I’ve got no idea 
But I got great help from diyaudio-forum some years ago. Here’s the thread I created - lots of helpful people turned out:
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/analogue-source/255646-4-track-cassette-repair-sharp-troubleshooters-welcome.html
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gabu
317
I am having the same exact issue with a Tascam 414 mk1. I dont have a secondary recorder to check if it is a playback or recording issue. Definitely curious to hear thoughts on this.
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eesn
318
what do you plug it into?
-10 dBV is 14dB lower than pro level (mixer), right?
even quieter when compared to modular (+14 dBu)
gabu
319
Thanks for the diagram, that is helpful to visualize. When I play back, the levels on all four tracks cut and/or drop volume randomly, then come back intermittently. Even when a track is playing back, it is never to the recorded volume - but that makes sense from that schematic.
I usually plug direct in (like a guitar or field recorder) or plug in mixer outs to the tape recorder.
eesn
320
the “randomly” part is more of a red flag for me…
dermo
321
Hey, I use one of these too, if i remember correctly there’s some calibration trimmers on the underside, i used them to fix a left/right imbalance on my machine a while back!
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8-track carts back in action.
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renegog
323
fixin to make a movie AND the score on tape 
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Shiftr
324
How is that Tascam? There is a similar for sale near here.
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renegog
325
its very basic, no EQ, 1 in at a time, but its perfect for me the lil door on mine is broken too you cant really see in the photo but it doesnt close so i got a good deal on it too - dont really plan on traveling with it much so doesnt bother me. not 100% sure these are worth it at the price they sometimes go for, but if its the right thing for you and you get it at a good price i find tape v fun
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Just bought a Tascam 424 mk III and im stoked to learn its ins and outs. I was lucky enough to score one with an original PSU as I understood they’re notoriously hard to come by.
This brings me to my question: has anyone bumped into exact third party versions of the PSU? Mine is US and I live in Finland, so I wouldn’t mind finding a switching 100-240 V one for international use.
Asking here before I give the task to a local electrician. Cheers!
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sno
327
that’s interesting @dermo 
can you provide more info on where are they located? I think this might also be related to the recording head, does that make sense?
thanks @janglesoul I’ll check it out!
@gabu I’ll let you know if I find any info or get any results
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dermo
328
Ok the bottom you’ll see one hole on its own with ‘pitch’ written next to it - that’s a global trim for the tape speed so don’t touch that!
Below are a bunch of holes for ventilation but two rows of 3 to the right of that (not at all obvious) are labelled l,r,1,2,3,4 which correspond to the outputs I think.
My unit has always displayed completely different levels on input and playback. Pretty much to have to meters slammed out at the top when recording to get good levels on playback.
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eesn
329
inside, on the board, there must be trimmer potentiometers to adjust playback level, but also ones that adjust the recording and bias levels. It’s worth calibrating those. It’s a bit of a procedure - bias first, then recording, then playback… but worth it.
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sno
330
thanks @dermo and @eesn for the tips, will look into that!
Classic Cementimental loop tapes inc. “GOOD CAT MUSIC - KEEP” and a mobius loop one which is very odd tho alas one half of the loop is quieter since it’s picked up thru the back of the tape
10 Likes
hey there, did you ever solve this issue? have the same problem with mine!
When I started with modular, I envisioned making simple one-take cassette recordings. My thinking was that the temporary, or degrading, nature of a cassette recording fit well with the temporary nature of a patch that would soon be lost once the cables were pulled loose. I never got around to a tape setup, but I still like the idea.
5 Likes
cheers for the speedy reply… I think surely there would be a way of disabling the feature from the inside but its beyond me - perhaps I’ll end up doing the same. There was a guy in portobello market with a porta 02 who said he’d trade me if I brought it to him a while back so might see if the offer still stands!
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Anyone got any opinions or experience with old Telefunken cassette decks. I need a new deck and a couple of these locally have popped up pretty cheap, specifically the TC-450. Any thoughts?
