DA-88 Maintenance, Upgrades and Tweaks

DA-88 Maintenance, Upgrades and Tweaks
OPTIMIZING THE PERFORMANCE OF YOUR TASCAM DIGITAL MULTITRACK

By Eddie Ciletti

For any product, environment can affect the MTBF (Mean Time Before Failure). This is especially true for tape machines, where air quality can contribute to MTBF as much as the type of use or abuse. The Tascam DA-88, for example, has a fan that draws air through the tape slot, among other spaces, potentially accelerating mechanical component degradation when the air quality is in the negative.

Tascam DA-88 with cover removed. The orange box spotlights the location of the five-year-life lithium battery that supplies power to the unit’s memory settings. DA-88s have been shipping for eight years, and a DA-88 or other MDM that exhibits erratic behavior may simply need a replacement battery. Worse yet, old batteries may start to leak or corrode, possibly damaging the circuit board.
(click image for larger view)

Note how the following three environmental examples can affect the MTBF: a post house that relies heavily on tape is likely to have the machine turned on 24/7, a power user; workstation users may need access to tape but mostly work “offline,” constituting intermediate use; weekend warriors—who always wish they had more time—would be classified as inconsistent users, hot and heavy some weekends, possibly dormant for many weeks.

In each of these cases, understanding the environment can help predict, prevent or minimize downtime during periods of critical need. If the post house’s DA-88 was installed in a proper video machine room—where air quality control is an art—then it could be “on” 24/7, yet stay relatively clean and likely go for longer intervals before requiring major service. In a more typical control room environment, turning a “stock” machine off when not in use will minimize the collection of accumulated dust. High humidity will shorten the MTBF of any videotape-based, helical scan recorder. This is especially true for the earliest DA-88 version—now eight years old—because its nonanodized reel table clutches have been redesigned three times since and are now stable (for a wear-item part).

Note: The information in this column could be dangerous in the wrong hands. Trying to help two diverse groups—users and technicians—could potentially compromise the material. All tape machines should get a routine inspection every 250 to 500 hours, especially if you aren’t the type to pop the hood and at least take a look-see. Also, establish a relationship with a service company: There’s a reasonable chance life can be extended and maintenance costs reduced via scheduled maintenance.

NICE HEAD
Like a used car, tape machine usage is judged by head hours, not just the “on” hours. Yet being “on” and in a negative environment, for a stock DA-88, invites foreign matter into the transport area. No counter keeps track of that. The fan reversal and filter modification detailed at www.tangible-technology.com is very effective at trapping airborne contaminants before they can muck up to the transport. There are plenty of digital tape machine tips on my Website. Your feedback is welcome.

In light of California’s power deregulation mistake—don’t get me started—I wouldn’t suggest that you counteract high humidity by leaving the machine on (even with the added filter). Note that DA-88s were shipped with a silica gel pack. For humid environs, mount the machine in its own rackcase with the silica gel pack tucked inside. Put the front and rear covers on when not in use. With luck, the heat generated when the machine is on will “reset” the pack for the next storage period. If not, then the food dehydrator specified on my analog tape restoration page is a good choice.

Reprinted with permission from

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