How to Adjust Cassette Speed Playback

Рет қаралды 46,380

Күн бұрын

This is a basic guide to speed calibration of walkmans and cassette decks. I've included the most budget friendly options so it can reach the vast majority of people.
Here are the links to the gadgets and tools needed for the task:
Multimeter: www.amazon.de/-/en/Multimeter...
Speed Calibration Test Tape: fixyouraudio.com/product/spee...
Service Manual Website: www.hifiengine.com/
Here's the link to my video on how to replace a Walkman's Belt: • How to fix your Walkman?
Thanks for Watching!
0:00 Intro
0:17 What is Cassette Speed Playback?
0:53 The Belt Problem
1:25 First Step: Find the Potentiometer
3:03 Advice: Magnetic Screwdrivers
3:21 First Method: Back to Back
4:06 Second Method: Calibration Test Tape + App
5:07 Third Method: Calibration Test Tape + Multimeter
7:30 What to do after Calibration?
7:51 Outro

Пікірлер: 105

@glennwilson2898 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your kind reply i will keep a look out for the video Glenn UK

@whitneystrus7171 Жыл бұрын

Fabulous video! I especially appreciate the progression from easier solutions to more technically advanced solutions.

@soundelegy5987 Жыл бұрын

Thank you 🙏 Glad it helped out!

@maximf.5537 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent Video! Straightforward information

@kevinsavasci7311 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this video, now i can tune my cassette deck.

@magenta864 Жыл бұрын

This explanation is amazing!

@chriswires6735 3 жыл бұрын

Great video quality, nice synthwave music on background, and a lots of useful informations, very good video ! Keep on doing this great job !

@soundelegy5987 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Chris! You're awesome

@muisje351 3 жыл бұрын

This is exactly what I needed!!😍 thank you🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

@joelsaenz9124 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for making this video. I was able to fix my Walkman WM-F18. Sounds perfect now! 😊

@soundelegy5987 Жыл бұрын

Amazing 🤘🏻

@ronnieosbeck 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much, the sine wave cassette has saved my life! Great quality very informative!

@soundelegy5987 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Glad it helped you out. And yes, the sine pre-recorded tape is a must for any hobbiest. Happy listening 🎶

@marcosrelva6454 2 жыл бұрын

excellent video, very helpful.thanks

@ItIsMeScorpio 2 жыл бұрын

Amazing video, thank you for help!

@nazeerabdulrahuman9526 2 ай бұрын

Great video 💐

@usernameinvalidfuck 3 жыл бұрын

amazing info

@feldgl1290 9 ай бұрын

Excelente video. Gracias por compartir.

@DavideNastri 5 ай бұрын

Excellent video, as always.

@soundelegy5987 4 ай бұрын

Thank you 🙏🏻

@soulsilver2012 3 жыл бұрын

Hey man just found your channel, it's really cool, keep it up!

@soundelegy5987 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks man! :)

@idonotknowwhyyoutubeletsyo5893 Жыл бұрын

I myself used a spectogram of my tape deck's playback output recording(with a factory pre-recorded tape) and the original song's master of the song to compare them. The deck was only a tiny bit slower before adjusting. But it was already audible. The original recording had a portion with a stable 5300Hz tone. The deck played it as 5190Hz. Barely noticable without the original recording.

@glennwilson2898 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for this video

@soundelegy5987 3 жыл бұрын

You're very welcome ✌🏼

@chubbyboy2242 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you.

@soundelegy5987 2 жыл бұрын

Welcome!

@iHelper-lw1wl 2 жыл бұрын

Hi, I’ve got a maintenance question about a dual cassette deck. I have a Denon DRW-660 dual deck with both sides running a bit quick. Online service manuals aren’t helping much and I can’t find the small slot for speed adjustment anywhere inside. Is there any other places the speed adjustment slot could be if not on the motor or off to the side? Also, whenever I try to play a cassette on the right side, it plays and then stops within a second. Any causes for that?

@kuznapi 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much man you helped me, I have subscribed😎

@soundelegy5987 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Glad to hear that 😌

@jordanfehr7749 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much dude! I almost tossed out my Walkman until you mentioned the hole to stick the screwdriver in to twist the knob

@soundelegy5987 2 жыл бұрын

Welcome bud!

@jordanfehr7749 2 жыл бұрын

@@soundelegy5987 I was curious by the way, will having the mega bass on drain the battery when the radio and tape are off?

