Author Topic: Reel to reel Luddite guy. (Read 4839 times)

Killer Canary · « **on:** February 10, 2007, 04:11:51 PM »

I just bought a Sony reel to reel player at a flea market. Needed some repairs but I'm having the time of my life with it.$5 with half a dozen tapes. Does anyone else have some experience with reel to reels?

TwoTired · « **Reply #1 on:** February 10, 2007, 04:41:52 PM »

Yes, and I still have three that are working, a Sony 7 1/2" 1/2 track, and a Craig 7 1/2" 1/4 track, and a Tascam 15 inch 8 Track studio (1/2 inch tape) with DBX noise reduction.

They made the best sounds until CDs became vogue. Some still claim they are "warmer" sounding.

Cheers,

jevfro · « **Reply #2 on:** February 10, 2007, 04:55:58 PM »

I've also got a few... two 1/4" machines (akai, sony) and a couple of 1" dictaphone rackmount machines (from an old 911 call center)... They sound way better than CDs. I've got quite a few original tapes for the 1/4" machines.. Beatles, Woodstock, Jethro Tull...

Enjoy your sweet find!

Killer Canary · « **Reply #3 on:** February 10, 2007, 05:24:05 PM »

The only proof I have that r to r tapes were ever commercially recorded was one I saw bacck in the early '80s. "Moving Pictures" by RUSH( I always capitalize RUSH).I've always preferred the sound of vinyl over any thing. A drummer I used to jam with had an eight track, a Tasko I think. The fun to be had with that outfit!

bill440cars · « **Reply #4 on:** February 10, 2007, 05:41:30 PM »

Yeah, I happen to have one of those critters myself. I've got an Akai 1800 Reel to reel with an 8 track player & recorder in the side. Got a bunch of tapes. I meant to buy up some of those blank 8 track tapes, while you could still get them and didn't. Back then the Akai products were sold in the states under the Roberts name. Bought mine while stationed in Japan years ago. Thought about selling it a few times and my wife would talk me out of it. I also have an AM/FM 8-track CB radio (I don't remember the brand name right off) and I've got a Motorola 8-track player for a car.

Later on, Bill

gerhed · « **Reply #5 on:** February 10, 2007, 06:02:23 PM »

Still have my Akai 1710W reel to reel that I picked up in 'Nam --hooked up to a tube amp 150w/channel--Berning.
Have original Hendricks "Are You Experianced" tape as well as some Beatles.

gerhed · « **Reply #6 on:** February 10, 2007, 06:10:41 PM »

SGT. Pepper too

Uncle Ernie · « **Reply #7 on:** February 10, 2007, 06:33:58 PM »

In-freakin-credible! Can you all actually get new tapes still?

TwoTired · « **Reply #8 on:** February 10, 2007, 06:39:01 PM »

Quote from: bill440cars on February 10, 2007, 05:41:30 PM

I've got an Akai 1800 Reel to reel with an 8 track player & recorder in the side.

I had one of those in the Roberts brand back in '71. That and about 30 R to R prerecorded tapes, 150 LPs, and more 8 Tracks than I remember were all stolen in the states while I was overseas.

At least I got my guitars and amps back. But, I had to buy them out of a pawn shop. Not a happy time.

bill440cars · « **Reply #9 on:** February 10, 2007, 06:44:14 PM »

Uncle...........................UH,....NO!

At least not that I know of.

TwoTired, I feel your pain there. I can imagine your feeling, at that time. That is truly a shame that you had to go through that. Where were you while overseas?

Later on, Bill

Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er · « **Reply #10 on:** February 10, 2007, 10:32:15 PM »

How about a Teac 4300 auto reverse 7" reels. Sitting right next to me. It is very easy to burn DVD-A or CD's to my computer but, damn, does it take some time to burn 200+ reels that contain 4 - 5 albums each! The Pioneer 8 track player/recorder is in my basement along with 12 NOS Scotch blank tapes (you can buy anything on EBay). Anybody remember 4 track players? The precursor to the 8 track. Would only have 2 selections rather than 4 and the player had the pinch wheel rather than the tape. My first car, 63 Impala SS 327/300 had this fine piece of equipment when I bought it. Such fine state of the art electronics allowed me back seat time with the ladies.

