Thursday, June 9, 2011

Modify A Cassette Recorder

There are many audio recordings to listen to on cassette tapes.


Cassette tapes may no longer enjoy the popularity they once did, but there are still many old-time radio shows, how-to tutorials and other "talking" recordings that have yet to be transferred to CDs. You can modify a cassette recorder so that the audio will be more tuned to the vocal characteristics of the audio tapes that are being played. You will have to open the cassette recorder and adjust the control that regulates the sound frequencies of the playback head, but no electronic or mechanical skill is required.


Instructions








1. Put a towel on a table. Put the cassette recorder on the towel. Open the cassette door. Remove any cassette that is inside. Close the cassette door.


2. Use the Phillips screwdriver to remove the screws from the sides, back and bottom of the cassette recorder. Insert the flat-edged jeweler's screwdriver between the seam of the top and bottom shells of the cassette recorder. Wiggle the flat-edged jeweler's screwdriver to separate the two shells from one another. Pull the top shell off the bottom shell and put it down carefully so as not to dislodge any of the wiring connected to it.


3. Blow off the erase and play/record heads on the tape assemble with compressed air. Dip a cotton swab in Magnetic head cleaner. Apply the cotton swab to the top of both the erase and play/record heads. Let the heads dry.


4. Plug in a pair of headphones to the headphone jack on the cassette recorder. Put the headphones on.


5. Insert an audio cassette tape into the tape hubs of the tape assembly. Gently press the "Play" button on the top shell to start the audio cassette tape playing.


6. Insert the Phillips jeweler's screwdriver into the small screw on the side of the play/record head. Adjust the screw clockwise and counterclockwise as you listen to the audio tape. Stop adjusting the screw when the talking on the audio tape sounds superior to how it did when you first started.








7. Blow off the play/record and erase heads with the compressed air. Remove the audio cassette tape. Remove the headphone plug from the cassette recorder. Reassemble the cassette recorder.

Tags: cassette recorder, play record, audio cassette, audio cassette tape, cassette recorder