Anybody worked out what was going on in the background at the start of this video?

I would take bit depth over sample rate. For example, these days I’m transferring some tapes, and I decided to go for 44,1/24 with my Tascam SD-20M. The reason is that I normalize the recordings on the computer afterwards and convert it back to 16 bits (as per the client’s request). If I’d be recording at 16 bits, I would lose resolution by amplifying the signal. There are many tapes recorded with different levels (from different decades - from the 60s until the early 90s) on different tapes (from Agfa Type C to BASF SM911) and this way I don’t have to adjust the input gain of the recorder all the time.

Well, that's one satisfying repair job ! More bit depth, gives you more dynamic range, about 144db at 24 bit Vs 120 db at 16 bit. This means essentially, an amazing increase in signal to noise ratio or headroom , which is needed in digital mixers. For example, Reaper, the Digital Audio Workstation that I use to produce my music, has an internal mixer at 32 bit with floating point, which provides a dynamic range of over 1000 dbs. In practical use, a 24 bit recorder allows you to record audio sources at very low levels, let's say we aim to have peaks at 0dbs with an analog recorder, with a digital 24 bit recorder, you can set the record level to peak at -20 db , and still have a perfectly clean recording. ______ More sample rate means more high frequency response, and here, I feel we face a situation similar to megapixels with cameras : you can have a crappy camera with a zillion megapixels, and compare the image with one from an Arri digital cinema camera, which has only 2 megapixels, and the image from the Arri is way superior . Personally, I like the sound at 32khz, which is about the same frequncy response from a FM radio station , 15khz . 44.1khz and 48khz sound slightly brighter, and it is almost impossible to notice the difference beyond 48khz. Unless you use cables made from unicorn blood and speakers blessed by the heirs of Merlin, of course

Thanks for another great repair and walking through every step so nicely. I love these machines I just have one (with just 81 head hours) but have some tascam da-40 (one of them still 0h!) da-30mkii, da-30 etc. DAT is a great format, and really love those tiny tapes. Although I still don't have one of those pioneer 96kHz models (D-05, D-07, D-9601) I think I prefer the 24bit system since I can notice much more an increase on dynamics and S/N reduction then any increase on frequency response. These are difficult times for everyone, specially for self-employed people as you, but if we support one another we will get through this. Since I'm stuck at home I'll watch the rest of your channel and hoping for some more in the near future (specially DAT or DDS related). Good luck!

I think the problem is in the design, the way a large heavy transformer(a big lump of iron and copper) is mounted on a circuit board rather than been fixed to metalwork, like the chassis. And these brown SRBP {Synthetic Resin Bonded Paper) boards are not particularly strong. I suspect the DAT took a knock, and the transformer came loose taking half the board with it. If the transformer had been securely screwed to the base chassis, it likely wouldn't have come loose and no damage done.

Impressive fix; I remember my brother finding a Finlandia (Granada rental) TV in an alleyway abandoned some years ago. Giant telly at the time, great build quality... but the board was snapped and totalled like this. 5 hours of soldering later and he fixed it. Worked for about 10 years after that. If it looks stupid but it works, it ain't stupid!

Your videos on Tascam machines are very enriching, bravo. There is another guy in the usa that does the same job, it's 12voltvids. I have two DA45, one DA30 mk2, three 122mk3 and one 112r mk2...All these decks have a good conception in my opinion, easy to repair, with a good mechanical. I have also a 7040 Sony, it's also very good deck. It's not a collection, i'm a professionnal for audio restauration, transfer, etc... The pcb break, that was incredible ! (sorry for my bad english)

Very interesting episode. I was surpassed that there were 24-bit DATs. I have previously heard only about this pioneer one that could double sampling rate to 96kHz. I hope that you get better and your business will restart after this difficult times. Good luck!

First time I've seen that, a whole power supply snapped in two.

I still have a DA30 DAT, I had to recently replace the perished loading tray belt as is usual...

Excellent in every way. Nice Job. How about a video on how to clean the head(s)? Much appreciated.

Yes using a DDS drive is twice as fast as using a deck and the files are identical to what’s stored on tape, Though 24bit/48Khz and 16bit/96Khz will be transferred in real time. Basically you need a desktop with at most windows 7, A SCSI PCIe card, a Sony SDT-9000 DDS-3 drive flashed with a special firmware using Sony tape tool program, The WaveDAT app, and you’re good to go.

hi i am working on a tascam 238 they have bad servo motors i pull out all the servo pcb's coils and put back to the tascam 234 with motors works very well now the servo pcb would cost £90 and would play up again there's a IC that is hell that's why there's alot of tascam 238 on ebay i have 1 7/8 3 3/4 on this make now 2000-4000 rpm servo motors in the 2 i have i got a akai 77 that's not right belt not griping fry wheel one one of them bob

you know i emailed you about a 4 track cassette i got of ebay that had been banged in the same way all the pot log meters were dead all 12 and speed was out i fixed it i have seen unit's like this they go around with bands with out the right case for them some times they get dropped

No wonder whyI couldn’t find one to buy!!!

I want to thank you for making such awesome video. I also would like to know the link to the merchant who sells these drive belts. I have the same exact problem with my DA-45HR as you described it in your video at 19:54 . Please let me know, I really like these units even though they are for all practical purposes almost obsolete, but mine is in almost mint condition and definitely worth saving so it can be displayed in my studio. Thanks again!

Where did you buy the belts? Direct from TASCAM? Can you provide the part numbers for the 3 belts? Have you considered setting up a Patreon or a Paypal donate link? 12voltvids has one.

Yes, we are in bad times indeed.

That square hole on the power pcb is asking for troubles, bad engineering actually... The top deck with a dimmer display can be a leaky capacitor on the power supply, on the 60 volts rail...

What gauge wire did you use? Is it stranded or solid wire?

Another hinter, maybe?

I would have copied the PCB design, get it remade and move all components from the old to the new one.

Hi, very nice video, that is a score I should say. I have a Sony DTC-690 which the head drum is shot. Is there any chance you could source out a head drum and ship it for me? In my country, you cannot find any trace of DAT machines or any parts. I am willing to pay for all your troubles including shipping. I don't even mind if you buy a broken machine and just send me the head drum and you keep the rest. The model number of the head drum is DOU-03A. Thank you

could you place te Number of the belt or de diameters of that small belt it would help alot of repair yourself.

24-bit is more important than 96kHz.

Very good video. Suggest you to start online basic electronics Repair training for those interested like me. Start earning as well online. Experts like you are Very much needed in this 🌎. Thanks 🙏🏼😀

hi am in the same boat as you i will say the job market is very very bad there are part time job's just to get money in i used to work 40 hr for 23 years and i use to do fixing jobs as a 2nd job beware my old boss did not like it at all i can tell you someone like yourself can come a big name on youtube like dr jake making silly video i know there are units formats you and techmoen not done yet i by first get all the gear first make video later some there's not to many on there at once bob

tascam pcb's are awful the transport on 2488 all series of multitracks especially the mk2 are bendy and traces lift they are transport supposed to be pressed down on when tactile switches fail people press down even harder. if only they would copy the schematics and send them to pcb way so we could order a blank and repopulate them. Right to repair yeah right Tascam