sweetbeats
Reel deep thoughts...
Okay but do the switches change or otherwise I piece the sound level, or is there still almost nothing?Yea I switched it but unfortunately I'm still not really getting any real signal to the deck.
Okay but do the switches change or otherwise I piece the sound level, or is there still almost nothing?Yea I switched it but unfortunately I'm still not really getting any real signal to the deck.
It's still nothingOkay but do the switches change or otherwise I piece the sound level, or is there still almost nothing?
The switches had no effect on the signal input.So the switches had no effect? This is important. I’m asking specific questions because I need specific answers. So, did the switches have any effect at all on the input signal?
Ok. I'm reaching out to my tech as well. I'm missing something hereI don’t think this is a wiring thing at this point per se. signal is connected and getting in but essentially not passing. If the signal you are faintly hearing was passing through the level switches, there would be *some* effect.
I need to read the 5050 BQII manual. I found a copy.
Yes monitor select set to input. Yellow to red is faint and it decreases slightly the lower the line knob. I cranked it. Test originally done at 12 o clock. The switches seem to not have effected anything noSo let’s verify:
the MONITOR SELECT section is set to INPUT, right?
And with your test wire configured with yellow to red, you just get faint signal at the output and the SW201 switches have zero effect on the signal?
question: where do you have the LINE input knobs set?
There is no cost difference - aside from the amount of tape - with running 7" or 10" reels. You aren't saving any on the heads running at 7.5 ips versus 15 ips - but you will get more time.Because of tape costs this deck is not going to be operated with 10-in reels but seven inch reels of the tape
I don't know what the question is - do you want to know if you can get fidelity out of 7.5 ips? Think about it - 1/2 the speed - will you hear it? I would - but it doesn't matter unless you are going to run the deck at 15 ips becuase we say so - it won't make a difference.I'm just curious how much Fidelity you can squeeze out of 7.5 with four track multitrack recording from a machine of this quality?
Well unfortunately I have to build cables and run a session before I really know. I spent the last week working on a fostex at 15 IPS and it worked very well. Obviously the wider track width would make a huge difference. These are just questions I have that I would like some opinions on. There isn't much info on 4 track reel to reel on quarter inch tape at 7.5 for multitrack online. Mostly guys recording LPs and they claim it works well. I do a lot of recording and this Otari was about as expensive of a deck I could run without huge costs in tape. I won't have time to really test it until the weekend but I'm very excited. Most of my experience is narrow format fostex stuff at 15 and a Teac A2340 at 7.5 which I can say doesn't do the best job but I think that's more on the deck not being calibrated and being first generation home recording equipment. I'll find out. The reason I was hesitant to fiddle is I had the seller and tech from the company who restored it in close contact and was hesitant to start really messing with stuff when they were offering to look at it. Ultimately I was right and it was a very simple thing that didn't require a tech. But this machine isn't a fostex or old teac. It's very simple to get inside of so I am more ok with looking around in it and trying stuff. I'm used to decks that people tell me basically are too complicated to work on and not worth fixing. This is the first one Ive had my hands on that is actually sustainable as a serviceble deck. I appreciate the help. I get very anxious about these machines. I'm younger and having something go bottom up means long wait times for servicing. Money lost and no music getting made. It took 4 other fostex decks before I found a model 80 that just works properly without headaches. Ive been burnt on decks like tascam 238s in the past as well. But I have a knack for finding stuff with boxes barely used. My 424mk3/porta 05 and mt8x were all basically unused decks. This Otari is the only reel to reel that's actually honestly been listed and and described and restored and setup. I'm kinda cursed with reel to reels. But things are looking up. If I can squeeze 4-5 songs out of a 30$ reel at 15 I most likely won't mind versus the longer times with slower speed. But if it performs far beyond my expectations at 7.5 I might just run that speed. I don't have unlimited funds for ATR tape ando wouldn't run it this way if was inappropriate but it was built to operate slower and with smaller reels so I don't think it's such a sin! But I'll find out soon! I appreciate your input a lot! Thank you!What really surprises me is how reluctant you are to fiddle. If it had been me, I'd have noted the original position of every switch and then just gone for it. You ask about the quality difference. Have you not simply tried it? Surely the first thing you do with a new toy is play! You find your test track - the one you use for quality assessment. The track I always start with is Dire Straits Money for Nothing - the original version with the drum stuff on the start. My other track is Alan Parson's Limelight. Lows and Highs, dynamic range and very clean sound. Record that to your reel to reel and then review what it records. Change the speed and repeat. I can predict what the difference will be, but YOU need to hear it and make your own decision. Frankly, what is the point of buying an expensive, capable device and then running it on less than optimum quality? If you buy a Maserati sports car would you ask on a forum if the performance drops if you run it on low octane fuel because a tankful is expensive? You have a great machine so treat it to some large spools of tape and run it at 15IPS. 7.5 simply lowers the top limit on your frequency response and raises the noise a little. Only you can say if this is good enough.
It't not a wider track - it's a faster speedWell unfortunately I have to build cables and run a session before I really know. I spent the last week working on a fostex at 15 IPS and it worked very well. Obviously the wider track width would make a huge difference.
Just run it at 7.5 ips and don't worry about it.But if it performs far beyond my expectations at 7.5 I might just run that speed. I don't have unlimited funds for ATR tape ando wouldn't run it this way if was inappropriate but it was built to operate slower and with smaller reels so I don't think it's such a sin! But I'll find out soon! I appreciate your input a lot! Thank you!
IThere is no cost difference - aside from the amount of tape - with running 7" or 10" reels. You aren't saving any on the heads running at 7.5 ips versus 15 ips - but you will get more time.
I don't know what the question is - do you want to know if you can get fidelity out of 7.5 ips? Think about it - 1/2 the speed - will you hear it? I would - but it doesn't matter unless you are going to run the deck at 15 ips becuase we say so - it won't make a difference.
was referring to 4 channel 1/4 inch vs 8 channel 1/4 inch to clarify and I definitely will A/B the two speeds. I have faith this will work out great!It't not a wider track - it's a faster speed
Just run it at 7.5 ips and don't worry about it.
The machine has been calibrated and biased for the MDS36 i use. what i noticed is it is doing very well. only complaint is the hiss. im used to machines with noise reduction. im looking into DBX 150 units to clean everything up a bit and really get some serious mixes going off of it and i think i will be set. if the dbx will do its job at 7.5 ips i think ill be set. 15 works well too. still some hiss obviously but both are working just fineTascam 388 is 7.5ips. It’s rated frequency response starts at 30Hz. It wouldn’t be that way if it was 15ips.
Like others have said, try it at 7.5ips. If you like it you’re set. If the top end is missing something then you have decisions to make. This is assuming a machine that is calibrated and setup properly for the tape being used, and that can operate within spec.
And don’t forget there are all sorts of creative ways to coax your high end around with the EQ and bias, depending on the machine.