Calibration Tapes FAQ
Now some frequently asked questions:
How good is this set of tapes?
These tapes are not originals, but they are definitively quite as good, and certainly excellent for bringing back to life misaligned decks. Read customers’ feedback!
Is this all I need to calibrate my deck?
No. You need more gear. At least a digital multimeter, and the service manual for your deck. The calibration manual I provide here can serve you as a guide only. I can also provide an electronic copy of the service manual for most decks. Please bear in mind this is not part of this sale, nor is it a freebie, only a service to my customers.
What if it doesn’t work for me? Can you provide technical support?
The tapes do work for you and everybody else. Sometimes you may have questions, and I would definitively try to help via email on a best-effort basis. Other than this, I can take your deck for service.
Are these tapes good for my Nakamichi cassette deck model XYZ?
Certainly, they are. These tapes are good for ALL Nakamichi cassette decks.
Are these tapes good for my cassette deck brand X?
Yes, they are. Well, mostly. Track alignment and azimuth are common to the cassette standard, so they will be good. 3KHz speed cassette is good too, because speed is also a standard. 400Hz level tape at 200nWb/m (Dolby standard) may not suit your brand X, as this is a Nakamichi standard. For example, Yamaha decks use a different level reference (VU standard, at 160nWb/m), so this one should be used on Yamahas with caution (it is 1.93dB hotter!).
However, if you require any other calibration tape, at any flux level, we can accommodate almost any request, on our standard Type II C-10 cassettes, a brand new C-60 or C-90 TDK, Maxell, Type II or even Type IV tape, or otherwise a tape provided by you at an extra cost.
Are these tapes full track?
No, they are 2 track recordings.
Is the 1KHz tape an intra-track recording like the Nakamichi original?
No. It is a 2 track recording – this is why you need to look for maximum output, not minimum.
Playback head height (track alignment) should be adjusted to obtain MAXIMUM (not minimum) readings at output terminal. This puts the deck in the same track alignment position as the original Nakamichi test tape.
How much are they?
These set of calibration tapes and test tone files are yours for only 95€ shipped to Western Europe, 105€ elsewhere.
Can I pick them up? Can you ship via (your favourite courier here)?
You are welcome to pick them up in Madrid. I can also arrange to have them shipped by the courier of your choice (like DHL or UPS), please ask before buying! One final note: I can not (never ever) be liable for items lost or damaged in post. If you don’t agree with this, please do not buy. Should you need to track the shipment or want insurance, please contact me.
When will my tapes arrive?
Tapes are made to order. Usually recording is completed in 2 to 3 business days. The tapes are then brought to shipping dept. and to the post office in another 1-2 business days. Parcels then usually reach Western Europe within a week, rest of Europe in about 10 days, and rest of the world before 2 weeks. Your mileage may (will) vary.
What’s in the package?
Two alignment cassettes, a test tone link to download the tone files, and a measured performance document.
I would also need a set of belts / parts, and a service manual for my deck. Can you help?
Sometimes I can provide belts for your deck, and other parts. Please contact me at luis at naks.es and we will discuss the matter. Should you need a service manual, I can provide an electronic copy of the it for most decks – not all. This is not a product provided in this sale, only a service to my customers.
I see a lot of gear, decks and more on the pictures. Are they included in the sale?
No. Scopes, decks, gauges, original calibration tapes, or any other gear or goods are NOT INCLUDED in this sale. Read “What’s in the package?” above.
I have several other questions regarding my cassette deck. Can you help?
I will gladly try to help or redirect your questions to the appropriate forums and mailing lists. Some of the most common Nakamichi cassette decks problems and solutions can be found in my Nakamichi pages, at https://www.naks.es. You are also encouraged to join the NakTalk mailing list. Please visit http://naks.com .
These tapes are defective! I can’t hear anything recorded on the 15KHz tape!
The tape is – most probably – good. Your deck is probably way off azimuth, so no signal is read – or heard. Besides, if you see the meters moving but still can’t hear the tone, it could be you simply can’t hear up to 15KHz – something that happens after a certain age.
Just once the tapes were damaged while in transit. Even though it is not my responsibility, nor can I be blamed for it, I will gladly remaster the tape for free if you ship it back to me. Return postage applies.