Just tried out my first reel to reel tape deck! I asked a couple questions here on purchasing a deck and had some very helpful feedback so thank you all for that first.
I'm working on a digital transfer project. My current setup has an RCA cable connected to the microphone jack on my computer which is open to a recording software. Everything seems to be running okay, except the output is very soft. I can barely hear the tape and I mostly hear static (although I think the static itself might not be the problem--the audio is just so low that the static overwhelms it easily). It seems to be both channels that have this issue, and the needles on either channel don't move at all. Turning the volume dial increases the volume of both the static and tape audio.
At one point while trying the deck again yesterday, the audio suddenly came out loud and clear, but only lasted for about 10 seconds or so before the levels dropped.
I recently used isopropyl to clean the tape heads. I've tried multiple tapes to ensure it's not a tape issue. The only piece of my recording equipment (software, computer, and cable) I haven't independently checked is the cable.
Is there anything you recommend trying (new cable, checking the heads)? The seller suggested that it might have to do with the heads. There are also a few shops nearby I can go to in case this can't be solved on my own.
I'm working on a digital transfer project. My current setup has an RCA cable connected to the microphone jack on my computer which is open to a recording software. Everything seems to be running okay, except the output is very soft. I can barely hear the tape and I mostly hear static (although I think the static itself might not be the problem--the audio is just so low that the static overwhelms it easily). It seems to be both channels that have this issue, and the needles on either channel don't move at all. Turning the volume dial increases the volume of both the static and tape audio.
At one point while trying the deck again yesterday, the audio suddenly came out loud and clear, but only lasted for about 10 seconds or so before the levels dropped.
I recently used isopropyl to clean the tape heads. I've tried multiple tapes to ensure it's not a tape issue. The only piece of my recording equipment (software, computer, and cable) I haven't independently checked is the cable.
Is there anything you recommend trying (new cable, checking the heads)? The seller suggested that it might have to do with the heads. There are also a few shops nearby I can go to in case this can't be solved on my own.
