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Messages - michael22

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But how would that 1/4" 1/4 track standard be (if done well) compared to modern vinyl or for that matter, CD?

A TP subscriber and I A-B'd London LCL 80119 Bruch/Hindemith (4-track 7-1/2 ips) against the TP version, and the listening comparison was interesting. While the TP version had more stable speed and a 'smoother' sound (likely less distortion), the 50-year-old 4-track was a more musical rendering, warmer and more realistic. The TP version was played on a restored ATR100 and the London on a Technics 1500, both through an exceptional sound system.

The point is: the 7-1/2 ips speed might be capable today of higher performance than recognized. My question, simply put, is: has the TP produced trials at the slower speed, and if so, what do they sound like compared to their high-speed sisters?

Of course, if there wouldn't be much of a price saving (7-1/2 ips at $300 vs 15 at $400, for example) it wouldn't be worth it. That's why I asked the question about a cost analysis ...

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It would be interesting to do a cost analysis on a tape that (like Tape Project titles) would have a licensing component. I'd compare 7-1/2 ips to 15 ips and see exactly what the difference would be. I still find it thrilling to thread an RCA, Mercury, Capitol or Westminster tape from the 1950s and hear how good they sound, so I believe, with current tape technology, one could produce a fine 7-1/2 ips prerecorded reel. Maybe TTP could take one title (like the Arnold Overtures) and run a few copies to see what it would sound like, and what it could be sold for.

Early poll results show that 7-1/2 ips two-track NAB could be a popular format ...

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Prerecorded Tapes / Poll: what format would you prefer for new tapes?
« on: March 16, 2013, 10:10:53 PM »
In response to a question posed by one of the members of the Yahoo reeltoreel group, I've posted this poll. I thought the 3000 members of the group could provide useful information.

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/reeltoreel/surveys?id=3136060

Input from members of this group would be appreciated as well.

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Prerecorded Tapes / Re: The Shins revisited
« on: December 16, 2012, 08:49:22 PM »
I agree, I think the reel tape was more of a novelty collectible than an audiophile offering (at least, judging by the sound of it).

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Prerecorded Tapes / How many Shins tapes were produced?
« on: December 16, 2012, 06:24:04 PM »
Anyone have any idea how many of these tapes were produced? I'm listening to No. 108 and am wondering whether anyone has one with a higher number ...

I'm asking because a colleague is trying to assess the market for a rock music reel, probably 2- or 4-track 7-1/2 ips. It's a currently popular 'cult' group ..

Also, any recommendations on who could duplicate such a reel?

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Prerecorded Tapes / Re: RCA FTC-2049 liner notes needed
« on: June 19, 2012, 08:37:59 PM »
problem solved. many thanks!

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speed? equalization? reel size?

i take nothing for granted. barclay-crocker actually released uni-directional tapes in the 4-track 7-1/2 ips dolby B format.

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Prerecorded Tapes / Re: B-C Tapes at Irvington Music
« on: June 19, 2012, 08:28:35 PM »
Irvington is a good source for tapes (and records, too). I've been buying from them for years. They ship quickly and stand behind their product. I've on occasion gotten a bad tape and they accept returns without a fuss.

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Prerecorded Tapes / Re: The Shins revisited
« on: June 17, 2012, 07:55:51 AM »
This came from Bob on the reeltoreel list:

"The Shins original 2 track master is a 30 ips 1/2" tape with NO noise reduction in use. It was remastered for CD from ProTool digital files. I was at The Lodge Mastering Studio to make sure the Ampex ATR100 2 track was up to spec. At that time during mastering, there was no mention of a reel to reel release, so I have no idea what was used for a running master ..."


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Prerecorded Tapes / RCA FTC-2049 liner notes needed
« on: June 17, 2012, 07:50:29 AM »
Does anyone have a copy of the liner notes insert for RCA FTC-2049 Julian Bream Guitar Concertos? (This one contains the great Malcolm Arnold guitar concerto.) A xerox copy would be appreciated, and I would be happy to reciprocate with liner notes you might need. Thanks in advance. Michael

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format?

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Prerecorded Tapes / The Shins revisited
« on: June 07, 2012, 06:24:25 PM »
A friend of mine heard the CD of Port of Morrow playing in a record store (he had previously heard my tape) and said the album sounded great. Out of curiosity, I hooked up my dbx II decoder and tried the tape. To my surprise, it sounded "normal," with full bass, clear highs, and wider dynamic range. The playback decoding control was set about 1/3 of the way up. Is it possible that this tape was duplicated from a dbx-encoded running master? Today, I heard "A Simple Song" from the CD on radio and it also sounded fine. So something was obviously screwed up in the duplication ... a member on another list thought the dynamic range of the tape was "about 5 db."

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Prerecorded Tapes / Re: Bids On Barclay-Crockers go crazy
« on: May 26, 2012, 02:34:53 PM »
I noticed the price spike as well. I had the opportunity to buy the entire catalog back in the 1970s and 1980s when they were being produced, and at discount in the 1980s when they were being remaindered at the Tower Records outlet in New York. I bought a few that interested me, gave some away, and sold some on eBay in the $20 - $30 range. The ones I kept still have a Tower $4.99 AS-IS price tag on the back.

When B-C was still on lower Broadway in Manhattan, I visited and got their nice tour of the duplication room. I still believe it's unfortunate Dolby B was used, as it limited the customer base. and was not really necessary with the high-output low-noise tape B-C used for duplication.

In the end, the tapes sounded good, but not that good, at least compared to cassettes and vinyl available at the time.

Does anyone have a copy of the quantities list B-C issued towards the end? Would greatly appreciate it, and (with permission) would post it to the reeltoreel yahoo discussion group.

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Prerecorded Tapes / Re: the 2 track era
« on: April 24, 2012, 08:55:40 PM »
Both tapes mentioned above were duplicated on Scotch 190. The Music Man is, IMHO, the best sounding Broadway original cast album ever recorded. It was extraordinary to hear back in 1957 when it was first released, and has held up very well by today's standards. If I am not mistaken, it was Capitol's first original cast album recorded in stereo. (There are, of course, the two early stereo soundtracks - Carousel and The King and I - which sound flat by comparison.) The Gliere/Stokowski is also one of Capitol's better sounding tapes from that era.

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Prerecorded Tapes / Re: the 2 track era
« on: April 18, 2012, 07:37:44 PM »
ECS-1 contains about 36 minutes of music. I think there would be a small but dedicated market for high quality 2-track 7-1/2 ips tapes in the $125 range today. Has The Tape Project ever run tests in this format? Considering the vast improvements in tape oxide formulation, tape head design, and transport mechanisms, I'd think a 1:1 duplication from a TP master might sound exceptionally good.

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