DAT Cleaning tapes/Cleaning DAT machine tape head

[vinyl_junkie]

Hi guys,

I still have a Panasonic SV-3800 DAT recorder I like to use but I can't seem to find a place selling cleaning tapes. On ebay all I seem to see is for DDS which I think use a different tape with to a normal audio DAT cassette.
Does any one know where I can get any?

Also how hard is it to clean the heads on this machine?
For my normal analogue tape machines I use IPA on some good cotton buds to clean the heads and also like to degauss them, although I'm almost 100% sure DAT heads don't need to be degaussed as they are different and doing so would damage them.

Being helical scanning cylindrical heads I'm not sure how hard to clean these my self would be and personally for these I don't think cotton buds will cut it.
Any words of advice for this dead format?

Cheers

[Guy Johnson]

Be VERY careful. Best take it to a boffin who knows; its all too easy to get foreign matter in the head, or to over-grind with a cleaning-tape.

[vinyl_junkie]

Be VERY careful. Best take it to a boffin who knows; its all too easy to get foreign matter in the head, or to over-grind with a cleaning-tape.

That was my initial worry hence why I haven't opened her up yet

[Chevytraveller]

I wouldn't use cotton buds on the rotary head(tends to leave fibres on the head).. just use them for areas of the tape path(rollers etc).

The best thing to use for rotary heads is a Lint Free cloth with IPA.. Hold the cloth against the head and then carefully rotate the drum using a tooth pick or something non-metallic. This should shift any oxide deposited on the head without damaging it.. very fiddly on such small drums though so take your time

Hope this helps

[vinyl_junkie]

I wouldn't use cotton buds on the rotary head(tends to leave fibres on the head).. just use them for areas of the tape path(rollers etc).

The best thing to use for rotary heads is a Lint Free cloth with IPA.. Hold the cloth against the head and then carefully rotate the drum using a tooth pick or something non-metallic. This should shift any oxide deposited on the head without damaging it.. very fiddly on such small drums though so take your time

Hope this helps

Thanks Chevy, just also found this which basically says the same thing but also has pretty pictures lol

http://www.tangible-technology.com/machines/repair_tips.html#Panasonic

[Tartaruga]

Hi
I know sometimes it can be expensive,but i would avoid any ‘manoeuver’ inside the machine,and would bring it to someone who knows how to do it.I also know it sounds ‘corny’,but i’ve seen a lot of DAT destroyed by basic attempts to repair/clean them.I was lucky enough to know a good technician,so i get my DAT(Tascam DA-P1) back mostly as good as new,if not better,lol…
I also learn that some of them have ‘combo’ commands for some ‘status’(like ADAT,you press several buttons,in a precise order and you get some information,like ‘last manutention’,’hours of work’,and various information…).
I would certainly avoid ‘Cleaning (killing) Tapes)

[James Perrett]

Why do you think the head needs cleaning? In normal use, helical scan heads don't need to be cleaned. The only time I've ever had to clean helical scan heads has been after a tape has jammed.

James.

[vinyl_junkie]

Why do you think the head needs cleaning? In normal use, helical scan heads don't need to be cleaned. The only time I've ever had to clean helical scan heads has been after a tape has jammed.

James.

Was just asking out of interest should the need ever arise. The error rates are pretty low to be honest and it's not shown the "clean head" lamp in normal use... but she don't like shuttle reverse much, that can often cause tape errors more often than not... mind that's not the heads

I read this

"When in reverse play — the most difficult mode — poor back tension and/or and an extremely out-of-whack exit guide ( the last one before the tape re-enters the shell ) will aggravate the tape path in reverse. In many cases, the guide will not correctly adjust because the plastic that secures the machined brass becomes damaged. Take up tension should be between 10gm/cm and 15gm/cm. Tolerance: not less than 8gm/cm or more than 18 gm/cm. Nominal Supply tension is 6 gm/cm. Tolerance: -1/+2 gm/cm. Back tension — when the take-up reel becomes the supply reel in reverse play — should be 10 gm/cm."

[James Perrett]

In my opinion, the only thing you should be using your DAT machine for these days is to transfer tapes to another, more durable, medium. Anything else is just asking for trouble.

James.

[vinyl_junkie]

In my opinion, the only thing you should be using your DAT machine for these days is to transfer tapes to another, more durable, medium. Anything else is just asking for trouble.

James.

Hehe I knew that one was coming. To be honest and this may sound totally stupid as I generally don't work "in the box" as it may be I like to have something instant that I can bung a tape or something in and press record when inspiration comes or when stuff is sounding good.
When I turn on my DAW I mess about with settings, hope my 828 don't die on me (it likes to drop out from time to time), check my email and so on... I know it sounds stupid but using one of these ancient DAT machines gets me to record more music, I then transfer the good bits via it's digital output to my DAW where it is as you say safer.

A few years back I got a grotty ol' cassette 4 track to use as a lo-fi effect for certain things, sure this worked great for that purpose but I ended up recording also too much music to it just cos pressing record for me was easier than messing about with the computer... So thought, cheapest option that wouldn't always sound like trash would be a DAT machine... At £50 I really can't moan
It may not have the best sound by today's standard but then my music isn't that hi-fi to warrant big bux convertors

[Kolakube]

Hehe I knew that one was coming. To be honest and this may sound totally stupid as I generally don't work "in the box" as it may be I like to have something instant that I can bung a tape or something in and press record when inspiration comes or when stuff is sounding good.
When I turn on my DAW I mess about with settings, hope my 828 don't die on me (it likes to drop out from time to time), check my email and so on... I know it sounds stupid but using one of these ancient DAT machines gets me to record more music, I then transfer the good bits via it's digital output to my DAW where it is as you say safer.

Amen to that brother!!

[Kolakube]

I have no experience of this company but...

http://www.tape-drive-repair.com/?gclid=CMfvvP7szqsCFQ0OfAod1zDsVA