#605

Here’s a copy of the manual in English:
https://www.steampoweredradio.com/pdf/marantz/manuals/Marantz%20PMD420%20and%20PMD430%20Stereo%20Cassette%20Recorder%20Owners%20Manual.pdf
4.5 vdc center negative
I don’t see a spec for mA but my PMD221 needs at least 700mA.

1 Like
#606

let me add pics of the same mod done on my PMD222!

PMD222 pitch mod 1
PMD222 pitch mod 13024×4032 2.06 MB

1 Like
#607

PMD222 Pitch mod2
PMD222 Pitch mod23024×4032 1.46 MB

2 Likes
#608

from Lomond Ziggy Campbell

21 Likes
#609

That is incredible.

Haven’t seen this guy’s work before, subscribed.

1 Like
#610

Wow, that’s fantastic - thanks for sharing. Have been thinking about making some fun tape transport stuff but this is at another level.

1 Like
#611

You can repair your player? I have the same problem, but when i opened i see 3 wire not soldered, can i have a pic of your Tcm-5 Circuit board?

#612

Hi all,

I recently purchased a Marantz PMD-430 from eBay.

The seller claimed that it was serviced by Superscope the month before, and sent me a pdf of the receipt of the work.
I can’t be completely sure if true, simply because I don’t know where I can find the serial number on the unit itself.

By the way the recorder arrived here:

Line out works ok for playing tapes,
But as I tried to record something onto a new cassette all I could hear was a loud (ground type?) noise completely covering the recording,
Something similar to touching a cable’s plug with nothing attached.
I can also sort of modulate the noise by touching the strap hooks like it was a circuit bending noise box!

Microphone input works ok, no noise here when monitoring neither after recording,
But if I switch on the DBX the R meter stop moving until I switch it off.
Audio was playing on both channel when monitoring and after recording though,
I’m confused…

I didn’t try DBX when using line input because I stopped test the recorder almost immediately,
as I was really deluded and upset by the faults of this “serviced” Marantz.

The unit it’s been used with brand new batteries since I don’t have a proper power adapter.

Package was perfect so no evident damage during shipping occurred.

I started a controversy and after a couple of days I received a “courtesy refund” from eBay of the total price I paid, so no tragedy for me and for the seller too.

Unfortunately I’m here with a broken unit and I don’t know what to do,
Any suggestions?

Thanks’

#613

I have a PMD-430 that needs some work done on it too although mine sounds to have less issues than yours - It doesn’t work when powered with an adapter but does work on batteries.

There’s probably places you / we could ask to get info on potentially servicing them ourselves, otherwise I guess it’s a case of getting it serviced somewhere but I get the feeling that would be pretty pricey.

1 Like
#614

Just since you didn’t specifically mention it—did you switch the input from “mic” to “line”? I have the 221 so it’s a bit different, but I’ve definitely confused myself a couple times forgetting to switch the input. Don’t have a DBX on mine so not sure how that’s supposed to work I’m afraid.

EDIT: oh it looks like the 430 doesn’t have a switch? from the picture I could find of it… that’s very odd. https://www.fullcompass.com/common/files/2039-PMDRecordersDataSheet.pdf and this data sheet says it only has 1/4" input? EDIT AGAIN: oh only 1/4" mic inputs so they’re not counting line inputs, but does that mean line inputs are only meant to be monitored not recorded to tape? Sorry thought I could help but you prolly need a PMD 430 owner >_<

#615

Hi,
Thanks for your help but no, the PMD-430 has 2 different kinds of stereo inputs:
1 stereo rca line input and 1 stereo mic jack inputs.
Mic input works ok, but line inputs not.

image
image828×592 189 KB

2 Likes
#616

Well this may not help you diagnose it, but if you can find the problem this might help:

Marantz-PMD-430-Service-Manual.pdf (6.2 MB)

Marantz CP/PMD-430 Record issue - Tapeheads Tape, Audio and Music Forums this problem sounds somewhat similar to yours and someone suggested “Maybe clean the mechanical record/playback switch.” for whatever that’s worth… Not the most helpful thing, but all I could find lol.

Again, a PMD 430 owner will likely be more help to you, and I’m pretty sure there’s a few of them around here!

2 Likes
#617

I have a PMD-221 that does this same thing, including the “touching the strap hooks” part. Weirdly, I was usually able to get the noise to go away by setting the deck vertically, but not super reliably. The deck is currently at a local shop getting a basic servicing; if it comes back without the issue I can let you know.

1 Like
#618

and

When you get the buzz is it only via the RCA line in?

1 Like
#619

Hi, yes.
There’s buzz only via RCA line in.

1 Like
#620

Do you get any audio at all or is it just buzz? Does the buzz go away if you unplug the RCA cables? If so, how about with just one RCA cable attached? Buzz on both L and R?

1 Like
#621

Hi,
There’s audio too, but it is far behind the buzz though.
Buzz goes away when I unplug the RCA cable,
with just one cable connected there’s buzz only on the side plugged in.

Thank you for your help!

#622

Sounds like it’s probably a ground issue. Either the RCA jacks on the tape recorder need to be checked out for a broken/weak solder joint—common and simple issue, could have happened in shipping or just because these decks are old—or the grounding issue is somewhere in all the gear being plugged into the tape recorder. Try plugging your RCA cable into a set of speakers to confirm the noise isn’t up there. From here I’d go to the topic about ground loop issues.

1 Like
#623

Cables are ok, I tried them plugged from line output to speakers and they didn’t produce any buzz with a prerecorded cassette.

I also tried recording via RCA line inputs with different cables/configurations and I always had various degrees of the same buzz:

  • Cassette Walkman headphone out (mini jack) to RCA line in
  • Handheld recorder line out (mini jack) to RCA line in (made in a different room with different active speakers)
  • Mixer rec out (RCA) to RCA line in
  • Turntable Phono Preamp out (RCA) to RCA line in

Again, I’m really grateful for your help!

1 Like
#624

First patch with a modded cassette player-recorder that @coitmusic put together for me. It’s excellent. (Similar ones are in the possession of @nkozi and @renegog.) The audio is a Buddha Machine as sequenced in a PO-33, recorded to tape, and then played back, the speed altered by an LFO from a Batumi (via a WMD/SSF SPO). I think it’s within the realm of this thread to post the end result.

Additional pictures of the device at:

https://disquiet.com/2021/01/22/cassette-bent/

7 Likes