DA88 error

[Rob Reedijk]

Have a problem on my DA88. It will play the tape, showing T/C. But no
audio. The error light is lit. When I run it in test mode, the error
count is very high.

These heads have only a few hundred hours on them---so it shouldn't be due
for a new head rebuild.

Anyone?

Thanks,

Rob

[Scott Dorsey]

Rob Reedijk > wrote:
>Have a problem on my DA88. It will play the tape, showing T/C. But no
>audio. The error light is lit. When I run it in test mode, the error
>count is very high.
>
>These heads have only a few hundred hours on them---so it shouldn't be due
>for a new head rebuild.
>
>Anyone?

This could be any one of a huge number of mechanical or electronic problems.
If you're getting control track data but bad or no signal data, you'll see
something like this.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Scott Dorsey]

Rob Reedijk > wrote:
>Have a problem on my DA88. It will play the tape, showing T/C. But no
>audio. The error light is lit. When I run it in test mode, the error
>count is very high.
>
>These heads have only a few hundred hours on them---so it shouldn't be due
>for a new head rebuild.
>
>Anyone?

This could be any one of a huge number of mechanical or electronic problems.
If you're getting control track data but bad or no signal data, you'll see
something like this.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Jay Kadis]

In article >,
Rob Reedijk > wrote:

> Have a problem on my DA88. It will play the tape, showing T/C. But no
> audio. The error light is lit. When I run it in test mode, the error
> count is very high.
>
> These heads have only a few hundred hours on them---so it shouldn't be due
> for a new head rebuild.
>
> Anyone?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Rob

The standard answer would be a clogged head. Did you try a manual cleaning?
Could also be a tensioning problem.

Is the TC display stable? Can you check the RF signal?

-Jay
--
x------- Jay Kadis ------- x---- Jay's Attic Studio ------x
x Lecturer, Audio Engineer x Dexter Records x
x CCRMA, Stanford University x http://www.offbeats.com/ x
x-------- http://ccrma-www.stanford.edu/~jay/ ----------x

[Jay Kadis]

In article >,
Rob Reedijk > wrote:

> Have a problem on my DA88. It will play the tape, showing T/C. But no
> audio. The error light is lit. When I run it in test mode, the error
> count is very high.
>
> These heads have only a few hundred hours on them---so it shouldn't be due
> for a new head rebuild.
>
> Anyone?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Rob

The standard answer would be a clogged head. Did you try a manual cleaning?
Could also be a tensioning problem.

Is the TC display stable? Can you check the RF signal?

-Jay
--
x------- Jay Kadis ------- x---- Jay's Attic Studio ------x
x Lecturer, Audio Engineer x Dexter Records x
x CCRMA, Stanford University x http://www.offbeats.com/ x
x-------- http://ccrma-www.stanford.edu/~jay/ ----------x

[William Sommerwerck]

> Have a problem on my DA88. It will play the tape, showing T/C.
> But no audio. The error light is lit. When I run it in test mode,
> the error count is very high.

Dirty head? Dirty tape? Start checking the simple stuff.

It's easy for an 8mm tape to develop a longitudinal "crease."

[William Sommerwerck]

> Have a problem on my DA88. It will play the tape, showing T/C.
> But no audio. The error light is lit. When I run it in test mode,
> the error count is very high.

Dirty head? Dirty tape? Start checking the simple stuff.

It's easy for an 8mm tape to develop a longitudinal "crease."

[Rob Reedijk]

Jay Kadis > wrote:

> The standard answer would be a clogged head. Did you try a manual cleaning?
> Could also be a tensioning problem.

I should also have included the information that I tried cleaning the
heads several times---twice by 99% alcohol method and once with the
dreaded cleaning tape. Also, I had tried several other tapes.

> Is the TC display stable? Can you check the RF signal?

TC is "mostly" stable. Occasionally it jumps or doesn't display. But
most of the time it is there. What is RF signal?

I have spoken to a Teac tech and I learned a few things. Firstly, seeing
as when I put it in test mode I get high errors on both 1 and 2, it is
not likely time to replace the heads. He thought that it is an alignment
issue and the machine needs an overhaul. Also, he suggested I try the
machine in shuttle mode---and yes, there is audio. He told me that
when in shuttle mode, the error control is disabled for obvious reasons,
and the machine will play whatever audio it has.

Looks like I have to bring it in.

Rob R.

[Rob Reedijk]

Jay Kadis > wrote:

> The standard answer would be a clogged head. Did you try a manual cleaning?
> Could also be a tensioning problem.

I should also have included the information that I tried cleaning the
heads several times---twice by 99% alcohol method and once with the
dreaded cleaning tape. Also, I had tried several other tapes.

> Is the TC display stable? Can you check the RF signal?

TC is "mostly" stable. Occasionally it jumps or doesn't display. But
most of the time it is there. What is RF signal?

I have spoken to a Teac tech and I learned a few things. Firstly, seeing
as when I put it in test mode I get high errors on both 1 and 2, it is
not likely time to replace the heads. He thought that it is an alignment
issue and the machine needs an overhaul. Also, he suggested I try the
machine in shuttle mode---and yes, there is audio. He told me that
when in shuttle mode, the error control is disabled for obvious reasons,
and the machine will play whatever audio it has.

Looks like I have to bring it in.

Rob R.

[Jay Kadis]

In article >,
Rob Reedijk > wrote:

> Jay Kadis > wrote:
>
> > The standard answer would be a clogged head. Did you try a manual
> > cleaning?
> > Could also be a tensioning problem.
>
> I should also have included the information that I tried cleaning the
> heads several times---twice by 99% alcohol method and once with the
> dreaded cleaning tape. Also, I had tried several other tapes.
>
> > Is the TC display stable? Can you check the RF signal?
>
> TC is "mostly" stable. Occasionally it jumps or doesn't display. But
> most of the time it is there. What is RF signal?

The RF (radio frequency) signal is the raw head output signal..It contains
bursts of both audio and subcode data as the head scans the tape. If you look at
this signal with an oscilloscope, you can see if the head output is solid or
dropping out. I think your tech is right in suggesting a transport overhaul.

-Jay
--
x------- Jay Kadis ------- x---- Jay's Attic Studio ------x
x Lecturer, Audio Engineer x Dexter Records x
x CCRMA, Stanford University x http://www.offbeats.com/ x
x-------- http://ccrma-www.stanford.edu/~jay/ ----------x

[Jay Kadis]

In article >,
Rob Reedijk > wrote:

> Jay Kadis > wrote:
>
> > The standard answer would be a clogged head. Did you try a manual
> > cleaning?
> > Could also be a tensioning problem.
>
> I should also have included the information that I tried cleaning the
> heads several times---twice by 99% alcohol method and once with the
> dreaded cleaning tape. Also, I had tried several other tapes.
>
> > Is the TC display stable? Can you check the RF signal?
>
> TC is "mostly" stable. Occasionally it jumps or doesn't display. But
> most of the time it is there. What is RF signal?

The RF (radio frequency) signal is the raw head output signal..It contains
bursts of both audio and subcode data as the head scans the tape. If you look at
this signal with an oscilloscope, you can see if the head output is solid or
dropping out. I think your tech is right in suggesting a transport overhaul.

-Jay
--
x------- Jay Kadis ------- x---- Jay's Attic Studio ------x
x Lecturer, Audio Engineer x Dexter Records x
x CCRMA, Stanford University x http://www.offbeats.com/ x
x-------- http://ccrma-www.stanford.edu/~jay/ ----------x