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Messages - cam3xl

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16
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Modding non technics machines
« on: April 17, 2008, 04:31:40 PM »
Well Folks,

John French does it again.  Just got off the phone with him and for those of us on the east coast that can make the drive, conversion of the 5050IIB does not seem to be a problem.  Direct RCA line outs from the heads and switch (external to internal electronics) installed for approx. $200.  Re-lapping and aligning all four heads and cleaning 2t/4t switch $295.  At which point you will have one of the only 2 OR 4 Track, playback and recording, 3.75 OR 7.5 OR 15 ips, 7" OR 10.5" reel accepting, IEC OR NAB selectable internally, with direct out from head option TapeProject ready decks available.

Otari Owners Rejoice!  We are now players too.

If you are not so close to New Jersey, you can ship your deck, but that adds significantly to the pricing.  Also I did not make him commit to pricing, so yours may vary depending on the overall condition of your deck.

PS.  doc, I'm sure John would share the procedure with the DIY crowd once he gets it done to his satisfaction.

17
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: No love for the Pioneer RT-707?
« on: April 13, 2008, 09:26:10 PM »
problem with the 707 is that it does not take a 10.5" reel, nor will it play at 15ips.  Just not a compliant machine.  I had a tech working on moding the 909, but realized a little too late that it did not have a 2 track head.  No dice there either.  Worth just getting a spec machine and enjoying the music.

18
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Modding non technics machines
« on: March 10, 2008, 03:12:41 PM »
Thanks Doc.  I just brought home my 5050 IIB and need to do some work, but would like to at least be moving in the agreed apon direction.

Thanks,
Bhek

19
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Modding non technics machines
« on: March 10, 2008, 10:57:54 AM »
Has anyone taken the time to modd their Otari or Revoxx decks to meet the sonic level of modded 1500s?  Is it even possible?  Using the seduction pre seems to level the playing feild from the repro end, but I would be interested in what it takes to make other decks sing until we can all find mint 1500s.

20
Tape Tech / Tape Speed
« on: March 10, 2008, 10:45:48 AM »
I think this has a simple answer, but it will help me from a recording standpoint.  What are the sonic advantages to recording and playing at 15ips v.s. 7.5 ips ?  7.5 gives me over 2 hours on a single reel (in one direction).  This would allow me to keep it 2 track and dense.  What am I loosing?

The goal is to get some very clean copies of live double albums recorded with the best possible sound quality.  On one, maybe two reels. 

Be patient with me.  I am just starting this magnetic sickness.  :-)

21
Gentlemen,

What a wonderful day in the neighborhood it's been.  This morning Robert and I FINALLY made the trip to the DC metro area radio station, to commendeer some of the last radiostation owned/retired RtR decks on the east coast.  More accurately, I escorted Bob on his journey.  Being new to all of this, these pro decks are a little beyond my comfort level.  That being said, even I could appreciate the engineering and smooth tape handling that they all displayed.  We were able to test each one of them and were given quite the royal treatment, but more on that later.  The Otari MTR-15 was the most impressive piece.  It was the one most recently retired and although a little dusty worked beautifully.  What took both of us by suprise was the sheer size of this machine.  You feel like your sitting at a studio board when it is in front of you.  Those bright VU meters lit up, on the head unit, and it was love at first sight.  Next up was the Sony APR-5000.  At a much more manageable size it was still very similar to the MTR-15.  The tape path seems very close to an isolated loop design as well.  I do believe that this is the deck Bob has chosen to work with.  While the big Otari may be a better machine, I think the size of it was a little putting off to him.  Last, but not least was the MX-50.  Digital counter, simple tape path, it reminded me very much of a beefy/pro 5050 IIB.  All three are on included rolling carts.  So, if there is no room in your rack, they can be rolled in and out of the way. 

So to put you all out of your misery, we acquired all three machines.  Convinced that it would be a tragedy for our little band of brothers to loose the opportunity to get such great used pro gear, or at least have access to parts, Bob took the risk of initial outlay with faith that there would be interested buyers among you.  Now, obviously these machines have been in storage at a radio station for as long as five years, so they are a little dusty.  Need the heads aligned, a couple of pots cleaned and who knows what other tweaking and minor repair.  But seeing as how most of us are modding the machines for project use anyway, they are all great starting points for those with the room and inclination for a pro machine TP experience.  Cosmetically they are clean!  I was hard pressed to find a scratch.  Like I stated earlier, Bob seems to have adopted the sony but I will leave those details for him to negotiate with you guys.

