Wayne Parham Messages: 18793 Registered: January 2001
Illuminati (33rd Degree)
The main thing with any tape deck is the position of the head in relation to the tracks. If it's too far off, the tape will curl at its edges. But most times, it's not that far off, just enough to reduce the high-frequency content. So using 10kHz signal on the test tape, adjust the playback head alignment screw for highest amplitude.
I've done tape head alignments by ear too. Just use a store-bought pre-recorded cassette, because they are made on an aligned production system. Don't use a tape you've recorded, because even an unaligned tape head will play it's own tapes perfectly. A tape recorded on an unaligned deck just won't sound good in another tape deck. So use a pre-recorded cassette and adjust the tape head for the best crisp treble response.
Truthfully, the tape head doesn't usually need adjustment on a home deck because it doesn't usually change unless the deck is bumped. I do see it a lot on car stereos with cassette decks.
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