Coupon for online Tape Alignment course

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BradL8068

BradL8068

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In order to spread the word and get reviews on my new "Analog Tape Basic Theory and Alignment" course,
I am offering a free coupon this week only to the first 25 members of this forum that sign up.
The course is a comprehensive class on aligning a professional tape recorder.
To get the class for free go to:
https://www.udemy.com/analog-audio-tape-recorder-basic-theory-and-alignment
Click "redeem coupon" and enter the code:
analogonly

You will need to create an account with an email address and password or you can sign in with a facebook account if you choose.
Enjoy!
Brad
 
Ummm... I dunno about that. We've been giving this sort of information away for free on this forum for about 15 years. On the other hand looks kinda fun...
 
Hey BradL,

Thank you so much. I am about to watch the videos tomorrow.
 
Well I clicked on the link just for the hell of it....and of course, the website won't accept my IE 8 browser.... :facepalm: :D
Of well, I'm not about to swap out XP on my computer just so I can load another OS and a newer version of IE. I'll have to check on my computer at work where I have Win 7 and IE 9.

I was curious how "deep" the courses are, because as Beck said, there is a TON of free, well detailed info already all over the Internet, both in text and even videos covering all the basics and then some.

One thing, while the overall process is basically the same for all decks, from what I've seen, people have problems with their own specific machines and how to apply those basics to them.
Like....which VR pot is for what, and what readings their deck is expecting or giving, etc, etc.....and for that, you really need the specific calibration manual and process for your specific mahchine, which is why I clicked on the link, as I was curious what things and how they were going to be covered. Like very broad/basic...or details per machine?
I've got three decks and they all have a variety of different steps and points to consider, which are covered in the respective manuals for each machine if you want to do a complete mechanical and electronic alignment for each.
 
Install Google Chrome on your XP system. Gets around the IE8 issues.
 
sweetbeats said:
Install Google Chrome on your XP system. Gets around the IE8 issues.
Click to expand...

Naaa...I don't do Chrome, it has security holes....though at this point, XP and IE8 won't be all that secure anymore either. :D
I can just check it out on my Win7 box.
 
The course can currently be downloaded to a smart phone. If the Free Udemy android or iphone app is installed and can be viewed off line.
As there is ample information on tape alignment on this forum maybe it wasn't the best place to post this. Since I was offering a few coupons for free I figured there would be no harm.
This course is designed for someone that is already working in audio but does not have experience with analog and would like to work with analog machines.
So if you already understand how a analog machine works and how to align an analog machine I doubt this course would be for you.
What makes the Internet a wonderful tool is yes there is a tremendous amount of information for free. I looked a much of it. Some of it is good, some of it is incorrect.
Some of it is clear and, some of it is confusing. Some youtube video's are useful but some don't really tell the story without some technical background.
The goal here is to be complete and clear and have the information all in one place. The course is designed to be used with 3 head professional decks.
It does point out minor differences between Studer's and Ampex machines but the terminology should cover all pro machines, as they are all almost identical.
So no it does not go into detail on different Machines. The course was done on a Studer A827 24track, and a A820 2 Trk, ATR 102, and Studer A-80 controls are shown in stills.
But all alignment controls are discussed in general terms as well. Here are two samples from youtube.
Azimuth and Head Adjustment terminology - YouTube
Analog Tape Bias Adjustment - YouTube
Analog Tape Alignment Course Promo - YouTube
Thanks
Brad
 
I checked out the YT videos....you did a nice job with the graphics demonstrating the head adjustments and whatnot.

Yeah, you're right about there being a LOT of info on the web! :D
Sometimes it does require some filtering and at least a good idea about what is right and wrong in the info.
I wanted to check out your site and the course...but like I said above, it doesn't like XP/IE8.
I'll have to check it out with a different computer.
 
