Akai GX230D speed adjustment - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

barrywebb · 9th Aug 2019, 5:11 pm

Hi i need to adjust the tape speed on my Akai GX230D to make sure its running at the correct speed .
I have done this before on a cassette deck with a special tape and a multi meter but just wondering what is the best way on the reel to reel as it has 3 motors any help would be greatly received.
Barry.

TonyDuell · 9th Aug 2019, 6:08 pm

Only the capstan motor should have any effect on the tape speed.

There are 2 ways that I've seen it done, both of them involve a special tape.

The normal one is to have a tape recorded with a constant frequency signal on a machine you know is running at the right speed. You play that back on your machine and measure the frequency of the output signal. Adjust the speed until it is right.

The other way involves a 'tape' that is marked with black lines. It is not magnetic at all. You 'play' that and observe it under a mains light as a stroboscope. Adjust until the lines appear to be still.

barrywebb · 14th Aug 2019, 9:39 am

Thanks for that i thought so i did it on a cassette recorder and had to buy a special tape and us my multi meter.
The price of that tape for a reel to reel is very expensive so i will just put up with it its only slightly out so no big deal.
Thanks
Barry

MeerKat · 17th Aug 2019, 12:53 pm

Hi Barry,
There is a way of doing this, all you would need is a tape with a 50Hz tone recorded on it at the speeds of your machine and an amplifier with a mono button on it. Before I go into detail I'll test my method works and post again, I could also supply a suitable tape.

9th Aug 2019, 5:11 pm	#1
barrywebb Tetrode Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Redruth, Cornwall, UK. Posts: 85	Akai GX230D speed adjustment Hi i need to adjust the tape speed on my Akai GX230D to make sure its running at the correct speed . I have done this before on a cassette deck with a special tape and a multi meter but just wondering what is the best way on the reel to reel as it has 3 motors any help would be greatly received. Barry.

9th Aug 2019, 6:08 pm	#2
TonyDuell Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Biggin Hill, London, UK. Posts: 5,208	Re: Akai GX230D speed adjustment Only the capstan motor should have any effect on the tape speed. There are 2 ways that I've seen it done, both of them involve a special tape. The normal one is to have a tape recorded with a constant frequency signal on a machine you know is running at the right speed. You play that back on your machine and measure the frequency of the output signal. Adjust the speed until it is right. The other way involves a 'tape' that is marked with black lines. It is not magnetic at all. You 'play' that and observe it under a mains light as a stroboscope. Adjust until the lines appear to be still.

14th Aug 2019, 9:39 am	#3
barrywebb Tetrode Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Redruth, Cornwall, UK. Posts: 85	Re: Akai GX230D speed adjustment Thanks for that i thought so i did it on a cassette recorder and had to buy a special tape and us my multi meter. The price of that tape for a reel to reel is very expensive so i will just put up with it its only slightly out so no big deal. Thanks Barry

17th Aug 2019, 12:53 pm	#4
MeerKat Hexode Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Ramsgate, Kent, UK. Posts: 298	Re: Akai GX230D speed adjustment Hi Barry, There is a way of doing this, all you would need is a tape with a 50Hz tone recorded on it at the speeds of your machine and an amplifier with a mono button on it. Before I go into detail I'll test my method works and post again, I could also supply a suitable tape. __________________ Andrew Illegitimi non carborundum