Fostex E-16 FF & RW Slowly... Plus newb issues.
- AnalogousGumdropDecoder
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Fostex E-16 FF & RW Slowly... Plus newb issues.
I've already tried to use the "Search" tool to find something relevant, just as I do every time I have a problem; but as always the results are really wonky. I've also been googling it for a while, and came up with one thread somewhere about this issue but the thread peters out without much of a clear-cut answer. Rest assured, I have tried to find answers on my own. Please don't bite the newb.
I finally got my reel-to-reel recorder hooked up for the first time (Fostex E-16 1/2" tape machine). I am using an Ampex 456 reel if that is important. I have zilch experience using these things, so I sat down and read the whole manual and followed all of the instructions for hooking it up. Tape threading instructions were kind of vague, they just basically show a picture of the recorder with a tape run through it. So I HOPE I got it strung up right. It plays, anyway. One thing I'm not sure is how you're supposed to lock the end of the tape onto the empty (right side) reel when you're threading it? I just held it in place until I got a couple of rotations on it. That could be wrong???
What it doesn't do correctly is fast-forward and rewind. Sometimes it does. Usually not. If I punch the FF or RW button, the tape runs really really slowly. Way more slowly than it does when the tape is playing. I don't know what all these parts are called, but the two outermost posts that you run the tape around after coming off of the first full (left side) reel and then last before threading onto the second empty (right side) reel are the parts I'm talking about. They aren't static. They float up like they're spring-loaded when the tape is wrapped around them. ANyway. If I lift one of those up (which one depends on whether I'm fast-forwarding or rewinding) it will speed up and go really fast. But if I don't touch them then it just rewinds and fast-forwards INSANELY slowly. No problem when playing the tape.
What is going on here?
Thanks so much.
I finally got my reel-to-reel recorder hooked up for the first time (Fostex E-16 1/2" tape machine). I am using an Ampex 456 reel if that is important. I have zilch experience using these things, so I sat down and read the whole manual and followed all of the instructions for hooking it up. Tape threading instructions were kind of vague, they just basically show a picture of the recorder with a tape run through it. So I HOPE I got it strung up right. It plays, anyway. One thing I'm not sure is how you're supposed to lock the end of the tape onto the empty (right side) reel when you're threading it? I just held it in place until I got a couple of rotations on it. That could be wrong???
What it doesn't do correctly is fast-forward and rewind. Sometimes it does. Usually not. If I punch the FF or RW button, the tape runs really really slowly. Way more slowly than it does when the tape is playing. I don't know what all these parts are called, but the two outermost posts that you run the tape around after coming off of the first full (left side) reel and then last before threading onto the second empty (right side) reel are the parts I'm talking about. They aren't static. They float up like they're spring-loaded when the tape is wrapped around them. ANyway. If I lift one of those up (which one depends on whether I'm fast-forwarding or rewinding) it will speed up and go really fast. But if I don't touch them then it just rewinds and fast-forwards INSANELY slowly. No problem when playing the tape.
What is going on here?
Thanks so much.
- AnalogousGumdropDecoder
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- A.David.MacKinnon
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- AnalogousGumdropDecoder
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If you're reasonably certain that the tape isn't sticky and gumming up the transport with it's own marinade, it sounds like a FF/RW tension issue. It's not holding the tape tightly enough to get into full speed rewind. There are usually some trimpots to adjust it...if you have a service manual, it'll spell it all out clearly.
- AnalogousGumdropDecoder
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Yeah, it doesn't say in the regular User's Manual... I can't find a Service Manual online anywhere... Not digital or a physical copy for sale. I don't know about the tape stickiness. The manual says to clean it with 100% isopropyl and i don't know whether I've ever seen anything below 90%. One of the posts on the part where the play and record heads are definitely had a bunch of nasty shit on it though which I'm going to try and get off.
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For a service manual, call Fosetx, and have a credit card ready. Last time I had to call them, they were very helpful.
If you've got sticky tape, the brown stuff will be coming off the tape, and sticking to the tape guides and stuff, making a hell of a mess. It'll build up everywhere, and the tape might squeak as it goes by. It'll also be so gummed up that it won't play very well.
If it plays OK, it's likely just the FF/RW tension adjustment.
If you've got sticky tape, the brown stuff will be coming off the tape, and sticking to the tape guides and stuff, making a hell of a mess. It'll build up everywhere, and the tape might squeak as it goes by. It'll also be so gummed up that it won't play very well.
If it plays OK, it's likely just the FF/RW tension adjustment.
- AnalogousGumdropDecoder
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- AnalogousGumdropDecoder
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you can buy new RMGI 911. Also you can try to find used Quantegy 456, there is some on ebay right now.
I have both an E-16 and an E-22 and I am having the same exact problem on my E-22. I just finished calibrating the tension as well as the FF and RW speeds, basically a full mechanical alignment. It got better but not perfect (still does this occasionally). I am about at my wits end....
BTW Tentelometers are NOT cheap!
I have both an E-16 and an E-22 and I am having the same exact problem on my E-22. I just finished calibrating the tension as well as the FF and RW speeds, basically a full mechanical alignment. It got better but not perfect (still does this occasionally). I am about at my wits end....
BTW Tentelometers are NOT cheap!
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when threading the tape, pressing the stop button puts the machine into edit mode. the reels should start spinning if you don't hold them. this will allow you to get a few starter rotations. then press stop again. while in edit mode you should be able to do the rocker arm thing in either direction to move the tape back and forth into your desired position.
it's most likely a tension problem, but there is a possibility that there is a logic problem. the machine is designed to bahave somewhat like you are describing when you hold down the ff/rw buttons, so the machine might think you are holding it down. also, pressing ff/rw and the stop button concurrently is supposed to put the machine in slow wind. this function is designed to pancake the reel for proper storage. when all is working properly it's just a bitchin' little system. hope this helps
it's most likely a tension problem, but there is a possibility that there is a logic problem. the machine is designed to bahave somewhat like you are describing when you hold down the ff/rw buttons, so the machine might think you are holding it down. also, pressing ff/rw and the stop button concurrently is supposed to put the machine in slow wind. this function is designed to pancake the reel for proper storage. when all is working properly it's just a bitchin' little system. hope this helps
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Re: Fostex E-16 FF & RW Slowly... Plus newb issues.
I'm having this exact issue on an E-16 I just bought. I paid a bit over $2000 for the whole package with shipping. Hoping something can be done because I don't think I can return it.
The FF and RW won't work very well. I can see the reels starting to turn but only very very slightly. I don't know if this has something to do with it but the left clutch/tension arm thing as bent during shipping. The seller says it's tape drag or something putting too much tension on the tape.
The FF and RW won't work very well. I can see the reels starting to turn but only very very slightly. I don't know if this has something to do with it but the left clutch/tension arm thing as bent during shipping. The seller says it's tape drag or something putting too much tension on the tape.
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- zen recordist
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Re: Fostex E-16 FF & RW Slowly... Plus newb issues.
A bent tension arm could really mess with the tape path. I don't know the machine, or if replacements are readily available, but that should be addressed, and then a mechanical and tension adjustment.HSLand wrote: ↑Sat Oct 23, 2021 4:55 pmI'm having this exact issue on an E-16 I just bought. I paid a bit over $2000 for the whole package with shipping. Hoping something can be done because I don't think I can return it.
The FF and RW won't work very well. I can see the reels starting to turn but only very very slightly. I don't know if this has something to do with it but the left clutch/tension arm thing as bent during shipping. The seller says it's tape drag or something putting too much tension on the tape.
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