This was my favourite toy when I was 4-5. I had books on tape about the Ewoks and a few fairy tales. My mom would record stories for me so I wouldn't bug her to read them to me over and over in exactly the same way. Needless to say I never had a problem programming a VCR later. Years later I gave it to a family friend who needed a recorder for a course and forgot all about it. Just a couple of years ago she visited and gave it back to me, still working perfectly.
I found a older model one of these with the metal frame work inside at a thrift store. After following all your tips it now works perfectly. I would have never got it up and running if not for your video. Thank you so much.
I remember buying one of these exact same players when I was 15 at a garage sale in 1988 or so for 50 cents because it didn't work. Soldered the wire back onto the head (it was visibly broken) and it worked great after that.
You could try a drop of sewing machine oil into the motor bearing right under the pulley to get rid of that roar. Fixed many a noisy motor myself with that method.
I had one of these Panasonic recorders around 1977-80. Mine had a standard AC jack instead of a wall wart. It's kind of nostalgic that you used Radio Shack (rip) contact spray because I used to use Realistic cassettes with it back then.
I had this exact model when I was a kid. It was my first tape recorder and I got it for Christmas around 1980. I ended up becoming an audio engineer and I still work with tape every day 😊
Back then Panasonic was really good, I had a RQ P45 that had bass boosting capability, sounded fantastic. It was very durable as well although power consumption was a bit too high.
Very nice demonstration. The hole by the mic jack was so that those double-jacked plugs could fit, yet with the unit not having a remote feature to begin with. This unit is DC bias!
You sound a lot like I used be when I was a kid, I was also tape recorder crazy (I kinda still am). I had quite a few and would modify them to add features they were never intended to have.
Where would the trimmer pot be located? I’ve looked thoroughly and could find the traditional one with the slot on the head. Is located together with the volume pot?
@@databits It didn't. I had one. The circuitry in these was more modern than the 309 series...but much, much cheaper. And, how did the tape drive compare with its RQ309DS predecessor? Well...it didn't. Durable mechanism... but noisy gears. That "roaring" noise? Probably not the motor! Mine did that from Day One, and it was the gears.
My childhood simple n compact 90's model taperecorder panasonic used by me n my sis to record our voices n play them back .. it's a fun game for us then..
I tried to record college lectures with one of these in 1980. These were NOT good replacements for the classic RQ-309's they replaced unless you used an external microphone. The condenser mike ended up picking up more gear noise than signal from the incredibly loud gears. The next generation used a quieter system with no gear drive (except for FF and REW).
8:02 The hole is because some mic have both plugs fitted in one molded conector so you plug both things in one operation. But if you are trying to use this sort of mic and the hole isnt there, then the remote part wont allow to connect. I have actually one of those. Pretty decent sound but grind a bit on play due to to the fact it uses one gear between the capstan and the take up and the gear has not enough presicion or wore out in my unit. The grinding sound of course make to the audio as well and modulates it. I got it used, so I dont know how much hours on it. Another thing is the take up fails to engage many times and ruins the tape. The gear slides in a slot but the since the holder is a bit wore out to it wont slide clean, it jams. So you need to be very careful. But sound is very good being it a shoe box. Best shoe box unit I listened to is the RQ421. It is older, a bit bigger, a lot heavier,mechanism is %100 metal appart from the gears. The take up is moved by friction bands so never grinds and "never" wears out. This is the better unit from Panasonic / National I have listened to using a proper transport that was used even in Technics decks of the era.
Ok, so I just got one from ebay and it has the same issue with the takeup drive that yours has. The intermediate gear that cams into place to link the takeup spindle to the pinch roller drive has truncated teeth, and sometimes it catches the tips of the teeth on the takeup gear when sliding in to engage. I looked at the gear very carefully under a microscope, and the teeth are intentionally square, not worn off. That's to allow it to slip when the tape reaches the end. The thing is I don't know how it ever worked, because I couldn't find any wear, but I had one of these as a little kid about 40 years ago and it didn't have that problem to my recollection. I put some grease on the teeth and it happens less often, but it still happens. I think a tiny amount of wear in the sliding mechanism might let the gear be a tiny bit out of position when engaging. If it was held a smidge tighter to the pinch roller drive it would be nudged into position by that.
