Hi Richard, The indication that the one tape drops out at different sections on different machines may indcate that the original recording was defective. But assuming the recording is good, I have a couple of suggestions that might help out, if you're not already aware of them. Check your pinch roller to make sure it's not glazed. If it is, replace it. Beyond head, guides and capstan cleaning this is the single most common cause of dropouts I learned about while servicing Panasonic, Tascam and Sony chassis DAT mechanical assemblies. When I went through the TASCAM DA88 service school they introduced me to a "cloth-like" cleaning material which they provide for cleaning heads by hand. It works well on the smaller DAT heads also. I firmly believe cleaning by hand with the power off is a much safer way to maintain your DAT heads . If you need more info on that cleaning material let me know. Generally, manual internal tracking adjustment is made by looking at the RF waveform pattern and observing the rectangular shape of the entire waveform. It should look like a nice even rectangle, not tapered at the ends or bowed in the middle. Chris eugene-audio --- "Richard L. Hess" <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > I've been asked to look at a DAT tape that drops out > at different > spots on different players. > > I experienced some of this with TDK DAT tape -- in > fact it severely > clogged my first DAT machine and required me to open > it and clean the > drum and guides. Not a fun thing. > > I'm thinking this is the problem and I'm wondering > things: > > (1) Has anyone improved this problem by > incubating/baking the DAT tape? > (2) Has anyone tried incubating/baking a DAT tape > and made it worse? > (3) Who has a DAT cleaner (Peter?)? > (4) Who has a manually variable tracking DAT player? > (5) Who has an advanced automatic scan tracking > (dynamic tracking) > DAT player? What models offered this? > (6) Anyone feel comfortable tackling this? I feel > somewhat OK with > this, but wish I had more tools and experience. > > Cheers, > > Richard > > Tape Restoration Seminar: MAY 9-12, 2006; details > at Web site. > Richard L. Hess email: > [log in to unmask] > Aurora, Ontario, Canada (905) 713 6733 > 1-877-TAPE-FIX > Detailed contact information: > http://www.richardhess.com/tape/contact.htm >