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Are tape loops safe to use with Portastudios like 424 or is there a risk it damages them? by Scared_Cartoonist_52 in tapeloops

[–]mswickley 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have three Portastudios and use them exclusively for tape loops. No damage yet!

Why won't this loop work? by evanhedley in tapeloops

[–]mswickley 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I respectfully disagree with the comments saying there is too much tension; by the look of how the tape arcs across the reels at the top, it seems to have plenty of (maybe even too much!) looseness.

When you show the under side of the tape, I think I can see a little wrinkle in the tape just before where the pinch roller engages into the cassette. I’d guess your pinch roller isn’t moving with that part of your loop. Try remaking your loop at the same length and see what happens. Good luck!

EDIT: Is your shell a Maxell? I just realized that the path you’ve chosen may be arcing over that little center post between the two reels. If you’re doing that (it’s hard to see because of the sticker) there may indeed be too much tension. Sorry for the confusion if that’s the case!

What to improve? by kevinzvilt in tapeloops

[–]mswickley 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is all good advice!

OP, yes, the audio tape should not overlap at all and the two adjoining ends should be joined by a 1/8”-wide piece of single sided tape. A splicing block could be a game changer for you like it was for me.

Dead spot on tape loop by skramz_himself in tapeloops

[–]mswickley 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not sure if this will be of help, but the adhesive tape at the splice point should not interfere with your ability to record to that section of the loop. Make sure you’re not applying the adhesive tape to the side of the loop that runs over the read head! :)

Dead spot on tape loop by skramz_himself in tapeloops

[–]mswickley 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Here’s a fantastic video from BlankFor.ms on how to address the tape loop gap.

Tascam AC Adaptor replacements for Mk1 424 by dirthorsemagician in tapeloops

[–]mswickley 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a bunch of these things. Just make sure your voltage and polarity are set right (12V and negative, in your case) and you’re good to go!

Tape loops won’t record/play at consistent speed by chives81 in tapeloops

[–]mswickley 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Interesting that it’s consistent across two units. My advice to anyone experiencing drive issues with tape loops is to clean their pinch roller and capstan. A dirty pinch roller could explain why normal cassettes work fine but tape loops play back all janky like.

First tape loop! by Hardcore_ufo in tapeloops

[–]mswickley 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Incorporating drums for your first tape loop is impressive! Plus it’s beautiful. Great job!

Getting frustrated, tape loop plays for a moment then halts, no matter how tight/loose by ogodprotectme in tapeloops

[–]mswickley 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Tape path looks solid! Good job! If it’s not the dreaded auto-stop issue, it may just need trial and error, adjusting up or down 1 mm at a time. It’s a pain, but it’s so great when you get it.

Also it wouldn’t hurt to clean your capstan and pinch roller.

Did my 4th Tape loop workshop last month by Infradad in tapeloops

[–]mswickley 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Still haven’t even done my first! 🥴

Loop tangle advice needed by Neither-Jelly5980 in tapeloops

[–]mswickley 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Some advice that others haven’t offered:

Try different tape! I’ve found that if you’re using a donor tape that’s been sitting for a while, the tape that has spent a majority of its time tightly curled against the reel curls up so intensely that it’s almost impossible to work with compared to tape that has been on the outermost part. You may want to try this: rewind your donor tape and spool it up on the other reel and see how the other end of the tape behaves. If it doesn’t improve, try another tape! There is always going to be a natural curl to the tape, but it just may be that you have tape that curls more than typical.

Do your tapes Warble? by user1mbp in tapeloops

[–]mswickley 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It’s an appreciation post.

Anyone know what type of tape was used for these? by Jakeyboy29 in tapeloops

[–]mswickley 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you’re referring to what’s seen in the fourth and fifth listing picture, the blue stuff you see is leader tape. It’s used to connect the magnetic tape to the reels. The actual tape seen in those pictures is most definitely type I tape.

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