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Messages - ironbut

Pages: 1 ... 3 4 [5] 6 7 ... 168
61
General Discussion / Re: Merry Christmas / Happy Holidays Tapesters!!
« on: December 22, 2014, 01:56:09 PM »
Thanks Charlie and a happy holidays to you and the rest of the tape crazed demographic!

62
Raw Tape / Re: An Unknown? Scotch 260?
« on: December 16, 2014, 02:10:33 PM »
Steve,
I stumbled across the thread over on TapeHeads regarding this tape.
If you're asking about the one being sold on eBay, it's hardly worth the effort.
It would appear that this is some tape that Polyline put on a generic reel and was probably selling for low prices.
If it is 3M audio tape from that era, it will be backcoated and very likely to be one solid mass from sticky shed.
If you're thinking about buying it, it's a pretty expensive reel IMHO.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Scotch-recording-tape-on-10-5-Inch-metal-reels-new-old-stock-in-box-8-reels-/261701564029?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item3ceea0f67d

63
Raw Tape / Re: An Unknown? Scotch 260?
« on: December 15, 2014, 02:47:28 PM »
Hey Steve,
Welcome to the forum.

I was looking at my listing of 3M reel to reel tape, and the numbers jump from 250 to 265.
250 was a pretty common audio tape and I have a number of reels (some sticky, some not so much). Some are 1/4" and some are 1/2" but they're all labeled 250.
In my list, the 265 is 1.05mil and is specified for "digital" (computers or early digital audio recorders I will guess since it was produced in 1977).
Now, the reason I mentioned the tape width before is that small number changes 141-142,154-156,295-296, for tapes introduced the same year, seem to indicate either differences in thickness and sometimes (but rarely) oxide type.
So, I would guess that it's "most likely" that it was the same tape as 265 but 2mil.

If you're super curious, you can check with the guys over on the Ampex list. You'd be amazed at the stuff those guys know (Bill Lunde (sp?) hangs there and he was in charge of some of the 3M tape formulations ).

64
Tape Project Albums - general / Re: Inventory
« on: December 10, 2014, 01:53:51 PM »
That looks very impressive Dan.
Looking forward to seeing the new improved site too.


65
Hooker 'n' Heat / Hooker 'n' Heat First Impressions
« on: December 05, 2014, 04:43:15 PM »
Back in the 70's my friends always had a stack of "in heavy rotation" records propped up against a speaker/stereo cabinet etc..
There was always a copy of Electric Ladyland, the Beatles White Album, Volunteers (jefferon airplane), Hot Tuna and Hooker 'n' Heat in that pile.
I'll admit that those first 5 still grace my turntable once every couple of years but until I put this tape on my Technics, it had been freakin forever since I'd even heard so much as a single cut!

Wow! It was like I'd never heard it before.
This is one of those "you are there" recordings and I seriously doubt that I'd ever heard it on a decent system till now or I woulda remembered.
If you're looking for one of those sterile audiophile recordings where everything is "just so", look elsewhere.
But if you revel in the sounds and feel of some folks who've got talent oozing out of every pore doing the highest level of artistic communication before your very ears, you can't do much better than this.
I can't speak for listeners who've never been personally involved with musical creation, but for those who have, this is very exciting stuff!
Thanks guys, this ones killer!

66
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Otari MTR-15 manual wanted
« on: December 03, 2014, 11:18:38 PM »
Hey Malcolm,

There a several places that you can post large files for download.
DropBox is probably the most popular but Copy and Google Drive are similar.
Both have free accounts that will be up to the task of storing your manual, and providing you with links (for downloading) for you to distribute where you wish.
These are "cloud" storage sites.
You need to:
1. Set up an account
2.Upload the files you wish to share (pdf's should be fine)
3.Copy the link for sharing of the particular file you wish to distribute (usually seen as an option in the tools provided with your upload)
4.Paste that link in emails, forum posts etc.

Here's the link for DropBox;

https://www.dropbox.com/

67
Tape Tech / Re: What causes the warbled sound on tape? (reel to reel)
« on: November 29, 2014, 03:00:26 PM »
Hey checkin (btw, we use our real names here, please read forum rules),

The first thing I'd check would be the tape.
If you don't have access to a machine that's known to be running correctly, try some other tapes.


A tape machine's primary duty is to move the tape across the heads uniformly at the stated speed. So, almost all the mechanical workings of the machine are suspect when this isn't happening.
To make a guess over the internet about what may be happening with your machine (if it isn't the tape) we'd need to know the model of the machine and it's background.

My wild ass guess is that the tape you're listening to is curled.
Old tapes (particularly acetate backed) can become deformed if they aren't stored correctly.
One way to check if a tape is curled is to lay a foot or so on a clean flat surface. The tape should lay flat. If the edges are wavy the tape is curled.

68
Hooker 'n' Heat / Re: Now in production
« on: November 22, 2014, 04:32:32 PM »
Awesome news Dan!
Just in time for the holidays.

Well, it's raining here, and I've got the flu. So it may be a couple of days before I start sitting on the curb and waiting for UPS!

69
General Discussion / 16 Ton Studio & Ampex 401
« on: November 03, 2014, 03:29:50 AM »
Here's a great article of the open house at the restored 16 Ton Studio in Nashville.
Aside from the Ampex and Scully recorders, there seems to be plenty of other drool worthy gear.

http://thenashvillebridge.com/2013/11/25/sixteen-ton-studio-premiers-norman-petty-vintage-studio-b/

70
Hi checkin (BTW, we use our real names here, please read Forum Rules),

Check/clean all switches  and pots.
You can narrow things down if your machine has 3 heads. If so, see if it''s passing signal when switched to source and tape.
If it's out on source, it's probably not your heads.
If it's only on Tape, it's could be a problem with a connection between the head and the output amp.
If possible, find a service manual before you dig into the guts.

71
Tape Project Albums - general / Re: Series Three Updates?
« on: October 18, 2014, 01:12:26 PM »
Sounds good!
Haven't heard that album in a long, long time.
Looking forward to something with a little boogie!

72
Tape Project Albums - general / Re: Series Three Updates?
« on: October 14, 2014, 01:22:05 PM »
I'd love to get  an update too.
I was just listening to several TP tapes last night and I just can't get enough of that!

73
General Discussion / Re: Progress on Austin Recording Tech Museum
« on: September 02, 2014, 02:47:25 PM »
Wow, things seem like they're moving right along!
Great to see that the Disney World gear is being saved.
Does that include the 24 track, 2" continuous bin machine from Epcot?

http://www.manquen.net/audio/index.php?page=3

Amazing stuff.

You really should post some info about the museum over on the Ampex list. Maybe I missed it but folks like Jay McKnight might be able to hook you guys up with Stanford University who took over the museum that used to be in the lobby of Ampex Redwood City.
As far as I know, the only thing the university has done with that collection is restore and display an Ampex 200 in one of the libraries (maybe a VR machine too).
The photos they have should be on display somewhere IMHO.

74
General Discussion / Re: Progress on Austin Recording Tech Museum
« on: August 22, 2014, 01:10:13 PM »
Great interview!
I also have his book and it's always nice to know more about an author.

Keep um coming!

75
Events / Re: California Audio Show tape demos
« on: August 19, 2014, 11:14:35 AM »
Here's some nice pictures from the show.

http://www.monoandst...ml?spref=tw&m=1

http://www.monoandst...ml?spref=tw&m=1

http://www.monoandst...ml?spref=tw&m=1

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