The Technics RS1500 series was a quarter inch, two track machine for recording and playback. However, it also would play 4 track tapes via a switch on the head block. Great machine and is the choice for Tape Project restorations.
What is Half track and quarter track?
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I used to own a 4 track Dokorder reel-to-reel machine back in the '70s & '80s. I had 4 meters that I could engage all at once, or choose which track I wanted to record on. I never did much with this feature because all I used the machine for was to record my LP's. What the heck is a quarter track and half track machine? Do they use the same width of tape that a two track or 4 track machine would use? Are half track and quarter track machines for consumer use or just for pro use? Were pre-recorded tapes two track?
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I used to own a 4 track Dokorder reel-to-reel machine back in the '70s & '80s. I had 4 meters that I could engage all at once, or choose which track I wanted to record on. I never did much with this feature because all I used the machine for was to record my LP's. What the heck is a quarter track and half track machine? Do they use the same width of tape that a two track or 4 track machine would use? Are half track and quarter track machines for consumer use or just for pro use? Were pre-recorded tapes two track?
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- 7 posts total
1/4-track and 4-track ARE NOT THE SAME. Veteran professional recording engineer of 40 years. 1/4 track is two tracks using one half the tape width for a pass in one direction. 4-track is 4 tracks using the full width of the tape for a pass in one direction Most 4-track machines can play 1/4 track content, but will be playing both passes in one direction, so that the 3 & 4 tracks are being played "backwards" 1/4 does not equal 4, just as 1/3 does not equal 30%. Sound similar, not same. |
AS @audioguyintn explained, a 1/2 track machine records and plays back 2 channels in one direction. There is no "other side" You have to rewind it. My father had an interesting machine. It was a 1960ish Ampex 1/2 track that took only 7" reels. It would record and play back 1/2 track but it also would playback (but not record) 1/4 track. In the day they sold 7" prerecorded tapes in 1/4 track at 71/2 ips. There was no Dolby back then and just dropping to 31/4 ips was intolerably hissy. You played them just like a record. One side and then the other. This made skipping songs very difficult. You had to hunt for them in fast-forward or reverse. A record you just place the "needle" were you want it. Playing a 1/4 track 71/2 ips prerecorded tape back then was way superior sonically than any record playing set up. You just got use to that hiss. |
- 7 posts total