sweetbeats
Reel deep thoughts...
Well, I'm in usual form with this Story having its origins in another thread...so to get the back-story go here first:
https://homerecording.com/bbs/general-discussions/analog-recording-and-mixing-tape-and-gear/your-input-please-392476/
I picked up a pair of Akai MG1212 mixer/multitrack recorder combo units this eve that I bought a couple weeks ago for $200 for the pair, including one used MK20J cassette, and a small bonus I wasn't expecting...more on that below.
When I showed up to the seller's place he had both units powered and had some audio running through them as though I'd want to check them out before deciding if I wanted to take them...odd, since I'd already paid for them, but really considerate of him nonetheless. I didn't really need to take them for a spin...was honestly more interested in getting my loot loaded and getting on down the road...but it was an unexpected surprise to see them powered up. I must say these are really beautiful looking machines. And they are way bigger than any pictures really show. Between the size and the aesthetic they really have a presence.
Anyway, got them loaded, transported, unloaded and tucked away in the shop in a good spot for now. I'm honestly not sure what the future holds for these, but I suspect one will become a mechanical/cosmetic/electronic parts donor to the other to make one good looking and running unit. And I expect this is going to take a good long while if I really do end up digging into them what with other projects and priorities, but for now they are on the project list.
To summarize what an MG1212 is, it is a 12x2 mixer paired with a 12-track analog multitrack tape recorder/reproducer. The mixer features 3-band peak filter sweep EQ, 1 stereo AUX buss and 1 mono AUX buss, and a stereo monitor buss, and some inline monitoring features. The 12-track recorder is actually 14 tracks (12 audio, 1 auto-locator control track, and 1 sync track) on 1/2" tape housed in a proprietary MK20J cassette originally derived from the Sony Betamax format. Onboard noise reduction is dbx Type I, and the record/play headstack is of the proprietary Akai crystal ferrite Super GX type. The cassettes afford 10 minutes of recording at high speed (7.5ips) and 20 minutes of recording at low speed (3.75ips). I have not found a definitive source to confirm the tape formulation, but a preponderance of sources point to the tape being similar to the Maxell EE formula tape, but possibly manufactured by TDK. The recorder specifications are impressive on paper. Real-world performance is positively supported by big name artists such as U2 and Phil Collins having used MG series recorders to record hit releases.
The transports are prone to failure, and parts and service support are essentially non-existent, as is user community support; I have my work cut out for me.
Both of these units I bought have transport problems.
That's the general overview.
I leave you with a boring picture of an MK20J cassette in its jacket:
Oh! As for the small unexpected bonus, the seller gave me a pair of brand-new rubber idler tires...I think there is only one per machine. I'm sure I will want to source a new capstan belt at some point, and if possible have Terry Witt rebuild a pinch roller...but having a pair of new idler tires is a great thing...
Until next time...
https://homerecording.com/bbs/general-discussions/analog-recording-and-mixing-tape-and-gear/your-input-please-392476/
I picked up a pair of Akai MG1212 mixer/multitrack recorder combo units this eve that I bought a couple weeks ago for $200 for the pair, including one used MK20J cassette, and a small bonus I wasn't expecting...more on that below.
When I showed up to the seller's place he had both units powered and had some audio running through them as though I'd want to check them out before deciding if I wanted to take them...odd, since I'd already paid for them, but really considerate of him nonetheless. I didn't really need to take them for a spin...was honestly more interested in getting my loot loaded and getting on down the road...but it was an unexpected surprise to see them powered up. I must say these are really beautiful looking machines. And they are way bigger than any pictures really show. Between the size and the aesthetic they really have a presence.
Anyway, got them loaded, transported, unloaded and tucked away in the shop in a good spot for now. I'm honestly not sure what the future holds for these, but I suspect one will become a mechanical/cosmetic/electronic parts donor to the other to make one good looking and running unit. And I expect this is going to take a good long while if I really do end up digging into them what with other projects and priorities, but for now they are on the project list.
To summarize what an MG1212 is, it is a 12x2 mixer paired with a 12-track analog multitrack tape recorder/reproducer. The mixer features 3-band peak filter sweep EQ, 1 stereo AUX buss and 1 mono AUX buss, and a stereo monitor buss, and some inline monitoring features. The 12-track recorder is actually 14 tracks (12 audio, 1 auto-locator control track, and 1 sync track) on 1/2" tape housed in a proprietary MK20J cassette originally derived from the Sony Betamax format. Onboard noise reduction is dbx Type I, and the record/play headstack is of the proprietary Akai crystal ferrite Super GX type. The cassettes afford 10 minutes of recording at high speed (7.5ips) and 20 minutes of recording at low speed (3.75ips). I have not found a definitive source to confirm the tape formulation, but a preponderance of sources point to the tape being similar to the Maxell EE formula tape, but possibly manufactured by TDK. The recorder specifications are impressive on paper. Real-world performance is positively supported by big name artists such as U2 and Phil Collins having used MG series recorders to record hit releases.
The transports are prone to failure, and parts and service support are essentially non-existent, as is user community support; I have my work cut out for me.
Both of these units I bought have transport problems.
That's the general overview.
I leave you with a boring picture of an MK20J cassette in its jacket:
Oh! As for the small unexpected bonus, the seller gave me a pair of brand-new rubber idler tires...I think there is only one per machine. I'm sure I will want to source a new capstan belt at some point, and if possible have Terry Witt rebuild a pinch roller...but having a pair of new idler tires is a great thing...
Until next time...
