Reel to Reel ft The mad purchase
Discussion
Well, I just purchased this,
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TEAC-Reel-To-Reel-A-334...
I didn't get up expecting to buy it but my musically inclined middle son messaged me, he has been after one for ages but due to furlough is a bit skint so I sent him the cash to buy it.
Now it looks dead cool and he wants it for doing analogue based recording.
Anyone got any good tips, advice or hints about these things ?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TEAC-Reel-To-Reel-A-334...
I didn't get up expecting to buy it but my musically inclined middle son messaged me, he has been after one for ages but due to furlough is a bit skint so I sent him the cash to buy it.
Now it looks dead cool and he wants it for doing analogue based recording.
Anyone got any good tips, advice or hints about these things ?
Hi Fi News had a good article about reel to reel tape recorders about two issues ago.
It's a bit of a minefield which ape size you get but apparently the sound quality can be simply stunning, like good vinyl but sometimes better.
Some audiophile tapes can be bought new for £300 or something, often claimed to be direct copies of master tapes.
Otherwise it's find secondhand stuff I think.
I have to say, I'd love a Revox or Technics reel to reel just because they look so damn cool!!
Recording wise I'm afraid I haven't a clue, would imagine the tape is quite expensive?
It's a bit of a minefield which ape size you get but apparently the sound quality can be simply stunning, like good vinyl but sometimes better.
Some audiophile tapes can be bought new for £300 or something, often claimed to be direct copies of master tapes.
Otherwise it's find secondhand stuff I think.
I have to say, I'd love a Revox or Technics reel to reel just because they look so damn cool!!
Recording wise I'm afraid I haven't a clue, would imagine the tape is quite expensive?
I've got a Revox B77 - its a stereo reel to reel that has a wonderful sound.
Not aware of the specs of your purchase but it appears to be a 4 channel recorder - mine records two channels on the same size tape.
I'm assuming it will be set up ok but you might need someone to service it for you- advert seems to indicate you take your chances.
Anyway:
there are 5 inch, 7 inch and 10.5" reels available - 10.5" are the professional size so there are plenty of used ones on ebay -
My deck uses 1/4" tape - I'm presuming yours will use the same - need to check.
New tape is still available from Recording the Masters and Tape City (bought some before Brexit). I purchase on a "pancake" and "roll my own" as it is cheaper to buy a pancake - this is a loose reel of tape that is carefully fitted into an old reel. Downside is it is fiddly and unless you've got a storage box from an old reel you'll need something to store it in.
Don't know what speeds your machine uses as it just says hi/low - obvously the higher the speed when recording the better the repro is meant to be as the tape is moving more quickly and recording the signal over more magnetic material.
Not aware of the specs of your purchase but it appears to be a 4 channel recorder - mine records two channels on the same size tape.
I'm assuming it will be set up ok but you might need someone to service it for you- advert seems to indicate you take your chances.
Anyway:
there are 5 inch, 7 inch and 10.5" reels available - 10.5" are the professional size so there are plenty of used ones on ebay -
My deck uses 1/4" tape - I'm presuming yours will use the same - need to check.
New tape is still available from Recording the Masters and Tape City (bought some before Brexit). I purchase on a "pancake" and "roll my own" as it is cheaper to buy a pancake - this is a loose reel of tape that is carefully fitted into an old reel. Downside is it is fiddly and unless you've got a storage box from an old reel you'll need something to store it in.
Don't know what speeds your machine uses as it just says hi/low - obvously the higher the speed when recording the better the repro is meant to be as the tape is moving more quickly and recording the signal over more magnetic material.
Miserablegit said:
I've got a Revox B77 - its a stereo reel to reel that has a wonderful sound.
Not aware of the specs of your purchase but it appears to be a 4 channel recorder - mine records two channels on the same size tape.
I'm assuming it will be set up ok but you might need someone to service it for you- advert seems to indicate you take your chances.
Anyway:
there are 5 inch, 7 inch and 10.5" reels available - 10.5" are the professional size so there are plenty of used ones on ebay -
My deck uses 1/4" tape - I'm presuming yours will use the same - need to check.
New tape is still available from Recording the Masters and Tape City (bought some before Brexit). I purchase on a "pancake" and "roll my own" as it is cheaper to buy a pancake - this is a loose reel of tape that is carefully fitted into an old reel. Downside is it is fiddly and unless you've got a storage box from an old reel you'll need something to store it in.
