Cassette Tape Delay WORKS!!! but super noisy

[WholeLottaDimitri]

I recently got a cassette tape delay working but it's really noisy.
I'm not sure if it is the actual cassette its self.
When I turn the second cassette player (I'm using it as an amp for the playback head) it hisses.
Does anybody have any suggestions?

[Luke51411]

It would be helpful to know what brand/model it is and post some pictures. I think these tend to be noisy at their best, maybe post some audio of how it sounds. I think some of the noise comes from the motor but a worn out tape probably adds to the noise as well.

[cureboi69]

Do you have the volume turned all the way up on the second player? If so, try turning it down to around 3-5, and then turn up the gain somewhere else to compensate. Alternatively, you could use something else as a preamp, like this cheapo mic pre from guitar center: http://www.guitarcenter.com/Art-Tube-MP-Studio-Mic-Preamp-105798490-i1171932.gc

Hope that helps... more info about your setup would be good

[Rob Strand]

You can use companding noise reduction and also add pre-emphasis and de-emphasis.

Here's a nice pic of the process.  You don't need the "additional" pre-emphasis parts, just make these blocks pass through.
http://www.dogbox.biz/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/dbx-process.jpg

The method is used on analog delay devices:
http://www.davidmorrin.com/home/trouble/troubleeffects/electro-harmonix-memory-man