@jordanfehr7749 2 жыл бұрын

@@soundelegy5987 also, o adjusted the speed, but it slows right back down and gets worse if it's shooken

@idealcheese 9 ай бұрын

Amazing to find this content, thank you! I'm trying to fix an 80s Blaupunkt car stereo cassette player that plays too slowly. I took apart the whole thing and searched everywhere with a magnifying glass... can't find the adjustment screw! Maybe there isn't one? Unfortunately I have not been able to locate a service manual for it (Boston SQR49).

@idontsmile666 3 жыл бұрын

I just calibrated the speed on my tc-s1 recently using the method with the same song on Spotify, it works just as well as using a tone, but i don't know the difference as i haven't tried that yet, maybe down the road when i have to do this again.

@soundelegy5987 3 жыл бұрын

It's a pretty good method. The other ones are more accurate but I think it serves better really high end models or people that just want the very best. Happy listening 👂

@RakeshKumar26026 3 жыл бұрын

🙏

@polaris911 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent video! Do you have any advice for checking the tape path alignment?

@soundelegy5987 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! The tape path alignment is unique in every device that's why it's hard to do a comprehensive overview on the matter. It is also a very delicate mechanism and would only recommend people with expertise to try to adjust it.

@glennwilson2898 3 жыл бұрын

Could you please do a video on how to set the tape speed calibration using a frequency counter

@soundelegy5987 3 жыл бұрын

Hey there! Yeah it's on my bucket list :) I left it for last cause not many folks own a frequency counter.

@renzonarimastu136 3 жыл бұрын

Hello, i wanted to say that your content is incredible helpful and motivating and personality it have been helping me a lot, i sometimes try to repair my Sony Walkman wm-af54 as much possible, and recently I order a belt kit to replace the loosed ones, and it work out great, but unfortunately I stumble a problem that I genuinely don’t know if I’ll be able to fix! You see, recently I have been trying to calibrate the speed adjustment, and it got to a point that I damaged the adjustment, so whenever I try to turn to left or right it always sound fast and difficult to slow it down, and when I can, it feels out of place even if I try to move the screwdriver to another speed! And with that said, I wanted to ask you this : is it possible to fix the adjustment when it is broken or it would be better to replace this specifically pice to a better one, and if so what would be the name of this pice be ( I an not a native English citizen so I really don’t know the name) Sorry for the bother but I really could use some help from a expert in this kinda of situation!!!

@soundelegy5987 3 жыл бұрын

Hello Renzo. First of all, thank you for your kind words, really means a lot. Regarding your problem with the potentiometer (speed adjustment known or screw), that's usually not an easy fix. It would depend on your expertise level and the model itself. Which one is it by the way? Do you have the service manual for that particular device? A potentiometer on a Walkman sometimes is a very tiny screw connected to the main board and soldering and de-soldering are usually needed.

@im-bb4fn 2 жыл бұрын

Great video. Thanks for the info. I just repaired a tascam portaone studio as the tape head case was broken and a spring was out of place. Now the cassette plays well, other than the speed is faster than normal. when using the potentiometer to slow it down, the whole thing stops playing (full stop). Any ideas what could be wrong? Maybe the belts?

@soundelegy5987 2 жыл бұрын

Hey there! Thank you. And wow, that's very random. I haven't encountered that problem just yet. How about adjusting the potentiometer while the device is not powered? Will that modify the speed at all?

@im-bb4fn 2 жыл бұрын

@@soundelegy5987 I'll try that later. I like to open stuff and try to do some repairs, but one of the problems with this specific tascam is that whoever owned it before me got the screws all beat up and can't remove some of the parts for cleaning and regreasing. Can't get to 2 belts due to that! I really appreciate you explaining how to use the electric tool to do the measurements; it always intimidates me but gonna try it later tonight. Thanks again!

@soundelegy5987 2 жыл бұрын

That's a common problem with bad handled audio gear. The potentiometers are very delicate and with only a little extra force they could get loose for good. Good luck on the repair job!

@swayybaby9772 2 жыл бұрын

Do you know how I can remove the black cap that would be on the outside of the Walkman for the potentiometer?

@soundelegy5987 2 жыл бұрын

All Walkmans are different my dude, which model you have?

@john005_ 2 жыл бұрын

Sound Elegy does the best videos. I noticed that a portable cassette player that I bought new, the Mulann B-1000 (Mystik) was out of sync. It took me a whilst but something was off. The speed pentotiometer can be reached outside. But it is so difficult to get the timing. Now that I know a frequency tape exist, I will get that. I already have a Multimeter, which is a good start. @Sound Elegy should I get a cable that splits my single 3.5mm jack to RCA (red + white) will that make it easier to measure?

