Tape Deck Speed Adjustment

[@vwestlife]

@uxwbill I connected the tape deck's output to my computer and used Adobe Audition's frequency analysis to serve as a makeshift frequency counter, for example playing the 1 kHz tone on the test tape and then lining up the blip on the graph with the 1 kHz grid mark on the screen. However, I also used your beat frequency method and the results were pretty much identical.

[@metalmoto]

I just explained exactly what you said, on another of your videos. My frequency counter died, and this is excellent way to do it with out buying expensive equipment. Thanks so much!

[@Synthematix]

a multimeter with hz setting

[@ncrdisabled]

I worked for ASI and learned how to adjust the speed using a test tape and a scope . Your way is a great idea for those who do not have either.

[@DrCassette]

This really is a VERY good method! I never heard of this before. I always adjusted the speed on my cassette decks until the songs I played on there sounded about right. Next time I'm going to do it this way!

[@vwestlife]

I purchased a test tape for this purpose, which contains sine waves at various frequencies, as well as pink noise and a few other things. Calibrating a double cassette deck is quite a chore, because unless it's really cheap and both decks run off the same motor, you have two motors to adjust, as well as two speeds for each, for the high-speed dubbing feature (although if you're that concerned about its performance, then you probably wouldn't use high-speed dubbing anyway!).

[@MrBeandip55]

Hey thank you so much, just spent $30 on a tapedeck and it played slow, it now plays perfectly thanks to this video, thank you

[@TheJaHa5]

Back in the days when KZbin didn't strike you for using famous music... SMH Wanna get me a good tape deck before the year is up, so I can have these experiences. Dealt with these low-end all in one systems long enough, time to step up the game now.. got 300+ cassettes here that need some high end audio lovin'... Wish me luck! Blessings from Trinidad!!!

[@kennynvake4hve584]

Did you ever get you a good deck...I see it's been 1 year now...

[@TheJaHa5]

@@kennynvake4hve584 nope, but I got one 2 years later... 😆

[@spd1214]

Outstanding tutorial Bill. I just recently bought an Onkyo single well tape deck (TA-R301) off of E-Bay and I noticed it sounds like it is running a bit slow. I will try your method for adjusting the tape speed. Thanks for contributing your knowledge of audio to the You Tube community. Very much appreciated. :)

[@compactc9]

I'm entertained by, interested in, and enjoy watching any video involving anything electronics or anything mechanical, so I don't find tape deck videos boring. lol

[@HDXFH]

I use a frequency counter app on my phone, works a treat

[@linuxlove4004]

Not sure how well it sounds in real life, but I'd say that you got the tape speed spot on.

[@eightiesisgold3600]

Thank you very much uxwbill for uploading this fantastic tutorial. I knew this method of calibrating tape speed with a test tape, but never knew how to do it. The video made it crystal clear for me. THANKS AGAIN.

[@cobelco]

You are awesome! I love old analog stereo equipment and I feel that I am not alone in that. I have this exact same Technics M218 Deck and have used it for years but noticed that it recently slowed down as well. I was about to trash it but now I will try this repair. I got it for $5 at the Salvation Army in 2005. I love the fluorescent levels display. Do you have a tip for the L/R level knobs? they are scratchy and cut out when I move them. I think the contacts are worn. Silicone spray maybe?

[@CoolDudeClem]

A jeweler's/precision screwdriver with some insulating tape wound round the end is a good alternative to a plastic screwdriver, I've adjusted the speed on cassette tape motors before and if the screwdriver makes a connection between the motor's potentiometer and the metal case of the motor that can mess things up.

[@joningram2985]

It's a lot harder to sync up music by ear, and no doubt less precise, but I've found it is a pretty good way to test things if you have an official (and therefore, presumably, accurate) cassette and digital source to play it against. I've managed to get beats in what seemed to be perfect sync and staying in phase this way. As I mentioned, it can potentially be a big hassle (it's best to use music you're very familiar with, because that can help with timing things into sync), but it's another possible solution if you can't dub or afford to buy a trustworthy test tape. By the way, has anyone ever told you sound a little bit like The Weatherman from Negativland? It's a good thing.

