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Who let that guy get near an ATR? Cheers, Otto

EV RE50 has similar audio performance to the 635A. Cheers, Otto

Basically, distortion increases as the level of magnetization increases, and this distortion rises faster and faster as the tape nears its saturation point, beyond which, increasing input level does not increase the level imposed on the tape, and ultimately output level starts to decrease above...

Here's a link to a list of data on 3M tape types by Delos Eilers and housed on the AMPEX discussion list site: 3M Audio Open Reel Tapes It tells you introduction date and other pertinent data for pretty much all 3M tapes, though not the end of production. Cheers, Otto

Apparently, they hired Dale Manquen's stunt double, Dale Mannequin, to install the Flying Faders! ;) Cheers, Otto

It's a quality 2" precision reel, at least! Cheers, Otto

Just don't be surprised to see differences in the low frequencies. MRL test tapes are full width tapes, while the tape you make will just record on the tracks, not the gaps. In the case of 1/4" tapes, the two tapes (nominally recorded at the same level) will playback differently and the effect...

If you really want to know, ask Howard Sanner, moderator of the AMPEX discussion list and long-time LOC employee in the recorded sound division. My recollection is that they have a lot of stuff on old non-back-coated tape, on purpose, because they can't afford to migrate two million recordings...

Most new tracks have much bigger problems than being put on CD or distributed via MP3. Overcompression, autotune, cut and paste, grid-locked parts, and drum replacement to name a few. Also, if I were spending $100K on a playback system, I'd probably put the first $75K into fixing the room, the...

Also, in case it isn't obvious, the cards are as follows: 1) bias/erase 3N) NAB erase coupler (doesn't do much, but that is where you would put a 3D card for Dynatrack machines) 4) record 5) is the center meter module 6) line amp 7) playback. a "7/9" card can go in either the 7 or 9 slot. Mix...

I think I had it backwards. The 387 bulb is for the transport button illumination. The tape runout sensor light bulbs are 313 or 1820. The 1820's are preferred as they are only 15 cents each and have a nominal life of 1000 hours, versus 500 hours for the 313s, which are 30 cents each. In...

That's another reason I track and mix with tape. Given the hyper-compressed, drum-replaced, cut-and-pasted, autotuned, beat-locked crap that is all over the place in "professionally" recorded music, the last thing I want to be accused of is being "industry standard." You are such a newcomer to...

I know a fair amount. M-64 is similar to M-23, except that it has belt-drive instead of rim drive. This is a two-channel NAB unit, probably 30/15. No sync cards (#9 slot), typical of a mix deck. Original Mincom heads with a fair amount of wear. There should be a slide on shield for the play...

To make sure my recording methods are as obscure, primitive and ill-conceived as my music. Cheers, Otto

Yeah, I pretty much have a firm rule not to buy any tape with a history of sticky issues for anything more than the reel is worth. Also pretty leery of paying for used calibration tapes, though if someone gave me one when I bought a machine, I'd probably take it. In any case, it's not a...

The calibration is to measure an input signal (via an accurate AC voltmeter, for example) and adjust it to the reference level (+4 dBm or 1.228 V RMS, I assume), then run it into the recorder and verify that in SRL mode the meter reads 0 VU. Relative to maximum variable gain setting, I assume...

I generally find that I don't need much signal processing at all on my tracks, especially when tracking and mixing to tape, which is almost always how I record. Maybe some compression on vocals, although the last few tracks had none. My tracking usually involves the Quick Sound Field, which...

SRL means Standard Reference Level. It's the fixed-level input option. That's the quick and easy setting for if you are using gear that should produce that same reference level and you will adjust the exact level on another piece of gear. The input level control is bypassed and you will have...

Ethan, did you ever finish your DMP3 meter schematic? My DMP3 meter lamps aren't getting voltage and I'm wondering what the culprit might be. Thanks! Otto

Make sure you can hear things really well. Experiment. Practice. Use a drum machine, metronome, etc. For me, it often helps get a good feel on a song to track the vocal, guitar or other key rhythm part and drum machine all at once to start the thing off. That takes me more practice time...