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Topics - commonman

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General Discussion / Worried About Tape Head When Rewinding
« on: October 15, 2016, 09:21:07 PM »
I have an Otari 4 track. I've noticed that when fast rewinding, I can hear that "squiggly sound" - which in my mind, means the head is in contact with the tape when rewinding. This, in turn, also means more wear on the heads. My question is - is this normal? I would think that something would lift the tape away from the heads when fast rewinding. For a while, every time I did a fast, long rewind, I would pull down on some bars that are located on either side of the heads which moves the tape away from the heads. I guess Im wondering why these bars don't automatically engage when fast rewinding.

2
General Discussion / ATR Magnetics
« on: January 21, 2011, 02:33:33 PM »
I bought a reel of ATR Magnetics Mater Tape (1/4 x 1250) and had some problems with it.
Has anyone else had problems with this brand of tape? 

3
Tape Tech / Ampex ATR-700 Questions
« on: January 09, 2011, 10:56:32 PM »
I have been unable to find a manual for my Ampex ATR-700 and need some help.

Background:  I have an Ampex ATR- 700 connected to a Tascam M-520 recording console.  The Ampex ATR -700 has only XLR inputs and outputs on the rear of the deck.  It also has 2 1/4 inchs female jacks which I don't use and I'm not sure what they are for.   The outputs on the console are low impedance balanced outputs which are either +4 or + 8 dbm (I'm not sure which because the switch for these setting is inside the board and I've not checked them).

I have recorded and played back successfully using the tape deck and the board but since I do not have the manual, I wanted to get confirmation on a few things and therefore I have the following questions regarding the Ampex ATR -700 open reel tape deck:

1. Should I have the EQ switch set on NAB or IEC?

2.  There are 2 switches on back, one for "A" and "B."  Should these be set on "mic" or "line?"  I have them set on "line."

3.  For each channel there is a microphone attenuation switch which can be set to either 0 or 20 - which is the best setting for me?  I have them set on zero.

4. On top of the cover for the head/transport are switches for "repro" or "sync."
Which is the best setting?  I have them set on "repro."

5.  There is are what I believe to be record level input knobs A & B for each of the two channels (a total of 4 knobs).  If I only have cables connoted to inputs A of each channel, should I have the knob B turned all the way to "zero" or does it matter?  I have them all set in the middle. 

6. There are switches that allow for three settings 1,2 & 3 for "Record EQ," "Record Bias," and "Record Level."  Don't know which of the three is best for my purposes.
I've been using the number 1 setting.

7.  There are two knobs which seem to control output from the deck for each channel but they are labeled CH A and CH B.  Why are they not labeled CH 1 and CH 2?


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Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Can My Machine Record as Stereo Half Track?
« on: October 12, 2008, 06:41:18 PM »
I've got a Revox A77.  I have not had it very long nor have I used it extensively.  I was reading the manual which came with it and noticed a discussion on "Track Positions."  Under this section there is a sub-section called "Stereo Half Track" which states the following: "When recording stereophonic signals two tracks are always used simultaneously. The left-hand channel is recorded on track 1 (upper) and the right-hand channel on track 2 (lower).  In the case of half track recording, the entire tape is recorded in one go. 

The section refers to half track machines and quarter track machines.  Is this Revox either one or the other?
Or can it act as both? 

I have a feeling that if there are four rectangles on the surface of the record and play-back heads, it's a quarter track machine, right?

I would like to record in "Stereo Half Track" mode, using the entire width of the tape in one direction.  Can I do this on this machine?


5
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Will Tape Damage Otari Heads During Rewind?
« on: October 09, 2008, 08:28:49 PM »
I'm using an Otari MX 5050 QXHD.  I noticed that when I rewind or fast forward, the tape IS NOT lifted by anything and therefore runs at high speed across the heads.  This worries me.  I'm almost sure, that my Tascam (can't remember model but it was a professional 8 track) automatically lifted the tape whenever I rewound or fast forwarded.  Or, at the very least, it gave you the option of lifting the tape for long rewinds or forwards. 

There is a bar on the Otari that I can see could act as a "tape lifter" and it seems to be connected to a "cue" lever but it does not seem to work, or at least it does not lift the tape off the heads (maybe the spring is broken).

Am I wearing my heads out when I rewind and fast-forward?  What can I do?

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