Don't know what speeds your machine uses as it just says hi/low - obvously the higher the speed when recording the better the repro is meant to be as the tape is moving more quickly and recording the signal over more magnetic material.
Revox rings a bell, I had to contact a guy who called Brian who was the expert on those, was for work as think it was some kind of IT backup tape machine.Not aware of the specs of your purchase but it appears to be a 4 channel recorder - mine records two channels on the same size tape.
I'm assuming it will be set up ok but you might need someone to service it for you- advert seems to indicate you take your chances.
Anyway:
there are 5 inch, 7 inch and 10.5" reels available - 10.5" are the professional size so there are plenty of used ones on ebay -
My deck uses 1/4" tape - I'm presuming yours will use the same - need to check.
New tape is still available from Recording the Masters and Tape City (bought some before Brexit). I purchase on a "pancake" and "roll my own" as it is cheaper to buy a pancake - this is a loose reel of tape that is carefully fitted into an old reel. Downside is it is fiddly and unless you've got a storage box from an old reel you'll need something to store it in.
Don't know what speeds your machine uses as it just says hi/low - obvously the higher the speed when recording the better the repro is meant to be as the tape is moving more quickly and recording the signal over more magnetic material.
Here's a screenshot from tape city - plastic reels on left (bleugh!!) and pancake on right.
Plastic reels will come with a storage case at least but I buy used reels from ebay that come with cases - strip out all old tape (sorry!) as I dont know the provenance of the tape and old tape can shed gumming up your new player.
Sizes are 10.5" 0.25" - wider 0.5-2" reels are available for the big multitrackers.
You can buy green (lead in), red (lead out) and blue (sticky) tapes for fitting to reels.
Unscrew an alloy reel - remove plastic hub and gently place pancake hub in the reel. Refit reel and then splice some green lead in tape to the end of the magnetic tape- feed this through the mechanism to an empty reel- ff on the machine (probably won't stay on FF until some magnetic tape has passed any sensors near the heads) until the tape is on the new reel - now splice some red lead out tape and wind it on. This is how the tapes are stored.
When it is used it has to be rewound to a new real - connect the red lead out and rewind - once used either cut the tape and splice some red in or forward until the reel is empty and, again, store "tail out".
Plastic reels will come with a storage case at least but I buy used reels from ebay that come with cases - strip out all old tape (sorry!) as I dont know the provenance of the tape and old tape can shed gumming up your new player.
Sizes are 10.5" 0.25" - wider 0.5-2" reels are available for the big multitrackers.
You can buy green (lead in), red (lead out) and blue (sticky) tapes for fitting to reels.
Unscrew an alloy reel - remove plastic hub and gently place pancake hub in the reel. Refit reel and then splice some green lead in tape to the end of the magnetic tape- feed this through the mechanism to an empty reel- ff on the machine (probably won't stay on FF until some magnetic tape has passed any sensors near the heads) until the tape is on the new reel - now splice some red lead out tape and wind it on. This is how the tapes are stored.
When it is used it has to be rewound to a new real - connect the red lead out and rewind - once used either cut the tape and splice some red in or forward until the reel is empty and, again, store "tail out".
google teac 3340s manual and there is a service guide online- sorry I can't send a link for some reason.
Looks a nice bit of kit
There will be a tape type that the system has probably been calibrated for but I'm afraid I don't have any idea- there might be a user forum for such things.
Your son is very lucky!
Looks a nice bit of kit
There will be a tape type that the system has probably been calibrated for but I'm afraid I don't have any idea- there might be a user forum for such things.
Your son is very lucky!
Miserablegit said:
google teac 3340s manual and there is a service guide online- sorry I can't send a link for some reason.
Looks a nice bit of kit
There will be a tape type that the system has probably been calibrated for but I'm afraid I don't have any idea- there might be a user forum for such things.
Your son is very lucky!
Cheers, he doesnt ask for much and I can afford it, he doesnt expect it and the other two have had various cash lashed on them over the last year.Looks a nice bit of kit
There will be a tape type that the system has probably been calibrated for but I'm afraid I don't have any idea- there might be a user forum for such things.
Your son is very lucky!
Plus, quite interested as well !
Will Google for the manual.
I have it as part of my home studio
I also purchase albums from HD Audio etc in dsd and other hires formats and record my favourites onto tape as I like the sound from the Revox - leaving the hires digital file available for access around the house. Can’t (afford) justify buying the master- recordings that are now available for £3-400
I also purchase albums from HD Audio etc in dsd and other hires formats and record my favourites onto tape as I like the sound from the Revox - leaving the hires digital file available for access around the house. Can’t (afford) justify buying the master- recordings that are now available for £3-400
Great purchase!