TwoTired · « **Reply #11 on:** February 10, 2007, 10:53:09 PM »

Quote from: bill440cars on February 10, 2007, 06:44:14 PM

TwoTired, I feel your pain there. I can imagine your feeling, at that time. That is truly a shame that you had to go through that. Where were you while overseas?

Subic point Phillipines and the USS Kitty Hawk. 1972

Cheers,

gerhed · « **Reply #12 on:** February 11, 2007, 05:08:15 AM »

To Killer Canary

You can clean the playing/recording head with a q-tip and
denatured alcohol.
Good luck with the project.

Now where's my Sansui 5000 amp?

gerhed · « **Reply #13 on:** February 11, 2007, 05:52:31 AM »

Can't forget Country Joe !

DammitDan · « **Reply #14 on:** February 11, 2007, 08:14:20 AM »

Only experience I have with reel-to-reel is Studer 827 24 track 2". Why the hell anyone would use tape now is beyond me... You get a (much) larger dynamic range and lower noise floor with digital. Tape hiss is a thing of the past... Why the are people still insisting on using it?

And vinyl... Pfft. The only reason people think vinyl sounds better is because they're used to the sound. Modern CDs actually present a more realistic presentation of the music. Because vinyl has finite physical space, high end and low end had to be heavily EQ'd to get it to (a) fit on the disc, and (b) prevent skips and groove crossover (creating loops). Of course a proper consumer-side amplifier "corrected" these EQ curves, but never really brought them back to the true pre-mastering house recording quality. I deeply respect vinyl for its' contribution to the recording industry, but will never understand the audiophile's insistance that it "sounds better" than digital CDs.

But a little bit of vinyl trivia... How many grooves are there on a standard released vinyl record?

Gordon · « **Reply #15 on:** February 11, 2007, 08:25:24 AM »

Quote from: DammitDan on February 11, 2007, 08:14:20 AM

I deeply respect vinyl for its' contribution to the recording industry, but will never understand the audiophile's insistance that it "sounds better" than digital CDs.

You purposely ride a 25 year old motorcycle (presumably because you enjoy it) but don't understand how someone could think analog tape or vinyl sounds better than a digital recording?

DammitDan · « **Reply #16 on:** February 11, 2007, 08:36:12 AM »

I hold the line that just because something sounds "comfortable" doesn't make it sound "better". Of course I didn't grow up in the days of vinyl, so I will likely never understand

Sonically a CD has much higher (proposed) quality, although the recent trend in production has been LOUDER IS BETTER. I don't like the trend, as it's really wasting the dynamic ability of a CD to peg the meter at the top when you have a full 138 dB range below that open. But when I listen to a vinyl recording, then I listen to a re-mastered CD of that same recording, the difference is night and day to me. Digitally removing that vinyl EQ curve makes all the difference...

And after re-reading it, that first post came off harsher than I intended. I apologize.

Oh, and I do ride a 25 year old motorcycle because I enjoy it. I enjoy it because I stand out of the crowd when I'm riding. I want to be different from the chromed look-alikes. That, and I believe that real bikes are built (or re-built

) in garages. But in recording, as I hold tape hiss as a negative attribute, using tape to sound different simply doesn't make sense to me.

Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er · « **Reply #17 on:** February 11, 2007, 08:59:56 AM »

Quote from: gerhed on February 11, 2007, 05:52:31 AM

Can't forget Country Joe !

Damn Hippie !!

You know, vinyl was good considering that was all we had. You have to take into account those worthless cassettes were a major advancement. I think it took me 2 months pay to buy my reel to reel. Screw those damn cassettes. I was state of the art! If we had 5.1 DVD Audios (which I don't hear any of you young guns speaking of?!) that's what we'd been burning to. HOWEVER, speaking of burning, these you guns will never know the value of a full OZ FOR $10. Red for $20. A quarter in the good old days was 4 OUNCES for $45 not 4 friggin grams. ETC, yeah, I'm getting to be an old fart.

