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Teac A-3440 Simul-Sync Monitoring Issue

Navcom

Navcom

New Member
I have an issue with a Teac A-3440 R2R unit. The unit records and plays back wonderfully. My issue is with simul-sync monitoring when overdubbing additional tracks. It is not allowing me to monitor my new performance during the recording process. I can hear other tracks but not my current performance. If it's there, it's super faint and not "hearable" during operation. It IS recording...when I rewind and play back, it records my performance just fine. I just can't hear (or faintly hear) what I'm playing. Here's my process just to verify I'm doing it correctly...

Record stuff on track 1. Monitor's just fine. Records just fine.
Rewind, set FUNCTION SELECT to track 2 (turn off 1), set input levels for next performance, select OUTPUT SELECT to SYNC, select monitor switches to hear 1 and 2, hit record. I can hear track 1 just fine but my performance is barely audible, if at all.

Am I doing something wrong? I'm not even sure where to begin troubleshooting. I've cleaned most of the switches/pots. I have a second "parts" deck, so I can swap stuff out if need be. Is there a specific PCB/switch I should be focusing my attention on?

Thanks!
 
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Greetings from RojoLand!

You cannot monitor the channel being recorded via SimulSync. SS works by playing the previously recorded track(s) via the record head, so as to be in sync with what you're putting down on the channel being recorded (as opposed to regular monitoring via the playback head which introduces a delay). The track being recorded is disconnected from the SimulSync switch for that channel when in Record mode.

Perhaps a mixer could be used to take the SS playback from the deck as well as a feed from the gear you're recording with, and send that to headphones or a monitor amp.

Take care,
—
J. E. Knox "The Victor Freak" (also an A-3440 owner)
 
That's strange. I didn't realize that! How come on some channels, as soon as I hit record, I can hear myself playing along? I don't hear anything until I hit record. On some channels, it's static but after a reseated the PCB boards, they work as well. It's only channel 4 that I can't hear while recording with SS. Is it possible that three boards are bad and maybe that's leading to a different problem?
 
Greetings from RojoLand!

The A-3440 circuitry is pretty complex; have a look at Les Carpenter's "A Look Into The Circuitry Of The Teac A-3440" for details.
(Find it here: http://g4cnh.com/public/Teac A3440_a look at the circuitry.pdf)

It appears your Channel 4 issue may be due to dirty switches, a common problem. You mentioned having cleaned switches and pots; concentrate on the Output Select and Channel 4 Function Select switches. Spray DeoxIT® D5 in there and work the switches vigorously. If not effective, you'll need to signal-trace with an oscilloscope.

I wasn't fully clear in my previous response. In Simul-Sync the track being recorded cannot also be monitored from the record head since that head is busy recording. The deck provides a monitoring signal for that channel from the Line Amp via the Function Select switch S332, relay K331 and Output Select switch S331. Apparently, on your unit, Channel 4's monitor signal path is being blocked. A dirty switch, relay, or broken connection can cause this. Do you hear the source signal on Channel 4 with Output Select in Source, but not in Sync?

Take care,
—
J. E. Knox "The Victor Freak"
 
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