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Author Topic: Making Adjustments with a Buzz Track on a Century Head Shane Hoffmann Film Handler Posts: 68 From: Fond du Lac, WI, USA Registered: Feb 2003 posted 02-04-2008 09:35 PM                     Hello all, My apologies if this has been addressed elsewhere...I haven't had much luck searching the archives for an answer. I am running stereo surround in a small house off a Century TR-4B Soundhead. I replaced the red LED today and made the necessary adjustments while running DolbyTone. I am satisfied with the volume and clarity, with the exception of a slight, but noticeable hum during quiet scenes. I am assuming it's the result of light spillage, perhaps on the DTS timecode as I've read elsewhere, and the first thing I want to try is a lateral adjustment. I've never had to run the buzz track on my Centurys before (I've done it several times on Simplex heads), and I don't know what I am supposed to do to. Pardon the dumb question, but what am I supposed to turn, or otherwise adjust, to move the film laterally at the LED? I appreciate any help!  |  IP: Logged Monte L Fullmer Film God Posts: 8367 From: Nampa, Idaho, USA Registered: Nov 2004 posted 02-04-2008 11:13 PM                     On the upper lateral guide roller that makes the Davis loop over the scanner drum, there is a locknut on the arm that you loosen (which acts like a pinch lock), and the upper lateral guide roller is on a threaded shaft end, and you turn the kurled end of the shaft to align that upper roller for buzz track alignment. Then, when aligned, you lock down that nut to pinch down the shaft in the arm. Good luck-Monte  |  IP: Logged Shane Hoffmann Film Handler Posts: 68 From: Fond du Lac, WI, USA Registered: Feb 2003 posted 02-04-2008 11:15 PM                     Thank you, Monte. I will get right on that.  |  IP: Logged John Wilson Film God Posts: 5438 From: Sydney, Australia. Registered: Dec 1999 posted 02-05-2008 04:49 AM                     What Monte said. There's nothing easier.  |  IP: Logged Richard Fowler Film God Posts: 2392 From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA Registered: Jun 2001 posted 02-05-2008 07:43 AM                     It is easy to do but don't be too rough when loosen and tighten since those aluminum cast damper arms can crack.  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 02-05-2008 09:46 AM                     Two things to check before you ever check BUZZ.... check the lateral guide roller for wear of its internal width... and its bearings. If you happen to have the old style lateral guide with oilite bushings then its best to replace those. Be sure the dashpot cup is filled with Silicone Fluid to the correct level and with the correct fluid. If they are not filled with the right stuff to the right level the Davis tight loop will not operate properly. I believe the fluid is FD-21 and the level is very definately marked inside the cup.... at about the two thirds level. Mark  |  IP: Logged John Walsh Film God Posts: 2490 From: Connecticut, USA, Earth, Milky Way Registered: Oct 1999 posted 02-05-2008 04:44 PM                     I usually didn't loosen/unloosen the locking screw for the roller lateral guide adjustment. As Rich noted, the arm could crack, but also I found that by trying to tighten them, it threw the buzz track alignment off. So I just grabbed that knurled shaft-screw and turned it.  |  IP: Logged Louis Bornwasser Film God Posts: 4441 From: prospect ky usa Registered: Mar 2005 posted 02-05-2008 09:01 PM                        Whatever you do DO NOT loosen or tighten the pivot points for the arms. Many techs will do this since they do not know of the correct adjustment as Monte says. In addition, push/pull the top roller; it is common for there to be "play" in this which is too much. (small ring with allen screw just behind this roller.) Louis  |  IP: Logged

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