Man, this was such a fulfilling fix. I bought an MT8X with this problem. I found your video, ordered a belt, watched the video again twice, and fixed mine in 30 minutes. Works like brand new! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I have exactly the same problem and I just ordered new belts. Although the belt in the machine does not look like its destroyed,i will give it a try. Edit: It worked ! And it is really weird because my existing belt does not show wearing signs ! Thank you kind sir
Thanks so much for this video!! I fixed my “new” MT8X, which was stopping after playing for 5-10 seconds and also fast-forwarding when I hit stop. One note: I had to remove more screws on the bottom of the unit than the 9 shown in this video (I took out all the screws on the bottom/back, although I think I could have gotten away with unscrewing just the two in the middle of the bottom in addition to the screws in the video). Really pumped to use this :) Also, as others have mentioned, the size band you need is 2 cm diameter/6 cm circumference, but I found it by googling “MT8X loading belt replacement”
thank you for this!!! i just got one of these on ebay for a good price. since it was pretty low, i figured i would buy replacement belts to go with it. low and behold, the unit arrives and it has this very issue. i was thinking i would have to take it to a repair shop and wait two months, but now i may not have to! very helpful video
Thank you for this video. I watched a few other videos for the same repair that were much more complicated, disconnecting more parts. The tip of not unscrewing the other screw was very helpful. Found the right belt online and in and out in under 10 min.
Hey, I might have the same problem. The cassette does not play at all! Only rewind + fast forward and stop. Where can I find this belt? Are there any in normal hardware stores? Thanks
@@erikkun4571 You have to buy the exact size and type (round/square) to get the best results. Many people buy them on eBay but if you find a good store in your country you can probably find it. I live in Japan and found a Japanese UA-cam video with the right size and link to a store in Japan. If you need the size I can dig up the info
Hi and thanks for the great videos! It's a big help. I have a Yamaha MT8X II with huge wow & flutter issues. Do you think it can be fixed by replaceing the pinch roller and/or the belt ? Thanks in advance
Make sure you removed the rare side screws near the power cord and terminals, make sure the head block is not stucked in the play position, otherwise you have to push it backward by you finger while lifting up the top cover, good luck
@@3rdisland477 Update it is another bad motor that was sent to me. Here the noise of the replacement unattached. ua-cam.com/video/Eh4kI2Z-EVM/v-deo.html
I hope you see this. When I press play on my MT8X it’s plays SUPER fast and is all high pitched - like when you hear a tape fast forwarding. What could the issue be? Now, on my MT4X, the pitch goes up and down as I’m playing it. Someone on the home recording forum told me to replace the belts. However I saw your reply to someone with the same issue and you said it could be (or it is?) a bad motor. Instead of buying a new motor, could it just be that the motor is dirty and needs to be cleaned? Any help would be very much appreciated!!! I’m really upset that I can’t play my tapes or record. 😢
This model comes as a high speed (9.5cm/sec) recorder for hi quality recording, you can not play a prerecording tapes, only audio recorded in a high speed machine (9.5cm/sec) can be played back in this machine , so your machine is working perfectly with no issue Good luck
My MT8X is being exceedingly difficult to open, despite the fact that i took out all the same screws shown in this video. Any idea what i might be missing?
I've got this issue happening with my MT8X, are there any other possible reasons for this malfunction besides the loading belt? What happens if I replace the belt and the issue persists?
So I bought a Yamaha mt8x.A few things are not working that great but good enough One thing bothers me though I guess you are familiar with the sound of a cassette when recording with dbx on but switching it off during playback. Its a very compressed sound. Well my recordings on the mt8x always sound that way,no matter if the dbx is on/off while recording and playback Never experienced s.th. like that I have/had quite a few portastudios... Any idea? How easy/hard would it be to replace or completely bypass the dbx? (I actually do not nead dbx when recording loud sources)
Hi, thanks for your comment, make sure the head is clean, did the head has been calibrated before ? this will affect recording and playback, other wise you have to replace the head , good luck
@@3rdisland477 thx for the response. Head is clean and machine demagnitized. The sound I mean is like here ua-cam.com/video/kCrT_h62Tck/v-deo.html Dbx while recording: on Dbx while playback: off Thats a very distinctive sound and on my mtx8 all tapes sound like that.So something must be off with the dbx.Also recordings on track 8 sound strange,which could be due to sync and dbx acting funny I guess. Would there be an easy way to bypass the dbx and sync?
