Situation:

Older, wide width analog recorders occasionally have a problem with tape mistracking. The tape will climb between the capstan and pinch roller causing severe output variations on all tracks and major problems with the edge track where the tape will buckle on the tape guides.

1) Make sure head and guides are parallel to the tape guides and are perpendicular to the tape deck, i.e., true to the plane of the tape path.

2) Examine capstan and pinch rollers for wear. Severely worn parts can cause the machine to mis-steer the tape. Often just replacing the worn pinch rollers will correct the mistracking. If new pinch rollers are not available, often turning over or rearranging the segmented sections of the pinch roller will be adequate for a temporary fix. In extreme cases the capstan will need to be replaced or retextured.

Studer has addressed this problem for their models A-80 and A-800 recorders. They sell a guide modification for these machines which gives additional improvements in tape tracking (service bulletin #SI 151/91). This kit comes in two parts:

1) a gimble guide called "the gizmo" and

2) improved guide and stabilizer rollers.

Studer refers to these mods as "Kit 'Gizmo' for A80-2"/A800-2", level 1" (order number 21.180.073.00) and "Kit 'Gizmo' for A80-2"/A800-2", level 2" (order number 21.180.073.01).

Any audio mastering tape can experience this problem. A11 audio mastering tape will perform fine without mistracking on a properly maintained machine. The situation often shows up first on high performance tapes used in critical music mastering, but the problem will eventually occur on most other products, thus the machine needs to be attended to at the first sign of problems.

(C)3M 1994 84-9811-7228-5