Recursive Delete Audio/Visual
@recdel.com
Cassette multitrack recorder repair service.
Owned & operated by Jack Saturn in Huntsville, AL, USA. #recdel
Contact: https://recdel.com/contact
Email list: https://recdel.com/list
Owned & operated by Jack Saturn in Huntsville, AL, USA. #recdel
Contact: https://recdel.com/contact
Email list: https://recdel.com/list
I have a Tascam 424mkIII multitrack cassette recorder going out for sale to my e-mail list at 6 PM Central! (If you're in the market for a 4-track and you're not already on the list, I encourage you to join: recdel.com/list ) #recdel #4track
May 24, 2025 at 10:32 PM
I have a Tascam 424mkIII multitrack cassette recorder going out for sale to my e-mail list at 6 PM Central! (If you're in the market for a 4-track and you're not already on the list, I encourage you to join: recdel.com/list ) #recdel #4track
As is common with the Tascam 424mkII, there was a very minor crack extending outward from one of the PCB screw holes — in this case it prevented tracks 2 & 3 from recording/playing back consistently. I probed the broken signal paths and installed four jumper wires to correct the problem. #recdel
April 24, 2025 at 9:03 PM
As is common with the Tascam 424mkII, there was a very minor crack extending outward from one of the PCB screw holes — in this case it prevented tracks 2 & 3 from recording/playing back consistently. I probed the broken signal paths and installed four jumper wires to correct the problem. #recdel
Marantz didn't make it easy to reach the PMD 740's headphone jacks! These two had broken solder joints, so I had to partially remove a number of layers of PCBs to reach and reflow them. Also, check out the straight-up *mud* that I cleaned out of the faders! #recdel
April 17, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Marantz didn't make it easy to reach the PMD 740's headphone jacks! These two had broken solder joints, so I had to partially remove a number of layers of PCBs to reach and reflow them. Also, check out the straight-up *mud* that I cleaned out of the faders! #recdel
Replaced the broken Clutch Assembly in a Marantz PMD 720. (Left is the old one, right is the new one.) Play didn't work when it arrived, now it does! Also cleaned up some evidence of a previous insect infestation. This machine just needs cleaning and testing before returning to the client. #recdel
April 3, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Replaced the broken Clutch Assembly in a Marantz PMD 720. (Left is the old one, right is the new one.) Play didn't work when it arrived, now it does! Also cleaned up some evidence of a previous insect infestation. This machine just needs cleaning and testing before returning to the client. #recdel
We spent a number of hours today A/B testing a handful of Library of Congress C-1 machines, swapping parts/tires in and out. The goal: to deduce why some have sluggish FF/RW yet others don't. Getting to the bottom of it! Next we'll swap in a NOS capstan motor to gauge improvement. #recdel
April 1, 2025 at 9:28 PM
We spent a number of hours today A/B testing a handful of Library of Congress C-1 machines, swapping parts/tires in and out. The goal: to deduce why some have sluggish FF/RW yet others don't. Getting to the bottom of it! Next we'll swap in a NOS capstan motor to gauge improvement. #recdel
Replacing the capstan motor in a client's Tascam 424mkIII, I noticed the motor wiggling due to hardened rubber grommets. Replaced 'em with still-flexible ones from another machine. Next I'll be 🕵️♀️-ing around McMaster-Carr, hoping to stock future replacements. #recdel
March 31, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Replacing the capstan motor in a client's Tascam 424mkIII, I noticed the motor wiggling due to hardened rubber grommets. Replaced 'em with still-flexible ones from another machine. Next I'll be 🕵️♀️-ing around McMaster-Carr, hoping to stock future replacements. #recdel
Got a working record/playback head transplanted into this Tascam 464. Track 1's record level needed slight adjustment after that, but then all tracks were recording at an equal volume. Satisfying to finally get this machine to the 🏁 line. #recdel
March 29, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Got a working record/playback head transplanted into this Tascam 464. Track 1's record level needed slight adjustment after that, but then all tracks were recording at an equal volume. Satisfying to finally get this machine to the 🏁 line. #recdel
Machine #3 was the one from yesterday with fused pinch roller. That one's tested, boxed and ready to return to Brooklyn. Whew!
