Karaoke Music System  (320-1154)   Hints and Tips      Faxback Doc. # 15747

Erasing a Cassette Tape

If you no longer want a recording, you can record over it or erase it.

To erase a previously recorded section of a tape, simply record over it.
To erase the entire cassette tape, let the tape record to the end.

You can quickly erase both sides of a cassette tape using a bulk tape
eraser (such as Cat. No. 44-232), available at your local Radio Shack
store.

Preventing Accidental Erasure

Cassette tapes have two erase-protection tabs - one for each side.  To
protect a recording from being accidentally recorded over or erased, use a
screwdriver to remove one or both of the cassette tape's erase-protection
tabs.

If you want to record on a tape side after you have removed the erase-
protection tab, place a piece of strong plastic tape over that side's
erase-protection hole.  Be sure you cover only the hole originally covered
by the erase-protection tab.

NOTE:  Removing the erase-protection tabs does not prevent a bulk eraser
       from erasing a cassette tape.

Cleaning the Tape-Handling Parts

Dirt, dust or particles of the tape's coating can accumulate on the tape
heads and other parts that the tape touches.  This can greatly reduce the
performance of the cassette player.  Use the following cleaning procedure
after every 20 hours of tape player operation.

1.  Remove the batteries and disconnect the AC power cord.

2.  Open the cassette compartment doors on TAPE 1 and TAPE 2.

3.  Press PLAY on TAPE 1 and TAPE 2 to expose the tape-handling parts.

4.  Use a cotton swab dipped in denatured alcohol or tape head cleaning
    solution to clean the record/play heads, pinch rollers, capstans, and
    erase heads.

5.  When you finish cleaning, press STOP/EJECT on TAPE 1 and TAPE 2 and
    close the cassette compartment doors.

Your local Radio Shack store sells head-cleaning kits.

Restoring Tape Tension and Sound Quality

After you play a cassette tape several times, the tape might become tightly
wound on the reels.  This can cause playback sound quality to deteriorate.

To restore the sound quality, fast-forward the tape from the beginning to
the end of one side, then completely rewind it.  Then loosen the tape reels
by gently tapping each side of the cassette's outer shell on a flat
surface.

CAUTION:  Be careful not to damage the cassette when tapping it.  Do not
          touch the exposed tape or allow any sharp objects near the
          cassette.


(br/all-06/26/95)