@soundelegy5987 2 жыл бұрын

Hehe thank you! Glad you're trying to solve the issue yourself rather than sending it for a repair. I show in the video how to measure the frequency very easily with a 3.5mm male as well. You don't really need the splitter :p

@john005_ 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent thank you

@cerealkiller5957 8 ай бұрын

Hello, I have the cassette and the digital multimeter, approximately how much volume should I apply to the walkman and then start the adjustment. Thank you.

@soundelegy5987 8 ай бұрын

90% usually.

@john005_ 2 жыл бұрын

Do I need to play the speed test cassette whilst measuring with the multimeter ? @sound elegy

@soundelegy5987 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, you need to play the tape cause that will be your reference signal.

@randomgamer5783 11 ай бұрын

Hey, so, I'm thinking of doing this with a walkman, but, why wouldn't the speed depend on the battery, or no? I think I noticed the motor spin slower when it had a lower voltage battery, I assume it has a limiter for the speed it goes though, but I just want to be sure before opening it, thx

@soundelegy5987 11 ай бұрын

Walkmans use AA or AAA batteries so if they're fully charged there shouldn't be such a discrepancy between brands.

@Masterheavens 2 жыл бұрын

nice video help me thx. you have a tip for azimuth calibrating

@soundelegy5987 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Not just yet, I did one for vinyl but not for cassettes.

@psychomafia 9 ай бұрын

Someone with a hifiengine login needs to start an alternative!

@soundelegy5987 9 ай бұрын

I have a hifiengine login lol

@psychomafia 9 ай бұрын

@@soundelegy5987 can you download a bunch of manuals and make them free please

@BALtimore2001 2 жыл бұрын

Is this possible with boomboxes that especially have CD players?

@soundelegy5987 2 жыл бұрын

If they have tape recording capabilities then yeah :)

@frankjetsfan 2 жыл бұрын

Hi .great channell .please help. I have a 2004 sony cmt hm3 mini. Bought for my daughters 15th bday on mercari. Cassette skinny belt broken...i replaced. Thick belt seems in good shape. Well my daughter and took it apart .she didnt want to but I want her to learn to.fix stuff!!!! Well we.are heart broken cause it plays waaayyyy to fast... we adjusted small adjusting screw on motor it didnt help .i.could hear it adjusted a little but still way to fast....we went all the way to.the left amd to the right but didnt help enough..is motor bad ? Its a matter of provint to my daughter we.can fix.anything with right attitude and a little help from.kind.folks !!! Thankyou in advance.

@soundelegy5987 2 жыл бұрын

Hello Frank. I'm sorry I didn't see this message before, sometimes they just don't go through. Looks like the potentiometer, which is the screw that adjusts playback speed is not well attached to the motor. It is possible to fix but you need the right tools. Maybe with contact glue? All the best and sorry for the delay

@jack-uv3hq 2 жыл бұрын

i cant find a manual anywhere to the realistic minisette 11 cassette player, and i cant find the potentiometer myself.what do i do?

@soundelegy5987 2 жыл бұрын

I've also looked online and couldn't find anything on that specific model. The potentiometer should be there tho. Maybe a screw with an arrow? A yellow or white plastic screw? They are usually on the main circuit board.

@floobadoo99 10 ай бұрын

mine seems to have some kind of foam where the speed calibration screw is supposed to be? not sure what to do there to be honest

@soundelegy5987 9 ай бұрын

Foam? That's odd. Clean it with isopropyl and see if there's a knob or switch?

@floobadoo99 9 ай бұрын

@@soundelegy5987 i figured out a while back, i guess in my device I am supposed to squish the flathead screwdriver enough to where it partially pierces the rubber foam stuff to fit into the slot to turn and adjust the speed. Sorta awkward and wierd, not mentioned at all in the service manual for it, but after i fiddled with it for a while in confusion i somehow adjusted it to near perfectiom by chance.

@zacharyhall689 3 жыл бұрын

Would this be possible with a 440 hz tape and a multimeter or no?

@soundelegy5987 3 жыл бұрын

Yes, that's also an option.

@chipo456 2 жыл бұрын

Hola. Necesito ayuda. Opción número 2. Mi multimeter no lee la señal de un 440 hz tape pero si toma la señal de cualquiera otro cassette como radio head. Why is it not picking the 440 sound?

@soundelegy5987 2 жыл бұрын

Hola buenas. Si el multimeter capta cualquier señal excepto la del 440Hz tape, entonces la cinta está en blanco o hay un problema con el Cassette, no con el multimeter. Bastante raro. Tal vez apretaste algo para que solo capte señales de alta frecuencia?