March 25, 2025 at 1:58 AM
Machine #3 was the one from yesterday with fused pinch roller. That one's tested, boxed and ready to return to Brooklyn. Whew!
More progress today on a trio of Akai MG614 units. Machine #1 had a broken, unfixable door, so I drilled a hole and bent a paperclip into place — see pics! — allowing a spring to attach and the Eject function to work despite the broken plastic. (Details about the other two in the comments). #recdel
March 25, 2025 at 1:55 AM
More progress today on a trio of Akai MG614 units. Machine #1 had a broken, unfixable door, so I drilled a hole and bent a paperclip into place — see pics! — allowing a spring to attach and the Eject function to work despite the broken plastic. (Details about the other two in the comments). #recdel
A Sunday night with some Akai MG614s. One had its pinch roller arm fused to the shaft by hardened lubricant, which is always a workout to get loose! Thankfully that's done and now I'm addressing idler tire issues on one and a cassette-loading problem on the other. #recdel
March 24, 2025 at 1:27 AM
A Sunday night with some Akai MG614s. One had its pinch roller arm fused to the shaft by hardened lubricant, which is always a workout to get loose! Thankfully that's done and now I'm addressing idler tire issues on one and a cassette-loading problem on the other. #recdel
Dealing with a Tascam 464 with low record levels on tracks 3 & 4. After swapping wires around and ruling out all other components, I've determined the record/playback head itself has some kind of internal problem. Bummer! Next step is to source a replacement head from a parts machine. #recdel
March 22, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Dealing with a Tascam 464 with low record levels on tracks 3 & 4. After swapping wires around and ruling out all other components, I've determined the record/playback head itself has some kind of internal problem. Bummer! Next step is to source a replacement head from a parts machine. #recdel
Boxing this Tascam 424mkIII for its return to Pennsylvania. It arrived with broken solder joints on the RCA jacks, plus lifted solder pads on channel 1's Trim pot, causing low input volume. Fixed these, installed new rubber parts & tactile switches, calibrated and tested. 💯 #recdel
March 21, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Boxing this Tascam 424mkIII for its return to Pennsylvania. It arrived with broken solder joints on the RCA jacks, plus lifted solder pads on channel 1's Trim pot, causing low input volume. Fixed these, installed new rubber parts & tactile switches, calibrated and tested. 💯 #recdel
Another 4-track machine returned to a client in Nashville last weekend! One of the gears in the tape mechanism had been fused to its shaft, preventing the heads from engaging with the tape. A full deep-cleaning, fresh lubrication and new belts brought it back to life. #recdel
March 20, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Another 4-track machine returned to a client in Nashville last weekend! One of the gears in the tape mechanism had been fused to its shaft, preventing the heads from engaging with the tape. A full deep-cleaning, fresh lubrication and new belts brought it back to life. #recdel
There was so much debris inside this Marantz PMD 740 we cleaned out today, it was almost like a nest. We fully expected a tiny, enthusiastic bird or mouse to appear, proclaiming, "So, you'd like to learn about 4-track recording, eh?" before taking us on an adventure. It was *that* dirty! #recdel
March 19, 2025 at 11:35 PM
There was so much debris inside this Marantz PMD 740 we cleaned out today, it was almost like a nest. We fully expected a tiny, enthusiastic bird or mouse to appear, proclaiming, "So, you'd like to learn about 4-track recording, eh?" before taking us on an adventure. It was *that* dirty! #recdel
Returned this Tascam 424mkII 4-track recorder in Nashville yesterday! Refurbished a burnt-out capstan motor and some blown fuses, updated the rubber parts, then deep-cleaned and fully calibrated the machine as usual. The clients will be using it for loop tapes and various recording. #recdel
March 15, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Returned this Tascam 424mkII 4-track recorder in Nashville yesterday! Refurbished a burnt-out capstan motor and some blown fuses, updated the rubber parts, then deep-cleaned and fully calibrated the machine as usual. The clients will be using it for loop tapes and various recording. #recdel
Dropped some science on Reddit regarding the monitoring options on the Tascam 424mkII. https://www.reddit.com/r/cassetteculture/comments/1ja36mf/tascam_portastudio_424_mkii_question/ #recdel
