8mm Forum: Need Help Adjusting Optical Sound

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Posted by Dan Lail (Member # 18) on December 24, 2010, 12:06 AM:

I am trying to adjust the optical sound on my GS-1200. The sound was very poor, so I am attempting to adjust the sound lens. Now I don't have any sound at all. Help!

Posted by Dan Lail (Member # 18) on December 25, 2010, 10:25 PM:

Hi, Dan,....hey! That's me. [Eek!]

I down loaded the Service Manual at Film-Tech and followed the optical sound adjustment instructions. Using only my ear(ouch!) I set the lens mount and vertical and linear lens position. It is now loud and clear, but still thin sounding. Is this as good as it gets with optical sound prints?

Posted by Richard C Patchett (Member # 974) on December 26, 2010, 09:43 AM:

Greetings Dan
Did you try other prints?
That sound lens is a little difficult at tines to adjust
May be just a hair away. Did you try another lamp?
Sometimes the lamp loses its brightness
RC

Posted by Chip Gelmini (Member # 44) on December 26, 2010, 10:40 AM:

Dan: Magnetic sound prints will ALWAYS sound better than optical.

And yes, optical sound quality does vary between the optical prints.

It seems odd that you'd even ask that question. With all due respect to you of course, I assume you're so familiar with 16mm optical that you'd already know that even though 16mm and super 8 are so different anyways.

If you adjust that slit lens to the loudest point I would say that'd be spot on & everything else will vary.

chip g

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on December 26, 2010, 01:24 PM:

Chip,
16mm optical sound is not tinny at all. All of my prints have excellent quality sound.

Posted by Dan Lail (Member # 18) on December 26, 2010, 01:59 PM:

When I made the adjustment I used three different prints.

Chip, I have watched many super 8 optical prints for years, but only recently though about adjusting the optical lens for maximum performance. 16mm optical sound can be very good depending on the lab work and source print. The super 8 optical track is much narrower though, so I realize there is less head room.

I have an Alesis Quadraverb that has mega sound enhancement options and will experiment with it later to see if I can expand the optical sound. Already I ham running the aux out through a ZDirect box converting it to a low impedance signal.

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