Messages

16

Waltz for Debby / Re: Waltz for Debby @ Music Lovers, Berkeley

« on: September 28, 2008, 09:24:19 PM »

Hey Hibernian, could you explain your reference to a "Sonorus modified ReVox PR-99 mk III" please? Is/was this done by the same people who did STUDI/O? Is this a shop, or just some guru? I'm always on the hunt for modifications to the ReVox machines. Thanks for your help.

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Waltz for Debby / Re: Waltz for Debby @ Music Lovers, Berkeley

« on: September 28, 2008, 09:03:19 PM »

Uh, I think you mean Scott LaFaro's double bass, right?

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Suggestion Box / Re: CV Goes Boldly Forth?

« on: August 27, 2008, 06:39:33 PM »

As far as other female singers, two I can think of off the top of my head that would be great on RTR are Holly Cole and Miss Peggy Lee.

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Suggestion Box / Re: Howabout some more suggestions?

« on: August 12, 2008, 10:02:41 PM »

Actually Steve, my earliest memories of listening to music involve my parents' many 8-track tapes. A bit later on, I remember my crazy oldest brother visiting the house with his Pioneer PL-12 turntable and Lafayette tube preamp in tow (I still have both pieces), hooking it into my parents GE console stereo, and listening to Walter Carlos' A Clockwork Orange during a midnight electrical storm! Unforgettable. Most of my lasting musical influences came originally from both my eldest brother and sister, and to a lesser extent, my parents. I never pass up an opportunity to share my love of music with my son, Wyatt. When I play my jazz tapes on my ReVox, he loves watching the reels going 'round at 15 ips. Smart kid. I have many LP's on the floor by the turntable, and for the most part, he leaves them alone because they are daddy's. I made plexiglass covers for my system shelves, so fingers cannot touch what they shouldn't. In the car, he loves listening to the jazz music I have recorded locally, rocking in time with it. It will take a while before all this sets in for him, so all I can do is show him my influences and hope he catches on. My wife found some of those kids records you mentioned, but I don't know if they are playable at all-They look trashed! Maybe eBay can be of some help. Perhaps this all has something to do with why I'm on such a New Christy Minstrels kick. Their music harkens me back to a simpler time, and has such purity to it that I find very appealing. As far as vocal groups go, TNCM, The Beach Boys, and The Cowsills are all the tops in my book. Any of these would make a stellar addition to the Tape Project canon.

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Suggestion Box / Howabout some more suggestions?

« on: August 11, 2008, 09:31:19 PM »

Hi all. Been a long time since I visited this board- Having a 2 year old will do that for ya! I kind of put the whole TP enchillada on hold since I do not, as of yet, have either a subscription or proper machine to play them on. I'm trying to pay down my many bills first, then I can go "tape crazy" afterwards! But, that does not stop me from saying hello to all, and to suggest a title or two. I had a birthday recently, and treated myself to a trip to the local record store (as in LP's). This place is called The Bop Shop, and they are just brimming with said black vinyl. I was lucky enough to acquire a mint, original copy of Blood, Sweat and Tears second album (Columbia CS-9720) for $8.00! Now, like many of you I'm sure, I cannot possibly pick just one record out from the thousands I've heard and call it "the best ever". Maybe you can, but I believe most people cannot. That said, this record would absolutely be in the top three for me. Everything came together just right on this session, musically and sonically, and it shows. It's got its share of top 40 hits to be sure, but it also has an overall timeless quality, just right for the Tape Project. To be able to hear "Blues, Part II" on tape would be an all-time treat. My other two suggestions are also from the Columbia catalog. Chicago Transit Authority (Columbia GP-8) is great anyway it is sliced. Lastly, any album by The New Christy Minstrels would be most welcome. My picks are "Tell Tall Tales" and "Land of Giants". The sonics have alot to do with these two choices, since they are both early 1960's Columbia Stereo 360 recorded in Southern California. Their singing is great, the playing is great, and you feel happy when listening to them. What more can you ask? After all, isn't that what this hobby is all about?

21

Suggestion Box / Re: Genesis; Selling England by the Pound

« on: May 28, 2008, 08:28:57 PM »

A superb choice, Steve. I would say, personally, it's a toss-up between Selling England and The Lamb for The Tape Project. Regarding Phil Collins lead vocal on "More Fool Me", it was not his first for the band. That happened in 1971, with "For Absent Friends" from the "Nursery Cryme" LP (Yet another great album candidate now that I think about it!) I must admit, I have a soft spot for Selling England, but also too for Wind and Wuthering. Naturally, both are sentimental because they both involve the different girls I was dating at the times. For me, "Blood on the Rooftops" from W&W is about as nice a Genesis song as I know of. Phil's vocal is wonderful, and the music is at once haunting, yet longingly looking backwards. I've done much reflecting when hearing this piece of music. I could go on and on, but I'll stop here. Needless to say, Genesis is one band very near and dear to my heart, and head too. The Famous Charisma Label FC6060 is for the original LP issue of Selling England.