[@GrahamAtDesk]

I've had success with this technique too, though I've only got 3 pre-recorded tapes, so didn't have much choice in the type of music to try it with. I did find that just repeatedly timing how long it took to play a track of known length (I looked up the album in question on spotify to check the length), allowed me to get the speed adjusted very accurately. I got the speed spot on after playing the same track 4 times. So probably not as quick as listening to two sources simultaneously, but I didn't work out how to play the tape in one ear and spotify in the other until after I'd finished adjusting the speed!

[@mattyshredz1071]

I have a jensen tape player/recorder and it was playing a little faster than the studio recording. I found the screw that adjusts the speed and i fixed the speed.

[@chasewebb3378]

I have the same model, where can i get the tool, or make one?

[@weasel2htm]

Cool! So what is the Penny's stereo doing over there in the background? If you select the wave file there in Audacity and do a Shift + Play, it will loop the waveform until you press stop.

[@ToxicwasteProductions]

Oh and gotta say love your videos. Keep up the tech and car videos. Love your content!!!

[@nick_vee]

Great instructional video! Would you be willing to make a frequency tone test tape for those of us that don't have a cassette deck we trust to make one as you do with your Pioneer? The Audacity part is easy but I'm in the same boat as you with the Sony as my only other deck definitely sounds like it runs fast.

[@thatmuse76]

I have had at least three RS-M205 decks, which is the model right below this one with the VU meters and most of those been slightly fast. I think when they are not in use for years, for whatever reason they drift a little bit. That said, I found most belt driven Technics/Panasonic and other decks manufactured by Matsushita to be slightly on the fast side.

[@john15a9]

Can you show us what the adjustment looks like???

[@Wcburg1]

hello, is there any way to easily identify this "speed potentiometer" you speak of within any tape deck? The one I have is very different from this one - it's a Fostex x-55 multitrack tape deck, and for some strange reason the speed of this particular model is around 3.5 IPS, wheras most run at around 1.7 (i'm sure you know about speeds). I want to change the speed of it and I have a friend with a normal speed deck but I want to make sure I'm adjusting it correctly. Is there any surefire way of identifying that component within any deck?

[@uxwbill]

The increased tape speed provides for better audio fidelity. Unfortunately, it also makes producing or acquiring a calibration tape difficult. Only a few regular cassette decks ever supported recording or playback at higher than 1 7/8ths IPS. Most of the time, the adjustment is located right on the motor. Any adjustment must be made with nonmetallic tools.

[@brucey39]

I found out my new tape deck was out when I went to jam with my guitar which is tuned to 440 hz .I had to tune down a semitone so I could play along with music tapes which are normally recorded at 440hz .I hope I can now remedy it .

[@ToxicwasteProductions]

Yes I understand just wanted to post how I do it. I use just an cheap USB soundcard works fine for me. I use it allot for detecting clipping in live streams and recordings. And also for what ever otter it needs to work with.

[@BarracudaIII]

Hello dear, I have a cassette deck Technics 614 (Brazilian market) similar to the Panasonic 608 (International Market) at low speed after changing the belts and I can not find the spot for motor speed adjustment or a potentiometer on the board control. any help is welcome Thanks.

[@Gigidag77]

My tapedeck is only playing a little too fast when using chrome tape (type II) with regular type I tape it's normal. What could be the cause ?

[@WL-vw4qx]

I changed the pinch rollers and belts with new ones on my Sony TC-WE835S. The 10 minutes 3kHz test cassette I bought does not have constant frequency. It started at around 300xHz then gradually reduced to 296xHz in about 5-6 minutes then went back up to 297xHz in the last 2 minutes. The difference is about 40Hz. It that normal? Should I calibrate in the first 3 minutes or wait until after 6 minutes? Thanks.

[@uxwbill]

No, I would not call that normal. It sounds as though the tape you got is in poor condition or was made on equipment with a problem.

[@clubcar98]

Not boring me at all. I LOVE cassettes. Very good video, I will have to favorite this for future reference. I have a few cassette players that play off even with good belts.

[@canadianjack1675]

Where do I find one of those plastic tools from?

[@paulblackman8159]

I adjusted the speed using a commercially pre-recorded cassette, playing the tape and then using a digital file for comparison. If you can keep the two tracks synced for about a minute you’ll get as good as an accuracy you can get out of the factory.

[@uxwbill]

You can -- and may well have to -- do it that way if you can't make a reference tape that you trust or get one somewhere. It's a lot more work, though. The beat frequency method is also highly accurate, even if you're completely tone deaf.

