Analog Audio Forum

[igmolinav]

Hi,

I may get a hold of a tape recorder.
It is a Marantz brand name recorder.
I am curious about how to use it, but
it seems a bit complicated.

Perhaps there is an analog audio forum
out-there where I may get some leads to
learn how to use it.

Thank you in advance, very kind regards!

Ig : )!!!

 

[wiltw]

Tape recorders are rather simple devices to use. It is reel-to-reel, or cassette?

Provide model number for your unit, and maybe someone who owned one can address any model-specific techniques or quirks or use tips.

 

[koraks]

Perhaps there is an analog audio forum
out-there

This is what you're looking for: https://www.diyaudio.com/community/

 

[awty]

Cool, which model?
You often need to service them and replace any belts, usually not too hard.

 

[wiltw]

Some multi-motor tape decks have no belts to renew! The pinch wheel rubber might have hardened, then you need to change the pinch wheel or maybe rubber...the hardest part of the task may simply be finding replacement parts!

 

[awty]

Actually I just got a new rubber belt for my little Kenwood walkman type player, that I ordered about 5 weeks ago. Worst part was cleaning out the old rubber that melted and stuck to all the wheels. Already cleaned the
Pots and resoldered the battery terminals
hopefully that fixes it.

 

[awty]

Already fixed my old battered wm-30 with a new belt and other stuff.
Sounds pretty good for what it is, considering it is the same size as a cassette tape box.

 

[awty]

Belts aren't too hard on big old reel to reels either.

 

[awty]

No belts on my old Akai, but the wow and flutter was awful, so I converted it to a guitar amp. Has a great tube amp.

 

[awty]

The last two I picked up was a portable mono Sony and a tiny microcassette. Both sold broken, but turn out they weren't. Both are voice activated and have plenty of neat functions for recording.

 

[koraks]

@awty I'd be happy to split off your interesting posts into a thread dedicated to them.

 

[Hassasin]

Already fixed my old battered wm-30 with a new belt and other stuff.
Sounds pretty good for what it is, considering it is the same size as a cassette tape box.
View attachment 357325

Where do you get belts for these things? I have similar model (have to find it, but as small as one could imagine and still take in a cassette, ran on a single AA battery too). Mine started slipping, and Auto-Reverse started to act up, after good 10 years of use. Would be good to revive it, especially given my rather large collection of tapes from the era.

 

[awty]

Where do you get belts for these things? I have similar model (have to find it, but as small as one could imagine and still take in a cassette, ran on a single AA battery too). Mine started slipping, and Auto-Reverse started to act up, after good 10 years of use. Would be good to revive it, especially given my rather large collection of tapes from the era.

You can buy packets of generic belts, but I find you need the correct size or it won't run at the right speed. Sometimes you can adjust the speed at the motor but sometimes you can't easily. So if you google the specific model, you can usually find someone selling the correct belt. I have found some are just cut to size and the glue gives up pretty quickly, but you can reglue with better glue.
Getting the correct belt and having all the wheels perfectly clean can give you quite good sound. Generally people who complain about cassette sound are playing through a deck that needs fixing.
The Japanese made desks of the 70's/80's are usually very well built, later models not so.

Oh yeah the walkman style
are crazily small. The Kenwood can automatically play both sides without having to take the cassette out and flip it.

 

[awty]

@awty I'd be happy to split off your interesting posts into a thread dedicated to them.

No thanks. I'm just showing basic repairs, like replacing belts aren't too difficult. I have a shelf full of broken hifi equipment that's , so far, beyond my ability to repair.

 

[koraks]

Great, all good! Thanks for sharing your experience.

 

[igmolinav]

Hi,

Thank you for your messages : )!!!

I'll be answering to the messages
you have kindly written.

The tape recorder's brand name
and model is:

Marantz PMD222

Thank you, see you soon!

Ig : )!!!