If you want good audio using line-in, you need an RQ-413S, from the generation before this one. They are out there but the prices are higher than the prices for these DC-bias units. The model that predated the RQ-413 was the RQ-421, which should have an aux. input, too. You might find one of those at a lower price.
It just occurred to me why there's a hole where the remote plug should go. My guess is that, at that time, most tape recorder mics had a two-prong plug (mic and remote). This recorder obviously wasn't intended to use a remote, but does allow usage of the then ubiquitous two-prong plug, but ONLY for microphone usage.
I don't think it did come with a wall wart, just had that option and jack available. I have one nearly identical to this that came with a standard AC cord. He probably had the wall wart in his stock of electrical gizmos.
My cassette Panasonic player works but the move the volume underneath the button board it only goes to 2 when I go over it it makes a hissing weird dog like sound how can I fix it so the volume works properly without hissing when I raise it higher if you know can you please explain it
hello! I have a question... I own a YOKO VS-305 cassette recorder (it's quite similar to the RQ-2108 but the inside is metal and looks a bit more solid hahaha) and I have the same issue: after the first time I tried to use the record function it stopped making sound altogether. I tried what you suggested of cleaning the inside with a spray and now it makes sound but not what's recorded on the tape lol but a sort of loud, low-frequency static sound (like an old microwave). I've thought of taking it to a technician but I didn't pay much for it and I wanna learn how to repair it on my own. What would you suggest to do in this case? Do you know anything of the model? I haven't found any info on the brand online, just that it's also from around the 80's. Thanks a lot and I love your channel!!
haha thanks!! I looked more closely and it turned out it was a very simple fix: the elastic band that connects the wheels was very worn out and not turning anymore... I just replaced it and problem solved!
You don't need to go back far to find the units with steel chassis. The RQ-309's were the immediate predecessors to this generation and had steel chassis. And AC bias. And a quiet tape drive system, unlike these that used very noisy gears for all the hub-driving. BTW, that noise you heard? Probably gear noise. The motor's probably fine. I bought one of these new in 1980 and hated that noise. Ended up finding an old 309s as a replacement.
If this is still going but I have one very similar and for mine I kept letting it play and stopped and I cleaned it and then I could hear it start to play randomly or just make kinda a small tic I started to tap it and it started to work
My aunt has one of those Panasonic RQ-2108 cassette recorders and unfortunately she wouldn't give it to me. How do you press record, anyway? I think my aunt's one had the remote jack. What does that remote look like, anyway?
Once my Emerson pocket tape recorder ate a bird sounds tape that no one really listens to. The model number is scratched off it, so I can't say what model it is.
I had one of these back in the day, purchased from Walmart. It had an annoying grinding noise coming from the mechanism almost from the start. It ruined my Gordon Lightfoot cassette among others that I scammed from Columbia House.....
@j2k how did the 1K pot turn out in the Panasonic tape recorder. Did the motor last after your mod? I’m looking to do the same and have no experience apart from doing the same on a Walkman. I’m wondering if the higher powered motor on the Panasonic will last with a 1K pot.
@@ShakyPr0ducti0n The pot still works however I found it difficult to slow down the tape speed to that slow motion level I was reaching for. The best mod I made is with my General Electric tape recorder that takes 4 AA batteries. I find with the simpler and cheaper the tape recorders you get better speed control.
@@jthek2000 good to know, thank you! I’ve got a GE Walkman that I’m going to mod when it get around to it. If the Panasonic doesn’t go slow enough I won’t bother. Maybe I’ll leave that one until I’ve got a bit more experience. I guess there’s some way of making it slow enough using another approach or other components.
Cool stuff but i consider this fix as plausible because you can hear the motor and your voice is unrecognizible, it's very strange, the high frequency's, hight dynamic tange etc in your voice seems lost., just weird considering it's analogue recorded.
Why does it have to be called my dad's Panasonic tape recorder? You assume everyone watching this is 11 years old or something? Pretty dumb and annoying.
