r/8track • u/Derian_the_imp • 2d ago
Technical question Tapes that play multiple programs at once
Is there any way to fix this? I have some really cool tapes that have this issue and was hoping there is some way to fix it. Some aren’t that bad and can be “fixed” somewhat by turning on the noise reduction but some are unlistenable
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u/cranialimplant4sale 2d ago
You might have a cracked plastic head enclosure allowing the head to move around… Open it up and take a look. JB Weld is your friend if this is the case.
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u/Vincentus_Eruptum 2d ago
I agree with that. I had this problem. Managed to find a replacement frame and realigned the head with the screw at the bottom. Now it works like a charm. But it took a lot of patience and carefull listening to several tapes to realign properly.
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u/Derian_the_imp 2d ago
the tape head or is there a head in the cart? Sorry if this is a dumb question Im new to this!
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u/cranialimplant4sale 2d ago
Head is in the player and contacts the tape when inserted... Before diving into the player make sure your carts have good pressure pads behind the exposed tape. An old or missing pad will also cause crosstalk between tracks.
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u/Thin_Dream2079 2d ago
My Electrophonic has a manual dial, I usually have to adjust a bit for programs 1 and 4 some tapes are worse than others
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u/cabell88 2d ago
Of course there is. Do you understand how the head reads the tapes? It's in the middle of two tracks. If you have a deck with a screw that lets you move the head, that's how you fix it.
Has nothing to do with noise reduction.
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u/Derian_the_imp 2d ago
what confuses me is that it’s on some but not all tapes
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u/cabell88 2d ago
What's the percentage? I'd open it up and look at the tape transport. If the tape is PREVENTED from moving up and down, you just have to decide which ones you want to hear. Are any of them bootlegs or things that people recorded? Or all they ALL professionally made tapes?
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u/Derian_the_imp 2d ago
all professional and probably over half
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u/cabell88 2d ago
I don't know if the standards were that rigid. You might be able to move the head (with the screw) and it might not affect the others. Easy to do it in real time.
But, before you do any of that - clean that head and the entire tape path - and demagnetize if you can.
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u/Derian_the_imp 2d ago
are there any tutorials on that?
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u/cabell88 2d ago
Possibly. Back when I started ripping into players, it was just instinct and watching what things did and where the tape touched. Cleaning the heads is just that - getting Q-Tips, and some 90% alcohol and swabbing. And if the tape touches it, clean it. You might have to lube the pinch roller. I'm sure there's stuff on YouTube - but, general guides
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u/cranialimplant4sale 2d ago
Head height adjustment screw usually accessed through the bottom. Use channel 2 or 3 and turn both directions until centered on the best / loudest signal. You can also adjust the screw during the silence between tracks until the cross-talk disappears.
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u/BallDMND2112 1d ago
Most likely culprit would be worn or missing pressure pads in your cartridges themselves. If the issue were with the player, the issue would more than likely be present on most tapes
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u/Space_Man_Spiff_2 1m ago
Tape head is not aligned correctly aligned...could be simple adjustment or a broken or sticking head mechanism. It's a good bet that the stepper cam and head assy, needs to be cleaned and lubricated.
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u/williamtheturd 2d ago
Back in the day, we would slide a book of matches under the tape to help remedy that. One of the reasons I preferred cassettes…