Just dug out a bunch of DATs from (deep breath) 10+ years ago and played back the first bunch of demos I ever recorded. The oldest of which has played back perfectly but 'pon rewinding stopped about 20mins from the start and my old DAT player has flashed the word CAUTION.

Now, Irony upon ironies I was just about to get around to plugging this into my mac to archive everything and make backups.

Does anyone have any clues at what might be up or what my next course of action.

Are you using the same machine they were recorded on to play them back?

An unhelpful comment: boy, DAT was a sucky format.

What brand and model DAT machine?

CA

ladewd wrote:What brand and model DAT machine?

CA

Sont DTC 750 which was the domestic DAT. Doesn't have the best reputation in the world but hasn't given me any trouble up till now.

Kayte R. wrote:Are you using the same machine they were recorded on to play them back?

Some of the tracks were were and some weren't. It has been played back on this machine more often than any other.

carlsaff wrote:An unhelpful comment: boy, DAT was a sucky format.

You're right, that was unhelpful.

Sometimes I find fast forwarding to the end of the tape, then rewinding all the way can help. In fact, I often do this to brand new DATs before recording. Yes, I still use them.

As recently as Saturday.

I havent had a problem for a while. When I have, it has usually be with tapes or machines of questionable heritage.

I had my DAP1 serviced a year ago, nothing major, but cleaning and realigning the unit before it gets really fucked. The battery life it pretty shot these days unfortunately.

I did give this a go but I'm thinking I'll try it one more time just incase I dreamed it. If the tape snaps I'll hold you personally responsible.

stuffy wrote:

carlsaff wrote:An unhelpful comment: boy, DAT was a sucky format.

You're right, that was unhelpful.

Sorry. I was feeling grumpy. DATs bring out the grumpy in me.

If it were me, I would try ejecting the tape and seeing if any damage is obvious.

If no obvious damage, I would try what what the previous poster suggested, which is sometimes called "unpacking" the DAT -- simply fast-forwarding and rewinding it completely. Then make the necessary connections for transfer, and make sure that the next time you play the DAT, you're also simultaneously backing it up. Then, if the transfer is without flaws, duplicate the transferred data once or twice. At that point the condition of original tape itself will be irrelevant -- it will hopefully never need to be played again.

carlsaff wrote:

stuffy wrote:

carlsaff wrote:An unhelpful comment: boy, DAT was a sucky format.

You're right, that was unhelpful.

Sorry. I was feeling grumpy. DATs bring out the grumpy in me.

If it were me, I would try ejecting the tape and seeing if any damage is obvious.

If no obvious damage, I would try what what the previous poster suggested, which is sometimes called "unpacking" the DAT -- simply fast-forwarding and rewinding it completely. Then make the necessary connections for transfer, and make sure that the next time you play the DAT, you're also simultaneously backing it up. Then, if the transfer is without flaws, duplicate the transferred data once or twice. At that point the condition of original tape itself will be irrelevant -- it will hopefully never need to be played again.

Hey no worries. I have just repacked it for a 2nd time and bingo it has worked.. I usually do this with tapes having had this drilled into me by my BBC engineer father. I reckon with the changeable weather in the uk at present (either blisteringly hot or torrential rain) that the tape got a little moist. Think I'll go through all my DATs and do the same before I back them all up to CD, Hard Disk and 1/4". Mind you I only seems to have reels of 30 year old BASF LR56. I have to say, it's been holding up pretty darn well.

Thanks to all of you for your help. I don't know a lot about audio engineering, but I know what I like. Best forum in the world ever.

I have a Sony DTC75 ES, which is very close to your machine. I used to repair these suckers. On these machines, when you pack them away and don't use them for a long time, the small brake pads in the transport turn to goo and tend to stick to the reel turntables. I had the same problem with my machine, but decided I didn't use it enough to bother screwing with it yet. Besides, Sony probably doesn't support these machines any longer and parts may be difficult to find. If you absolutely need the tape, open the machine up and try and disassemble it enough to get the tape out. Its been about 10 years since I messed with one of these, but if you need guidance, PM me privately. Where are you located? I'm in southern CA.

CA