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Vintage Tape (Audio), Cassette, Wire and Magnetic Disc Recorders and Players Open-reel tape recorders, cassette recorders, 8-track players etc. |
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14th Jul 2019, 10:20 am | #1 |
Triode
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Cornwall, UK.
Posts: 29
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Akai 4000DS advice
I've recently added an Akai 4000DS to the collection. I hadn't planned on it, but it was going cheap and well looked after by an electical engineer!
So, I've tried testing it out doing a few tape transfers to the PC. What I've found is that it seems to play louder than all my other players (Akai 4000D, Philips, Aristona, Revox A77), with the needles often in the red which is causing disortion on the digital recording on the PC. I've reduced the input volume on the computer, which has helped a little, but it's still distorting as the volume coming out of the Akai is the issue. I'm guessing there is no way to regulate this, and not a great deal I can do about it? The tapes I'm working with are not great to begin with (audience club recordings from the 70s), but recording on one machine is OK and listenable, but on the new Akai is quite overloaded and distorted at the same volume. Any advice, or not much I can do about it? Thanks in advance! RP |
14th Jul 2019, 11:11 am | #2 |
Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK.
Posts: 21,288
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Re: Akai 4000DS advice
Install an attenuator in series with the connecting lead?
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Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron. |
14th Jul 2019, 11:18 am | #3 |
Triode
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Cornwall, UK.
Posts: 29
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Re: Akai 4000DS advice
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14th Jul 2019, 11:21 am | #4 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Cornwall, UK.
Posts: 13,454
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Re: Akai 4000DS advice
Are the record/playback levels etc set correctly?
Manual here: http://sportsbil.com/other/Akai/AKAI...0MKII%20SM.pdf Record level is VR-1 and VR-1b, playback is VR-2 and VR-2b. Lawrence. Last edited by ms660; 14th Jul 2019 at 11:28 am. Reason: additional info |
14th Jul 2019, 11:21 am | #5 |
Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK.
Posts: 21,288
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Re: Akai 4000DS advice
Three resistors wired as a 'T' attenuator?
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Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron. |
14th Jul 2019, 1:31 pm | #6 |
Triode
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Cornwall, UK.
Posts: 29
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Re: Akai 4000DS advice
I should probably point out that my electrical skills are fairly limited to say the least! Previous owner did say he had set levels and spent a bit of time getting the machine in order. Have to take his word for it that he knew what he was doing of course.
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14th Jul 2019, 2:52 pm | #7 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Cornwall, UK.
Posts: 13,454
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Re: Akai 4000DS advice
So far as I can make out from the manual, 0 on the VU meter = +4dB (1.228v) for line out and 0.4v (-5.7dB) for DIN out if the levels are set correctly.
When I used to service tape decks similar to this I always used a manufactures test tape to checked or set up the levels. Lawrence. Last edited by ms660; 14th Jul 2019 at 3:06 pm. Reason: addition |