8mm Forum: Elmo ST 800 low sound

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Posted by John Capazzo (Member # 157) on October 21, 2018, 03:38 AM:

I'm always skeptical about acquiring Elmo ST 800 machines and this is why. The sound is very low on mine. When you turn up the volume to 10; it's at 2 as if you're listening from a good working machine. I tried plugging and unplugging an external microphone to clean out the ports such as AUX and MIC but didn't help. Anyone have any suggestions or solve the problem? Thanks--John

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on October 21, 2018, 05:35 AM:

'morning, John!

Working the red recording key is part of the classic ST-800 sound fix.

ST-800 Low Sound Solution

I've seen this work on other machines too, but it's just written in the ST-800's DNA for some reason.

Interesting: exactly one week ago I got a nice Disney cartoon from Shorty and there I am upstairs at the Ocean Holiday with one of my ST-800s on the kitchen counter showing it on the refrigerator door. I thought "nice film! -but the sound is recorded really low." I had the gas pedal to the floor but it was just "OK". (-just like yours) I also noticed the hum performance was good: actually TOO good. I unplugged the machine, worked the recording switch. Replugged and the hum came right back to normal along with the sound.

(Note to Shorty: the cartoon is fine.)

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on October 21, 2018, 10:16 AM:

An excellent suggestion, but don't have a magnetic film laced.

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on October 21, 2018, 11:23 AM:

That’s part of the reason you unplug the machine. The rest is the awful sound through the speaker.

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