Maintenance - Yamaha MT4X User Manual

45 Appendix

Maintenance

The MT4X requires regular maintenance to remain in top operating condition. If you
observe the following problems, you should clean and possibly demagnetize the unit:
• A drop in level at high frequencies.
• An increase in wow and flutter.
• Fluctuating sound or signal dropout.
• Excessive noise.
Cleaning the recording head and
components
The record/playback head is in constant
contact with the recording tape. Over time it
will become coated with an oxide residue
and need to be cleaned. The other
components — the capstan and pinchroller
— also tend to become coated with residue
and dust particles.
To clean the record/playback head and capstan, use a head-cleaning kit. These kits
generally include specially-made cotton swabs and an isopropyl alcohol-based cleaning
solution, and are available at audio and electronics shops. Follow the directions on the kit,
carefully wiping the record/playback head and the capstan with a swab soaked in
cleaning solution. It is best to clean the pinchroller with a non-alcohol based rubber
cleaning solution, which is often included in the cleaning kits. Alcohol tends to dry out
and corrode the rubber part of the roller.
You should clean the record/playback head and capstan after every 10 hours of use.
Demagnetizing the recording head
As the recording tape passes over the record/playback head, it tends to impart a tiny
amount of magnetism to the head. The head collects this magnetism over a period of time,
slowly becoming magnetized. You need to demagnetize the head using a commercially-
available head demagnetizer. These are also available at most audio and electronics shops.
Note: Read the directions on the demagnetizer carefully. If you do not use the demagnetizer
correctly, you could seriously damage the record/playback head. Also, keep recorded tapes away
from the demagnetizer when it is in use; the demagnetizer can accidentally erase your tapes.
You should demagnetize the record/playback head after every 20 to 30 hours of use.
User's Guide