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Suggestion Box / Re: Suggestions for Your Catalog

« on: April 20, 2008, 12:54:36 PM »

I like the CSN suggestion, I would only add to it Deja Vu too. As far as Pet Sounds, it would have to be released in it's native mono format. According to the CD's liner notes, this true stereo mix was done digitally. This means that one of the first TP tenets, "that the master exist on analog", would have to be broken. So, for Pet Sounds at least, the mono mix is it. Truth be told, the one BB album I would want more than any other is the original version of "SMiLE". Since this does not exist, per se, as an finished album done by the BB's, I'd settle for the original sessions arranged in a coherent order along the lines of the officially released album (Brian Wilson presents SMiLE). Now, THAT would be something to hear! Craig

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Suggestion Box / Re: Suggestions for Your Catalog

« on: April 19, 2008, 02:19:10 PM »

Wow Headlap, you named off some of my all-time faves! Are we related :) Anyway, I second the listed motions!

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Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Sony APR-5000

« on: April 07, 2008, 08:02:07 PM »

Tony, the person to send your pinch roller to is Terry Witt (www.terrysrubberrollers.com). He has a sterling reputation, reasonable pricing and quick turnaround. Give him a shout. Craig

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Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Attn: ReVox B-77 users

« on: April 03, 2008, 06:37:15 AM »

Normally, this is correct. However, in this case, John assures me that the heads are, in fact, a drop in replacement (I asked). Electrically, it is very close to what is in there already. No further changes are necessary. Of course, if you have nothing better to do (like listening to music), you can tweak the electronics to your heart's content :)

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Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Attn: ReVox B-77 users

« on: April 01, 2008, 07:41:35 PM »

Hi all. I had a nice phone conversation with John French today (of JRF Magnetics). I asked him about aftermarket Flux heads for the ReVox B-77 HS, since the Technics RS-15xx Tape Project machines use them with great success. He told me he can supply both the record and playback heads, if desired. Cost is about $650-700 a piece. When I told him I was interested in replacing both the heads on my recorder, he actually talked me out of it. The reason given is because Studer record heads are wonderful in the first place, and I would be spending hard-earned money for minimal gain to replace it. He suggested, instead, that I relap my existing record head and purchase the Flux playback head alone. This will give me the maximum bang-for-buck, and allow me to keep more of my own money in my pocket. After some consideration on my part, I have to agree with the man. He's right. BTW, relapping of your old B-77 heads is $70 each, and includes a written printout on head condition. I think if you put this information here together with Arian Johnson's B-77 IEC EQ update posted earlier, you will be sitting pretty. Hope this helps. Craig

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Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: How you can convert your Revox B77 or PR99 into a Tape Project machine.

« on: March 26, 2008, 11:12:16 AM »

A very timely article Arian. I own a B-77II and was just looking into a Seduction preamp, still am actually. Any chance a companion piece on modifying the record side to IEC is coming to complete the set? What would be really great is for somebody to design a standalone unit to do both-Record and playback to IEC specs as an outboard unit to use with anything. Anyone interested? Craig

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Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: update on Studer A-820

« on: March 23, 2008, 08:44:25 PM »

A further word, if I may. A guy by the name of Dean Roumanis used the Mark Levinson/Studer ML-5 machine to make a series of recordings in the early 1980's, mainly releasing these masters on 15ips, NAB, Open Reel tape copies to the public. I am very fortunate to own one such tape, that being Dean's "Roumanis Recordings Demonstration Tape #1". I brought this very tape with me to NYC last year to play on the Tape Project machine in the Magico room. I selected the last track, the Rheinberger Organ Concerto #3. I was positively astonished by what I heard, and my tape received the only STANDING OVATION of the day at the conclusion of the selection from all those present! Sadly, Dean is no longer with us, he passed away in July of 2005. His last job was as President of Krell Industries. I wrote an email to him in April of 2005 about his tape recording adventures. He wrote back to me, and said it was nice to hear from someone who still enjoyed his earlier work. I count that email as a prized possession. If I were you, Sir, I'd get the ML-5. Craig

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Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: update on Studer A-820

« on: March 23, 2008, 08:26:52 PM »

It may sound silly, but perhaps you might try reaching Mark Levinson (The Man), or John Curl through contact with Parasound might help you. After all, they would certainly know the answers:)

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Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Modding non technics machines

« on: March 15, 2008, 11:53:55 AM »

Keep us posted Doc. Thanks.