Tape Project Forum

Tape Machines => Reel to Reel Tape Machines => Topic started by: xcortes on January 25, 2011, 05:40:57 PM

Title: What to look for in a Nagra TA?
Post by: xcortes on January 25, 2011, 05:40:57 PM
I have been offered one. Local. Apparently good. No metering bridge which I understand was optional. Besides the obvious is there anything particular to this transport that I should take a look at?

I would use it, of course, with BH electronics for playback only.

No talk of price yet but I'll offer depending on what I see.

Thanks,
Title: Re: What to look for in a Nagra TA?
Post by: docb on January 25, 2011, 06:29:50 PM
Along with from the usual caveats of checking head wear and making sure all the standard transport functions work, and also make sure the shuttle and jog controls work as well as the go to zero function. The shuttle function is the way to library wind with this machine. Check to see that all of the preset speeds work too.

Have I started another trend? ;^)>
Title: Re: What to look for in a Nagra TA?
Post by: Ki Choi on January 25, 2011, 08:00:08 PM
Yes you did, Dan.

If the Nagra usedbto have a VU meterbridge and was removed, it will not record...but then again you will use it for repro only.

As we had discuss in other thread, check to make sure the deck has the CINE reel adapters or better yet the NAB hub adapters.  You should look also for the shuttle movement has no overshoot at the end of its cycle.
Title: Re: What to look for in a Nagra TA?
Post by: docb on January 25, 2011, 10:14:22 PM
Hmmm. I'm not at the office where my machine is, but unless I'm forgetting how it works there are line inputs on the back of the transport and LED level meters on the front of the audio cards. Mine also has a headphone jack on the right side of the transport for monitoring without the overbridge- though the one that Paul just bought didn't. Admittedly since mine has the bridge I haven't checked to see if the meters work in record. Are you sure you can never record without the overbridge? Maybe with level controls ahead of the line input?

(http://www.mancini99.freeserve.co.uk/Nagra_T_heads/Imag0003.jpg)
Title: Re: What to look for in a Nagra TA?
Post by: xcortes on January 26, 2011, 12:33:43 PM
Thanks Guys,

I'll see what this guys come up with. Not that I need the machine or, in any case, another project but if it's local, works and the price is right I may purchase it.
Title: Re: What to look for in a Nagra TA?
Post by: Ki Choi on January 26, 2011, 03:26:37 PM
Hi Doc:

It seems when the Nagra T Audio leaves the factory with the VU meter option, the record signal is pass through the DB connector for the VU meter  audo cable and comes back to the deck.  There's a pin out diagram on the back of your machine where the audio connector from VU meter connects to.  I had to make up a DB25 connector that loops both record and play signal within the connector to get my second T to record.

I scanned the entire manual but there was no mention of how to configure the audio cards to operate without the VU meterbridge.  On the other hand, if the T came from the factory without the VU meterbridge (as my third T - that is lost and gone ...in a saga...), it worked as it was without having to make up the jumper connections for the back audio connector.