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61
Events / Reel Tape Workshop in Berkely, CA April 25
« Last post by High and Outside on March 20, 2019, 09:57:55 PM »
We are going to be taking part in a Reel Tape Workshop on April 25th. This consists primarily of a training that ATR Service Corp. has been presenting a couple of times per year at their York, PA headquarters. They have held it in other locations, but for several years it has not been presented on the West Coast. We can thank Tim Marutani and Nick Doshi for sponsoring the event and getting them out west again.

It's a day-long workshop that covers the basics on the technology of tape machines, and a thorough explanation of alignment, with practical demonstrations that all participants may take part in. We will also have a visit from Greg Orton, owner of Flux Magnetics, and possibly other surprise treats.

ATR Service Corp. is one of the key technical resources we rely on to keep all our machines running properly. They have been involved on the pro side for over three decades. Now they are providing support for the high end playback market as well. They work on Ampex ATR's, as their name implies, but they work on all brands of studio machines. The information presented in the workshop will apply to any brand of machine.

Tape Project co-founder Michael Romanowski is providing the venue: his mastering lab located within the Fantasy Studios complex in Berkeley, CA. After the workshop there will be time for some music listening in Michael's main room.

The cost to attend is $500. For more information, or to sign up, you may contact Tim Marutani at (510) 652-1911 or Nick Doshi at www.doshiaudio.com/reel-tape-workshop.   
62
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: A80 bearings and where to buy them?
« Last post by Black Witch on March 13, 2019, 01:54:20 AM »
Thanks for the informative reply.

That's great! :)

Does anyone know what type of lubricant should be inside the bearing?
63
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: A80 bearings and where to buy them?
« Last post by High and Outside on March 12, 2019, 01:57:40 AM »
Unfortunately most of the specs that get published about bearings don't say anything about what really matters for our purposes. This is the reason that Studer tested and carefully selected the types that they used.

In our application the bearing is sometimes used at high rotational speed--when fast winding--but the only area where performance really matters is at low speed: playing and recording. And the highest value should be placed on low vibration at low speed--similar to low noise but really it's vibration that will put flutter into the tape travel and change the audible character in the recording. 

Going for the highest ABEC rating unfortunately is no guarantee of low vibration performance. Neither is the material: steel, stainless steel, chrome steel or ceramic. You probably want ABEC 5 or better, just to make sure the bearing's dimensional tolerances are well controlled.

There are two aspects that are important, without a doubt. One is the lubrication: the right lube, in the right amount. A good bearing vendor will be able to give you a choice of lubes, or sell you unlubed bearings if you want to experiment on your own. The other is making sure the bearing is loaded properly. Part of that is choosing a bearing that is correct for the place it's used in the machine--whether that use provides lateral or radial loading. Then you must make sure that the way the bearing is installed properly provides the designed loading. If you are replacing bearings in your A80, pay attention to the washers as you take the old bearing out. They are there for a purpose. Assuming that your replacement bearing is dimensionally an exact match for the one you took out, then replacing the same washers should provide the same loading. If its even a thousandth or two thicker or thinner, then you might have to adjust on the washer(s).

Don't just throw a "good" bearing in there and hope. Check how the new bearing works, using your hearing and your tactile sense, and don't call the job done until you're satisfied that he new one is running smoother than the one you replaced. There's an old mechanic's trick that is very helpful here: get a length of flexible tubing, about a half meter or so, with an inside diameter somewhere around 13 mm. Hold one end of the tube near one of your ears, put an ear plug in the other ear, and bring the free end of the tube near the various parts of your deck as it pulls tape. You'll be amazed how much this magnifies the sound. Put another way, you'll be amazed at how noisy all the mechanics of your deck are. The closer you are to the heads, the more important it is to reduces those noises. (You might also be surprised just how much noise comes from the tape itself scraping over the heads.)
64
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: A80 bearings and where to buy them?
« Last post by Black Witch on February 27, 2019, 07:07:42 AM »
Thanks, I'll take a look :)

I thought skate bearings wouldn't be good enough.
65
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: A80 bearings and where to buy them?
« Last post by docb on February 23, 2019, 04:19:17 PM »
SKF is a manufacturer brand, not a tolerance rating. ABEC is a tolerance rating. Look for the highest ABEC rating you can find. This one is touted to be very quiet and ought to work.

http://www.wychbearings.co.uk/61900-LLB-ABEC5-Enduro.html
66
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / A80 bearings and where to buy them?
« Last post by Black Witch on February 14, 2019, 01:50:58 AM »
Hi all.

I have an A80/R machine and the bearings are a little noisey so I'm looking to replace them.

Does anyone know which type are best and where to buy them?

I've been recommended the SKF W619002Z Stainless Steel Metal Shielded found here:
https://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/p12600/SKF-W619002Z-Stainless-Steel-Metal-Shielded-Thin-Section-Deep-Groove-Ball-Bearing-10x22x6mm/product_info.html

...as well as the metal bearing type found here:
https://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/p6766/SKF-619002Z-Metal-Shielded-Thin-Section-Deep-Groove-Ball-Bearing-10x22x6mm/product_info.html

The stainless ones are double the price but what about ABEC 7 type? I've read on a thread here that they are much quieter than the SKF types but where do I find them?

I want to get a good compromise in price too, the best if I can.

I'm based in the UK.

Any help would be great.
Thanks
J
67
Forum Rules / Signing Up For The Forum
« Last post by High and Outside on February 13, 2019, 11:15:49 AM »
In an effort to control spammers we have had to lock down the process of joining the forum. The best way to begin the process at this point is just to email info at tapeproject dot com with a request and a few words about your interest in tape playback in the home.
68
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / New reel to reel tape recorders
« Last post by cdmagnetics on January 10, 2019, 09:15:03 AM »
Hi! My name is Antonia. I am 22 years old and my team of three is sharing our love for tape by updating the old recorder.

I'm on a three-person team co-starting a company called Central Dogma Magnetics where we're building brand new reel to reel tape recorders.

Our prototype is mechanically complete and will be electrically complete in February/March.

My question to you is how long has tape been in your family? Are you the only one interested in it? Have you encouraged your young family members to embrace it?
69
Tape Project Albums - general / TP-002 Dave Alvin
« Last post by High and Outside on December 03, 2018, 10:50:54 PM »
On the shelves
70
Tape Project Albums - general / TP-009 Mose Allison back in stock
« Last post by High and Outside on November 27, 2018, 09:09:38 PM »
Mose Allison--Creek Bank

Glad to have this one back.
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