@@databits Poor kid, I hope he recovers. As it happens, this *was* the same model as my dad's tape recorder that me and my sibs played with for hours when we were kids. A lot of memories came rushing back when I saw this video!
![Restoration of an old NATIONAL cassette recorder [ Panasonic RQ-209 MS 70's Part. 01]](/img/n.gif)
This was my favourite toy when I was 4-5. I had books on tape about the Ewoks and a few fairy tales. My mom would record stories for me so I wouldn't bug her to read them to me over and over in exactly the same way. Needless to say I never had a problem programming a VCR later.
Years later I gave it to a family friend who needed a recorder for a course and forgot all about it. Just a couple of years ago she visited and gave it back to me, still working perfectly.
This recorder made a big success here in Brazil, but known as RQ2222. There was another version, in gray color, with counter and tone controls.
I found a older model one of these with the metal frame work inside at a thrift store. After following all your tips it now works perfectly. I would have never got it up and running if not for your video. Thank you so much.
I remember buying one of these exact same players when I was 15 at a garage sale in 1988 or so for 50 cents because it didn't work. Soldered the wire back onto the head (it was visibly broken) and it worked great after that.
You could try a drop of sewing machine oil into the motor bearing right under the pulley to get rid of that roar. Fixed many a noisy motor myself with that method.
I had one of these Panasonic recorders around 1977-80. Mine had a standard AC jack instead of a wall wart. It's kind of nostalgic that you used Radio Shack (rip) contact spray because I used to use Realistic cassettes with it back then.
I've got one from my first salary in 1980 for 500/- from a malayali coming from UAE. It's still working fine in all aspects. Great Matshushita.
I had this exact model when I was a kid. It was my first tape recorder and I got it for Christmas around 1980. I ended up becoming an audio engineer and I still work with tape every day 😊
Back then Panasonic was really good, I had a RQ P45 that had bass boosting capability, sounded fantastic. It was very durable as well although power consumption was a bit too high.
I had this exact same tape recorder when I was little back in the 80s. Even had the round wall wart.
My Dad? I'll have you know I had one of these as a teenager! Mine was used to save and load programs to and from my ZX81.
Well then someone else's dad? :)
This model is actually from 1978/79, according to some online vintage newspaper ads.
My Sister and I used to record our voices and sing and play it back...this is exactly the one we used..we used it in the 1980s..you are correct.
My dad had the same one when he took the sergeants exam in 1981. So it dates to at least that time
ahh, a very good recorder! I have a similar model, works well, mine has the remote plug
I have 2 of these but ive never experienced those problems. The recordings and playbacks are fantastic on mine.
Very nice demonstration. The hole by the mic jack was so that those double-jacked plugs could fit, yet with the unit not having a remote feature to begin with.
This unit is DC bias!
Thanks for watching!
I have one of these the speaker grill has a different pattern but the machine works great. Mine might be a later model.
You sound a lot like I used be when I was a kid, I was also tape recorder crazy (I kinda still am). I had quite a few and would modify them to add features they were never intended to have.
Takes one to know one? :)
mine has the box that it came injamie asked aout the key krissy
databits I also love them!
Where would the trimmer pot be located? I’ve looked thoroughly and could find the traditional one with the slot on the head. Is located together with the volume pot?
Ugh, I'm not certain this unit had one.
@@databits It didn't. I had one. The circuitry in these was more modern than the 309 series...but much, much cheaper.
And, how did the tape drive compare with its RQ309DS predecessor? Well...it didn't. Durable mechanism... but noisy gears.
That "roaring" noise? Probably not the motor! Mine did that from Day One, and it was the gears.
My childhood simple n compact 90's model taperecorder panasonic used by me n my sis to record our voices n play them back .. it's a fun game for us then..
I tried to record college lectures with one of these in 1980. These were NOT good replacements for the classic RQ-309's they replaced unless you used an external microphone. The condenser mike ended up picking up more gear noise than signal from the incredibly loud gears. The next generation used a quieter system with no gear drive (except for FF and REW).
Thank you. Just picked one of these up at a thrift store.
