Tape Project Forum

Tape Machines => Reel to Reel Tape Machines => Topic started by: persve on July 06, 2009, 09:20:04 AM

Title: Studer A 80
Post by: persve on July 06, 2009, 09:20:04 AM

Hi!
This is my first post and I just received my Studer A 80! Everything works fine but I have noticed:
1. A ticking noice once per second
2. A whining noice on 15 which disappears on 7,5

Anyone out there who has any experience?

What do I have to do to make it working as a tape project machine?

Title: Re: Studer A 80
Post by: Tim on July 06, 2009, 10:35:54 AM

Are these noises electrical (you hear only through speakers) or acoustical (mechanical sounds emanating from the transport)?  Or both? Does ticking noise change rate with tape speed change?

To play TP tapes, you only need IEC playback EQ (35 usec).   Look for a NAB/IEC switch.  May be in the form of "DIP switches" on the playback amp circuit board cards.

Tim

Title: Re: Studer A 80
Post by: persve on July 06, 2009, 12:39:45 PM

Hi Timlein!
The noices are acoustical only! The ticking is the same on both speeds! I think i am not technical enough to understand how to identify the switches!
Best regards
Persve

Title: Re: Studer A 80
Post by: Ki Choi on July 06, 2009, 06:15:46 PM

Hi Persve:

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on acquiring an A80.  I assume it is a A80RC model.

First of all, the ticking noise could be some foreign material stuck under the reel table or the capstan.  Put your ear around the tape path and search.  The noise with high speed is probably related to your pinch roller or bearing for one of the rollers.  Again, put your ear around the rollers and locate the source of the mechanical noise.

One the nicest things about all Studer machines are that they are so DIY friendly with full manual and schematics available at no charge and so easy to get to all things that need to be fixed - not to mention how well they were designed with field repair and maintenance alreay in mind.  I wish my company can design equipments like Studers...

The TP IEC EQ for A80RC is done at the Repro board with plug in boards instead of switch or key pads on other Studer models.  You can easily build a new set with prototype blank circuit boards from your local electronics store and readily availble parts and connectors per schematic in the manual.  There are links posted by others from this forum for the Studer manuals.

Let us know if you have more questions.

Ki

Title: Re: Studer A 80
Post by: persve on July 07, 2009, 12:03:41 PM

Hi Ki!
Thanks for Your advice! I have located the ticking noice to the meter for the hours! Something seems to be loose. Why do I need the TP IEC EQ? What happens if I don't? And what happens with other material if I do?
Best regards
Per

Title: Re: Studer A 80
Post by: Tim on July 07, 2009, 12:20:32 PM

Thanks for the additional info.

The whining noise is most likely generated by the capstan motor tachometer.  It's a "head" that reads the teeth embedded into the motor exterior.   The head is usually isolated by a rubber mount in order to reduce this whining noise.  See if it's intact (the rubber mount).  Also the head may be too close. Moving it slightly away may reduce the noise.  It's normal for the noise to almost disappear at the lower speed. If all else fails you could just install some sound barriers around the motor area.

If you play a TP tape on a deck set for NAB play EQ, then the high-frequencies will be abnormally "hot" (louder) and the bass will be attenuated (softer than normal).  You could compensate with preamp tone controls, but it would not be ideal.  And yes, your NAB pre-recorded tapes will not sound correct (tonally), if you play them back with IEC EQ.

Try downloading a service manual and an owners manual to see about converting to IEC play EQ (or if there is a NAB/IEC switch).  You never know, it may already be set for IEC EQ. Just playing an IEC frequency response test tape could determine that.

Tim

Title: Re: Studer A 80
Post by: Ki Choi on July 07, 2009, 01:07:16 PM

Persve:

Where are you located?
If you are in Europe and the A80 was originally from there, your A80's EQ will more than likely be in IEC setting.  You can pull out the record amp or repro amp card and see the plug in card number with EQ description.

Ki

Title: Re: Studer A 80
Post by: persve on July 07, 2009, 02:57:23 PM

Thank You timlein, I will try and dismantle enough to have a look at the capstan, the sound may well come from there! And Ki, I live in Sweden and the A 80 RC has been used at the Norwegian radio! I will check the cards, thank You!
Best regards
Persve

Title: Re: Studer A 80
Post by: persve on July 19, 2009, 08:02:00 AM

Hi!
I have now checked the reproamp and it confirms CCIR, which I suppose is the same as IEC? If it is, is it then possible to play Tape Project tapes?
I need to dismantle the player but my service handbook doesn,t show! Anyone knows where to find one?
Best regards
Persve

Title: Re: Studer A 80
Post by: microstrip on July 19, 2009, 04:30:42 PM

You can find Revox / Studer operation and service manuals at ftp.studer.ch - the A80 service manual has more than 300 pages!
Just now the ftp server is temporarily unavailable - try again after some time if your connection is reset.

Title: Re: Studer A 80
Post by: persve on July 20, 2009, 12:53:25 PM

Thank You microstrip! I tried but it is still down! I will try again later. Per

Title: Re: Studer A 80
Post by: microstrip on July 20, 2009, 05:50:57 PM

I also just checked and it is still down - if you need it urgently I have the file with the service manual of the A80RC MkI-MKII, but the file has 82 Mbytes...

Title: Re: Studer A 80
Post by: persve on July 20, 2009, 11:37:09 PM

Thank You microstrip! I come back to Your offer if I can?t solve it!
Best regards
Per