Turtlerock Forum

Thinking a two track 1/4 inch machine for mastering, Any idears on makes models price and place to get.. X

I think Mixmasters has a 1/4 inch MCI for sale - nice sounding machines if it is a good one.
but nothing beats an ampex .
Chris Townend
BJB Studios

If you're set on 1/4" then I'd be tempted to dig up a Nagra T. Otherwise just find a good 1/2" deck with swapable heads (and hopefully rollers at least).

I have a Sony TC 200 1/4" tape machine.. my dad bought it new in 1965..
Its been in storage at my house for years, but I recently got it out to have in the studio..
Would it still be a suitable analogue media for mixing down too? I know its not MCI/Ampex/Studer..

i've got a Ta@#$% 32. it does 15ips. running RMG 900.

it sounds better than direct master bus dump off console back into 'tools - thicker, more unified.

sometimes i'll run a compressor on the way to it and knock off 1 or 2 db, but mostly i just leave the deck spinning straight off the master bus.

but yeah - it's 'only' Ta@#$%. 'only' as in still 300% smoother/coherent than a digital bounce.

grab any working 1/4" unit and play with it. it'll be an improvement regardless.

The Tasmanian wrote:I think Mixmasters has a 1/4 inch MCI for sale - nice sounding machines if it is a good one.
but nothing beats an ampex .

Really depends what sound you're after, and of course head condition, tension, electronics (stock or otherwise), fixed or roller guides for playing back some older tapes...
For 1/2", Ampex ATR 102 is a workhorse with a recognisable (some may say "rock") LF bump.
1/4", I've used an AG 440 (transformer sound), MCI, Studer A 807 & C-37 valve, Revox 77, Otari MX50... For extended HF response and no added "sound" in my experience nothing's beaten an Otari 55 running with HX Pro and IEC EQ – good enough for the national film & sound archive's stringent specs.

I have a Ta@#$% ATR-60-2 1/4" Machine I just decided to get rid of...
I also have a whole extra machine for spares(inc heads) with it.
Also its in Marrickville which is close to you if you want to check it out?
Lachlan Vercoe

Thanx Y'all..
Damn I could have picked up an Otari 55 6 months ago from pete's in Newtown.
My research and looking continues. Adam.. any idear of their worth?

You shouldn't have to look too long to find one. Most have had a long, hard life at a radio station as they were the main choice, so try and get one with a bit of life left in it. Serge in Melb is Mr Otari in this neck of the woods and might know where a decent one is as he has prolly serviced most of the Otari's in vocco.

PS, i have an Otari MX55 1/2 inch 8 trk that was brand spankin new when i got it in 97......has a bit of a bump in the bottom end that i can work with........ records a bandwidth higher than 44.1 ......... and it's not for sale. :)

Now here is a useful site.. http://www.analogrules.com
very idiot (me) proof tips for inspecting a possible machine.

TimS wrote:I have a Sony TC 200 1/4" tape machine.. my dad bought it new in 1965..
Its been in storage at my house for years, but I recently got it out to have in the studio..
Would it still be a suitable analogue media for mixing down too? I know its not MCI/Ampex/Studer..

Looks tasty! I've really started loving the retro vibe of things.

How's it sound?? The only problem I could foresee would be how the mixdown
would translate on other 1/4" machines. Different biases, tape types, etc. That
being said, I want clips!! :wink:

choose a song,
import it into protools,
track it onto the tape,
then from tape back into protools.

Level match and see how ya go. Worthwhile? It might not suit the entire mix but it could make a wicked effects/saturation unit.
If you were feeling game/creative, you could create tape loops as well using a mic stand or two.

I've got one of those. Not really suitable as a master recorder. It's unbalanced IO, only does 3.75 or 7.5 IPS and doesn't really have any adjustments (level, bias, HF LF etc).

Although I would have to say, the amplifiers are nice. It is all toob, so makes a pretty cool effects box. Can make some pretty wild sounding distortion. Plus I love how the speakers connect to the front of the box.

Overdrive the input and you've got distortion that sounds a little like a culture vulture.

Chris

Hi there,

Go the Ampex 440 !
(I actually have Eric Claptons !)


Cheers
n
Y
M
O

[quote=....I actually have Eric Claptons !)


Cheers
n
Y
M
O[/quote]

.... you can get some cream for that you know.

The tension arm, tape guides, and pinch rollers etc, are critical to the consistency of recording and playback sound. If the tape wanders over the head the frequency response will wander as well. So for high quality and consistent playback you will need a machine that has adequate design in this area and that has no play/movement due to excessive wear.
Here is a pic of an Otari showing the details that are not on the Sony TC 200