atari 1010 head alignment code

[+Swami]

Is this the correct code to enter to start the cassette player moving with an audio cassette to perform head alignment for an atari 1010 program recorder:

 

POKE 54018,52

 

Using the response to this post for instructions:

 

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/195137-head-alignment-adjustment-in-atari-1010/

[Rybags]

That's it.

I'm not sure the method described would work. Normally you should hear a minimum of the high pitched data sound since only the audio track is fed into the computer's audio out. But generally you do get it anyway due to crosstalk on the serial cable.

 

The tape you'd want to use is one recorded on a known good audio deck. Have a blank right track and some test audio on the left track - the ideal would probably be just a medium pitch constant tone so you could use the described method to do the alignment. Also agreed you'd be better off using audio off the monitor port than through RF.

Edited September 4, 2017 by Rybags

[baktra]

In the worst case, you can use a decent prerecorded music cassette and keep adjusting the head until your ears hear maximum treble. Not everyone has an oscilloscope and a reference tape on hand. But if you have a decent tape deck, then you can create a tape with a test signal easily.

 

Fortunately, the FSK used for standard tape records is not extremely sensitive to the head alignment.

Edited September 4, 2017 by baktra

[+Swami]

 

That's it.

I'm not sure the method described would work. Normally you should hear a minimum of the high pitched data sound since only the audio track is fed into the computer's audio out. But generally you do get it anyway due to crosstalk on the serial cable.

 

The tape you'd want to use is one recorded on a known good audio deck. Have a blank right track and some test audio on the left track - the ideal would probably be just a medium pitch constant tone so you could use the described method to do the alignment. Also agreed you'd be better off using audio off the monitor port than through RF.

 

 

In the worst case, you can use a decent prerecorded music cassette and keep adjusting the head until your ears hear maximum treble. Not everyone has an oscilloscope and a reference tape on hand. But if you have a decent tape deck, then you can create a tape with a test signal easily.

 

Fortunately, the FSK used for standard tape records is not extremely sensitive to the head alignment.

How would I go about creating a good test signal tape. The pre-recorded ones are going for about $50 on ebay.

[baktra]

 

 

 

How would I go about creating a good test signal tape. The pre-recorded ones are going for about $50 on ebay.

 

Well, I meant any music cassette with pre-recorded music (rock, pop, classic). Not the real test tape.

Edited September 4, 2017 by baktra

[Rybags]

Plenty of old tape decks have seperate L/R inputs and/or level control for both tracks.

In the modern day, I'd just use something like Audacity to create a test MP3 and record from that.