Tape Project Forum
Tape Machines => Reel to Reel Tape Machines => Topic started by: michaelnorth on October 07, 2007, 07:26:04 PM
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Greetings,
I'm taking the plunge into reel to reel. Can you help put together a short list of decks to consider?
I'll be doing some recording in my home studio, but also listening to pre-recorded tapes, and transferring older tapes to digital format. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm thinking the machine should handle speeds of 3 3/4 ips to 15 ips, in a 1/4" format.
Realistically, I only need two recording tracks (channels) UNLESS there is some compelling reason to go 4 track that I don't know about. For multitrack recording, I would most likely use my digital system, which is fully in place.
One key question: can I play back 2-track tapes on a 4-track machine or are these different animals altogether? Obviously, I need to do some reading. Right now, I'm a little confused by tracks vs. channels. It appears there are many pre-recorded tapes in 4-track, so does that automatically mean I must have a 4-track machine to play them? I want to get something that will play common formats--either recorded privately or commercially--that's the bottom line.
Any specific models that would you recommend?
So far, I've come across the Otari 5050, Tascam 44, and Pioneer RT-909.
All advice appreciated, thanks!
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My suggestion would be a Technics RS 1500/1506/1520 series. The 1500 is 2 track play/record + 4 track play. 1506 4 track play/record + 2 track play, 1520 same as 1500 with manual bias/EQ control.
Steve
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Here's what I've learned in looking for a machine for The Tape Project (I was looking for a 2-track machine, capable of 15 ips).
The Technics RS1500 (2 track with 4-track play head) will do 3.75, 7.5 and 15 ips, has an isolated loop transport system with particularly excellent tape handling. The record/play electronics are nothing to write home about - about the quality of a good Japanese receiver of the time. Don't know about replacement parts availability - they haven't been made in some time, although Doc (one of the principals of The Tape Project) has arranged for a new 2-track play head and would have far more info on repair issues. Prices on E-bay for a good one will be between $500-1000, with the more mint machines going for the higher prices.
Tascam (professional version of Teac) produced several "pro" series 2-track 1/4" machines. The 32, 32-2B and BR20 are all two speed (7.5/15), with excellent build quality. The electronics seem to be somewhat more highly regarded than the Technics, and a big plus is that parts are still readily available (and reasonably priced). Excellent condition examples of the 32 and BR20 can be had for under $500 on e-bay. I own a BR20, and it is very gentle on tape, and seems to sound pretty darn good, though I haven't done any live recording with it.
Otari MX5050 - a standard workhorse of many radio stations and small studios. You will see a lot of them on e-bay, but most are pretty beat-up from hard use. Most under $500, but may need several hundred dollars in reconditioning to work well. Like the Technics, the MX5050B, B2-HD, BII-2 were generally 2-track machines with an extra 4-track play head. The later MX5050 BIII didn't have the extra head. Parts still available for the BII and newer models; don't know about the originals. Speed is 7.5/15, but I think it can be reset to 3.75/7.5 by changing an internal switch. It seems that the Otari electronics are more highly regarded than the Technics or Tascam, but we're still talking Japanese solid state. If you have the gumption, you can often find examples of Otari's 2-track 1/4" mastering decks (MTR-10, MTR-12) for under $500. These saw widespread recording studio use, and are considered fine-sounding, but you'll generally have to find one nearby for pickup, since they weigh 200 pounds and are about the size of a dishwasher on wheels. There are a couple for sale on e-bay right now (one in Portland, one in Detroit). The MTR series has all 3 speeds, and you can get a quarter-track head added to the head block if you really need it. Replacement heads are available, but I don't know the cost - often, the existing heads can be relapped for $200-300.
Revox B77/PR99. The B77 (and the "pro" version of that machine, the PR99) are well regarded. While they are well-built, parts are scarce and expensive (I was recently told that replacement heads for my PR99 go for $350 each; replacement heads for my Tascam BR20 are $60 each!). They came in numerous versions, but all are two-speed only (either 3.75/7.5 or 7.5/15). Most of the B77's you see on e-bay are quarter-track units; the PR99's are generally 2-track. Good examples are upwards of $500; a really nice PR99 can be $800 or more. You are more likely to find an excellent-condition B77, since these were sold to audiophiles, but the combo of an audiophile-owned half-track high-speed unit is rare. The high speed, half-track models of both the B77 and PR99 seem to have seen most use in radio stations and recording studios. Opinion seems to be that the Revox electronics sound a bit "warmer" than equivalent Japanese models.