@3dsmaxrocks699 Жыл бұрын

Which app did you use?

@soundelegy5987 Жыл бұрын

Spectroid on Android

@3dsmaxrocks699 Жыл бұрын

@@soundelegy5987 thanks

@saeedkazemi6161 Жыл бұрын

Greetings I record the frequency of 3000 Hz with the deck and the frequency is not stable during playback. What could be the reason? Thank you

@soundelegy5987 Жыл бұрын

Because your Deck is not calibrated. Only tapes that have been recorded in a top-notch and freshly calibrated device are viable. You can buy them from eBay.

@saeedkazemi6161 Жыл бұрын

@@soundelegy5987 Thank you for your reply.

@saeedkazemi6161 Жыл бұрын

@@soundelegy5987 Unfortunately, due to sanctions in our country, we do not have access to buy from eBay

@soundelegy5987 Жыл бұрын

Welcome. Or check fixyouraudio.com they also have them.

@saeedkazemi6161 Жыл бұрын

@@soundelegy5987 Can you tell me what name this cassette is sold on ebay. Maybe I can get help from friends who are abroad.

@saeedkazemi6161 Жыл бұрын

@young_of_the_mill9560 2 жыл бұрын

What’s your favorite Walkman?

@soundelegy5987 2 жыл бұрын

I think the WM-EX5. After 25 years that design still holds its ground.

@TitoMariategui 2 жыл бұрын

@@soundelegy5987 Please, upload more videos talking about the ex5, its functionalities and sound and why you love it that much. I need to change the belt of my ex5, I just bought the belt in ebay and I'll have to wait like a moth for it to be shipped. can't wait to listen to music with it again! Greetings!

@soundelegy5987 2 жыл бұрын

Hey Tito! That's a good idea, thanks for input. Maybe review the Walkman designs that are still beautiful today, like the EX5. Where did you order the belt from? In fixyouraudio.com you can get it in less than a week if you live in the eu.

@TitoMariategui 2 жыл бұрын

@@soundelegy5987 Hablas español, ¿no? No lo pude comprar en fixyouraudio porque el shipping a mi país (Perú) era carísimo. Lo compré en Ebay, de la marca "DeckTech", pero no sé cuando llegará :( Mientras tanto, encontré una tienda en mi cuidad donde venden correas para Walkman y compré una que tiene el diámetro que dijiste que debíamos usar para el EX5, de 64mm. Instalé la correa y ¡funcionó! pero... siento que es es un poquito más ancha de los 0.6mm que recomendaste; entonces mientras gira la correa veo que no gira pareja, sino rotando un poco, no sé si me entiendes. Además el sonido de la música está un poquito distorsionado. ¿Crees que sea porque necesito una correa más delgada? Me gustaría enviarte un video para que la puedas ver y decirme si es, o no, correcto como está funcionando. Espero tu respuesta, ¡gracias, amigo!

@soundelegy5987 2 жыл бұрын

Que haces brother? Si, hablo español, soy Argentino. Entiendo lo de fixyouraudio.com, una lastima porque el dueño es un experto en lo que hace. Si la tienda que está en tu ciudad te permite ir e intercambiar la correa seria genial. A veces una fracción de milimetro puede hacer la diferencia. Debería tener un muy buen grip y no resbalar en lo absoluto, no te conformes con algo que no funciona al 100%. Un abrazo

@thatguy-vk1pp 3 ай бұрын

Hey could I please send you my casset player for repair 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

@soundelegy5987 3 ай бұрын

Hey there! Sorry to say but I don't really have time to repair devices from viewers :(

@thatguy-vk1pp 3 ай бұрын

@soundelegy5987 hey man thanks to your video I was actually able to fix it!!!

@soundelegy5987 3 ай бұрын

Glad to hear that ✌🏻

@thatguy-vk1pp 3 ай бұрын

@@soundelegy5987 would you know any good ways to get cassets?

@grigoremuntean Жыл бұрын

you are wrong hooking on tip of the rca…

@soundelegy5987 Жыл бұрын

Why?

@andilowe9526 2 жыл бұрын

Warum hat das Video einen deutschen Titel, aber englischen Inhalt??? Man kann zwar die deutschen Untertitel aufrufen, die auch brauchbar sind, aber man kann sich nicht das Video anschauen und gleichzeitig die Untertitel lesen.

@soundelegy5987 2 жыл бұрын

Hey Andi. Ich weiß nicht warum das Video bei dir einen deutschen Titel hat, aber wenn ich das Video auf Englisch anschaue laufen die deutschen Untertitel problemlos mit.