Multitrack Tape Recorder Repairs?

Subject: Multitrack Cassette Recorder Repairs?
From: M.Ted
Date: 19 May 04 - 01:23 PM

I have a Yamaha MT3X Multitrack Cassette Recorder that I used a number of years back for recording whatever came into my head and susequent noodling--I hadn't used it for a long time, and when I plugged it in this AM to copy some old stuff, I found that the tape drive doesn't work. Any suggestions?

Subject: RE: Multitrack Tape Recorder Repairs?
From: Leraud
Date: 19 May 04 - 01:25 PM

No, no suggestions at all, but I would like a multi track recorder - something really simple to use and just four track. If anyone's got any thoughts, I'd be glad to hear from them.

Subject: RE: Multitrack Tape Recorder Repairs?
From: jeffp
Date: 19 May 04 - 01:39 PM

M.Ted - what are the symptoms? I have a Tascam 4-track that I hadn't used in years. When I tried to record something, the tape wouldn't move. I opened it up and found a broken drive belt. I ordered one online and replaced it myself. Less than 20 bucks to repair a deck that cost 1,000 new. Of course, they're much cheaper now, but repairs aren't.

Subject: RE: Multitrack Tape Recorder Repairs?
From: Willie-O
Date: 19 May 04 - 05:02 PM

Probably fixable. I had the drive motor replaced on my Tascam 244 for $70 Canadian.

If the heads are shot, that's probably a different story. But if it doesn't drive at all, probably belt or motor.

The indicator for the motor needing replacement is, if it runs, it runs really really fast.   Oddly enough.   

My 244 is hiding under the stairs--last time I tried to use it there were nasty-sounding squeals, I think I used the wrong kind of fluid for head cleaner. Oops.

Subject: RE: Multitrack Tape Recorder Repairs?
From: GUEST
Date: 19 May 04 - 06:09 PM

If it's belts (likely) change them all.

Subject: RE: Multitrack Tape Recorder Repairs?
From: M.Ted
Date: 19 May 04 - 06:23 PM

When I pop a tape in and push "Play" nothing happens--"record", it doesn't engage(you need to --the lights on the meters go on, and the spindle to the right of the tape heads spins, but the main spindles don't move at all--I haven't been able to determine if the mixing circuitry is working or not--I've never opened this guy up, and I dread it, because I don't know what has to come loose in order for it to happen--cassette players often are not really made to be repaired--

Subject: RE: Multitrack Tape Recorder Repairs?
From: GUEST
Date: 20 May 04 - 04:59 PM

It sounds like the motor or the belts. I would take it to a specialist.

Subject: RE: Multitrack Tape Recorder Repairs?
From: jeffp
Date: 20 May 04 - 05:25 PM

Sounds like the main drive belt. Same thing that happened to my Tascam. I suspect if you can take the bottom off, it will be quite obvious to you (mine was). Quite possibly user-repairable, if the part is available (which is likely).

Subject: RE: Multitrack Tape Recorder Repairs?
From: treewind
Date: 20 May 04 - 06:44 PM

I'd take it to Panic Music Services.

They're close enough for me to drive round to them, but they're good, and you can ship to them from anywhere.

Anahata

Subject: RE: Multitrack Tape Recorder Repairs?
From: M.Ted
Date: 21 May 04 - 06:25 PM

I'll take your advice on this, Jeff--but I'm going to try to locate the belt first--The problem with going to a specialist is that the bench charge, with parts, may run above well above what it would cost to buy one of the new, much cheaper units-Sounds like a great place, Anahata, but the shipping charge, from DC to the UK is way more than the unit is worth--

Subject: RE: Multitrack Tape Recorder Repairs?
From: s&r
Date: 21 May 04 - 06:39 PM

Just looking in CPC catalogue (UK electronic dealer); complete range of belts by size and profile - there has to be a similar wholesaler over there. Costs are pennies mostly.

Stu

Subject: RE: Multitrack Tape Recorder Repairs?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 22 May 04 - 12:43 AM

In Aussieland you can buy various bulk packs of assorted drive belts for only a few dollars - some packs are mainly for audio tape recorders, and others are mainly for Video players are offered by the 'audio and techie junk parts' places. If you can find such a place locally or by mail you may find this the cheapest way. And you get lots of other rubber bands to play with... :-)

Subject: RE: Multitrack Tape Recorder Repairs?
From: M.Ted
Date: 23 May 04 - 01:39 AM

I like that bulk package idea a lot--I have ane inclination to always buy more than I need--

Subject: RE: Multitrack Tape Recorder Repairs?
From: jeffp
Date: 24 May 04 - 01:53 PM

You can probably order the specific part at www.yamaha.com. If you email them a description of the part you need, someone will probably get back to you with a part number and a quote within hours. That's what I did with Tascam. The rest was simple, with just a screwdriver needed to effect the repair. Just take a good look around to see where the belt needs to go and how you can get it there. Sometimes a screw or two need to be removed so you can get the belt past a structural member. Just make sure you have a plan before you start removing screws willy-nilly.

