Suddenly my 4-track won't record. All the other functions are just fine but the record button won't light up or record...

I've used several different tapes, and made sure the record function on the channels are set to 'direct' instead of 'safe', as well as making sure the channel strips are set to record and not playback. My only other guess is that he last time i used a footswitch it might have jammed it to where it won't record again until i plug in the footswitch (don't have it anymore) again. the machine is in near-perfect condition and hasn't ever failed before. Searched the internet and found that somebody had the same problem but nobody responded to him.

Has anyone else had this problem? I hope its not a busted motor or something...

would it be possible to obtain a replacement footswitch for no cost to test your theory about it?

Maybe someone can loan you theirs if they have one. I've got a mark iii but the dude I bought it from didn't give me a pedal and I haven't even looked to see if it comes with one.

Any pedal with a 1/4 plug should work. For example a sustain pedal for a keyboard will work or a pedal that switches channels on an amplifier.

Thanks guys, i'm gonna get a pedal somewhere and try.