I have a new (to me) Yamaha MT8X which seems to play properly but the motor or the belt is squealing big time..not a first, but will get super high pitch. It looks really clean inside, although it was very dirty outside. It doesn't appear the big belt is slipping. Ideas to trouble-shoot the issue? I appreciate your time. DG
This model adopts ON motor circuit that makes motor get damage or dry, leads to not stable pitch speed, you may need to clean or replace the motor to play properly, good luck
@@3rdisland477 I bought a direct replacement motor on ebay luckily yesterday. I tore the unit down and the motor is NOISY as heck. Time to replace. Thank you. I love your videos.
@@daniellegomez9223 hi I am having the playing tape stopping after a few seconds problem (sometimes it will go longer, but it just seem to randomly stop). I replaced the belts but it didn't fix the issue. Sometimes I do hear the motor or the belt squealing. Maybe the motor is faulty?
Just got one in a pawn shop. It picks up the mic the buttons work. It rewinds and it fast forwards. It will not play or record at all. Do you know if that’s the same issue? Do I need to replace the belt as well or is mine just not gonna work? Hopefully you reply thank you!
This task needs much experience in electronics if you are, then you could, otherwise it's not recommended to play with this big machine, usualy I get this tiny pot. out and disassrmble it and clean from inside then resolder it
Thank you for pointing it out. It seems I have te same problem. Recorder is in mint condition, like new. But it plays for only a few seconds. I tried to find the belt online but could not find one. Do you have a link maybe? The one you mentioned in the comments does not work anymore. Much appreciated! And thanks again.
Man, this was such a fulfilling fix. I bought an MT8X with this problem. I found your video, ordered a belt, watched the video again twice, and fixed mine in 30 minutes. Works like brand new! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
So happy that my video could help you to rrpair your recorder
About to do the same, one of the best sounding cassette multi tracks ever
I have exactly the same problem and I just ordered new belts. Although the belt in the machine does not look like its destroyed,i will give it a try. Edit: It worked ! And it is really weird because my existing belt does not show wearing signs ! Thank you kind sir
Thanks so much for this video!! I fixed my “new” MT8X, which was stopping after playing for 5-10 seconds and also fast-forwarding when I hit stop. One note: I had to remove more screws on the bottom of the unit than the 9 shown in this video (I took out all the screws on the bottom/back, although I think I could have gotten away with unscrewing just the two in the middle of the bottom in addition to the screws in the video). Really pumped to use this :) Also, as others have mentioned, the size band you need is 2 cm diameter/6 cm circumference, but I found it by googling “MT8X loading belt replacement”
thank you for this!!! i just got one of these on ebay for a good price. since it was pretty low, i figured i would buy replacement belts to go with it. low and behold, the unit arrives and it has this very issue. i was thinking i would have to take it to a repair shop and wait two months, but now i may not have to! very helpful video
Thank you for this video. I watched a few other videos for the same repair that were much more complicated, disconnecting more parts. The tip of not unscrewing the other screw was very helpful. Found the right belt online and in and out in under 10 min.
PS, that screwdriver looks amazing, is it Swiss made?
Hey, I might have the same problem. The cassette does not play at all! Only rewind + fast forward and stop.
Where can I find this belt? Are there any in normal hardware stores?
Thanks
@@erikkun4571 You have to buy the exact size and type (round/square) to get the best results. Many people buy them on eBay but if you find a good store in your country you can probably find it. I live in Japan and found a Japanese UA-cam video with the right size and link to a store in Japan. If you need the size I can dig up the info
@@tylereat It would help a lot! I am from romania and the only solution I can think of is to send it to an old guy that repairs casette decks :)
Thank you! I can restored my Yamaha with your advice. By the way - very nice channel, many useful videos!
