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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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Old 14th Jul 2019, 10:20 am   #1
cornwall60s
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Default 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
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Old 14th Jul 2019, 11:11 am   #2
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Default Re: Akai 4000DS advice

Install an attenuator in series with the connecting lead?
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Old 14th Jul 2019, 11:18 am   #3
cornwall60s
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Default Re: Akai 4000DS advice

Quote:
Originally Posted by Station X View Post
Install an attenuator in series with the connecting lead?
Could work, any suggestions as a cheap option?
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Old 14th Jul 2019, 11:21 am   #4
ms660
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Default 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
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Old 14th Jul 2019, 11:21 am   #5
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Default Re: Akai 4000DS advice

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Originally Posted by cornwall60s View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Station X View Post
Install an attenuator in series with the connecting lead?
Could work, any suggestions as a cheap option?
Three resistors wired as a 'T' attenuator?
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Old 14th Jul 2019, 1:31 pm   #6
cornwall60s
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Default 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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Old 14th Jul 2019, 2:52 pm   #7
ms660
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Default 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
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