Cassette deck.. distortion

yoo
once, i read somewhere (pretty vague :p) that you can build a distortion 'unit' out of a cassette player (im not talking about distorting tape)
would someone have a general idea as to how this is done?
thanks

i found this: http://iheartnoise.yuku.com/reply/17544/t/Tape-Distortion.html#reply-17544
but i was thinking more along this line:
use the rca IN as input to the first cassette deck
move that cassettes write head to the other decks read head, so the latter picks up the magnetism from the former

but if that doesnt work out, im trying the method in the link

Sounds Interesting, let us know if you have any sucess

ill do that
does anyone find the combining heads plan stupid? if so, why?
cause i dont understand anything of electricity.. im just guessing it might work

i don't understand it. where does the distortion occurr?
it seems that changing the wiring of the heads would make a tape delay.

well, the signal coming from the heads is amplified a lot, since the current induced by the magnetism from the tape is weak

there is only delay if you delay the signal, for example: writing to tape, then reading it off a little further; the distance takes time


i want to do this:

input stereo to write head 1 (this will amplified to a certain degree, i think, to get it hot enough on the cassettes (i wont use cassettes) im worried about bias though. if bias is no problem, the 'magnetic version' of the signal will be the same, but hotter)

physically place write head 1 and read head 2 together, so 2 picks up the magnetism of 1 (the signal coming from 2 will be amplified a lot, because cassette signals are weak)

route that signal (which will be distorted somewhere) to the speakers (im also worried about this, i dont know yet if the stereo allows cassette playback when recording from the 'aux')


this is all based on my guess of what will happen.. i hope that if it works, the 'routing through magnetism' will affect the sound in a nasty way

hey i got a new idea: placing a little piece of magnetic tape between to two heads, this will probably also affect the signal...

i was just thinking that if the stereo doesnt allow what i described above, i could try to hardwire the amplified signal coming from the read head to the output of the stereo... gotta call in some help then

but first, gotta find a hex screwdriver!

Or you could just buy a distortion pedal/unit...

that wouldnt be fun now, would it
plus i would have dragged my grandparents old stereo around for nothing...
stakes is high

thanks for that explanation. i get it now. the next cassette deck i come across i'll give it a go. it doesn't sound too hard. but no doubt i'll find a way.

i've built two distortion pedals, don't really like either of them. too harsh, not enough fuzz.

AntonPD wrote:cause i dont understand anything of electricity.. im just guessing it might work

Consider playing around with a battery powered cassette records at first -- if you are not careful with the electric coming out of the wall it can be fatal.

If you have any junked turntables, you can also use the pickup on the tonearm to amplify/distort as well.

cool, thanks
yeah, ever since i got electrocuted 'working on' the vacuum cleaner (just looking inside actually) im careful around electricity

i stand on a pile of phone books and use a broom handle to flick the switch after i've built something, while my girlfriend stands at the fuse box.

ok, we opened it up today
only one electrocution was had (not me tho :p )
we managed to screw loose all three heads (two read, one write) and get them to where we want them
next weekend or so, were soldering on a jack somewhere

im goin to re read the manual to see precisely how were going to set it up..

AntonPD wrote:ok, we opened it up today
only one electrocution was had (not me tho :p )
we managed to screw loose all three heads (two read, one write) and get them to where we want them
next weekend or so, were soldering on a jack somewhere

im goin to re read the manual to see precisely how were going to set it up..

Don't forget to add in a switch so you can toggle between the heads or use all at the same time.

What manual are you talking about?