We were treated to a complete tour of a radio station that was built in 1932 and has not changed much beyond newer equipment added.  This place was a museum of vintage radios and transmiter equipment.  Old Philcos and Silvertones.  Vintage broadcast turntables with old 78 lacquer still on the decks.  We immediately regretted not bringing cameras, but our tourguide (one of the engineers who often works in the building alone) invited us back later this week to pick up a few missing accessories and gave us permission to shoot as much as we wanted.  We will post pics next weekend.

What a phenomenal experience it has been.  The radio station, the machines, the engineer, but most of all meeting Bob face to face and spending a sunny Sunday with him.  Lunch with him, at one of my favorite DC spots, was the best part of the day.  Oh yeah, I almost forgot.  Seeing as Brother Bob is a collector of machines, as are so many of you, his new acquisition prompted him to release one of his other babies.  So I am now the proud owner of a new (to me) Otari 5050 IIB.  My very first deck.  I will now stop living vicariously through others and begin my own sick journey of tweaking and obsessing.

Thank you Bob, thank you Tape Project and thank you radio station guy.  This has been one of the greatest in my young audiophile life.  There is a GOD and he knows my heart.  And he prefers ANALOG!  :-)

Peace be with you all,
Bhek

22
Suggestion Box / Gamble & Huff
« on: March 04, 2008, 11:29:26 AM »
Just saw G&H interview with Tavis Smiley and they introduced something very interesting.  Leo Sax (producer I think) just put together an LP of orphaned Philly sound R&B hits.  A series has been proposed called "Rarities".  They are putting together compilations of overlooked classic music.  Issued directly to vinyl for analog to analog reproduction, CDs have not been produced yet.  Fledgling project should be available for licensing negotiation.  Masters have been procured.  What do you think?  There is NO classic R&B on the TP list!

If not this, what about "Hot Buttered Soul" Isacc Hayes on Staxx records?

Peace

23
Tape Project Machines / Re: Greetings from a Tape Project newcomer
« on: February 27, 2008, 01:21:58 PM »
Hey Charles,

I am in Catonsville, MD and am in desperate need of audio fellowship.  I would love to know about the next Arbutus event.  Drop me a line.

Bhek

24
Suggestion Box / question for Doc
« on: January 28, 2008, 01:43:18 PM »
Would most live recordings not be considered, due to length of program?  I was just daydreaming about "Bill Withers Live at Carnegie Hall" being given the TP treatment when I realized that it is almost two hours of music.  At 15ips it seems like that would be logistically a problem.  If you gave a short primer on the requirements for a piece to be considered, I think the suggestion box would be more usefull.....but I'm still gonna dream about I can't write left-handed, a glass of port and two candles.  It may just remain in the realm of vinyl.....(sigh)  :-)

25
Suggestion Box / One man's obvious is another man's......
« on: January 25, 2008, 09:58:29 PM »
Steely Dan - AJA

Bud Powell and friends - Live at Massey Hall

Pink Floyd - Wish you were here

Stan Getz - Getz and Gilberto

Hubert Laws - Family (way underappreciated)

Chuck Mangeon - Children of Sanchez

These are all LPs that I own and listen to from beginning to end.  Have never purchased the CDs because I can't imagine selecting tracks.  The Getz and Gilberto was my mom's and the original Verve pressing is so creamy (sorry, really the best word I could come up with) I can only imagine getting closer to the master would be unbelievable.  Live at Massey is just a historical once in a lifetime concert.  Bud Powell, Charles Mingus, Charlie Parker (billed as Charlie Chan) Max Roach and Dizzy Gilespy.  Booked in Canada the same night as the Joe Lewis fight, so they played to an almost empty house.  Parker is on a borrowed plastic alto and the recording was done by Mingus to study and practice to later.  Who knew?  It WAILS!!  The Laws piece is really good (read - not cheesy) 80s jazz flute work.  The evolutionary version of Ravel's Bolero is worth the price of admission.  Excellent work from Chick Corea.  Let me know what you think.

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