Can anyone confirm that the Fostex A-8 ises the IEC1 equalization standard? I have info that says that all they 1/2" 8-tracks do, but the A-8 is 1/4", so I'd like it confirmed...
You should be able to trim levels with a good volt-meter, I think. Preferrably you need an oscilloscope, to check head alignment and stuff. The cheapest 2 channel one should do. I'm gonna borrow one from my friends.
I still haven't figured out if I should get a fringe compensated tape or not, but when I have, I'm getting one, for sure. It's slightly cheaper than turning it in for trimming and more fun. As a certified electronics engineer, I'm pretty sure I'll be able to do it myself, since I understand the theory.
And now I have figured that out too.
The answer straight for the horses mouth:
"Many of the less-expensive reproducers
don't even have a low-frequency equalization adjustment, so that makes the question moot."
SO, since fringe compensation makes a difference in the low frequency stuff, since the 1/4" 8-tracks can't adjust for that anyway, what you use makes no difference!
An answer that it rather obvious, when you know it. Duh!
Now I just need to decide which tape to use 456 or 499. Hmmm. Does anybody know how to adjust for bias? Maybe it's in my service manuals...
My favourite music shop doesn't usually carry 499, so I'll go with 456, and it has (with the Dolby NR on my Fostex) such a low noise floor that I haven't noticed it anyway, so I'll be fine. I ordered my reference tape this friday.
ive always wanted to align my E16, i have the refernce tape so i just check that things are in line, and not sounding too bad. everything is level within +/-3dB, but i havent tried to do it. the manual is good, but im going to have to figure out how to do it right. and its $65 just for a tech to look at my machine here in austin, that isnt just a flat rate for service.