I’ve got 3 of the pioneer blue line separates in my lounge and always wanted the icing on cake
They’re from the era of true quality hifi and just finish it off. God knows what I play via the reel 2 reel though, especially at £2k+, probably need similar £ for the rack mount to put it all in
I’ve got 3 of the pioneer blue line separates in my lounge and always wanted the icing on cake
They’re from the era of true quality hifi and just finish it off. God knows what I play via the reel 2 reel though, especially at £2k+, probably need similar £ for the rack mount to put it all in
Boom78 said:
Great purchase!
I’ve got 3 of the pioneer blue line separates in my lounge and always wanted the icing on cake
They’re from the era of true quality hifi and just finish it off. God knows what I play via the reel 2 reel though, especially at £2k+, probably need similar £ for the rack mount to put it all in
Ooh, now that’s very cool! I’ve got 3 of the pioneer blue line separates in my lounge and always wanted the icing on cake
They’re from the era of true quality hifi and just finish it off. God knows what I play via the reel 2 reel though, especially at £2k+, probably need similar £ for the rack mount to put it all in
Interesting purchase!
Has he got a decent mixer to use with it? If not he’s going to want one to get any proper use from it.
As a 4 track machine it should be great for building up music track by track using a mixer.
Not a machine I’m familiar with but here’s some basics for open reel machines
First thing first - does it power up ok? Then you want to check tape handling. Lace up a tape and see that it can play, wind in both directions without throwing loops and emptying the reel on the floor.
Do NOT use a valuable tape for this - it may damage it or erase it if there is a fault.
Mechanical or belt drive problems will show up here.
Check all speeds.
Clean the tape path using alcohol and cotton buds. Do all rollers spin freely without noise?
Pay particular attention to the pinch wheel - these deteriorate with age.
Now, using a non valuable tape, you could try recording and playback.
If it is a simple’2 head’ machine, you should hear on the output, whatever signal you send to the input in record mode. This will check the audio path but not the record capabilities.
Play back the tape to see that it recorded ok.
If it is a ‘3 head’ machine you should have the option to monitor source or tape - source as above, ‘tape’ will be what is recorded and played back off the tape at the time of recording.
You need to check all 4 tracks individually and ensure it isn’t inadvertently wiping a track.
If it records and plays back ok then don’t touch it!
For someone who wants to make / experiment with their own music it’s great!
Has he got a decent mixer to use with it? If not he’s going to want one to get any proper use from it.
As a 4 track machine it should be great for building up music track by track using a mixer.
Not a machine I’m familiar with but here’s some basics for open reel machines
First thing first - does it power up ok? Then you want to check tape handling. Lace up a tape and see that it can play, wind in both directions without throwing loops and emptying the reel on the floor.
Do NOT use a valuable tape for this - it may damage it or erase it if there is a fault.
Mechanical or belt drive problems will show up here.
Check all speeds.
Clean the tape path using alcohol and cotton buds. Do all rollers spin freely without noise?
Pay particular attention to the pinch wheel - these deteriorate with age.
Now, using a non valuable tape, you could try recording and playback.
If it is a simple’2 head’ machine, you should hear on the output, whatever signal you send to the input in record mode. This will check the audio path but not the record capabilities.
Play back the tape to see that it recorded ok.
If it is a ‘3 head’ machine you should have the option to monitor source or tape - source as above, ‘tape’ will be what is recorded and played back off the tape at the time of recording.
You need to check all 4 tracks individually and ensure it isn’t inadvertently wiping a track.
If it records and plays back ok then don’t touch it!
For someone who wants to make / experiment with their own music it’s great!
wormus said:
Boom78 said:
Great purchase!
I’ve got 3 of the pioneer blue line separates in my lounge and always wanted the icing on cake
They’re from the era of true quality hifi and just finish it off. God knows what I play via the reel 2 reel though, especially at £2k+, probably need similar £ for the rack mount to put it all in
Ooh, now that’s very cool! I’ve got 3 of the pioneer blue line separates in my lounge and always wanted the icing on cake
They’re from the era of true quality hifi and just finish it off. God knows what I play via the reel 2 reel though, especially at £2k+, probably need similar £ for the rack mount to put it all in
LordLoveLength said:
Interesting purchase!
