Taperssection.com

Gear / Technical Help => Recording Gear => Topic started by: tapeworm48 on August 25, 2013, 01:29:01 PM

Title: Playback Speed Issue - Tascam DA20 - Repair Suggestions
Post by: tapeworm48 on August 25, 2013, 01:29:01 PM

I have a Tascam DA-20 that seems to be running a little fast (9%?).  I use it to send audio to Audacity on my PC. 

1)  Anyone know how I can fix the tape speed issue using Audacity?

2)  To fix the issue for good, anyone know of a reliable place where I could get the Tascam fixed?  I am in Chicago.  I don't want to spend too much $$ on it obviously but I would like to have the issue resolved.

Thanks in advance.

Title: Re: Playback Speed Issue - Tascam DA20 - Repair Suggestions
Post by: H₂O on August 25, 2013, 03:22:45 PM

is it all tapes?  Sounds like it's playing a 44.1Khz tape back at 48khz - do you know the sampling rates of the tapes?

Title: Re: Playback Speed Issue - Tascam DA20 - Repair Suggestions
Post by: tapeworm48 on August 25, 2013, 03:30:37 PM

I've noticed it on a few tapes that it is playing too fast/slow (cant remember which). So today I decided to pay more attention.  Its a 44k tape and that is what I have my M-Audio set at as well as Audacity.

The opening band set on the tape had the issue I highlighted earlier today.  After I saved that file, I'm working on the main band right now, and it looks to be the other way around and the tape is now running slow!  Seems really odd.....

I haven't tried other tapes yet.....

Title: Re: Playback Speed Issue - Tascam DA20 - Repair Suggestions
Post by: tapeworm48 on August 25, 2013, 05:00:25 PM

Here are my notes from this morning, now that both transfers are complete:

Band #1
PC    41:20
DAT  45:00 (A-time)

Band #2 (same tape, same deck)
PC    1:42:49
DAT   1:40:42 (clock reset)

It is a Tascam DA-20 in to an M-Audio FastTrack in to a Dell PC running Audacity.

Interested in hearing everyone's theories on possible causes.  Thanks.