Tascam 424 MKII - Track 1 Recording Issue

[Borchmore]

Hey guys, I'm new here! Just got a Tascam 424 MKII off the internet, but I'm having some problems. As mentioned by the seller, there is an issue with recording on track 1. When I play back my recordings, tracks 2 through 4 sound fine, but track 1 is very quiet and distorted. This happens if I use direct recording through input channel 1, or bus recording with a different channel. There are no issues with channel 1; I can hear myself when recording and the VU meter lights up correctly. Track 1 will play fine if I use a pre-recorded cassette, so it doesn't seem like an issue with the head itself either. I'm guessing I should look for the issue somewhere between the tape head and the part of the board marked "1 TRACK"? Based on other threads, it's probably a loose solder joint somewhere? Not sure, but I'm willing to poke around and test some stuff with a little guidance. I have a soldering iron and multimeter, which should hopefully get the job done.

Any help is greatly appreciated! Will try to add some photos and a sound test when I get home so you guys can see what the issue is. Thanks

TLDR: Track 1 won't record properly on my 424 MKII, although the channel 1 input comes through to the monitors/VU meter when recording and other cassettes play back fine on track 1

 

[Borchmore]

Worked on this the past few days trying to figure out where the problem is, but I haven't made much progress. I mostly just confirmed what I already know; the recording signal is correct when it branches off to the VU, so it should be correct when it enters the "Rec/Play Section" for track 1 on the bottom PCB, based on the service manual diagrams. Something must be making this signal go bad after it enters this section, but before the signal goes to the rec/play head. The pots on track 1 appear to be adjusted correctly, the solder joints look fine, and it's spitting out the same voltage as track 2 at the rec/play head connector. Not sure what else I can do in terms of troubleshooting with just a multimeter. I can try to make a signal tracer or see if I can track down an oscilloscope at my school, hopefully that will allow me to find exactly where the recording signal goes bad.

I did figure out that I can record to track 1 by swapping the rec/play head connectors on the bottom PCB for tracks 1 and 2. This does not swap the functions for the erase heads though, so I need to record to both tracks 1 and 2 to make sure both are properly erased, otherwise track 1 will overdub. It'll work to get some recordings down, but I'd definitely still like to fix the root cause so I don't have to keep swapping connections.

As always, any help is greatly appreciated. This is probably the biggest electronics repair project I've ever worked on, so I could definitely use the guidance.

Here's a clip demonstrating the audio issue. Track 1 is the quiet one, track 2 is normal volume.

Took some pictures of the board too (though IDK how helpful they will be)

Track 1

Track 2 (for reference)

 

[Borchmore]

Update time, I got good news and bad news

Good news: I found the problem! The low pass filter at U106 didn't give a connectivity reading when I tested it. I think the capacitor inside failed somehow because it looked pretty burnt. No other issues that I could find though, so I should be good to go once I can replace the part

Bad news: I have no idea how to get a replacement. I called a local Tascam affiliated repair shop and they said I'd probably have a hard time getting my hands on the part since it's so old. Can't find anything online, though maybe I'm just not searching for the right thing. The service manual lists it as "L.P.F. coil, 85khz" with part number 9173009400. I really hope I can find the part or a suitable replacement, it would be pretty disappointing to order a new PCB after all this lol. Thanks again guys!

Here's what the part looks like for reference

 

[Rhys W]

I've just joined here and going through some threads - just bought a Model 12 and I recorded for years on a 424 Mk II which I still have. Anyway, I like seeing stuff repaired...

Not sure why they call it U106 as the prefix U usually denotes a semiconductor device and that looks like an inductor (or "coil"), which would have an L prefix. LPF means low pass filter, which you can construct using an inductor and a resistor so I think this then stops radio frequency noise getting into channels. I think 85kHz refers to the self-resonant frequency of the inductor - there will be a resonant frequency due to the inductance and the parasitic capacitance - rather than the cutoff frequency of the LPF. Looking at the last photo, I'm pretty sure "181" is a code denoting 18 x 10^1 in microHenries. TY is, I'm guessing, the manufacturer (Tayio Yuden). So, for a replacement, I think you'd be looking for a 180 μH inductor, with a self-resonant frequency of 85 kHz (or alternatively, a parasitic capacitance of around 20nF), in a radial (not axial) lead package. Good luck!

 

[shredd]

Your technical knowledge is beyond staggering. I have trouble routing my send/returns and having them show up properly.
Wouldja be interesting in coming over and getting my TV hooked up right???

 

[Rhys W]

Ha ha - I used to work designing voltage regulator chips which need an inductor to work. I hope the OP can find a replacement component.

 

[Jack Saturn]

I have been struggling with an identical issue on track 3 of a Tascam 424mkIII. I'd ruled out every other component in the channel, and was totally stumped. Came across this thread, which inspired me to measure the resistance on L106, L206, L306, and L406. Wouldn't you know it, the one on track 3 was the culprit!

Thank you to @Rhys W for your insight about what the lettering means on these inductors. Alas, it seems that a self-resonant 85 kHz coil is completely unobtainable and obsolete, as a number of Google searches turn up nothing. I like to source currently-available replacement parts when I can, rather than resorting to borrowing from parts machines, but that'll have to do in this case.

Thank you to the OP, @Borchmore, for identifying the problem component! If you happen to see this reply, two years later, and are still in need of a replacement coil, let me know and I'll be glad to sell you one for a very reasonable price!

Jack

Recursive Delete Audio/Visual
Huntsville, AL
https://recdel.com/

 

[Raskingball]

@Jack Saturn, Hello! I recently got a Tascam 424 mkiii with the same issue. Has anyone found a way to get the 85hz coil?

 

[Jack Saturn]

@Raskingball , I have not been able to source a new replacement part for the 85hz coil, so my hunch is that one is not available. If you need one or more of them, let me know – I run a business refurbishing cassette multitrack machines and always have parts machines from which I can source.

 

[Raskingball]

@Jack Saturn, the Tascam 424 mkiii seems to use 2 of the same per track. Track 1 is the only one giving me issues at this time. So,
I guess no fewer than 2 and as many as 8? How many could you send and how do we go about it?

 

[Jack Saturn]

@Raskingball , drop me a message via my web form, choose "repair a multitrack cassette recorder," provide all the info about the machine, and then in the notes provide me a reminder that you're just looking to source a few of these coils: https://recdel.com/contact