Has he got a decent mixer to use with it? If not he’s going to want one to get any proper use from it.
As a 4 track machine it should be great for building up music track by track using a mixer.
Not a machine I’m familiar with but here’s some basics for open reel machines
First thing first - does it power up ok? Then you want to check tape handling. Lace up a tape and see that it can play, wind in both directions without throwing loops and emptying the reel on the floor.
Do NOT use a valuable tape for this - it may damage it or erase it if there is a fault.
Mechanical or belt drive problems will show up here.
Check all speeds.
Clean the tape path using alcohol and cotton buds. Do all rollers spin freely without noise?
Pay particular attention to the pinch wheel - these deteriorate with age.
Now, using a non valuable tape, you could try recording and playback.
If it is a simple’2 head’ machine, you should hear on the output, whatever signal you send to the input in record mode. This will check the audio path but not the record capabilities.
Play back the tape to see that it recorded ok.
If it is a ‘3 head’ machine you should have the option to monitor source or tape - source as above, ‘tape’ will be what is recorded and played back off the tape at the time of recording.
You need to check all 4 tracks individually and ensure it isn’t inadvertently wiping a track.
If it records and plays back ok then don’t touch it!
For someone who wants to make / experiment with their own music it’s great!
He is having a crash course in them, not sure what he will do with it but nominally its to record music, he sent me a video of Lee Scratch Perry using one, its a certain sound he is after that he can get from the digital stuff.Has he got a decent mixer to use with it? If not he’s going to want one to get any proper use from it.
As a 4 track machine it should be great for building up music track by track using a mixer.
Not a machine I’m familiar with but here’s some basics for open reel machines
First thing first - does it power up ok? Then you want to check tape handling. Lace up a tape and see that it can play, wind in both directions without throwing loops and emptying the reel on the floor.
Do NOT use a valuable tape for this - it may damage it or erase it if there is a fault.
Mechanical or belt drive problems will show up here.
Check all speeds.
Clean the tape path using alcohol and cotton buds. Do all rollers spin freely without noise?
Pay particular attention to the pinch wheel - these deteriorate with age.
Now, using a non valuable tape, you could try recording and playback.
If it is a simple’2 head’ machine, you should hear on the output, whatever signal you send to the input in record mode. This will check the audio path but not the record capabilities.
Play back the tape to see that it recorded ok.
If it is a ‘3 head’ machine you should have the option to monitor source or tape - source as above, ‘tape’ will be what is recorded and played back off the tape at the time of recording.
You need to check all 4 tracks individually and ensure it isn’t inadvertently wiping a track.
If it records and plays back ok then don’t touch it!
For someone who wants to make / experiment with their own music it’s great!
Boom78 said:
Great purchase!
I’ve got 3 of the pioneer blue line separates in my lounge and always wanted the icing on cake
They’re from the era of true quality hifi and just finish it off. God knows what I play via the reel 2 reel though, especially at £2k+, probably need similar £ for the rack mount to put it all in
That looks immense, 70s hifi was always very impressive, we had this, I’ve got 3 of the pioneer blue line separates in my lounge and always wanted the icing on cake
They’re from the era of true quality hifi and just finish it off. God knows what I play via the reel 2 reel though, especially at £2k+, probably need similar £ for the rack mount to put it all in
Not quite up there but loved it, my gran got a load of posher Sony separates that I coveted and sort of resented she played Kenn Dodd and Dolly Parton on, she gave me them in about 1995, I got another 24 years from them, various bits dying along the way until the amp went about 2 years ago.
Not sure what he will put it through but will help with bits where I can, he wants to move back up to Manchester as is still down in Bristol after finishing his music degree in Bath three years ago.
Boom78 said:
Great purchase!
I’ve got 3 of the pioneer blue line separates in my lounge and always wanted the icing on cake
They’re from the era of true quality hifi and just finish it off. God knows what I play via the reel 2 reel though, especially at £2k+, probably need similar £ for the rack mount to put it all in
Impressive!I’ve got 3 of the pioneer blue line separates in my lounge and always wanted the icing on cake
They’re from the era of true quality hifi and just finish it off. God knows what I play via the reel 2 reel though, especially at £2k+, probably need similar £ for the rack mount to put it all in
These guys are amazing.
https://tapeproject.com
Blows vinyl out of the water. Just don't have the spendies....
https://tapeproject.com
Blows vinyl out of the water. Just don't have the spendies....
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