8:02 The hole is because some mic have both plugs fitted in one molded conector so you plug both things in one operation. But if you are trying to use this sort of mic and the hole isnt there, then the remote part wont allow to connect. I have actually one of those. Pretty decent sound but grind a bit on play due to to the fact it uses one gear between the capstan and the take up and the gear has not enough presicion or wore out in my unit. The grinding sound of course make to the audio as well and modulates it. I got it used, so I dont know how much hours on it. Another thing is the take up fails to engage many times and ruins the tape. The gear slides in a slot but the since the holder is a bit wore out to it wont slide clean, it jams. So you need to be very careful. But sound is very good being it a shoe box. Best shoe box unit I listened to is the RQ421. It is older, a bit bigger, a lot heavier,mechanism is %100 metal appart from the gears. The take up is moved by friction bands so never grinds and "never" wears out. This is the better unit from Panasonic / National I have listened to using a proper transport that was used even in Technics decks of the era.
Ok, so I just got one from ebay and it has the same issue with the takeup drive that yours has. The intermediate gear that cams into place to link the takeup spindle to the pinch roller drive has truncated teeth, and sometimes it catches the tips of the teeth on the takeup gear when sliding in to engage. I looked at the gear very carefully under a microscope, and the teeth are intentionally square, not worn off. That's to allow it to slip when the tape reaches the end. The thing is I don't know how it ever worked, because I couldn't find any wear, but I had one of these as a little kid about 40 years ago and it didn't have that problem to my recollection. I put some grease on the teeth and it happens less often, but it still happens. I think a tiny amount of wear in the sliding mechanism might let the gear be a tiny bit out of position when engaging. If it was held a smidge tighter to the pinch roller drive it would be nudged into position by that.
Is there any chance I can use a recorder like this to record audio from the computer to tape? I only succeeded making the opposite
If you want good audio using line-in, you need an RQ-413S, from the generation before this one. They are out there but
the prices are higher than the prices for these DC-bias units. The model that predated the RQ-413 was the RQ-421, which
should have an aux. input, too. You might find one of those at a lower price.
It just occurred to me why there's a hole where the remote plug should go. My guess is that, at that time, most tape recorder mics had a two-prong plug (mic and remote). This recorder obviously wasn't intended to use a remote, but does allow usage of the then ubiquitous two-prong plug, but ONLY for microphone usage.
I wonder why it came with a wall wart when it clearly has a transformer built in... Also, I wonder if using the AC in would eliminate any noise
I don't think it did come with a wall wart, just had that option and jack available. I have one nearly identical to this that came with a standard AC cord. He probably had the wall wart in his stock of electrical gizmos.
The "wall wart" came with it.
13 Reasons why might make this popular once again...
Is there any way to use the mic and a line inputs at the same time to get a two track recording? Even if it’s only in mono.
I don’t think so, not without an external mixer.
timely video, I bet a lot a ZX Next backers are going to need to check their tape decks.
I have a Panasonic RQ-2104 cassette tape recorder and I found it at an estate sale for 25 cents and in working condition.
My cassette Panasonic player works but the move the volume underneath the button board it only goes to 2 when I go over it it makes a hissing weird dog like sound how can I fix it so the volume works properly without hissing when I raise it higher if you know can you please explain it
В 1972 году у нас был такой же аппарат, только National!
hello! I have a question... I own a YOKO VS-305 cassette recorder (it's quite similar to the RQ-2108 but the inside is metal and looks a bit more solid hahaha) and I have the same issue: after the first time I tried to use the record function it stopped making sound altogether. I tried what you suggested of cleaning the inside with a spray and now it makes sound but not what's recorded on the tape lol but a sort of loud, low-frequency static sound (like an old microwave). I've thought of taking it to a technician but I didn't pay much for it and I wanna learn how to repair it on my own. What would you suggest to do in this case? Do you know anything of the model? I haven't found any info on the brand online, just that it's also from around the 80's.
Thanks a lot and I love your channel!!
I have no experience with a YOKO. It might need capacitors replaced.
haha thanks!! I looked more closely and it turned out it was a very simple fix: the elastic band that connects the wheels was very worn out and not turning anymore... I just replaced it and problem solved!
your welcome
You don't need to go back far to find the units with steel chassis. The RQ-309's were the immediate predecessors to this generation
and had steel chassis. And AC bias. And a quiet tape drive system, unlike these that used very noisy gears for all the hub-driving.
