dictaphone problems

[joko]

when i try to play my dictaphone there is a very highpitched squeal coming out of the machine and wont stop. i can hear the recording underneath this.

trouble is, i have two machines and it does it on both!!

what can this be?

Thanks

[gary baldy]

Sounds like feedback - are you talking too close to the mike or do you have the dictaphone close to magnetic source?

[joko]

no, it only happens on playback and i don't go close up to it, at happens wherever so i don't htink there is any magnetic sources

[andy-hughes]

Maybe the tape head and pinch wheel want cleaning. use white spirit and a cotton bud to clean both - you'll be surprised at how much gunk collects off the tape running through them with regular use. That should cure the problem.

[Kerplunk]

Try a different tape?

[rojash]

Have you checked the batteries? On some machines with a fixed magent instead of an erase head, you get this effect with low batteries, when the bias oscilator frequency drops into the audible range.

[stevie21]

Sadly, no-one has made the obvious pitiful joke...

The high pitched squeal is the sound of your voice.




I'll get my coat :(


p.s. are you using the same tape on both?

[joko]

badumching!!

originally i had two tapes that had previously had the noise of a fax machine on them and were for some kind of programme, and these worked fine when taped over but i started to wonder so i bought a brand new tape and the same thing happened

incidentally, is it possible for these things to be plugged into the mains? anyone know what lead/ adaptor etc i'd need? if its the batteries this would eliminate the problem - only when i am near a socket though!

Thanks to all for your replies - i will certainly check them all out