Maxell 90m DDS1 tapes - problems

[symon]

I bought 10 new 90m Maxell DATS on the basis that quite a few people mentioned them as being pretty much problem free. I have a D7 and a TASCAM DA-30 mkII for playback. With each of the 3 tapes I have opened so far, I can't get a clear recording until 4 or 5 minutes of tape have been used up. Those 4 or 5 minutes do record but they are full of diginoise and normally result in an Error 42 on the D7.
The TASCAM will only play these tapes if I jog them by pressing the rewind button while the tape is playing - otherwise it moves the tape but no sound comes out. (and yes, I do know the little trick of covering the second hole). When it does play it gives diginoise or static throughout the playback at regular intervals (although the D7 eventually plays back much more smoothly, I think).

Have I got a bad batch? 90m tapes would be the best solution for the type of gigs I go to - so it would be good to know if anyone else has had any problems like this. Or should I just give in and go with 60m tapes?

I'm new to using DAT so it's a bit frustrating to see the potential but not actually get a decent recording out (or to my PC!). So, newbie seeking help!

[Roving Sign]

I'm new to using DAT so it's a bit frustrating to see the potential...

If your are new...stop now - DAT is over as a technology...I dont think anyone is still producing DAT recorders...? None of the major retailers carry any...the problems you are having now are par for the course...

You need to get one of the hard drive/flash based units...save money on tape...plus a host of other advantages...

Search for iriver, JB3...

[symon]

I'm new to using DAT so it's a bit frustrating to see the potential...

If your are new...stop now - DAT is over as a technology...I dont think anyone is still producing DAT recorders...? None of the major retailers carry any...the problems you are having now are par for the course...

You need to get one of the hard drive/flash based units...save money on tape...plus a host of other advantages...

Search for iriver, JB3...

That's all well and good but it doesn't help me with my current problem. Thank you for the advice but I wasn't particularly asking for help on what type of recording device to use.
I already have the recording gear and playback deck. I'm just having problems with the media itself.

I suppose the first question I really should have asked is:

Does anyone currently use Maxell 90m DATs and a TASCAM DA 30 mkII?

[Lil Kim Jong-Il]

Does anyone currently use Maxell 90m DATs and a TASCAM DA 30 mkII?

I haven't bought new DATS in a couple of years, but the last batch of Maxells I had were OK.  I was using the green label tapes sold by the Oades.  There were black label maxells that I had some occasional head loading problems with the D7 but never with the green label ones.   I never had an issue with either in my DA20s. 

Are you repacking the tapes before recording?  I know that there have been quite a few people who reported fewer loading errors when they FF'd then RW'd the DAT completely (on a home deck) before using them in the field.   I did that for a while but I didn't do it religiously and it didn't seem to make a difference in my D7.   I had more issues from shell design changes and as a result I switched between maxell and sony several times.  It might be worth a try.

If I were in your position, I would send back those 90m tapes and get 60m tapes.   I can't recall when they stopped making D7s but that deck may be 10 years old and who knows how many hours.   I ran 90m in my D7 dats for about 8 years but then I started having some issues loading 90m dats.  I switched to 60m dats and my problems went away. 

Also, if your deck has not been serviced in a while, send it to prodigital and get a routine service.   An alignment and lubrication can't hurt.

[Brian Skalinder]

In order to test the batch, have you tried taking the D7 out of the equation and then both recorded and played back only on the DA30? 

Also, to help in narrowing down the problem:

Do you have any known-good tapes to try?
Or a known-good DAT deck to try?

FWIW, my money's on the D7 needing service to the heads.  If all goes well testing the tapes solely on the DA30, then that points to something screwy with the D7 itself, not the tapes.

[symon]

Well, Brian - you seem to have hit the nail on the head!
I recorded just enough from a RCA in and got a good recroding - none of the mess that the D7 causes before it settles down. And, although not perfect, I get a good playback as well - with possibly a little diginoise. Certainly not what I had before.
Which means, damn! I need to get the D7 serviced. I'm in the UK so now I need to find a friendly fixer!

It's true I don't know how many hours are on the decks - but they were used in a home studio and well looked after - probably using proper audio DATs too!

Thanks very much for the help. It's good to know I haven't wasted money on the DATs. It's not so good to know that I need to get the D7 serviced!

[symon]

A further question:
knowing now that the D7 needs a service - do you think it would record well with just 60m tapes? Or would it still have a fit and then not playback in the DA30? I need the DA 30 to convert to CDr (rather than trying to use the D7)

[Lil Kim Jong-Il]

I would switch to the 60M tapes but thats just me.   I would not expect the D7 to get better just by switching tapes.  It's a long way to send your deck, but prodigital.com is very good.  They serviced my D7 and both my DA20s and they did a great job.

[Brian Skalinder]

I would switch to the 60M tapes but thats just me.   I would not expect the D7 to get better just by switching tapes.  It's a long way to send your deck, but prodigital.com is very good.  They serviced my D7 and both my DA20s and they did a great job.

Agreed - if you decide to service the D-7, ProDigital's the place to go (unless there's an equivalent shop in the UK).  But I also think Roving Sign has a good point, more so since it seems the D7 requires servicing.  Servicing the deck will cost a fair amount of money, relatively speaking.  And though I don't know what you paid for the D7 and DA30, I'm guessing for resale of those two pieces + whatever it would have cost to get the D-7 fixed, you could pick up an R09 and be done with DAT hassles.  Just a thought.

[symon]

I would switch to the 60M tapes but thats just me.   I would not expect the D7 to get better just by switching tapes.  It's a long way to send your deck, but prodigital.com is very good.  They serviced my D7 and both my DA20s and they did a great job.

Agreed - if you decide to service the D-7, ProDigital's the place to go (unless there's an equivalent shop in the UK).  But I also think Roving Sign has a good point, more so since it seems the D7 requires servicing.  Servicing the deck will cost a fair amount of money, relatively speaking.  And though I don't know what you paid for the D7 and DA30, I'm guessing for resale of those two pieces + whatever it would have cost to get the D-7 fixed, you could pick up an R09 and be done with DAT hassles.  Just a thought.

Ah well, that's an easy answer - the equipment was free! 

[symon]

And, to be honest - I like the idea of DAT! I've wanted one for quite a while so I would like to make the most of this unexpected opportunity. So, I'm now on the hunt for a UK srevice. I have one lead already. So we'll see.
Mind you - it's proving expensive just getting to this point 

Thanks for all the help. If I could I would be handing out +Ts!

[symon]

Well, I'm glad to report that a good service has fixed the recording problem! I highly recommend a chap called Paul Carrington. Quick service, excellent communication, and just a general all round nice guy and he's done a great job.
Where else on this site can I give him a good plug? I would really like to put him on here somewhere as being a contact for DAT repairs in the UK (and Europe).

All I need now is to get a decent transfer on to PC. I think the TASCAM DA 30 mkII just doesn't like 90m tapes either.  But, it likes them better now that the D7 works properly! So, on playback I get occasional diginoise. A bit of experimentation is probably required, I think. Just to get the deck to read the DAT properly without farting on it!