A New Reel to Reel Tape Deck?

The other reason that material is recorded at 15ips and 30ips in the studio is headroom.  Here, when recording live these speeds have an advantage.  This however does not translate into making a dub.  The dynamics of recording a drum set live is completely different that dubbing a recording of a drum set.  

Indeed.

...a second generation half track master at 7.5ips will blow the pants off of its vinyl brother...

I guess I'd better get my decks lined up for CCIR and NAB @ 7.5 in/s! ;-)

Sam,

I believe your Studer is already factory aligned for those settings. It's a near perfect machine!

Norman

+1 Norman, that's been my experience too. Most of the tape recordings and dups I made from those days and under normal (indoor) storage conditions seem to have held up well. Even though my Pioneer 909 was freshened up a few years back I can't imagine there isn't some level tape of degradation over time. It always blew me away just how much of my instruments fidelity was lost in post. 

Last I looked the cost of those prerecorded 10 inch reels was over a grand? 



 

m-db,

Here is a link shared by miles_b_astor recently. http://avshowroomsforums.com/showthread.php?5-Companies-Currently-Producing-15ips-Reel-to-Reel-tapes...!

You can get them for a little less that half that amount.  Also, if there are any local studio's in your area, they too will sell off safety copies and masters of older recordings.  

My son has my old Pioneer 909.  This was my wife's favorite machine. She loved the quarter track format (don't have to rewind to play) and the auto reverse.  It's also an excellent sounding machine, with superb build quality.  I seen one once modded with half track heads and high speed.  
I wish that were an option for us all, as that was a very popular machine.

I recommend to all those that have a 900 series machine to loosen the tension a little on the tape tensioners.  It really saves on head wear and doesn't need to be so tight with the dual capstans.

I find that analog tape is really the best storage method for archiving recordings.  There are tape formulas that have held up well for over 50 years.  Of course, having a safety copy with a newer formula is always safe measure.

Since you mentioned the 909 and it's quarter track, you should check out some of the old releases in that format from the 60's and 70's.  If you are a Beatles fan it will knock your socks off.  Those old Capitol tapes are outstanding!

Norman

Thanks Norman. I saw a release from The Tape Project that was expensive a few years back and never looked any further so thanks for all the links. While still pricy it would be worthwhile to have a copy of something in all formats to show off.

My first reel to reel was a used 7" Ampex deck. It just blew away my Benjamin Miracord / Shure turntable.

To me Pioneer has been a unique electronic company over the years designing and producing some real gems among their mass of consumer fare. The Laserdisc, the 909 and 707 series, I've suggested those Brian Jones designed speakers to more than a few friends, and my Elite 60" Kuro still blows me away.