Thanks for this video! Fixed my unit.
Thank you soooooo muuchhhhh!!!!
Life. Saver!
Hi and thanks for the great videos! It's a big help. I have a Yamaha MT8X II with huge wow & flutter issues. Do you think it can be fixed by replaceing the pinch roller and/or the belt ? Thanks in advance
Hi, thanks for your kind comnent, it could be, or bad motor, slack belt could make this issue aswell.
Good luck
Good work!
Hey , tks very for this video ! What is the diameter of the belt I have to buy for remplace the old one ?
Thanks! Very useful!
I removed all of the screws shown in your video but mine still would not open. The rest of the procedure looks pretty strait forward.
Make sure you removed the rare side screws near the power cord and terminals, make sure the head block is not stucked in the play position, otherwise you have to push it backward by you finger while lifting up the top cover, good luck
@@3rdisland477 Also the 2 screws in the deeper holes in the middle of the back?
I have replaced the motor and the belts and now I am getting a weird sound from the big fly wheel.
Here is a video of it: ua-cam.com/video/iasOf0Ogcrs/v-deo.html
Just needs for a clean with 1 drop of light oil, don't let the oil reach the shaft
@@3rdisland477 New belt seems kind of loose. Could that a contributing issue as well? Thank you for all you help!!
@@3rdisland477 Update it is another bad motor that was sent to me. Here the noise of the replacement unattached. ua-cam.com/video/Eh4kI2Z-EVM/v-deo.html
I hope you see this.
When I press play on my MT8X it’s plays SUPER fast and is all high pitched - like when you hear a tape fast forwarding. What could the issue be?
Now, on my MT4X, the pitch goes up and down as I’m playing it. Someone on the home recording forum told me to replace the belts. However I saw your reply to someone with the same issue and you said it could be (or it is?) a bad motor. Instead of buying a new motor, could it just be that the motor is dirty and needs to be cleaned?
Any help would be very much appreciated!!!
I’m really upset that I can’t play my tapes or record. 😢
This model comes as a high speed (9.5cm/sec) recorder for hi quality recording, you can not play a prerecording tapes, only audio recorded in a high speed machine (9.5cm/sec) can be played back in this machine , so your machine is working perfectly with no issue
Good luck
Hey man, do you know if it has to be the exact belt produced for the MTX8 or any the same size will do? Thanks, great video!
Hi, any belt with the same size
My MT8X is being exceedingly difficult to open, despite the fact that i took out all the same screws shown in this video. Any idea what i might be missing?
Did you remove the 2 black screws in the cassette housing ? and couple on the back side of the chassis ?
Thank you very much!!!
I've got this issue happening with my MT8X, are there any other possible reasons for this malfunction besides the loading belt? What happens if I replace the belt and the issue persists?
If the mechanism is intact, there is no other possible reason, it should works
thanks for the great videos, please can you tell me the load belt and the main capstan belt dimensions? thanks
Hi, thanks for your comment, I don't have the size, but you can findvm on ebay for sell as 1 set, thanks again and good luck
What size belt does it take? If you happen to know
Thanks for your question, it's 2 cm diameter / 6cm circumference
@@3rdisland477 awesome thanks for the quick reply hopefully this will fix my MT8X
So I bought a Yamaha mt8x.A few things are not working that great but good enough
One thing bothers me though
I guess you are familiar with the sound of a cassette when recording with dbx on but switching it off during playback.
Its a very compressed sound.
Well my recordings on the mt8x always sound that way,no matter if the dbx is on/off while recording and playback
Never experienced s.th. like that
I have/had quite a few portastudios...
Any idea?
How easy/hard would it be to replace or completely bypass the dbx?
