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Messages - analogfan

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16
Raw Tape / Re: ampex 406 Sticky-Shed
« on: February 28, 2010, 07:09:01 AM »
A good friend of mine is a musician and has three R2R tapes I am transcribing for him to CD-Rs.  Equipment is an OATRI B3 5050 and an Alesis ML 9600.  The tapes are "one of a kind".

The tapes are Ampex 406 and have sticky-shed.  They were recorded in the 70s and have remained stored since then.

1. How critical is it to unpack them before baking?  I am concerned about unpacking them on my OTARI (fixed guides and of course they will be in contact with the heads through un-packing).

I have a new (about 5 years old) electric Kitchen Aid electric oven with the built in convection baking feature.

2. Can/should I use the convection oven feature?

The oven has digital temperature controls and I also have an external digital thermometer.

Thank you, Analogfan/Bob Edwards

17
Thanks again Ironbut,

Appreciate the feedback!  Understand the pin 3 vs. pin 2 (consumer) wiring.

I have been amassing information on the OTARI 5050 B3 - if anyone needs any thing that I have am happy to share.

Happy New Year!

Bob Edwards

18
Thank you for the reply Ironbut!

So if I am cranking-up the record "line input" to whatever, the OTARI doesn't care where the pot is adjusted to, is what I think you are saying.

So I don't need to worry about re-calibration or say a Jensen PC-2XR transformer for matching consumer level to pro level, which was suggested as a possible approach by a buddy?

I am think of having a cable made-up (Canare/Neutrik) with an RCA at the pre-amp end and an XLR at the line-in OTARI end.  Do I need to worry about Z match?

Thanks again - appreciate it!

Bob Edwards/analogfan

19
OTARI recording level +4 dB vs. pre-amp outs of ?10 dB

I am new to pro-level decks, having recently acquired an OTARI 5050 B3. I have owned other R2R decks and cassette decks but have not run into this problem as they were consumer/prosumer level decks and the pre-amp tape-out levels matched the tape recorder, record-in levels.

The tape-out levels from my BAT VK30 pre-amp are ?10 dB or around .3V rms (I verified using a Nakamichi deck?s VU meters and can easily get 0 dB with the recording level pot at the 4 o?clock position).

My OTARI B3 is looking for a +4 dB input level or around 1.2 V rms for recording. I have to crank-up the record pot to about the 3 o?clock position to get 0 dB on the OTARI VU meter. I am assuming that I will have to re-align the recording electronics using a calibration tape (e.g. MTR) recorded at ?10 dB reference levels to re-calibrate the OTARI operating levels for ?10 dB? Is this correct?

Am I missing an easy solution or do I have to go the alignment route? Any other suggestions/comments are appreciated.

I have the OTARI operating manual which provides the alignment procedures and the required test equipment but will have to obtain an alignment tape. I have found vague references to ?operating levels? in the manual and on the Internet but nothing as to this specific problem and how to deal with it.

I will not be using this set-up for studio work ? only home recording and Tape Project playback.

Thank you ? any ideas would be appreciated.

Bob Edwards

20
Tape Project Machines / Re: OTARI 1. reel hubs repair 2. side panels
« on: December 25, 2009, 08:18:58 PM »
Hello Ki,

Thank you for your council.  I did clean them with soap/water and put them back together without any lube for now and they are MUCH better.  I did find two good plastic to plastic lubes (AGS DOOR EASE Lube Stick from Ace Hardware and Molykote Grease X5-6020 recommended by Nakamichi for their transport mechanisms).

I am still trying to deal with the "record-in" level problem but think as you mentioned will have to deal with it through the operating level alignment.  There is quite a difference between pro levels @ +4 dB and "consumer" electronics levels @ -10 dB, especially at the recorder "record-in" inputs.  I will keep you posted.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to reply to my thread - appreciate it!

Regards and ward holiday wishes, Bob Edwards

21
Tape Project Machines / Re: OTARI recording gain, reel hubs and side panels
« on: December 22, 2009, 07:52:09 AM »
Hello Ki,

Thank you for your reply.  I did take them apart (don't try this at home!).  I cleaned them up, rotated the bands a bit and they seem to be much better now.  I did locate two lubricants for plastic to plastic and plastic to metal, to lube the eject/auto reverse transport of a Nakamichi Tape Deck I have been working on:

Door-Ease stainless Stick Lubricant (Ace Hardware) and Molykote Grease X5-6020

I did find a pair of standard side panels with handles (the guy I bought the OTARI 5050 B3 from).

You seem to know the OTARIs - I am recording from a BAT VK30 tube pre-amp and have to set the recording gain 3/4s of the way up (around the 3 o'clock position).  Is there a way to adjust the input sensitivity so I can get more recording gain (so I can back down on the pots)?

Thank you and regards, Bob Edwards/617 335-0066

22
Tape Project Machines / OTARI 1. reel hubs repair 2. side panels
« on: December 20, 2009, 08:06:55 AM »
Hello and Happy Holiday,

I recently acquired a '93 OTARI 5050 B3 in mint condition.  Hope to use it for playback of Tape Project tapes among other things.

RE: hub adapters:

The OTARI came with the stock reel hubs however they are stiff in operation and I am afraid I am going to break one of them.  A couple of questions:
1. I am thinking of disassembling them, cleaning them and lubricating them - is this possible/recommended?  What would I use for lube - Vaseline (I assume the inside is mainly plastic) or?
2. Love the custom Darklab Studer/Revox adapters sold by Jeff at J-corder - does anyone know if they compatible with the OTARI?
3. Have also seen after-market (I assume) Studer/Revox adapters sold on ebay.  Same question - does anyone know if they compatible with the OTARI?

RE: side panels:

4. The side panels are dark gray ash color over mdf - no handles.  Does anyone know where I can get stock side panels with the built-in handles?

Thank you, Bob Edwards/617 335-0066

23
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Revox/Studer A700
« on: December 04, 2009, 01:20:31 PM »
Hello there,

I am a Tape Project Forum newbee.

I have an opportunity to acquire a Revox/Studer A700 in excellent condition.  Is this a suitable R2R for tape project tape playback or should I continue the hunt for a mint Otari or Technics recommended by the tape project?

Anyone have any direct experience with the A700 for archiving vinyl?  The closest thing to anything decent I have owned was a Pioneer RT909 which pretty and "OK" for recording, but not great.

Thank you,

Bob Edwards

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