amount of overbias dramatically effects the sound of how different instruments sound coming off tape, gleaned from posts here or there from one or some of y'all long ago. Also reading that 3.5dB overbias f...

That does look exactly like my tascam 122mKIII capstan board. I know because I just replaced all those caps. It's quite likely that Tascam used the same motor and board for the 238 though. Somebody on ebay had idler tires for cheap, of all kinds of tascam cassette machines. Here's a good thread abou...

Was that the one that was on craigslist for awhile? In inner SE? That looked like a pretty good buy to me. Glad somebody on here got it. Make sure the tape lifters are lifting the tape off the heads enough during fast transport. Also, this appears to be a good link for the relays in those machines t...

I've only used outboard units, but as far as digital goes, I haven't liked any of the newer higher resolution stuff (like Kurzwiel) My main verbs are the Alesis Wedge and the Roland SRV 330. I think I might like the Roland a little better. When tweaked right, both of those boxes can give a really co...