Problem when recording a cassette

[winternight]

I recorded my very first vinyl record to a cassette, and while I was recording everything sounded great, but when I played back the recorded cassette, i encountered a problem. The recording did not sound as good, it sounded muffled. At first I thought that it was the EQ that was causing the problem, so I turned it off, and that helped a bit, but even when I recorded with the EQ off, the recording still sounded muffled. Does any one know how to solve my dilemma?

The type of cassette I used was a Maxell XLII high bias tape, and the cassette deck I used was a Technics RS-TR270

would cleaning the deck help?

[NAD613]

Did you clean/demagnetize the heads? Was the tape an old tape & if it was, did you rewind & FF the tape all the way thru before recording with it? In all liklihood, sounds like your heads and/or tape path are dirty.

[winternight]

i have not cleaned or demagnetized the heads, I am just getting into cassettes, and do not know which cleaner/demagnetizer to use, can you recommend a good economical one? The cassette was brand new, but i do not know how old it is, but i did FF and rewind it all the way through before recording.

[NAD613]

Here you go:

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/72-880

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/20-1355

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/21-2220

[winternight]

thank you!!:D!

[niklasthedolphin]

Don't forget to turn off your deck when demagnetizing.

Procedure is:

Turn on the defluxer far (2 meters) from the deck. Approach the defluxer slowly to your turned-off deck. Let the defluxer slowly pass all metal that the tape passes but don't let the defluxer touch anything.
Take the still-turned-on defluxer slowly away from the deck to a distance of 2 meters and let the defluxer touch some metal/iron before turning it off again.

Be aware that those defluxers built into a cassette-tape-housing might damage your tape deck because you have to operate this defluxer with your deck turned on.

Before demagnetizing you should have cleaned the tape passage with isopropylalchohol on q-tips.

"dolph"

[MacGyver]

the pressure pad on the cassette might have fallen off. i have a tape that had those same symptoms and i discovered that that was exactly the problem! fortunately, i found the pad; a touch of super glue, and it was good to go again!!

[Des-Lab]

Some good tips posted above. The only addendum I would throw out would be to make sure that the alcohol is 99% sterilizing only. NOT isopropyl rubbing alcohol, which is only 70% concentrate, with the balance being water and oil. Pure distilled water should have no effect on the heads, but the oils will create more problems than they will solve. And ruin the first tape you run acros those heads.

So only use that or an approved solvent specifically labelled for the use of cleaning tape heads and guides.

[stuwee]

It might be a simple azumith issue, I've had some even when I played a tape back on the same one I recorded it on, flip it to the other side and it's sounds fine. Or rw and play same thing. This is why auto azumith decks like the Nak Dragon and the big Teac/Tascams are sought after.

[Teresa]

i have not cleaned or demagnetized the heads, I am just getting into cassettes, and do not know which cleaner/demagnetizer to use, can you recommend a good economical one? The cassette was brand new, but i do not know how old it is, but i did FF and rewind it all the way through before recording.

Cleaning and demagnetizing the heads should be done before every recording. Best to use a hand held demagnetizer if your cassette door is removable and follow dolph's suggestions. They can be gotten on eBay for cheap as can head cleaner. I use a Q-tip with 91% or stronger Isopropyl Alcohol when I am out of head cleaner and I have had no problems. As suggested above don't us the cheap Isopropyl Alcohol as it is only 70%. After what Des-Lab said I am wondering about the content of the other 9% and how much of that is oil? Any comments?

If you are just playing back tapes clean and demagnetize about once a week. Lots of good comments above! Welcome to the wonderful world of cassettes.
*eyepop*

[Mr. Lin]

Cleaning and demagnetizing the heads should be done before every recording. Best to use a hand held demagnetizer if your cassette door is removable and follow dolph's suggestions. They can be gotten on eBay for cheap as can head cleaner. I use a Q-tip with 91% or stronger Isopropyl Alcohol when I am out of head cleaner and I have had no problems. As suggested above don't us the cheap Isopropyl Alcohol as it is only 70%. After what Des-Lab said I am wondering about the content of the other 9% and how much of that is oil? Any comments?

If you are just playing back tapes clean and demagnetize about once a week. Lots of good comments above! Welcome to the wonderful world of cassettes.
*eyepop*

Really? You need to demagnetize before every recording? Good thing I just ordered a demagnetizer.

[NAD613]

You can demagnetize before every recording; it won't hurt. I usually clean the heads & transport once a week & demagnetize once every 3-4 weeks. I've tried to follow this routine on all my decks for 15 years & they all work flawlessly.

[Mr. Lin]

You can demagnetize before every recording; it won't hurt. I usually clean the heads & transport once a week & demagnetize once every 3-4 weeks. I've tried to follow this routine on all my decks for 15 years & they all work flawlessly.

Here's a question in anticipation of my demagnetizer arriving: When I use it, should I have the deck away from other components? In other words, could it damage other components?

[stuwee]

Here's a question in anticipation of my demagnetizer arriving: When I use it, should I have the deck away from other components? In other words, could it damage other components?

To my knowledge, no, its not powerfull enough to hurt a transformer or any thing similar, I might be wrong, depends on what your using flux wise. I will add that you should get all tapes away from the area when using the demag, I'm anal with most stuff so I put all mine in another room. I have to get one as, I've lost mine in the last house move*fit*

teresa, I can get 99% at my local Walgreens or CMV, I'd check the website of the brand you're using to find out how much oil is in yours. Call around to hardware and paint shops in your area as well, get the 99% and don't look back. I see you live in NV, big State, are you out in the sticks, if I may ask? I'd be happy to send you some as long as it's legal.*Hi5**reelspin*

Craig

[Teresa]

teresa, I can get 99% at my local Walgreens or CMV, I'd check the website of the brand you're using to find out how much oil is in yours. Call around to hardware and paint shops in your area as well, get the 99% and don't look back. I see you live in NV, big State, are you out in the sticks, if I may ask? I'd be happy to send you some as long as it's legal.*Hi5**reelspin*

Craig

Hi Craig, I live in the big city of Reno so will check out Walgreens. I checked the label of mine. It's American Fare 91% Isopropyl Alcohol it only lists two ingredients: Isopropyl Alcohol (active) and water (inactive).

Sorry to hear about your demagnetizer, I got mine new on eBay for a reasonable price. *Hi5*