[@LostBeetle]

I use a pre-recorded cassette and compare it to a version that's being streamed, I have them both in audacity, sync the beginning of the song, then check a few minutes in (usually the end of the song) and see whether the deck got there faster or slower than the streamed version and adjust appropriately. I like it to be within .5%. One thing to note, decks speed up slightly after being warmed up, so let it play for 10-15 minutes before adjusting the speed. You won't get it perfect, but .25% is a good goal to shoot for, if you get there, stop messing with it, because you might take a very long time to get it back.

[@kennynvake4hve584]

What if you didnt have a second deck....I have o scop's and freq counters...is there another way...I heard that if you have the 440hz tape...you can use a guitar tuner set on the 'A' string..which is 440hz and set it to give a center reading, which on my tuner is a green, or center reading...will this work?????

[@uxwbill]

It's possible to buy pre-recorded frequency and alignment calibration tapes. Yes, if you have an accurately recorded tape with a musical tone (440 Hz works but isn't the only one you can use), something like a guitar tuner would tell you how close you are to the right speed. A frequency counter would also work.

[@kennynvake4hve584]

@@uxwbill so how do you hook a freq counter to the deck...connect both L and R channels out, together into a mono lead into the counter...?

[@uxwbill]

You need only use one channel, left or right. It's not possible (or if it is, you have a much bigger problem) for one track to move by the playback head faster than the other.

[@JefferyHunt]

my beltdriven turntable is spinning too fast. any similar fixes you know of?

[@discoHR]

What if there is no speed adjustment pot on the DC motor nor on the PCB?

[@GeneraleRus]

i remember about the beat frequency during my first year of technic school, using diapasons and a simple tone generator, was difficult the first time, but after all is easy to understand what happens with slightly different tones ehehe nice job!

[@commodork]

My dad has one of those. I wonder if it still works!

[@stereomann83]

i used to have a sanyo that looked like that tape deck it had music search system can you tell me what stereo is in the cabnet to the left

[@jacobcooper648]

where can you get the tool

[@caifanesdelaaalaz8529]

hey there thanks for the tip. you know, someone once told me that the best way to try a peace of equipment was by playing a cd, tape, record whatever of michael jackson. his idea was that michael probably did pay the best engenieers to fix his music. so you probably got all this right.

[@claudioleppe3925]

Man, u are the greatest.

[@SK-qu4wo]

Does tape speed affect the vu meter levels on playback? I just bought one of these Technics RS-M215 and I notice that it plays tapes at a peak level of about +7 whereas my Sony TC-FX2 plays those same tapes at the correct recorded level of 0.

[@uxwbill]

Technics used a different calibration standard for the level meters than almost everyone else. That's about all I know.

[@SK-qu4wo]

@@uxwbill Is there a way to adjust the playback levels?

[@uxwbill]

I wouldn't say they were so much wrong as different. If you want to try and care about doing it right, get the factory service manual for your deck.

[@allstar930]

Great video. I ended up not able to do it with tones because I kept missing the sweet spot but I was able to do it with a metronome.

[@jasen1971]

What are you actually using to adjust the potentiometer? I know its plastic but what is it?

[@uxwbill]

The tool I used is part of a set sold for the purpose of adjusting tuning cores in a radio. You'll typically see them sold as "IF adjustment tools".

[@jasen1971]

@@uxwbill Everything relates to adjusting carburetors That i have found

[@uxwbill]

www.ebay.com/itm/140391623405

[@cm2881]

Sanyo RD-5150 picked it up tonight and it runs too fast. Other than that it is perfect, any suggestions on how to get this corrected?

[@rockrollhi-figuy6824]

I have a unit similar to this that the speed fluctuates, its infuriating. New belts too so idk what it could possibly be.

[@uxwbill]

Speed control is entirely internal to the motor. If the belts aren't too tight, the motor might be in need of an examination. I don't know how serviceable it actually is, or if you can get it apart without destroying it. You will probably need to devise a way to move the brushes away from the commutator inside the motor.

[@rockrollhi-figuy6824]

@@uxwbill thanks!! I just never understood how the speed can just change like that. I have the same problem with certain 8 track decks, but most of them dont have the speed pot on the back like that.

