Pioneer 3 head deck recorded signal low

[Jim Davis Nature Photogra]

Well I got this decent but old Japanese model tape deck CTA-70. It
plays back
beautifully, and it does record but it seems the recorded signal is
low. I have managed to make some decent enough recordings by cranking
up the input and recording level but I would like to have the recorded
music high at the default levels.

I was wondering if something is wrong, or if I could adjust the levels
internally. I have cleaned and demagnitized the heads, but have not
opened the case yet to check for adjustment pots.

Any advice or help would be appreciated. I just want to make decent
cassette recordings. thanks


Jim Davis
Nature Photography
http://www.kjsl.com/~jbdavis/
Reply in plain text only please!

 

[Asimov]

"Jim Davis Nature Photography" bravely wrote to "All" (12 Oct 03 19:00:26)
--- on the heady topic of "Pioneer 3 head deck recorded signal low"

Does recorded music sound bright or dull? It is possible the record head
has a lot of wear. Try illuminating the head area and inspect it with a
magnifier. If the head is gouged deeper than a fingernail thickness that
could be the problem.

Otherwise if the heads are in reasonable shape, you might try the
obvious like cleaning the "mode switch", checking the supply voltages,
filter capacitors, bias oscillator output voltage, pre-amp output, etc.

Remember electrolytic capacitors are a common failure especially in old
equipment. Don't try to adjust anything before these basic things are
checked. You will only make it more difficult to diagnose. (unless you
know for certain someone blindly turned all the adj pots previously)


JDNP> From: Jim Davis Nature Photography <YDavis@hkg.odn.ne.jp>

JDNP> Well I got this decent but old Japanese model tape deck CTA-70. It
JDNP> plays back
JDNP> beautifully, and it does record but it seems the recorded signal is
JDNP> low. I have managed to make some decent enough recordings by cranking
JDNP> up the input and recording level but I would like to have the recorded
JDNP> music high at the default levels.

JDNP> I was wondering if something is wrong, or if I could adjust the levels
JDNP> internally. I have cleaned and demagnitized the heads, but have not
JDNP> opened the case yet to check for adjustment pots.

JDNP> Any advice or help would be appreciated. I just want to make decent
JDNP> cassette recordings. thanks


JDNP> Jim Davis
JDNP> Nature Photography
JDNP> http://www.kjsl.com/~jbdavis/
JDNP> Reply in plain text only please!

.... Batteries not included.

 

[Jim Davis Nature Photogra]

On Sunday, 12 Oct 2003 10:29:18 -500, "Asimov"
<Asimov@-removethis-bbs.juxtaposition.dynip.com> wrote/replied to:

Does recorded music sound bright or dull? It is possible the record head
has a lot of wear. Try illuminating the head area and inspect it with a
magnifier. If the head is gouged deeper than a fingernail thickness that
could be the problem.

Recorded level is low and it sound dull. However, the deck plays back
more or less normally with good sound tapes I've recorded previously
on other decks. The head is clean and shows no wear.

Otherwise if the heads are in reasonable shape, you might try the
obvious like cleaning the "mode switch", checking the supply voltages,
filter capacitors, bias oscillator output voltage, pre-amp output, etc.

Mode switch - maybe the 'monitor/source switch'? Both channels are
even, but I'm not expert. I was wondering if bias pots or level pots
inside had been messed with by PO and perhaps an easy solution would
be to at least check them.

Remember electrolytic capacitors are a common failure especially in old
equipment. Don't try to adjust anything before these basic things are
checked. You will only make it more difficult to diagnose. (unless you
know for certain someone blindly turned all the adj pots previously)

Hey, I only pay like 10 bucks for this thing as scrap, so I'm not too
worried about buggering it up by adjusting anything. I'm thinking very
likely someone has already beat me to it. Thanks for the help.


Jim Davis
Nature Photography
http://www.kjsl.com/~jbdavis/
Reply in plain text only please!

 

[Asimov]

"Jim Davis Nature Photography" bravely wrote to "All" (13 Oct 03 16:03:46)
--- on the heady topic of "Re: Pioneer 3 head deck recorded signal low"

JDNP> From: Jim Davis Nature Photography <YDavis@hkg.odn.ne.jp>

JDNP> On Sunday, 12 Oct 2003 10:29:18 -500, "Asimov"
JDNP> <Asimov@-removethis-bbs.juxtaposition.dynip.com> wrote/replied to:

Does recorded music sound bright or dull? It is possible the record head
has a lot of wear. Try illuminating the head area and inspect it with a
magnifier. If the head is gouged deeper than a fingernail thickness that
could be the problem.

JDNP> Recorded level is low and it sound dull. However, the deck plays back
JDNP> more or less normally with good sound tapes I've recorded previously
JDNP> on other decks. The head is clean and shows no wear.

Hey, good heads, that's great! I forgot one thing, perhaps the tape type
you are recording doesn't match the bias level. Also if prerecorded
tapes sound great then we must assume the playback head is in the proper
position. Then it is simply a matter of adjusting the record head
position for best playback.


JDNP> Mode switch - maybe the 'monitor/source switch'? Both channels are
JDNP> even, but I'm not expert. I was wondering if bias pots or level pots
JDNP> inside had been messed with by PO and perhaps an easy solution would
JDNP> be to at least check them.

By "mode switch" it was meant to mean the internal Record/Play switch.
This can be a number of different switches all ganged together by a
common mechanical link (or relay) which will switch different parts of
the circuit to enable the recording head bias and recorded audio.

Don't try to adjust anything before these basic things are
checked. You will only make it more difficult to diagnose. (unless you
know for certain someone blindly turned all the adj pots previously)

JDNP> Hey, I only pay like 10 bucks for this thing as scrap, so I'm not too
JDNP> worried about buggering it up by adjusting anything. I'm thinking very
JDNP> likely someone has already beat me to it. Thanks for the help.

Could be the machine is set for a different tape type or the record head
is out of position. I wouldn't blindly turn pots without reason. BTW
"if" you do, make sure and mark the original position so you can always
revert to the original setting. It is just common sense.

Asimov
******

.... High voltage can give a dangerously uncomfortable discharge.