tape machines (1 Viewer)

[east hastings]

Anyone buy an old tape machine like the reel to reels?
this sorta thing

Was thinking about getting one, but not sure how hard it is to get tape for it or is it worth. Plus what sorta audio outputs would they mostly have?

cheers

 

[ann post]

rca possibly or sometimes variants of DIN connections.

 

[lemonbravo]

rca possibly or sometimes variants of DIN connections.

indeed, generally one or the other for old smaller machines. Shouldn't be too hard to pick up a suitable cable from ebay or such if it's some odd one. I'd wager that one uses some type of DIN socket.

Tape is still easy to get online, most of those types use 1/4" tape. Thomann do new RMG tape. ATR make 1/4" tape too, there's a place in the UK that's sells it, if you check atr's site. Easy enough to get tape on ebay also.

Is it worth it? If you want a reel to reel, it's worth what you're willing to spend.

Some are better than others, some are way better than others. Probably one of the best value for money bargains would be a serviced old Revox. Loads of parts still available, lots of people into them, so plenty of resources on the web.

Tape can be fun and has a sound, each machine will sound differently and like any mechanical device it needs regular attention to keep it running properly.

 

[Denny Oubidoux]

Is it possible to rent a reel to reel in dublin? The father has some old quarter inch reels he wants on cd

 

[east hastings]

cheers

 

[lemonbravo]

Is it possible to rent a reel to reel in dublin? The father has some old quarter inch reels he wants on cd

I don't know of any that rent 1/4" decks, but there's a few studios that have them, you might be able to work something out.
Be careful to get the right speed machine for your tape though. Plenty of old decks recorded at 3½ips or 7ips. Most of the ones you'll find in studios now are running at 15 or 30ips.
Of course you could try a transfer and just pitch it up/down digitally, if you can't find a suitable speed deck that is.
Probably would sound ok....