Hiss and tape width

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gilwe

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I read some interesting stuff about narrow width type recorders and hiss, most saying that noise reduction system are particulary embeded with machines using the narrowest width (1/32" per track) as these are very hissy and noise reduction is a must.

Can one expect hiss levels that required noise reduction from recorders using 1/16" track width for example ?
 
Tape hiss is not dependent on track width.

It is dependent on tape speed, machine/tape calibration settings, how hot or not signals are and how clean/dirty the electronics are in the deck in question.

Cheers! :)
 
The Ghost of FM said:
Tape hiss is not dependent on track width.

It is dependent on tape speed, machine/tape calibration settings, how hot or not signals are and how clean/dirty the electronics are in the deck in question.

Cheers! :)
Click to expand...

A few more questions if you don't mind, Jeff ...

(1) What is the benefit of a wider track ?

(2) Does the TASCAM 34 have the same track width as the TASCAM 32 ?

(3) Can a prerecorded music reel to reel such as the one HERE be successfully played back on the 34 and/or the 32, obviously as long as it's 7 1/2 ips ?

Thanks!

Daniel
 
Daniel,

Though the 32 and 34 both use quarter inch tape and can run at 7.5 ips or 15 ips, the 32 uses the whole tape width to record two tracks so, it's track width is twice that of the 34 and as a result, will be able to accept hotter calibration settings as there is more real-estate to house the extra magnetic energy.

Wider track width can be equated with film in many ways as both are classic analog technologies. Just as 70mm is bigger and more detailed an image the 35mm, so too is the 32's sound resolution compared to the 34.

As to the Elvis tape, I believe the 34 should be able to play it without issue as a standard stereo tape and then flip it over to play side B of the tape just as you would a cassette.

You would have to remove the NAB hub adapters on the 34 to accommodate the reel and have a spare 7" take up reel with the standard smaller center hole.

Cheers! :)
 
The Ghost of FM said:
Daniel,

Though the 32 and 34 both use quarter inch tape and can run at 7.5 ips or 15 ips, the 32 uses the whole tape width to record two tracks so, it's track width is twice that of the 34 and as a result, will be able to accept hotter calibration settings as there is more real-estate to house the extra magnetic energy.

Wider track width can be equated with film in many ways as both are classic analog technologies. Just as 70mm is bigger and more detailed an image the 35mm, so too is the 32's sound resolution compared to the 34.

As to the Elvis tape, I believe the 34 should be able to play it without issue as a standard stereo tape and then flip it over to play side B of the tape just as you would a cassette.

You would have to remove the NAB hub adapters on the 34 to accommodate the reel and have a spare 7" take up reel with the standard smaller center hole.

Cheers! :)
Click to expand...

What about the TASCAM 22-2 ? Does it have the same track width as the 32 ? Thanks for your detailed reply, Jeff!

Daniel
 
You know, I've noticed something about other 2 track units .. It seems that some of the "consumer" reel to reels like TEAC, for example, have 2 tracks on the heads BUT their width is narrower than the TASCAM 32, which is also 2 tracks. Is this because these "consumer" reel machines are meant to playback pre-recorded music reels and are mostly for that and that the 32 is not capable of playing these "music reels" but is made mostly for studio recording/mastering/mixing down ? If the 32 is not capable of playing back tape, like the Elvis one, then why is the 34B able to ?

Thanks,

Daniel :)
 
The answer was right on your Elvis box.

"4 track stereo". That means 4 channels of sound, only 2 of them being played at any one time. Just like a standard pre-recorded music cassette which is also "4 track stereo"

Side A has two tracks, side B has two tracks. 2 + 2 = 4

Your 34 TASCAM is a 4 track machine, using quarter inch tape. It lines up with the track width of your Elvis tape.

A 32 TASCAM is a two track machine, using quarter inch tape. It doesn't line up with the track width of your Elvis tape because it's track width is too fat.

------------------

The 22-2 uses quarter inch tapes as well just smaller take up and supply reels.

------------------

Please excuse me now. I am going to jump in front of a bus.

Cheers! :)
 
cjacek said:
What about the TASCAM 22-2 ? Does it have the same track width as the 32 ? Thanks for your detailed reply, Jeff!

Daniel
Click to expand...

For future reference, the 32 and the 22-2 use the same record and playback heads. They are similar performance wise, though the 22-2 is limited to 7" reels.

:cool:
 
The Ghost of FM said:
The answer was right on your Elvis box.

"4 track stereo". That means 4 channels of sound, only 2 of them being played at any one time. Just like a standard pre-recorded music cassette which is also "4 track stereo"

Side A has two tracks, side B has two tracks. 2 + 2 = 4

Your 34 TASCAM is a 4 track machine, using quarter inch tape. It lines up with the track width of your Elvis tape.

A 32 TASCAM is a two track machine, using quarter inch tape. It doesn't line up with the track width of your Elvis tape because it's track width is too fat.

------------------

The 22-2 uses quarter inch tapes as well just smaller take up and supply reels.

------------------

Please excuse me now. I am going to jump in front of a bus.

Cheers! :)
Click to expand...

Thanks Jeff and I promise I won't ask any more stupid questions ... Please let ME jump in-front of that bus! :eek: :o ;)

Daniel
 
Beck said:
For future reference, the 32 and the 22-2 use the same record and playback heads. They are similar performance wise, though the 22-2 is limited to 7" reels.

:cool:
Click to expand...

Ok Beck ... took note of it .. :o

Daniel
 
The Ghost of FM said:
Tape hiss is not dependent on track width.
Click to expand...

Sure it is. Hiss drops by 3db if you double the tape width. So, no much, but still. :)
 
regebro said:
Sure it is. Hiss drops by 3db if you double the tape width. So, no much, but still. :)
Click to expand...
My apologies.

I should have stated;

Tape hiss is not solely dependant on track width.

There are many examples of machines that use fatter then TASCAM track width standards and are still more hissy then them because their electronics were noisier.

Wide track width is not an absolute guarantee of less hiss, just a hopeful indicator of it at best.

Cheers! :)
 
cjacek said:
Thanks Jeff and I promise I won't ask any more stupid questions ... Please let ME jump in-front of that bus! :eek: :o ;)

Daniel
Click to expand...
Don't sweat it, Daniel.

I only had a moment of weakness. ;)
 
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