antispatula
Active member
Can someone please explain to me what alignment and calibration means when it's used in terms of reel to reels? I THINK I get the idea, but I've never done it, nor do I know how or even know what I'm talking about. Thanks!
mixmkr
we don't need rest!!
the short and dirty would answer your question by saying; getting the tape heads physically positiioned properly and the electronics optimized for a particular brand of tape and/or for best record/playback operations and getting the meters to show such.
The "full blown" ordeal requires the proper test tape and some decent knowledge of what you are doing...and potentially some other specialized tools.... etc..
In top end studios, it is common practice to do a "rough thru tweak up" before all major recording sessions...on the multitracks that is. Generally much less required on narrow format tapes...aka 1/2 tracks and such.
alignment = tape head positioning and related electronics
calibration = setting meters and electronics
The "full blown" ordeal requires the proper test tape and some decent knowledge of what you are doing...and potentially some other specialized tools.... etc..
In top end studios, it is common practice to do a "rough thru tweak up" before all major recording sessions...on the multitracks that is. Generally much less required on narrow format tapes...aka 1/2 tracks and such.
alignment = tape head positioning and related electronics
calibration = setting meters and electronics
peritus
The not fountain head
Two questions...
1) There must be a pot inside the tape machine to do the meter setting, right? Is there a seperate trim for the actual volume? Moreover, are there pots for each channel?
2) How can you tell if you need new head? Visually?
My machine, while consumer, appears to be pretty solid (Akai GX-280D), I'm not sure if I can get it back to spec (bought it for $30). I did some line level recordings with it to try it out. I'm getting a really high volume (before recording and not suprisingly after as well) in the right channel. While any trim pots may be available to adjust volume, I'm guessing something more along the lines of a blown resistor in the right channel or a blown capacitor in the left..Any advice?
I know I'm off-topic kinda... My apologies... Thanks
1) There must be a pot inside the tape machine to do the meter setting, right? Is there a seperate trim for the actual volume? Moreover, are there pots for each channel?
2) How can you tell if you need new head? Visually?
My machine, while consumer, appears to be pretty solid (Akai GX-280D), I'm not sure if I can get it back to spec (bought it for $30). I did some line level recordings with it to try it out. I'm getting a really high volume (before recording and not suprisingly after as well) in the right channel. While any trim pots may be available to adjust volume, I'm guessing something more along the lines of a blown resistor in the right channel or a blown capacitor in the left..Any advice?
I know I'm off-topic kinda... My apologies... Thanks
B
Beck
Guest
Updated Repost from an older thread
Stuff I use for aligning tape reel-to-reel decks:
Winscope
Freeware oscilloscope for Windows.
I’ve installed it on Win 98, and XP using compatibility mode install.
http://polly.phys.msu.su/~zeld/oscill.html
Operation/Maintenance Manual for Deck
TEAC E-3 Head Demagnetizer
Fostex TT-15 Test Tone Oscillator
MRL Calibration Tapes http://home.flash.net/~mrltapes/
Radio Shack Digital Multimeter, Model 22-811
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103175&cp
Some good links:
Spring Scales:
http://www.sciencelab.com/page/S/CTGY/20846
How-to and info:
http://www.recordingwebsite.com/articles/tapecal.php
http://audio.utac.net/pg/tape/align.html
http://www.barryrudolph.com/greg/align.html
http://home.swipnet.se/herbalifeinfo/Audio/engRULL2.htm
http://www9.dw-world.de/rtc/infotheque/magn_recording/magrec.html
More calibration tape info (nice chart)
http://www.tangible-technology.com/media/4mr/mrltapes.html
-Tim
https://homerecording.com/bbs/showpost.php?p=1579981&postcount=9
Stuff I use for aligning tape reel-to-reel decks:
Winscope
Freeware oscilloscope for Windows.
I’ve installed it on Win 98, and XP using compatibility mode install.
http://polly.phys.msu.su/~zeld/oscill.html
Operation/Maintenance Manual for Deck
TEAC E-3 Head Demagnetizer
Fostex TT-15 Test Tone Oscillator
MRL Calibration Tapes http://home.flash.net/~mrltapes/
Radio Shack Digital Multimeter, Model 22-811
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103175&cp
Some good links:
Spring Scales:
http://www.sciencelab.com/page/S/CTGY/20846
How-to and info:
http://www.recordingwebsite.com/articles/tapecal.php
http://audio.utac.net/pg/tape/align.html
http://www.barryrudolph.com/greg/align.html
http://home.swipnet.se/herbalifeinfo/Audio/engRULL2.htm
http://www9.dw-world.de/rtc/infotheque/magn_recording/magrec.html
More calibration tape info (nice chart)
http://www.tangible-technology.com/media/4mr/mrltapes.html
-Tim
https://homerecording.com/bbs/showpost.php?p=1579981&postcount=9
Last edited:
reel buzzer
New member
Do you have the manual?
I have one for my Otari MX5050 8 track and it is very detailed.
It lists the equipment and reference tape you need and goes through it step by step.
I personally don't bother with the alignment stuff myself, instead I bring it to this place:
Audio Magnetics in West Palm Beach, FL.
www.audiomagnetics.com
I have one for my Otari MX5050 8 track and it is very detailed.
It lists the equipment and reference tape you need and goes through it step by step.
I personally don't bother with the alignment stuff myself, instead I bring it to this place:
Audio Magnetics in West Palm Beach, FL.
www.audiomagnetics.com