Akai, Sony, Pioneer, Teac, Tandberg, etc. also made decent R2R machines, but except for Teac, new replacement parts generally don't exist. Other than Teac, most of these companies got out of the R2R market at least 15 years ago. Most of these machines you will see will be 3.75/7.5 speed, quarter-track. Nevertheless, some (Pioneer RT909, Teac X2000) are highly sought-after and excellent examples command premium prices.
If you want to go whole-hog, you can get a used Studer 807 or 810 mastering machine, or an ATR-series. But these go for several thousand dollars in good shape, and parts - well, if you have to ask, you can't afford it. I love my BMW, but when it needs repairs, I wish it were a Honda <grin>.
I'm sure others on this forum have much more info that I do - most of them have had R2R machines a lot longer than I have!
John Colombo
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Welcome to the forum Michael. The machines that we're using are mostly 2 channel (stereo). The Tape Project tapes are 2 track. The tape heads imprint a signal on the tape. Originally, it was just 1 channel ( mono ) 1 track ( the full width of the tape). To increase playback time ( I bet the war and materials shortages has something to do with this) 2 track mono was developed. That meant that the head only imprinted 1/2 of the tape width. To play the other track, you'd play the first side then flip the reel over and play the other half in the other direction ( the heads only have to operate on half of it's surface). Then stereo came along and 2 channel, 2 track was the mainstay. As you can see, it's once again using the entire head surface (sort of) and width of the tape. That's the format for the Tape Project tapes. More surface area, more data, better sound. To make reel to reel tapes more accessible to the general public, 2 channel ( stereo) 4 track was developed. The same idea as the 2 track mono only a stereo signal( not exactly, but you get the idea). The majority of commercial tapes ( like the ones on Ebay) are recorded this way. There are some classical and jazz albums that are 2 track stereo but not many (and most are very old).
As far as tape speeds go,.. once again, the more surface area ( the faster the tape crosses the heads per second)...
The sound of 3 3/4 ips(inches per second) doesn't have nearly the high freq info as higher speed tapes. Another drawback of narrow tracks and slower tape speeds is a thing called drop-outs. It's equivalent to dust on a vinyl record (in fact it can also be caused by dust). It's sounds just like what it's called. The sound drops as the head loses contact with the tape. The faster and wider the tape is, the more likely it is that this will be masked so you won't even hear it. More of the tapes ( especially classical and jazz ) are recorded @ 7 1/2 ips. This is a pretty good compromise since 15 ips uses up a lot of tape. 15 ips is the speed that the Tape Project tapes are recorded at.
If you've read the posts in this forum, you've noticed allot of us have Technics RS1500/1506 machines. These are machines with both 2 track and 4 track stereo playback heads. There are also Otari 5050, a couple of Sony's and a few others with this configuration. One consideration you may have is the output/input levels of the other gear in your studio. If your using an interface with RCA analog inputs/outputs ( like my M-Audio) most of the decks won't need adapters. If you are using something like an RME or MetricHalo, you'll probably have balanced studio level input/outputs. You can get level matching x-formers like Jensen or Hosa makes or you could get a Otari which has a switch for either. One thing about most audio interfaces, is that if they feature analog, single ended in/out, the single ended is often dreadful (in cheaper ones like mine). To get it to sound as good as the spdif some mods will be needed.
A good source of info on integrating a reel to reel into a digital project studio is Tape Op magazine. http://messageboard.tapeop.com/
There was an article on reel to reel in Electronic Musician a few months ago too.
A word of warning,.. there's are a ton of beaten and bruised machines out there that'll be an unending source of headaches. Take you time and try and buy locally where you can see something other than some well placed blurry photos before you lay down the cash. Also, even the best machines will need some TLC to work their best ( that VW that Woody Allen found in the cave in Sleeper is not reality with reel to reel). So budget a little cash to have someone go over it and at least adjust things.
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I'll just throw in my usual harp about the easy confusion between 4 track and quarter track. We are talking about quarter track stereo here, which allows for two stereo "sides" ( directions, actually) to a tape. This is not to be confused with a 4 track 'multitrack' machine that would be used to record four channels at once. 4 track multitrack 1/4" machines are not too common. Tascam and Dokorder are two manufacturers that come to mind, and there are a few more.