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #18 on:** February 11, 2007, 09:10:35 AM »

Since we all ride vintage technology, I can certainly see the interest in vintage audio tech. However, one major advantage to digital is, the quality never deteriorates as it does with analog. Keep the old and listen (but remember, each time you do, you are degrading it), but if you can, transfer a copy to digital to retain the quality you have.

Gordon · « **Reply #19 on:** February 11, 2007, 09:15:43 AM »

Quote from: RxmanGriff on February 11, 2007, 08:59:56 AM

Damn Hippie !! You know, vinyl was good considering that was all we had. You have to take into account those worthless cassettes were a major advancement. I think it took me 2 months pay to buy my reel to reel. Screw those damn cassettes. I was state of the art! If we had 5.1 DVD Audios (which I don't hear any of you young guns speaking of?!) that's what we'd been burning to. HOWEVER, speaking of burning, these you guns will never know the value of a full OZ FOR $10. Red for $20. A quarter in the good old days was 4 OUNCES for $45 not 4 friggin grams. ETC, yeah, I'm getting to be an old fart.

Oh crap! Now you've got the old farts talking about the "good ol' days"!

Luckily it's almost nap time.

upperlake04 · « **Reply #20 on:** February 11, 2007, 09:18:16 AM »

RxmanGriff - now you're getting me all nostalgic $:-\$

and the free love part too

DammitDan · « **Reply #21 on:** February 11, 2007, 09:40:46 AM »

Hey, I love 5.1 DVD audio. There's a #$%*load of stuff you can do with it in regards to mixing that blows plain old stereo out of the water. But pretty much the only hope for 5.1 music is if auto manufacturers start installing the systems in their new vehicles (and even then, mixing 5.1 with an off-center sweet spot would be difficult *i.e. the DRIVERS SEAT*). I don't think many consumers out there actually SIT DOWN and listen to an album in their living room anymore. If they did, 5.1 would be large and in charge and I would have a very cool job future!

nickjtc · « **Reply #22 on:** February 11, 2007, 10:56:43 AM »

You guys are making me feel all weepy! After all, this year is the 40th anniversary of the 'summer of love'.... and the release of Sgt.Peppers, and the first showing of 'The Prisoner' on the box, and the first time I looked at a member of the opposite sex as not being just a yucky girl.

As to the vinyl vs digital argument. Well, I guess I cannot add anything to the debate except to say that a blemish-free LP played on a state of the art system (and it has to be top notch from the player through the amplifier to the speakers and not forgetting A1 speaker wire) was a pretty magical thing to experience. An experience way more fulfilling than 'shove it in the slot and push play'...you had to be scrupulous about your handling of your music; you only got 20-25 minutes of listening at a time before you had to get up and change it; you carry memories of certain tracks by where the crackles of imperfections showed up....

Excuse me while I look for the Kleenex.

TwoTired · « **Reply #23 on:** February 11, 2007, 11:17:23 AM »

Quote

An experience way more fulfilling than 'shove it in the slot and push play'...you had to be scrupulous about your handling of your music; you only got 20-25 minutes of listening at a time before you had to get up and change it...

I still value the experience of "Turning-over" the reels and re-threading the tape through the machine with one hand while holding the smoke pipe in the other. This task is a test of manual dexterity with two hands and a clear head. In our state of mind, this was the equivalent of an olympic event. Seeing your stoner friends with wide eyes (and not because you're bringing back the pipe), is a vivid mental picture to preserve for a lifetime.

Do you suppose the young-uns of today will, in 40 years, wax nostalgic about thumbing through the menus on their iPods?

nickjtc · « **Reply #24 on:** February 11, 2007, 11:45:37 AM »

Quote from: TwoTired on February 11, 2007, 11:17:23 AM

Do you suppose the young-uns of today will, in 40 years, wax nostalgic about thumbing through the menus on their iPods?

The mind boggles with what technology will look like in 40 years time.

The biggest pity these days is that there is all this super-duper techno stuff, with nothing modern worthy to play on it....

I'll just take a step back now and wait for the pulses to start rising....

News:

Author Topic: Reel to reel Luddite guy. (Read 4839 times)

upperlake04