Monkeyboi Posted June 6, 2023 Posted June 6, 2023 Hi Guys, I need to make a test tape for a reel to reel deck that has some issues. What I require is someone who has a 4 track 1/4" stereo tape deck that I can record some test tones on to my own tape so I can resolve a speed issue and head alignment issue on a TEAC deck. No fancy equipment is required on your part as I will bring my own audio test generator and interconnect cables with me to make the recording. I don't anticipate this will take more than 30 minutes to an hour (max) of the use of your machine. Preference is a machine that supports 7" or 10.5" reels and a tape speed of 7.5 ips. Much appreciative if anyone can help out with this. Perth or surrounding areas would be ideal but also anywhere in the WA Wheatbelt area is good with me too. Happy to work with you on a convenient day and time. Thanks.
kwtools Posted June 8, 2023 Posted June 8, 2023 Hi Alan, Some years ago my Revox had two issues, L & R imbalances, record and play back slightly off. I have a Denon HI Fi check CD that I bought many years ago which I used to calibrate and rectify those issues with the 1 kHz tone I found out you can download the 1 kHz tone if you google: · 0db clipping level download · 1khz tone download You may be able to download hopefully into hand phone for the checking/calibration. I am no tape recorder expert but hopefully above helps and good luck!! Cheers, Keng.
Monkeyboi Posted June 8, 2023 Author Posted June 8, 2023 Thanks for the heads up. The problem with analogue tape transports is you can be completely unaware of a tape speed issue if you record and playback on the same deck. It's only if you playback a tape that's recorded on a deck that is running at the correct speed that you notice the music is either playing fast or too slow when the tape is replayed on a deck with a speed issue. Yes, one can buy "calibration tapes" for checking speed, wow and flutter, head alignment, playback EQ etc but these are frightfully expensive. Most tapes only run for 3 minutes each and each tape only supports one or two of the many tests. So to buy a complete set you are typically looking at about 500 Euros. Translated in Aussie dollars it's a fairly high outlay to recalibrate a second-hand deck worth $500 tops. Hence my request to find some fellow SNA member who has a deck in good nick that they would be so kind to allow me to record about 30 minutes of test tones on. I'm not looking to borrow a machine. I'm quite happy for them to record the tape for me and I will provide the blank tape and the signal generator to provide the test tones. If worse comes to worse I will make recordings on my Tascam 32B 2 track machine but my preference is to get a recording on a 4 track machine so I can check if there is any side A to side B crosstalk. Something that can't be tested on a recording made on a 2 track deck when played back on a 4 track deck to track layout differences.
Warren Jones Posted July 19, 2023 Posted July 19, 2023 I was asked today if I could repair a reel to reel and declined because I don't have test tapes. How did you go? did you end up creating your own?
Monkeyboi Posted July 19, 2023 Author Posted July 19, 2023 On 19/07/2023 at 11:00 AM, Warren Jones said: I was asked today if I could repair a reel to reel and declined because I don't have test tapes. How did you go? did you end up creating your own? Expand Unfortunately no. It would be possible on a correctly aligned and calibrated deck but even though I have a Tascam 2 track deck I can't be sure its head alignment is perfect. Electrical calibration isn't a problem, it's mechanical head alignment that's the issue. I have a complete set of cassette test calibration tapes, but alas no open reel ones.
Warren Jones Posted July 19, 2023 Posted July 19, 2023 Googling I found this http://anlenaudio.com/home/8-full-track-test-tape.html
Monkeyboi Posted July 20, 2023 Author Posted July 20, 2023 On 19/07/2023 at 10:33 PM, Warren Jones said: Googling I found this http://anlenaudio.com/home/8-full-track-test-tape.html Expand Thanks Warren. I had considered this one some time back. It's full width which has its limitations such as the vertical alignment to ensure track separation is correct on 4 track machines. But thanks for the heads up anyway. I got a PM from someone here in Perth who might be able to assist. I'll call him later today. 1
marcuswilson Posted October 4, 2023 Posted October 4, 2023 Hi Alan, I service tape machines all of the time and have never found the need to use a multitrack test tape. If the heads are worn one can't really change the height as the tape will not run correctly and if the heads are new the height can be set up by eye. I also copy tapes and have to set up the electronics and the head to the tape being played to get the best response.
marcuswilson Posted October 4, 2023 Posted October 4, 2023 headheight.pdfFetching info... You may find this helpful.
aussievintage Posted October 4, 2023 Posted October 4, 2023 I used to just use pre-recorded tapes to set head alignment. You can still get pre-recorded stereo R2R tapes secondhand. If the speed isn't too far off, you can set the speed using them as well. Just figure out what key they are playing in and adjust against a tone from your generator set to the correct frequency (most modern music uses standard tuning).
aussievintage Posted October 4, 2023 Posted October 4, 2023 This would do nicely https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/285467866416?hash=item427735f530:g:2oQAAOSwYmFk~YMl&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA0Ds0TFbRU2diwx%2Frw9VEFpkQR%2BSA0zeO%2F4CwqVTlAYLfgXy7IOg0lDmYkYl0ELgkJnG43gC7hI5SS6uWXteHcKGZElE5J06LaIkkAB%2FSwuczpOK92r4TWpiYCy1qV7fWl9gYvOhekEA07EpOVSuOs6tbRA%2B4OZ3UwfI3WIh7mj%2FGdH%2BRa6EZWUhocj%2FbAaJgz3ulUiO4cP0QDK%2BTsSMisktPE0b56jexVMBs8jBNh3Ihxis2Aw0FW4%2FtKeAOHFbCByIPCuwgZNhBR%2BpXKDQoSb0%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR76TgZXfYg
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