[@uxwbill]

With 8-tracks, there can be a multitude of problems. The tape pack can be tight inside the cartridge, the rubber drive wheel can be slipping and even when they do work properly, noticeable wow and flutter are definitely not abnormal. Many of the motors in 8-track decks are actually of very good quality, it's just that the drive system really lets them down. (Some are even AC line synchronous, and should thus have excellent speed stability.) As for the motor end of things, the little DC motors used in most cassette decks have a speed regulation system of some kind. They vary in precision and may be mechanical or electronic. Lots of things can happen there too, from gummed up bearings, slight resistance changes in the motor windings as they warm up, or even a malfunction in the motor or its governing system.

[@rockrollhi-figuy6824]

@@uxwbill yea theyre tough. Its hard to even find a tech that has the equipment to do an 8 track deck correctly

[@sh0t734]

Does it work the other way around ? Like if i don't have a good cassette deck , record on the broken one again and again , and ajust it till the recording is right ?

[@uxwbill]

No. Recording a tone and playing it back on a cassette deck with incorrect speed will result in a tape that sounds fine -- on that one deck only. If you don't have a working tape deck, calibration and test tapes do sometimes show up on the secondhand market. Companies such as TEAC that still make tape decks may also have them available for purchase as a service part.

[@DavidBerquist334]

i have a teac it played fine sudenly it goes like a 78 record consistent speed do i just turn speed pot down on back of the motor thanks

[@DavidBerquist334]

***** thankyou turning the pot didnt change any thing no pot on moter belts rubber good

[@bamaslamma1003]

What's the song on the last tape called?

[@ThatManIam]

I have a Panasonic RS-608 tape deck, and the speed control basically has 2 settinngs, to fast or too slow, nothing in between. Could it be a bad belt?

[@ThatManIam]

***** Yea, I should probably search for a new belt because I would like to get it working correctly again. Thanks for your feedback.

[@XanCatify]

Is that a Unicomp Keyboard?!

[@jayson7327]

Hi Bill, thanks for this video. I just left a comment on your Pioneer cassette changer video and asked about tape speed. So this video should help me. Thanks!

[@alicesavage69420]

What do I do if my tape deck started out playing normally, but within a few hours, started playing about 10x too fast?

[@uxwbill]

+Kyle Ashby Check all the power supply output voltages. If the deck works normally after cooling off, record all the voltages at that time and again when it malfunctions. As for actual troubleshooting, a change in performance that drastic is very likely to leave some hints around: thermally distressed parts, bad solder joints, etc. If speed control is internal to the motor, it could be bad, but motor failures are pretty rare.

[@alicesavage69420]

It's an Emerson MC1010.

[@alicesavage69420]

Thank you very much! I'll try to fix it soon!

[@jasonk19xx17]

Note that if you're racking your brain trying to get a tool to fit into the motor adjustment, newer players with digital displays may have an adjustment screw/potentiometer directly on the circuit board for easy access.

[@uxwbill]

You can do that, but you'll likely be making two adjustments instead of one. (High and low speed, for those decks so equipped.)

[@MacPhantom]

@uxwbill Don't want to annoy you any longer, just one more comment concerning the "National Technics" thing: "National" is not written on these devices, instead it's the National logo. You can see it on the Technics devices I have (I've made a video about them). On some japanese only-devices like the 20A tube power amp, there even was the National logo in Japanese.

[@commandertaco1762]

Flathead or Phillips?

[@uxwbill]

Use a nonmetallic flat head tool only.

[@Synthematix]

im looking for a test tone tape 1kz

[@futuremath08]

I just bought a Sony TC-K620 , and the playback on it is too fast.

[@TheCatMilton]

That would be an awesome garage tape deck...

[@scaleop4]

I did the same but I used a 3khz tone instead.

[@GeneraleRus]

@uxwbill eheh no problem, just me being a bit lazy and not looking for the english translation of the italian "Diapason" and as you now know is just a tuning fork ehehe sorry again!

[@ToxicwasteProductions]

why not hook the other deck to the computer then use an HZ scanner like an oscilloscope or how ever its spelled for the computer. I use that techniques all the time. Look for soundcard oscilloscope. That way you can get it down to the herz. i try 30hz 120hz 300hz 600hz 1200hz and 3000hz normally.

[@marinivic2311]

Nice job! I used test tape with tone A, put in damaged deck, conect on PC in mic. input, i google online guitar trim with analog VU meter,and then i find tone A, play deck and trim motor on tone A !!!

