help me out w/ simple things

[antispatula]

Can someone please explain to me what alignment and calibration means when it's used in terms of reel to reels? I THINK I get the idea, but I've never done it, nor do I know how or even know what I'm talking about. Thanks!

[peritus]

While I'm not completely sure myself at this point... This link and others are slowly bringing it all into focus...Hope this helps...

[mixmkr]

the short and dirty would answer your question by saying; getting the tape heads physically positiioned properly and the electronics optimized for a particular brand of tape and/or for best record/playback operations and getting the meters to show such.

The "full blown" ordeal requires the proper test tape and some decent knowledge of what you are doing...and potentially some other specialized tools.... etc..

In top end studios, it is common practice to do a "rough thru tweak up" before all major recording sessions...on the multitracks that is. Generally much less required on narrow format tapes...aka 1/2 tracks and such.

alignment = tape head positioning and related electronics
calibration = setting meters and electronics

[peritus]

Two questions...

1) There must be a pot inside the tape machine to do the meter setting, right? Is there a seperate trim for the actual volume? Moreover, are there pots for each channel?

2) How can you tell if you need new head? Visually?

My machine, while consumer, appears to be pretty solid (Akai GX-280D), I'm not sure if I can get it back to spec (bought it for $30). I did some line level recordings with it to try it out. I'm getting a really high volume (before recording and not suprisingly after as well) in the right channel. While any trim pots may be available to adjust volume, I'm guessing something more along the lines of a blown resistor in the right channel or a blown capacitor in the left..Any advice?

I know I'm off-topic kinda... My apologies... Thanks

[Beck]

Stuff I use for aligning tape reel-to-reel decks:

Winscope
Freeware oscilloscope for Windows.
I’ve installed it on Win 98, and XP using compatibility mode install.
http://polly.phys.msu.su/~zeld/oscill.html

Operation/Maintenance Manual for Deck
TEAC E-3 Head Demagnetizer
Fostex TT-15 Test Tone Oscillator
MRL Calibration Tapes http://home.flash.net/~mrltapes/
Radio Shack Digital Multimeter, Model 22-811
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...tId=2103175&cp

Some good links:

Spring Scales:
http://www.sciencelab.com/page/S/CTGY/20846

How-to and info:
http://www.recordingwebsite.com/articles/tapecal.php
http://audio.utac.net/pg/tape/align.html
http://www.barryrudolph.com/greg/align.html
http://home.swipnet.se/herbalifeinfo/Audio/engRULL2.htm
http://www9.dw-world.de/rtc/infotheq...ng/magrec.html

More calibration tape info (nice chart)
http://www.tangible-technology.com/m.../mrltapes.html

-Tim


http://homerecording.com/bbs/showpos...81&postcount=9

[reel buzzer]

Do you have the manual?
I have one for my Otari MX5050 8 track and it is very detailed.
It lists the equipment and reference tape you need and goes through it step by step.

I personally don't bother with the alignment stuff myself, instead I bring it to this place:

Audio Magnetics in West Palm Beach, FL.
www.audiomagnetics.com