Timex/Sinclair 1000 Tape Loading

I've never used a ZX81 (or similar), but some tips that have worked on other machines and which might help A cheap mono cassette recorder is better than a hi-fi stereo one (!). Try using fress batteries (or a good, regulated, bench supply) to power the recoerder, not the built-in mains PSU. The latter can cause hum on the output which causes problems For much the same reason, keep the recorder away from the TV set or monitor (particulalry away from the side where the flyback transformer is). Make sure the heads are clean. Clean them again. And, for that matter, demagnetise them. Connect only the 'ear' lead for loading (and only the aux or mic lead for saving). With some computers and some recorders you can get a feedback loop if both are connected, leading to a nice oscillation on top of the wanted signal. Try various volume settings, of course. If you have a tone control, turn it to maximum (at least to start with). -tony