(I actually do not nead dbx when recording loud sources)
Hi, thanks for your comment,
make sure the head is clean, did the head has been calibrated before ? this will affect recording and playback, other wise you have to replace the head , good luck
@@3rdisland477 thx for the response.
Head is clean and machine demagnitized.
The sound I mean is like here
ua-cam.com/video/kCrT_h62Tck/v-deo.html
Dbx while recording: on
Dbx while playback: off
Thats a very distinctive sound and on my mtx8 all tapes sound like that.So something must be off with the dbx.Also recordings on track 8 sound strange,which could be due to sync and dbx acting funny I guess.
Would there be an easy way to bypass the dbx and sync?
Hi, I might have the same problem and don t know what to do.
The cassette does not play at all! Only rewind + fast forward and stop.
You may have a bad motor or a slack belt
@@3rdisland477 Thank you! appreciate it. You re doing god's work :)
I have a new (to me) Yamaha MT8X which seems to play properly but the motor or the belt is squealing big time..not a first, but will get super high pitch. It looks really clean inside, although it was very dirty outside. It doesn't appear the big belt is slipping. Ideas to trouble-shoot the issue? I appreciate your time. DG
This model adopts ON motor circuit that makes motor get damage or dry, leads to not stable pitch speed, you may need to clean or replace the motor to play properly, good luck
@@3rdisland477 I bought a direct replacement motor on ebay luckily yesterday. I tore the unit down and the motor is NOISY as heck. Time to replace. Thank you. I love your videos.
@@3rdisland477 I have torn down my MT8X and now have the motor but I cannot figure out how to take off the brass spindle to place on the new motor.
I figured it out. You have to heat the brass spindle. I used my soldering iron and it was was easily removed.
@@daniellegomez9223 hi I am having the playing tape stopping after a few seconds problem (sometimes it will go longer, but it just seem to randomly stop). I replaced the belts but it didn't fix the issue. Sometimes I do hear the motor or the belt squealing. Maybe the motor is faulty?
Just got one in a pawn shop. It picks up the mic the buttons work. It rewinds and it fast forwards. It will not play or record at all. Do you know if that’s the same issue? Do I need to replace the belt as well or is mine just not gonna work? Hopefully you reply thank you!
Hi, yes it's mostly the same issue as this video, just replace the loading belt and you will be fine, good luck
I just bought a mt8x recently and it looks like the master volume knob for monitoring group 1 has loose connection. Do you know how to fix this?
This task needs much experience in electronics if you are, then you could, otherwise it's not recommended to play with this big machine, usualy I get this tiny pot. out and disassrmble it and clean from inside then resolder it
Thank you for pointing it out. It seems I have te same problem. Recorder is in mint condition, like new. But it plays for only a few seconds. I tried to find the belt online but could not find one. Do you have a link maybe? The one you mentioned in the comments does not work anymore. Much appreciated! And thanks again.
Thanks, just type (14mm - 110mm rubber belt for cassette recorder) on eBay, you will find tones of'm, good luck
@@3rdisland477 thanks, I will. Does it have to be a round belt or can it be square too?
It totally worked out for me! Thanks a lot for taking the time to point it out like you did!
Спасибо!!!
What is the size of the belt, Where you get from, Please
I don't have the accurate size of the belt, I buy a multi size belts from chinese sellers from ebay and use for repair
@@3rdisland477 Thanks, I try from them, I have Yamaha too, I like to see more post for Yamaha MT8 X
Do you by chance know the thickness of the belt ?
My old MT8X will fast forward and rewind but does not play. Could this be the same fix? And where did you get the right replacement belt?
No, in MT8X ther is a small loading belt you have to replace it, watch my video {yamaha mt8x) to solve your issue, good luck
Looking for a reliable source for a replacement belt. Any suggestions?
www.ebay.de/itm/133365424080
Good luck
@@3rdisland477 it doesn’t exist anymore
@@3rdisland477 please help
Any suggestions of what to do if the issue persists after changing both belts?
Clean the loading pulley, prefered if you use a sand paper, good luck
@@3rdisland477 Thanks! Will give this a try