I'm sure you can do it.

Jeff

Subject: RE: Multitrack Tape Recorder Repairs?
From: M.Ted
Date: 24 May 04 - 04:06 PM

I keep wondering that, if it is just a belt, wouldn't the transport switches work? Maybe not, I guess--anyway, we'll see--

Subject: RE: Multitrack Tape Recorder Repairs?
From: jeffp
Date: 24 May 04 - 04:27 PM

You probably want to open it up for a look before you spend any money. Believe me, a broken belt will be obvious, not test equipment needed.

A question: when you push fast forward or rewind, does anything happen? Usually, there are different belts for the spindles and the capstan. With mine, the tapes would FF or rewind, but not be driven by the capstan.

Subject: RE: Multitrack Tape Recorder Repairs?
From: s&r
Date: 25 May 04 - 08:39 AM

this is the manual download at Yamaha for the machine you have hope this helps

stu

Subject: RE: Multitrack Tape Recorder Repairs?
From: s&r
Date: 25 May 04 - 11:50 AM

sorry - link doesn't work directly - go to yamaha on the above link, click home, click audio products, enter mt3x in the box and download manual in PDF format. If you're on dial-up, take your time it's 8Meg

Stu

Subject: RE: Multitrack Tape Recorder Repairs?
From: s&r
Date: 26 May 04 - 11:49 AM

Subject: RE: Multitrack Tape Recorder Repairs?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 27 May 04 - 07:42 AM

Some reel to reel machines didn't use belts for FF or rewind, just the motors. The supply spool motor was also often give a slight backward drive to apply tension esuring that tape did not spool off during recording/playback.

Robin

Subject: RE: Multitrack Tape Recorder Repairs?
From: jeffp
Date: 27 May 04 - 08:12 AM

That's true, but this is a cassette machine, and I'm pretty sure they all use belts because it would be too crowded for direct drive.

Subject: RE: Multitrack Tape Recorder Repairs?
From: GUEST,RossG
Date: 23 Jun 04 - 10:47 PM

I have the same problem (capstan doesn't spin but FF and REW still work) on my Tascam 244. Where did that person go online to order the drive belts?

Subject: RE: Multitrack Tape Recorder Repairs?
From: M.Ted
Date: 24 Jun 04 - 05:59 PM

A bit late to reply to Jeff, but no, there is no response to either forward or rewind--I haven't gotten to this yet, though I have just discovered that my Walkman professional needs repairs as well, and I have to consider buying something new after all--

Subject: RE: Multitrack Tape Recorder Repairs? MT3X woes.
From: GUEST,muzboz
Date: 03 Jan 12 - 07:32 PM

I have a Yamaha MT3X that I bought on eBay. It arrived in a state where the mixer works, the LCD has a backlight on, but doesn't show anything happening.

But the main problem is, the tape deck is totally unresponsive.

Can't PLAY, FAST FORWARD, REWIND, and none of the other buttons show any status response on the LCD, like when I press ZERO STOP or AUTO PUNCH I/O.

There's little markers on the LCD for the status of those functions. But nothing shows up there.

It seems as if the entire tape controls section of the MT3X are kaput.

FYI M.Ted, they're very easy to open and look at inside. Just unscrew all the large screws on the back (there's 9 of them), and fold the back over. Easiest done on a large tabletop.

The wiring inside all looks fine on mine. It all looks fine really.

There's a fuse in there. I took it out and it looks fine. I powered it up like that, and nothing happens. The mixer doesn't work or anything. So I think the fuse is fine. I put it back in, and the mixer works again, and the LCD is backlit again. But no tape deck functionality, and no status display on the LCD.

Could this be due to electrolytic capacitors going bad, do you think?

I'm not sure if there's just no power getting to the tape section, or what...

Cheers.

- Murray

Subject: RE: Multitrack Tape Recorder Repairs?
From: Deckman
Date: 03 Jan 12 - 10:00 PM

I'm four years into my archiving project. So far, I've burned up six R/R machines. I finally had a ReVox custom made for my purposes. My suggestion, if you're serious about working with R/R recorders, is to locate a GOOD repair shop. They're hard to find, but there are out there.

I'm in the Seattle area. If anyone wants a recomendation for an excellant repair shop, PM me. bob(deckman)nelson