Restoring Vintage Analog Media (disc/tape)

[ndiamone]

I wrote a dissertation for other budding disc and tape restorationists here:
http://bsnpubs.websitetoolbox.com/po...adobe+tutorial
which may be of some use to the members here.

In addition http://www.quadraphonicquad.com/forums/ has a lot of useable information as well, in addition to the Steve Hoffman forums and the Lathe Trollers forums for people cutting onto vinyl.

So there's lots of crossover.

[Lt. Bob]

pretty interesting stuff.
A note though .... as a confirmed vinyl maniac, linear tracking tables are horrible. The theoretical advantage of having no tracking error is WAY outweighed by the issues caused by servos constantly 'hunting and seeking' the proper place in the groove. The sound of a good pivoting arm is virtually always much better if the overhang has been set up properly.

But that's just an observation ....... nice of you to provide such information.

[Tim Gillett]

Like LT Bob I'll make a comment or two re the section about tapes.

Very few cassette or reel machines have a "head height" screw as such. Usually changing head height involves at least two screws and often three, all adjusted precisely the same amount so as not to affect other head angles such as azimuth, tilt etc.
The classic Nakamichi decks do have a head height screw but even then it interacts with the azimuth adjustment and so you have to re adjust azimuth each time you move head height.

Adjusting azimuth doesnt normally affect overall level on the VU meter. Changing head height does.
Similarly, changing head height doesnt affect the highs but the overall level.
I think you had the two effects reversed.

Also, if one was adjusting those two parameters on say a Nak, head height should be done first and then azimuth corrected after, and each time height was changed.
In any case, changing head height would be beyond the realm of most users and would probably be better left unaltered unless it was known to be wrong.

It's also true that any tape machine whose head has seen significant wear shouldnt have its head azimuth altered as the wear pattern may prevent proper tape tracking across the head at any angle other than that wear pattern.

Cheers Tim