Revox A-77 MkIV Dolby Erase Problem

  • Thread starter Thread starter LAB3
  • Start date Start date
L

LAB3

New member
Hi
I have a A-77 Revox MKIV Dolby 10.5 reel to reel machine 4 track

I am trying to erase some BASF 10"eels of recorded music that was recorded at 15ips my machie is a 7 1/2 or 3 3/4 .

I set it up to record, with no signal coming in trying to erase tapes.

This is my first reel to reel recorder. The manual that came with it does not have any information or erasing tapes.

I have figured out how to Cal the VU meters before recording and then set it up to record and adjust VU so they do Not go into Red.....did that, works great.

I tried the same thing with NO signal go into machine but the old music is still on the tape????? With no signal coming in the VU meters do not move.

I tried just recording over the old music and it worked......but I want to learn more about this old recorder.

Yes I am a Rookie HELP.
 
Recording will automaticaly erase the previous recording. There is nothing else to do.
 
So I am just recording sound on sound or does the erase head being in "Front" of recording heads erase before the new music is recorded??


I also have a Akai 7" machine that has a button Sound On Sound.....duh I have a lot to learn. These were my late dad's machines and I have not played them in 20 years.

I have been looking for books etc on Basic recording for reel to reel machines. I looked at the "Stickie" thread and found some basics of analog recording
but "Nothing" about the erase of tapes. On Ebay I saw "Bulk" machines that erase tapes???

From your advise Not needed....just re-record.

Thank You
Louis
 
Last edited:
LAB3 said:
So I am just recording sound on sound or does the erase head being in "Front" of recording heads erase before the new music is recorded??


I also have a Akai 7" machine that has a button Sound On Sound.....duh I have a lot to learn. These were my late dad's machines and I have not played them in 20 years.

I have been looking for books etc on Basic recording for reel to reel machines. I looked at the "Stickie" thread and found some basics of analog recording
but "Nothing" about the erase of tapes. On Ebay I saw "Bulk" mackines that erase tapes???

From your advise Not needed....just re-record.

Thank You
Louis
Click to expand...

Just re-record. The erase head wipes the previous recording. On my (homemade) machine, erase was not perfect so I used to use a bulk-eraser to wipe the whole tape first, but that shouldn't be necessary.
 
timtimtim said:
Just re-record. The erase head wipes the previous recording. On my (homemade) machine, erase was not perfect so I used to use a bulk-eraser to wipe the whole tape first, but that shouldn't be necessary.
Click to expand...

I just made a recording of soft easy music and on some of the "Quiet" sections I can hear some bleed thru of the old music?? Most of the other music I don't notice this with head phones on.

Heads are cleaned and "Demagged"

How can I erase this BASF tape and start over with no sound on it???
 
Simplest is buy a bulk tape eraser (if they still make them?) which is a powerful electromagnet which plugs into the mains, and you move it around slowly over the full reel of tape, then gradualy move it away while keeping it turned on. Failing that, erase the tape twice. If that doesn't work it could be the erase head is in the wrong position so you could adjust it's position up or down. Was the tape recorded on a different machine? If so the tracks could be in a different position so your erase head is not fully covering them.
 
timtimtim said:
Simplest is buy a bulk tape eraser (if they still make them?) which is a powerful electromagnet which plugs into the mains, and you move it around slowly over the full reel of tape, then gradualy move it away while keeping it turned on. Failing that, erase the tape twice. If that doesn't work it could be the erase head is in the wrong position so you could adjust it's position up or down. Was the tape recorded on a different machine? If so the tracks could be in a different position so your erase head is not fully covering them.
Click to expand...


Yes the BASF tape.....pink color on outside was recorded at 15 ips, on a different machine. I will try erase the reels two times. Will it work better at 3 3/4 ips? My old Revox is 3 3/4 and 7 1/2. I know faster is better for recording. So much to learn. having Fun.
Thank for the advise.... I need it.

Bulk eraser............ will look on Ebay any brands come to mind??? I have 10 good reels of BASF 2400 ft. stored correctly, non smoker. Recorded on one time.. Need to learn how to adjust the heads so it is "Biased" to BASF tape. Read about expensive Tone test tape for doing this.

Louis
 
If the tape you are erasing was originally recorded on a 1/2 track stereo machine, your 1/4 track unit may not be able to erase it completely no matter what you do.
 
RRuskin said:
If the tape you are erasing was originally recorded on a 1/2 track stereo machine, your 1/4 track unit may not be able to erase it completely no matter what you do.
Click to expand...

That I don't know. I think it was a 1/4 4 track( music was on both sides) 15 ips. Does that have to do

with Azimuth head Alignment? MRL test tapes are not cheep and I only have 3 machines. My Revox A-77 MkIV 4 track Dolby (I don't use yet) and two small 7" old Akai machines I use to just play my late parents old 7" recordings.

I am learning how to record on the Revox only. Heads are harder to clean so I am picky about what tape I feed it. Dad's notes said he liked BASF tape. 35 years ago.
 
LAB3 said:
That I don't know. I think it was a 1/4 4 track( music was on both sides) 15 ips. Does that have to do

with Azimuth head Alignment? MRL test tapes are not cheep and I only have 3 machines. My Revox A-77 MkIV 4 track Dolby (I don't use yet) and two small 7" old Akai machines I use to just play my late parents old 7" recordings.

I am learning how to record on the Revox only. Heads are harder to clean so I am picky about what tape I feed it. Dad's notes said he liked BASF tape. 35 years ago.
Click to expand...

If both machines are 1/4"-1/4 track, you may have a simple head alignment discrepancy between them. I wouldn't mess with your alignment just foe the sake of erasing this tape.
 
RRuskin said:
If both machines are 1/4"-1/4 track, you may have a simple head alignment discrepancy between them. I wouldn't mess with your alignment just foe the sake of erasing this tape.
Click to expand...

OK, Thanks.. when I use a blank tape and record I have no problems with bleed thru on quiet sections of new music I record..... Norah Jones Come Away With Me
CD is a good recording.clean and soft music for testing tape recordings.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top