Hi all, snagged 2 Marantz PMD-222 cassette recorders and they function flawlessly for playing tapes, however they do not record no matter what I do. They both seem to have the same exact issue.
I spent a few hours reading the manual (to rule out user error) cleaning the heads and pots, tested the pots, and confirmed all the mechanicals are fully functional.
The tape spins like it should when in recording mode, however nothing is being recorded to the tape. I have tried the on board mic, line in, and XLR input to no avail. I suspect this is an electronics issue as the VU meter and peak LED do not respond at all to the inputs (the VU meter functions perfectly when playing tapes).
Anyone have any ideas?
I spent a few hours reading the manual (to rule out user error) cleaning the heads and pots, tested the pots, and confirmed all the mechanicals are fully functional.
The tape spins like it should when in recording mode, however nothing is being recorded to the tape. I have tried the on board mic, line in, and XLR input to no avail. I suspect this is an electronics issue as the VU meter and peak LED do not respond at all to the inputs (the VU meter functions perfectly when playing tapes).
Anyone have any ideas?
I don't know for this particular deck but many suffered from bad contacts in the tape monitor switch.
Flipping the switch a few times should temporarily cure the problem enough to get 'some' sound trough.
It is strange that both decks behave the same.
Despite your efforts to read the manual, I would think some user error is occuring here, unless this is the weak spot of these decks.
Flipping the switch a few times should temporarily cure the problem enough to get 'some' sound trough.
It is strange that both decks behave the same.
Despite your efforts to read the manual, I would think some user error is occuring here, unless this is the weak spot of these decks.
I tried recording many many times as I too thought that could be the issue, I can't get any sound to go through at all. This unit is not very complicated and in the few hours of testing I tried every combination of input and setting.
The service manual has a good block diagram and schematic, so you should be able to trace a line input signal up to that monitor switch.
Disassembling will be more challenging. 🙂
Disassembling will be more challenging. 🙂
I see that the bottom cover is easily removed and give you access to the complete board.
Should be doable..
Should be doable..
I am going to trace out the signal path later, unfortunately this means I have to buy the service manual from one of those manual selling websites. Unless anyone could find a free copy? I feel like I looked everywhere.
An obvious comment, but I need to make it: the cassettes have a tab on the top side to enable recording, it works as protection against unintended recording if it is removed.
Do the cassettes you tried have the tab in place?
Do the cassettes you tried have the tab in place?
Yes, when I record over a tape it does delete the previous recording. Is this bad? I have triple checked that the recording volume is maxxed out. The manual says "to erase tapes record with the recording level on 0" so ive been doing the opposite of that.
That's as it should be. It indicates that at least some of the record circuitry is powered and working.
I am really struggling to figure out what part of the circuit i should start at. I like to think im not a novice (im definetly a novice) but im trying to find what part of the circuit all the inputs engage.
I am going to print the schematic out and highling all the relavenent signal chains. please wish me luck if nothing else
I am going to print the schematic out and highling all the relavenent signal chains. please wish me luck if nothing else