#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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#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.

1 Like
#330

thanks @dermo and @eesn for the tips, will look into that! :slight_smile:

#331

IMG_20190418_230949
IMG_20190418_230949.jpg4160×3120 2.22 MB

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
#332

hey there, did you ever solve this issue? have the same problem with mine!

#333

I’m afraid not, sold it and bought a Tascam in the end. Hope you can figure out a way!

#334

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
#335

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!

1 Like
#336

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?

#337

Currently employing some tape options here. I’d agree they tone and texture makes a great compliment to the ultra hifi computer and modular. I’ve always been a bit of a fan of imperfections and noises though sooo…

#338

Been doing all my modular recording to a Tascam Portastudio 424mk3 for the past month. Really pleased with the results. The tape saturation sounds nice, having only four tracks to work with makes me make simpler tracks more quickly (simpler is a good thing for me, my mistake is usually songs that are too busy.)

Especially having fun with the mix down stage. I bounce from the Tascam to my computer, and there’s lots of fun to be had getting hands on with the mix… riding faders, adjusting the reverb aux sends, the eq, the pitch control, and manipulating the reverb parameters during mixdown. All things that could be automated in the computer but I often didn’t bother because it can be a pain. hands on its fun. My finished songs end up breathing more as a result.

5 Likes
#339

So I recently acquired a 414 mkii in a trade and I’d love to play around with some loops, but I’m getting a gap in recording. Does this mean I have to disable or remove the erase head like this?

Is there a simpler way of doing it?

#340

You can also put a very thin piece of plastic or some adhesive tape* over the erase head. Sometimes I use the transparent plastic film that was inside the casing of the tape itself.

*Not advised, though I’ve done it myself in a pinch.

1 Like
#341

normally you shouldn’t need to remove the erase head.
did you do the loops yourself? if you’re using an answering-machine endless tape it may have a bit of splice tape at the loop point (= gap).

#342

Thanks, I was reading this, though is the idea that the (adhesive) tape physically stops the head from moving into the tape or that it blocks the erasing magnetism going on?

#343

I bought a few “endless loops” online, and from what I can tell they were done really well to the point i cant really see the splice

#344

If you cover the erase head of your deck with a little bit of tape the audio gap will disappear and you’ll have a seamless loop.

#345

IMG_20190504_135743
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Got this one for 40 euro.
Didn’t test it yet but looks really good.
Four separate inputs and 4 outputs. 1 for every track!

8 Likes
#346

It blocks contact between the head and the tape. The head still moves into position.

#347

Thanks! Yeah I figured, just wanted to make sure. Thanks ya’ll. Tapeville here I come!

1 Like