My Tape Recorder Is Not Recording Sound

The physically cumbersome design of tape-based recording makes periodic cleaning a necessity.

Although most are no longer in production, analog tape recorders nevertheless continue to show up in the toolkits of many audiophiles. Often they are valued for the pre-digital warmth they bring to a recording, as well as the host of artistic effects to which they lend themselves. The downside of using a tape recorder, however, is that many of their components do not age as gracefully as those of digital hardware. Tape recorders rely on a physical strip of tape being passed through a unit that electromagnetically reads the information encoded on the strip. Because of this design, tape recorders often lose their ability to record sound as they age and dirt builds up on the tape-reading head. Therefore, it often becomes necessary to disassemble and clean a tape recorder that is no longer recording sound satisfactorily.

Confirm Physical Problem

Check that there is indeed a physical problem with your tape recorder before you go about disassembling it. Attempt to record a loud, continuous, nearby sound. Make sure the recorder has batteries and that the red "Record" light comes on when you attempt to record. Make sure the volume/sensitivity is turned up to a reasonable level. If the tape recorder still fails to record, move on to Step 2.

Remove Foreign Objects

Turn your tape recorder off. Remove the batteries and any tape the recorder contains.

Access Tape Head

Disassemble the tape recorder using your screwdriver. Begin by removing the outer casing, then work your way to the internal components. You're looking for the tape head, which is the small cylindrical or horseshoe-shaped component that passes over the tape as it is fed through.

Clean Tape Head

Dab a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol. Clean the tape head with the cotton swab using gentle, circular motions. You should only clean the metal components, not the rubber ones. If your tape recorder is a model that has a rotating head, make sure to rotate the head at all possible angles to clean its entire surface area.

Reassemble your tape recorder after letting it sit for several hours while the rubbing alcohol dries. Ideally, your tape recorder will now be working properly.

References

• Musician's Friend: What's the best way to clean tape heads?