Cleaning a Portastudio?
Adrian Burrus
hand) and was wondering if anyone has any cleaning hints, or any other
tips/tricks they're willing to share?? So far it sounds pretty good
using a Type 2 high bias tape and my new roland microphone. I'm have
trouble mixing down digitally, however. It has 2 RCA jacks, and I bought
an RCA to 1"8 cable, but when I record on my computer it sounds fuzzy.
Thanks!
ajb
Darin Rogers
Adrian Burrus wrote:
First of all, the reason for the fuzzy sound could be quite a few things.
Too many things to talk about here. As for the cleaning, I know a bit about
that. A feather duster with some Endust could be the best investment. Use
this to clean the controls and other exterior parts. The heads, however, are
the most important thing to worry about. Buy some rubbing alcohol, at least
96% or 98%. Anything less could do more harm, since the water in it could
cause rust. Dab a swab (preferably foam, but cotton will usually do in a
pinch) in the alcohol an use it to gently clean the tape heads.
Demagnetizing isn't as necessary, but helpful. I have a cassette
demagnetizer that is shaped like a cassette, but demagnetizes when you press
play. I think it was bought at Radio Shack.
--
Darin Rogers
Home Recording Studio Tips and Techniques
http://members.tripod.com/~audio4280
Gary Trend
> Demagnetizing isn't as necessary, but helpful. I have a cassette
> demagnetizer that is shaped like a cassette, but demagnetizes when you
> press
> play. I think it was bought at Radio Shack.
>
> --
> Darin Rogers
> Home Recording Studio Tips and Techniques
> http://members.tripod.com/~audio4280
Darin,
Is the cassette demagnetiser effective ?
How often do you use it ?
I have not heard good things about these but
it is all I have and have not had a need to use
it as yet.
Regards
Gary Trend
Chris Gieseke
>
> Adrian Burrus wrote:
>
> > Hi all. I just recently bought a Tascam Portastudio 03 MKII (second
> > hand) and was wondering if anyone has any cleaning hints, or any other
> > tips/tricks they're willing to share?? So far it sounds pretty good
> > using a Type 2 high bias tape and my new roland microphone. I'm have
> > trouble mixing down digitally, however. It has 2 RCA jacks, and I bought
> > an RCA to 1"8 cable, but when I record on my computer it sounds fuzzy.
> > Thanks!
> >
> > ajb
>
> First of all, the reason for the fuzzy sound could be quite a few things.
> Too many things to talk about here. As for the cleaning, I know a bit about
> that. A feather duster with some Endust could be the best investment. Use
> this to clean the controls and other exterior parts. The heads, however, are
> the most important thing to worry about. Buy some rubbing alcohol, at least
> 96% or 98%. Anything less could do more harm, since the water in it could
> cause rust. Dab a swab (preferably foam, but cotton will usually do in a
> pinch) in the alcohol an use it to gently clean the tape heads.
> demagnetizer that is shaped like a cassette, but demagnetizes when you press
> play. I think it was bought at Radio Shack.
>
> --
> Darin Rogers
> Home Recording Studio Tips and Techniques
> http://members.tripod.com/~audio4280
I just wanted to add that also, try not to get the alcohol on the rubber
parts of the 4-track because over time it hardens the rubber and the
rubber will start to track. It's kinda deceiving at first because, at
first, when they start to harden, they look really shiny and
smooth...its only later that they start to crack. Also when its nice and
smooth like that it doesn't catch the tape well. Tascam and a few other
companies make rubber conditioner/cleaner for the rubber rollers. I
have the stuff made by Tascam and it does a great job of cleaning the
rubber and plastic parts in my Yamaha MT8-X cassette 8-track. Again
keep that stuff off the heads. If you get some on them, just wipe it off
thoroughly. Also I would advise just to use regular tape head cleaning
fluid but it is pretty much the same thing as rubbing alcohol.
As for demagnetizers...the wand demagnetizer is the best type as it
allows you to demagnetize all of the metal parts in your transport,
however the cassette ones usually work alright for the heads. Just be
sure NOT to rewind the demagnetizer tape while its in your recorder.
Use some cheap cassette player you dont like to do that, or do it with a
pen or pencil. Some types dont' need rewinding as they have a continous
loop of tape. If you use a wand type demagnetizer, turn it on far away
from the tape heads (a couple of feet away at least) then move it slowly
towards the heads, move it around all over the transport, then move it
away again to a good distance away from the heads and turn it off. If
you turn it off or on close to the tape heads, you can do irreversible
damage to your tape heads. Also try not to touch the heads directly
with the wand as that can scratch the heads...if possible use a wand
that has a little rubber protector on the end of it. Just follow the
wand's operating instructions on the wand's manual to the letter and
you'll be alright. These do the best job of demagnetizing.
For cassette units this really isn't a big deal, but if your recorder is
really old, it may be a good idea to do it. For larger tape width
reel-to-reel recorders, demagnetizing is more important. But the most
important thing is to keep the tape heads and transport clean. This
makes the biggest difference in sound quality. Unfortunatly very few
cassette 4-track and 8-track owners regularly clean their recorders.
Then they wonder why their recordings sound dull.
Chris G.
Rhys Williams
> Tascam and a few other
> companies make rubber conditioner/cleaner for the rubber rollers. I
> have the stuff made by Tascam and it does a great job of cleaning the
> rubber and plastic parts in my Yamaha MT8-X cassette 8-track.
I've seen a photo of the stuff in my Portastudio's manual but I haven't
seen it in any shops. Does anyone know of a source for the rubber
cleaner in the UK?
Rhys
Darin Rogers
> Darin,
>
> Is the cassette demagnetiser effective ?
>
> How often do you use it ?
>
> I have not heard good things about these but
> it is all I have and have not had a need to use
> it as yet.
>
> Regards
> Gary Trend
Demagnetizing is not the type of thing that improves the sound with use. It
is more of a preventative maintenance task. Therefore, I can't really tell
you if it is effective. I can tell you that it is a regular practice in the
professional studio that I go to. However, the one used there is much
different.
The more you use the recorder, the more you demagnetize. Once a week if you
use it a lot. Once a month if you use it on occasion.
Mark McQuilken
>
> > Darin,
> >
> > Is the cassette demagnetiser effective ?
> >
> > How often do you use it ?
> >
> > I have not heard good things about these but
> > it is all I have and have not had a need to use
> > it as yet.
> >
> > Regards
> > Gary Trend
>
> Demagnetizing is not the type of thing that improves the sound with use. It
> is more of a preventative maintenance task. Therefore, I can't really tell
> you if it is effective. I can tell you that it is a regular practice in the
> professional studio that I go to. However, the one used there is much
> different.
>
> The more you use the recorder, the more you demagnetize. Once a week if you
> use it a lot. Once a month if you use it on occasion.
>
> --
> Darin Rogers
BE CAREFUL! You *can* demag too much (also be careful about your demag
pattern)...if you demag when there's little residual magnetism on the
head, you'll start MAGNETIZING it... I wouldn't do it more frequently
than 1 in 20-30 hours of head use. Keep a log. Also, if you wanna be
scientific about it, get a magnetometer to measure the residual flux
then use that info to guage your demag activities...
In a state of flux in Austin,
McQ
--
Mark McQuilken
FMR Audio
http://www.fmraudio.com
(800) 343-9976
(512) 280-6557