Re: [ARSCLIST] DAT Dddropouts

[eugene audio <eugeneaudio@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Richard,
   The indication that the one tape drops out at
different sections on different machines may indcate
that the original recording was defective. 
   But assuming the recording is good, I have a couple
of suggestions that might help out, if you're not
already aware of them.
   Check your pinch roller to make sure it's not
glazed. If it is, replace it. Beyond head, guides and
capstan cleaning this is the single most common cause
of dropouts I learned about while servicing Panasonic,
Tascam and Sony chassis DAT mechanical assemblies.
  When I went through the TASCAM DA88 service school
they introduced me to a "cloth-like" cleaning material
which they provide for cleaning heads by hand. It
works well on the smaller DAT heads also. I firmly
believe
cleaning by hand with the power off is a much safer
way to maintain your DAT heads . If you need more info
on that cleaning material let me know.
  Generally, manual internal tracking adjustment is
made by looking at the RF waveform pattern and
observing the rectangular shape of the entire
waveform.
It should look like a nice even rectangle, not tapered
at the ends or bowed in the middle.

Chris
eugene-audio

--- "Richard L. Hess" <arclists@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

> I've been asked to look at a DAT tape that drops out
> at different 
> spots on different players.
> 
> I experienced some of this with TDK DAT tape -- in
> fact it severely 
> clogged my first DAT machine and required me to open
> it and clean the 
> drum and guides. Not a fun thing.
> 
> I'm thinking this is the problem and I'm wondering
> things:
> 
> (1) Has anyone improved this problem by
> incubating/baking the DAT tape?
> (2) Has anyone tried incubating/baking a DAT tape
> and made it worse?
> (3) Who has a DAT cleaner (Peter?)?
> (4) Who has a manually variable tracking DAT player?
> (5) Who has an advanced automatic scan tracking
> (dynamic tracking) 
> DAT player? What models offered this?
> (6) Anyone feel comfortable tackling this? I feel
> somewhat OK with 
> this, but wish I had more tools and experience.
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> Richard
> 
> Tape Restoration Seminar:    MAY 9-12, 2006; details
> at Web site.
> Richard L. Hess                   email:
> richard@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Aurora, Ontario, Canada       (905) 713 6733    
> 1-877-TAPE-FIX
> Detailed contact information:
> http://www.richardhess.com/tape/contact.htm  
>