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Gear / Technical Help => Recording Gear => Topic started by: tourtelot on May 21, 2020, 05:17:56 PM

Title: Sony PMC7040 DAT Question
Post by: tourtelot on May 21, 2020, 05:17:56 PM
I know. DAT? Really?

A retiring friend is selling his stuff and it included a really minty Sony PCM 7040 studio time code DAT. He's not looking for a lot of money but before we can sell this thing, we sorta have to know it works as it should.

So it seems to handle tape well and records, plays back, syncs TC, all good things. But there is a light on the "error strip" labeled Playback Condition.

The manual seems to indicate that if this light is lit, it indicates a problem. But every DAT that I have played back, all of which sound perfect (no drop outs, no artifacts, nothing out of the ordinary) show a solid lit Playback Condition lamp.

If any one has recent experience with this machine and could tell me if this solid lamp shows an error(s) or if the error(s) would be shown by a flashing lamp (which I might suspect to be the case) and a solid lit lamp shows correct functioning.

Or any place I could put this question with some different eyes.

Thanks tons!

Stay safe and be well.

D.
Title: Re: Sony PMC7040 DAT Question
Post by: jerryfreak on May 21, 2020, 06:45:34 PM
IIRC, per the manual the light can be set to alert that the deck is either interpolating or muting misread samples

so it’s basically an error counter, but that doesn’t tell you what the problem is. i imagine a cleaning and alignment would be in order. hard to troubleshoot read errors without the proper test tapes and a scope
Title: Re: Sony PMC7040 DAT Question
Post by: H₂O on May 22, 2020, 05:15:59 PM
If the deck has been in storage also check the pinch roller
Title: Re: Sony PMC7040 DAT Question
Post by: Scooter123 on June 06, 2020, 02:47:40 AM
I used it and its predecessor (7038) extensively for well over 1,000 DAT transcriptions in 2017-18 for a radio station.  Its a friggin beast (50 lbs+), and a solid machine, much more than one needs for simple transcriptions, with all sorts of whistles buzzers and bells.  I own both.  The difference is minor, perhaps having to do with a remote.  I'm not sure. 

I will say this that if you run a couple hundred old DATs through this thing, you will need to get it serviced.  Here in LA, there is an Armenian guy on Hollywood Way in Burbank adjacent or maybe North Hollywood in a dumpy strip mall that will bring it up to factory specs for $100-150, mainly cleaning and belts, but way beyond my skill set.  PM me if you want the name. 

It is in my opinion, it is the finest DAT machine ever made, and was used by many of the radio stations and studios here in LA before digital drives.  I think it cost well over $5,000  in the day.  In used condition, I would not pay over $200 for it, because I think no matter what, it will need servicing.