Tape Heads theory

[walters]

What does the Tape Heads do to the audio signal?

Does the Tape heads compress the audio signal?

Does the Tape heads Magnetize or Demagnetize the audio
signal?

Does the Tape heads Saturate the audio signal?

 

[apl]

What does the Tape Heads do to the audio signal?

The tape heads takes the signal and heads it in the direction of the tape. Some heads are full of gray fluff by mistake, and they lead the wrong direction.

Does the Tape heads compress the audio signal?

If the tape is wrapped too tight, circulation will be affected, and the appendage may turn blue. Constricting bloodflow to the head is dangerous.

Does the Tape heads Magnetize or Demagnetize the audio
signal?

Only on older Behringer amp modelers. Magnetizing and demagnetizing can be desirable, especially when recording digital pipe organs.

Does the Tape heads Saturate the audio signal?

After a hurricane comes through, pretty much everything is saturated.

 

[Rstiltskin]

the answers in detail to your questions could (and do)fill books.....

What does the Tape Heads do to the audio signal?

Does the Tape heads compress the audio signal?

Does the Tape heads Magnetize or Demagnetize the audio
signal?

Does the Tape heads Saturate the audio signal?

most tapes use a metal oxide (think rust) coating that will take and hold a magnetic field

the audio signal comes into the recorder and drives what is like a tiny eletromagnet in the head the tape passes over. this is not a digital process and if the signal is overdriven the entire volume and frequency information can not be accepted by the tape but the tape does its best, and clipping (overdriving) in this process is much less noticable (and some even like it) than on digital, where clipping can cause very nasty artifacts.

there are read heads and write heads in a tape recorder. the speed at which the tape passes over the heads also effects the signal to noise ratio, faster (up to a point) is better. tape formulations also play a role as that effects their magnetic coercivity.

very few people will argue that digital recording on a computer is faster and easier.

very few people will argue that a cassette tape is as good or better than an average digital system.

were the debate mainly lies is in high end digital versus high end tape, like using a 2 inch video tape machine for audio. a lot of people, with much experience, are on both sides of the issue.

I feel sure apl could give you a much better explaination then me, but i guess he just decided to blow you off.

oh, yeah, tape oxide or pure metal coating formulations are argued over also.

 

[walters]

so a 8 track read/write head has 8 tiny eletromagnet in the head?
Is there 8 transducers in the head?

 

[bigwillz24]

Congradulations Walter you're the only person I know with 2 red chicklets...

 

[ez_willis]

Is there 8 transducers in the head?

You could say that, though I usually just call them 'voices'. They chant to me night and day-

ESSAY

ESSAY

ESSAY

ESSAY

ESSAY.......

 

[Rstiltskin]

it's way to late just to be fucken with me..........

so a 8 track read/write head has 8 tiny eletromagnet in the head?
Is there 8 transducers in the head?

so if you already know this, leave me alone.

yes, on an eight track their are two read heads and no write heads (if you are talking about the old, old eight tracks). the tape was on an endless loop, and changed to two other tracks at the end of every loop or when you pushed a button.

on an eight track real to real tape machine there are eight tracks side by side, and if you can record to all eight at once there HAVE to be eight active units to code the magnetic pulses into the iron ferite or whatever coating the tape. and yes, they are very, very small. thus expensive. they also get dirty, out of alignment, and wear out, from time to time.

go to bed, or crypt, or whatever.

 

[walters]

Whats a Repro head?
Whats does a Repro head do ?

Why does the Sync head have inputs and outputs?
Is the sync head a transducer?

 

[Rstiltskin]

how about an all expense paid vacation to tape op?

Whats a Repro head?
Whats does a Repro head do ?

Why does the Sync head have inputs and outputs?
Is the sync head a transducer?

brain can't work....anymore.......must.......have...............beer.

 

[walters]

does the tape head act like a inductor? from passing audio in and out
of the tape head?