[@Ninja_Gaijin]

I think best would be if after you did this, to capture a digital recording of the tape you made, then see exactly what frequency the tone is at. That way you should be able to (slowly) dial it in until get as close to the test tone as possible? Both decks MAY be the wrong speed. At very least I would suggest listening to the computer tone vs the cassette tone, instead of cassette tone vs cassette tone. If your recording cassette deck has any issues to begin with, it will not record the tone correctly. I am going to buy a 'pre-made' test tone tape from duplication.ca since they are the cheapest I can find (and seem good quality/decent company that knows about tapes). Amazed they can sell to me with free postage through local Australian location/free pickup too :)

[@uxwbill]

A frequency counter mode on a multimeter is far simpler and every bit as accurate. While I might not have done that in this video (don't remember), I have done so in others. As I said in the video, one must have a tape deck whose speed they can trust. I later tested another deck having a tape speed based real time counter, and whose speed had been calibrated with this same self-made tape. The test was against the real time counter on a CD player, and only after several minutes (more than 10, if memory serves) was there the slightest difference between the two. That's good enough for me, and probably better than the manufacturer's quoted wow/flutter specs.

[@Ninja_Gaijin]

I do need a MM but haven't got around to it yet - figured should learn to solder better first but worth it to test the cables too.. bit of a minefield trying to figure out what MM to buy though! Your video is awesome, I'm a bit nervous about operating and adjusting (safely) - but at least you go out of your way to talk about using a plastic screwdriver!!

[@1marcelfilms]

I wish tape decks had a fine and coarse adjusting pot instead of only 1 super touchy one. At least thats how they all are for me

[@nickthom1991]

Great vid, cheers!

[@davlf1]

thanks for your help 😊

[@james42519]

slowed it down to fit more on a tape probably.

[@yrussq]

Instead of reference single tone tape, recorded on different device you could possibly not have, you can use some of your tapes as a tone reference. Just find the tape with long enough notes melody and play the same song on your PC as mp3. Compare the tonality - that's it. Be careful and use official mp3 sources - not homemade mp3 - too many of them pitch crippled.

[@yrussq]

***** I deeply believe that if the man can't recognize perfect scale key match then he doesnt need adjusting. Most of the old school rock(very unlikely that young guys would mess with tapes - just us - old farts ^^) has long keys chords or synths. And i can assure you to match the song by key is much more safe way to accomplish adjusting then making reference tape on some second random device.

[@Leo_Berger]

Why on earth do they hide the potentiometer and function to adjust the tape speed??? Why?? Please tell me. This is a very very very useful function that you can find on some decks as a knob or slider on the front, but most just hide it like this. If the function already is there, why hide it? I don't understand.

[@uxwbill]

Most people have no need to ever adjust the playback speed of a tape. The motor's internal speed adjustment would not stand up to repeated use: decks with a user accessible speed adjustment will implement it in another way.

[@sreesutha1]

Today I purchase a technics stereo cassette player,because I still love cassettes.also vinyl record records

[@DoktorKoch]

Me too :-)

[@V8Jagnut]

cool. good to know this.

[@producer_ben]

For reference, the tone should ideally be 10khz

[@Juliuswwss]

Offical speed tapes are 3 and 3.15kHz. That is more than enough. Without freq counter even the 3kHz is too high to adjust it with this method. 10kHz is used for azimuth adjustment.

[@mowrer09]

sounds like the wheel of fortune wheel.

[@donamerex8383]

I hate when tape players do this! the sound is either to fast or too slow. Any idea what causes tape players to lose track of speed?

[@donamerex8383]

Interesting. Thanks for the reply.

[@MacPhantom]

@uxwbill No, it is definitely not better to just say "Panasonic". The company behind it, Matsushita, only labelled devices with "Technics by Panasonic" in the US. Elsewhere in the world, they were called "Technics", "National Technics", "National Panasonic", or just "National". For me, Panasonic is therefore NOT Technics, even though it's the same company. Panasonic is something like household devices, whereas Technics was the true hifi stuff.

[@edison700]

not boring at all

[@MacPhantom]

@uxwbill No offense intended, but it's the fact that you repeat this in every video that disturbs instead of people being pedantic. Just say it the way you always do (I mean, your mother tongue is English, so why do you bother? ;)). Cheers!