WTB: 1/4” Preview Tape Machine

[dcknuth]

Hello to all,

I am in search of a Studer, Ampex or other 1/4” 2 track machine with the necessary preview head for cutting records. Hit me up if you have, or know of something out there for sale.

Thanks to all

[boogievan]

What disk computer are you going to use with the 'pre-listen' deck?

The Neumann pitch & depth computer expects the audio to be 6/10ths of a TT rev in advance of the groove modulation. The Capps/L. J. Scully pitch & depth computer expects the audio to be 10/10ths of TT rev in advance of the groove modulation. Some Zuma's have a 5/10ths of a rev. 'pre-listen' requirement and can, therefore, use the alternate threading on the MCI JH-110/M advance repro deck, which has the standard American 10/10ths of a TT rev threading for use with Capps/L. J. Scully disk computers.

Of course, on old 'pre-listen' decks, the tape path threading would be different for cutting at 45 RPM versus 33+1/3 RPM (or half speeds), since the TT velocity would be affected and, therefore, the timing would need to be different (1.8 seconds in advance of the groove modulation for 33+1/3 = early by 10/10ths of a TT rev; 1.3 seconds in advance for 45 RPM also = early by 10/10ths of a TT rev). Also, the speed at which the tape was recorded (7.5, 15, or 30 ips) affects the threading requirement so as not to affect the advance TT rev timing.

ATR Services made an ATR-100 mod for Sterling Mastering that incorporates a digital delay on the advance repro signal, while leaving the program signal 'analog'. This is the opposite of what many people did...

The old-school Ampex ATR-100 had a roller-guide mod for automated pitch & depth mastering, but those are ultra rare.



- Boogie

[jesusfwrl]

A lot of info on this thread:
https://www.lathetrolls.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=7503

[dcknuth]

Hi Boogie,

Thanks for a ton of info. For starters, I will be running the Neumann computer with the VMS-70. My understanding was at 33 rpm it would be 1.1 seconds. I do see different tape paths for different speeds on these machines. Ofcourse, I can simulate whatever I need from a DAW, but what's that point of that.

[athoa2487]

Hi
I see one man sale Tape recorder OTARI MTR - 15 N M tape recorder.
Price 2450 usd .
Shipping fee 1000 usd

2018-03-06_041827.jpg

[misjah]

Hi
I see one man sale Tape recorder OTARI MTR - 15 N M tape recorder.
Price 2450 usd .
Shipping fee 1000 usd

2018-03-06_041827.jpg

not a preview machine from what I can tell.

[dubcutter89]

You can modify almost any Tape Machine for Lathe preview as the preview signal has not to meet audiophile specs at all (correct bass is ok, delay is probably more important)
And just because it is so rare and strange why not look into 3M iso-loop machine with some more rollers and a head like this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3M-PROFESSIONAL-TAPE-RECORDER-REEL-TO-REEL/292471675966?hash=item4418ab9c3e:g:fvcAAOSwHNxaTQl6

BTW, not my auction so no warranty you can use this machine for anything else than a door stop! I have an A80 preview here, known to work properly haha

Cheers
Lukas

[jesusfwrl]

Modifying the transport to include an additional head and longer path is almost guaranteed to ruin the performance of the tape transport, thereby worsening the performance of the program head as well. Tape needs to be properly tensioned, correctly arranged geometrically, and friction or lack of can cause W&F, increased tape wear, uneven packing, azimuth instability, etc.
Tape transport systems are very difficult to engineer and they need extreme precision and tight tolerances for decent performance. Modifying an existing system requires a lot of skill and specialised knowledge. It will not only affect the preview head, but the entire system!

In other words, if you can afford the R&D and measurement instruments for PROPERLY modifying the transport on a professional tape machine that was never intended to be used as a preview machine, you can also afford an actual preview head tape machine to begin with, and save yourself a few years of frustration. The cost of R&D on the preview head machines manufactured by the giants was offset through selling many of them, in different configurations/versions/variants, at prices nobody would pay nowadays.

[misjah]

Modifying the transport to include an additional head and longer path is almost guaranteed to ruin the performance of the tape transport, thereby worsening the performance of the program head as well. Tape needs to be properly tensioned, correctly arranged geometrically, and friction or lack of can cause W&F, increased tape wear, uneven packing, azimuth instability, etc.
Tape transport systems are very difficult to engineer and they need extreme precision and tight tolerances for decent performance. Modifying an existing system requires a lot of skill and specialised knowledge. It will not only affect the preview head, but the entire system!

In other words, if you can afford the R&D and measurement instruments for PROPERLY modifying the transport on a professional tape machine that was never intended to be used as a preview machine, you can also afford an actual preview head tape machine to begin with, and save yourself a few years of frustration. The cost of R&D on the preview head machines manufactured by the giants was offset through selling many of them, in different configurations/versions/variants, at prices nobody would pay nowadays.

exactement.

[sat159p1]

where are u located? i may have Telefunken M15 for sale

[dcknuth]

Bump. Still looking. Thank you.

[Radardoug]

There was a 3M 79 fitted with preview heads on Ebay, the owner obviously had no idea what it was. Fitted with 4 sets of repro electronics for the two sets of repro heads.
Oh, here it is!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/3M-PROFESSIONAL-TAPE-RECORDER-REEL-TO-REEL/302942233134?hash=item4688c3a22e:g:fvcAAOSwHNxaTQl6:rk:7:pf:0
Its been on there awhile so you could make an offer.

[dcknuth]

Radardoug,

Thank you so much. Checking it out now.

Dave

[Aussie0zborn]

There was a 3M 79 fitted with preview heads on Ebay

Way too expensive for a tape machine that has been modified (maybe successfully, maybe not) and is not working.
For this price you can get a working 1/4" professional tape machine.
The seller is dreaming...

[dcknuth]

Bump... Still looking

Dave