BTW, that noise you heard? Probably gear noise. The motor's probably fine. I bought one of these new in 1980 and hated that noise. Ended up finding an old 309s as a replacement.
Hi, Is it’s audio out mono or stereo?
Question sir. I live in the Philippines and we have 220v here. If this is 120v, can i use a 110v adapter? Or really has to be 120v? Thanks
110v should be fine
If this is still going but I have one very similar and for mine I kept letting it play and stopped and I cleaned it and then I could hear it start to play randomly or just make kinda a small tic I started to tap it and it started to work
My aunt has one of those Panasonic RQ-2108 cassette recorders and unfortunately she wouldn't give it to me. How do you press record, anyway? I think my aunt's one had the remote jack. What does that remote look like, anyway?
You press the play button with your finger on the orange square.
orange square is for recording i want minefor listening to music tapes
Not my fathers........MINE ‼️🙂
Once my Emerson pocket tape recorder ate a bird sounds tape that no one really listens to. The model number is scratched off it, so I can't say what model it is.
From the audio quality of your voice I would recommend changing out all of the blue caps. They may have changed in their values.
this was the last kind of portable tape recorder I had as a kid. Would still have it if I hadn't destroyed it to get the take up reel gear out of it.
I had one of these back in the day, purchased from Walmart. It had an annoying grinding noise coming from the mechanism almost from the start. It ruined my Gordon Lightfoot cassette among others that I scammed from Columbia House.....
لو سمحت كيف احصل علي مسجل مثلها
I wired a 1k potentiometer together w the motor on the board and I’m able to control the pitch as planned. I used your video to inspire me!thx
SWEET! Good work!
@j2k how did the 1K pot turn out in the Panasonic tape recorder. Did the motor last after your mod? I’m looking to do the same and have no experience apart from doing the same on a Walkman. I’m wondering if the higher powered motor on the Panasonic will last with a 1K pot.
@@ShakyPr0ducti0n The pot still works however I found it difficult to slow down the tape speed to that slow motion level I was reaching for. The best mod I made is with my General Electric tape recorder that takes 4 AA batteries. I find with the simpler and cheaper the tape recorders you get better speed control.
@@jthek2000 good to know, thank you! I’ve got a GE Walkman that I’m going to mod when it get around to it. If the Panasonic doesn’t go slow enough I won’t bother. Maybe I’ll leave that one until I’ve got a bit more experience. I guess there’s some way of making it slow enough using another approach or other components.
This particular model is from 1979.
हम लोग ने बचपन में ऐसा मिलता जुलता टेप रिकॉर्डर ख़रीदा था,
My dad is Panasonic tape recorder is old
I legit JUST SAW ONE OF THESE, it belonged to some louthern church, engraved in the front
Please tell me you bought that shit
Mine doesn’t even spin, but it’s works with my Bluetooth CASSET because it doesn’t necessarily need to spin
Congratulations 👏
Ate these stereo? Cause I'm gonna record an album on this
Good cassette tape recorder
RQ 2153 sound problam
Good
Cool stuff but i consider this fix as plausible because you can hear the motor and your voice is unrecognizible, it's very strange, the high frequency's, hight dynamic tange etc in your voice seems lost., just weird considering it's analogue recorded.
Nuh uh! MY dad had a Monkey Ward tape recorder!
Ive got a rq 2104
i was a kid tape recorder
Mine or yours
one of these hands?! :D LoL
i am also buying one off ebay
My dad is tape recorder
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
rq-2153 make bluetooth
Why does it have to be called my dad's Panasonic tape recorder? You assume everyone watching this is 11 years old or something? Pretty dumb and annoying.
Most of my viewers are in their 30-50 age range. Sorry I was so dumb and annoyed you. I hope you're ok.
@@databits Poor kid, I hope he recovers. As it happens, this *was* the same model as my dad's tape recorder that me and my sibs played with for hours when we were kids. A lot of memories came rushing back when I saw this video!
Cassettes are hella trashhh
I'm joking
You are mean.