problem recording to tascam 414..

[lungfulls]

hey guys, I've been trying to record my sp to my tascam porta studio and it isnt recording to the tape at all.. any tascam users able to shed some light on what method works the best?
I have it plugged into the first channel with the mic/line selected and I take it off safe mode and everything. I can play my pads and it shows sounds going through and i can hear it through the line out, but whenever i hit record and then try to play it back, theres no sound. maybe like the very faint sound of the highest highs of the hats but thats all..
I'm using type I tape, i know thats not what this machine is optimized for but i dont think thats what the problem is, I'm just wondering if i bought a broken one off ebay or something
thanks in advance for any help