March 13, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Dropped some science on Reddit regarding the monitoring options on the Tascam 424mkII. https://www.reddit.com/r/cassetteculture/comments/1ja36mf/tascam_portastudio_424_mkii_question/ #recdel
Worked on a Tascam 688 this morning; tape speed was all over the place. Usually this means that the motor's voltage regulator needs replacing. In this case that didn't fix it — had to install a motor from my inventory (always a last resort since they're so rare). Speed is consistent now! #recdel
March 12, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Worked on a Tascam 688 this morning; tape speed was all over the place. Usually this means that the motor's voltage regulator needs replacing. In this case that didn't fix it — had to install a motor from my inventory (always a last resort since they're so rare). Speed is consistent now! #recdel
Looking for a Pioneer CT-M6R 6-cassette changer? There's one at an estate sale near me this week. (FYI, prices at this sale will go to 50% on Saturday.) If anybody wants me to pick it up for 'em, let me know! #recdel
March 10, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Looking for a Pioneer CT-M6R 6-cassette changer? There's one at an estate sale near me this week. (FYI, prices at this sale will go to 50% on Saturday.) If anybody wants me to pick it up for 'em, let me know! #recdel
Recently acquired two Tascam 238 units which I'll be refurbishing to sell as a pair. If the buyer doesn't have a mixer I can help source one, as well as the Tascam MTS-1000 Midiizer needed to sync the two units together. Who's got a studio that could use the deluxe cassette treatment? 😎 #recdel
March 8, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Recently acquired two Tascam 238 units which I'll be refurbishing to sell as a pair. If the buyer doesn't have a mixer I can help source one, as well as the Tascam MTS-1000 Midiizer needed to sync the two units together. Who's got a studio that could use the deluxe cassette treatment? 😎 #recdel
Up until 2 AM last night wrestling with a client's Tascam 464. Solved a ground popping problem by replacing some quad switches, now trying to find the source of low record levels on all tracks. (I suspect more bad switches.) This is the last issue left to tackle before this one's at 100%. #recdel
March 6, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Up until 2 AM last night wrestling with a client's Tascam 464. Solved a ground popping problem by replacing some quad switches, now trying to find the source of low record levels on all tracks. (I suspect more bad switches.) This is the last issue left to tackle before this one's at 100%. #recdel
Provided some guidance on Reddit for a new 4-track user whose Fostex XR-5 "will only play back in reverse." https://www.reddit.com/r/cassetteculture/comments/1j3wdsu/fostex_xr5_will_only_play_back_in_reverse/ #recdel
March 5, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Provided some guidance on Reddit for a new 4-track user whose Fostex XR-5 "will only play back in reverse." https://www.reddit.com/r/cassetteculture/comments/1j3wdsu/fostex_xr5_will_only_play_back_in_reverse/ #recdel
Replaced all 21 tactile switches on the LCD PCB. This Tascam 464 also had issues with its tape mechanism, indicating many hours of use; replacing the switches increases the functional lifespan. As I say in my repair notes: "All transport buttons now have a satisfying, responsive click." #recdel
March 5, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Replaced all 21 tactile switches on the LCD PCB. This Tascam 464 also had issues with its tape mechanism, indicating many hours of use; replacing the switches increases the functional lifespan. As I say in my repair notes: "All transport buttons now have a satisfying, responsive click." #recdel
Finished up the Yamaha MT400 I was working on last week. Perfect operating condition now, new belts, etc. Still need to find (or design) a replacement pitch knob cap. It's the only cap of its size/color on this model and the MT400 itself is rare, so there aren't many parts floating around. #recdel
March 5, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Finished up the Yamaha MT400 I was working on last week. Perfect operating condition now, new belts, etc. Still need to find (or design) a replacement pitch knob cap. It's the only cap of its size/color on this model and the MT400 itself is rare, so there aren't many parts floating around. #recdel