How to use a calibration tape?

[violarules]

I am the proud new owner of a Tascam 42 master recorder, and I would like to properly calibrate the heads. However, I'm unclear as to how to use a claibration tape. As I understand it, a claibration tape has different frenquencies, and you should match the level of those frequencies, but how? I'm guessing you have to adjust the head alignment or azimuth in some way, or is there another adjustment? I just ordered a manual online, so that should shed some light on things, but can anyone help me in the meantime with the theory behind it? :help:

Thanks

[Steve Hoffman]

STOP!

Don't adjust anything. Those heads are usually rock solid in alignment. If you fart around you might permanently misalign the heads.

My Tascam is 15 years old and the heads are still in perfect alignment.

[LesPaul666]

STOP!

Don't adjust anything. Those heads are usually rock solid in alignment. If you fart around you might permanently misalign the heads.

My Tascam is 15 years old and the heads are still in perfect alignment.


Yes, for some reason, these machines are REALLY stable when it comes to alignment. It's weird, I've played tapes mixed down on other brand machines, and never had to touch mine, since it was new. EVER. I would just keep it clean, and do so, every time you use it.:agree:

[violarules]

Excellent! Straight from the horse's mouth so to speak :winkgrin:

Thanks! That saves me some bucks on a calibration tape.

:thumbsup:

[Steve Hoffman]

Excellent! Straight from the horse's mouth so to speak :winkgrin:

Thanks! That saves me some bucks on a calibration tape.

:thumbsup:

Enjoy your new machine.

Be sure to spring for some nice sounding cables. They really make a difference with Tascam machines. You should use a slightly euphonic sounding cable.

[Rolf Erickson]

The common Owner's Manual is probably not going to discuss alignment tape procedures.

The calibrated tape is used to establish playback levels to align the meters and 2 channels of electronics to a "standard" level. Also you can determine physical head azimuth alignment for best high end performance. While playing back some of the high-frequency bands of the caltape, see if the levels are keeping up with the levels of the middle or 1,000 cycle tones.. If they are off by more than a few db, and can't be brought up by "tweaking" the high end eq on the Play Back electronics, you may, if you dare, carefully make tiny adjustments to the playback head azimuth, which is the amount of perpendicular-ity.. of the head to the length of the tape.. Theoretically, should be 90 degrees from the tape travel, the smallest bit off, can ruin the high end performance. Do it with extreme prejudice. I am an old pro at this, have not done much since closing the studio in 1982. If you are not experienced, don't do it, as other have advised, unless no other path is open to you... Usually these decks are just fine from the factory, and if nobody has monkey'd around, or dropped it, it should still be fine. You should obtain a degausser, (demagnetizer) to maintain that the heads and guides are not magneticly charged. Clean the tape path like an Obsessive Compulsive person... including the rubber pinch-roller. Check the heads for wear, do they have a "channel" cut into the face, like a little ridge on either side of a 1/4" "canyon"..? This can cause poor tape contact, and result in one or both channels with muddy high frequency sound.. Before you try anything with alignment, clean the devil out of the tape path and try it. Have fun, and good luck. Rolf E.

[Simon A]

That's a mean collection you've got there! Beautiful machines! :love:

[lemonjello]

I recommend reading this pdf article on the MRL website. http://home.flash.net/~mrltapes/
It's a pdf called "Choosing and Using MRL Calibration Tapes" http://www.flash.net/%7Emrltapes/choo&u.pdf
It may not always be an easy read, but you'll learn allot from it. Also, don't make any electrical adjustments until you have the service manual.

Steve's right (why wouldn't he be :D ) about adjusting the heads. I only had to adjust the head azimuth once in my life when a machine was kind of dropped. To do this, you better have an oscilloscope and know EXACTLY what your doing.

Happy listening,
Jake

[Pinknik]

Be sure to spring for some nice sounding cables. They really make a difference with Tascam machines. You should use a slightly euphonic sounding cable.

Anything particular in mind?

[Mister Charlie]

Nice pix.

sigh

I miss my Teac 4 channel. It was the love of my life for years.

[william shears]

Yes beautiful machine. I had one, recorded quite a bit of music and it sounded just wonderful. But having some painting done in the house I had to store it. So it went into a cupboard. When I went to retrieve it a few weeks later it toppled and fell forward. Top heavy. Bang..both spindles bent inward and spindle housings pushed into the machine. 'Donald Ducked' as a cockney might say..right off!:cry: There was a wooden stand that came with it, allowed the unit to tilt backwards. Should have used it or placed it down flat.
Sigh...
But enjoy it, it's a lovely piece of gear.
(anyone want to buy/swap an unopened box of Quantegy tape?)

[violarules]

Anything particular in mind?


That's what I was going to ask. Would Mogami be a good choice? That's the only high-quality cable brand I know of.

[Toka]

"Euphonic" = high capacitance, usually...

[Steve Hoffman]

Anything particular in mind?

You mean a slightly euphonic cable? Well, it offsets the slightly hard sound of the Tascam. Hmmm, I can't think of a brand name offhand. Something pure copper, no silver wire...

Anyone? Something inexpensive.

[Toka]

The Cardas Quadlink-Five C would give you plenty of 'warmth'.