I grabbed a different computer and was able to check out the course.
Yes, some of it is basic stuff (from my perspective, already having done alignments)....but it was very well done and being a visual guy, I think the graphics are great and overall the explanations clear and concise, so I think for anyone never having done any tape deck alignment, the course will be a great help, especially with the visuals.
Sometimes just reading about a process doesn't always hit home for some folks....so the videos are a great reinforcement to the actual discussion in them.

While the basics are the same for most decks....I'm not sure if the course isn't too pro-deck focused for some of the home-rec people with pro-sumer machines that may not have the adjustments as straightforward as the pro decks do....but still, there's good, solid info in your course for most beginners and novices looking to learn that they can apply to any machine.

Personally....I was interested in how you opted for the summing method for 2" 24 track alignment instead of the scope.
I've always used the scope per the manual...but I will certainly try the summing method next time. :)
 
Miroslav
Thank you for your comments.
I do have more experience with pro machines then I do with semi-pro and consumer.
I certainly used to do a lot of cassette deck alignments and you are right the terminology and methods change with prosumer gear.
If the course does ok I am considering adding chapters that deal with specific machines. I did hope that have a complete and clear understanding of alignment might make
aligning prosumer and consumer decks a bit easier when following the service manuals that assume a clear understanding to begin with.
There are a few reasons I use and was taught to use the summing method for multitrack ( above 2 trk) machines.
1) The Main reason is Gap Scatter. Maybe less of an issue with newer heads, but multitrack heads (as you may know) have small errors in gap placement when building the head.
So using a scope I may get tracks 2 and 23 perfect but have larger errors on other channels. The summing method gives the best average of all tracks.
2) It helps shows errors in the system or in the tones you are aligning. I've aligned machines from pre recorded project tones rather then a test tape.
In certain cases people with a 8 buss consoles but 24 track machines will align in three separate passes 8 tracks at a time. This might work for record alignment but the
tones are useless for Azimuth because the phase of the tones is different in three random groups of 8. It would be possible to get the head to tilt the head (incorrectly) to get lets say tracks
2 and 22 to look good on a scope but really the head is off kilter. With the summing method it becomes impossible to adjust the azimuth to a stable good reading.
at which point I would choose a group of 8 tracks to set azimuth. The short answer is with a scope the problem wouldn't be obvious, but with summing it would be.
3) I don't have to drag a scope to the studio and hook it up. The machine is already connected to the console. ;)
Thanks
Brad
 
Yup, gap scatter became less of a problem with better head design, but is still with us to a small degree on the best and newest heads. However, I've always had the best success with a scope and second outside tracks (2 and 7, 2 and 16, etc). The more tracks the worse it is, but I've never seen it bad enough that all tracks weren't usable.

Nice work with the vids.
 
Yeah...I've just been using the scope on the CH 2 & 23 of my Otari MX-80...per manual.

One thing about the azimuth....in the Otari Manual thery use 16kHz as the higher frequency....but I notice that you Brad, only use 1kHz and 10kHz.
I find the 16kHz a bit tough to deal with at time, as the scope image really dances a lot, so I always bump back down to 10kHz just to reconfirm anyway.
 
Great videos, but my only advice would be to allow pc users to download. I would never buy a course that I couldn't own b/c if the site shuts down for some reason I'd lose the videos.
 
miroslav said:
Yeah...I've just been using the scope on the CH 2 & 23 of my Otari MX-80...per manual.

One thing about the azimuth....in the Otari Manual thery use 16kHz as the higher frequency....but I notice that you Brad, only use 1kHz and 10kHz.
I find the 16kHz a bit tough to deal with at time, as the scope image really dances a lot, so I always bump back down to 10kHz just to reconfirm anyway.
Click to expand...
16 K is tougher and easier to get a false peak. I will take a look at 15 or 16 k sometimes when I'm done but I find it clearer to set at 10 Khz.
Also I'm not against using a scope on a multitrack a lot of people do, the summing method is just my preference.
Brad
 
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