Tape tech wanted - Melbourne

[Lee Cardan]

So who is the go to guy in Melbourne to get my machine aligned ?

Mechanically and electronically I believe there to be no problems, MCI JH-16 24 track

[wez]

Hate to be the one to tell you this Lee... but that would be you!

Welcome to the joys of owning a 70's MCI. You get to learn so many things you never thought you would ;-)

[Lee Cardan]

wow really ?? well.. my standard rates are $400 / hr + travel and meals allowance

[wez]

Ha! what a coincidence - that's my rate as well! Unfortunately my main client is a complete @#$% and never pays...

In all seriousness though - my reply may have seemed a little flippant, but there isn't much on an MCI that you can't do yourself. and this will become an increasingly attractive/essential option once you realise that it's not just the cost involved in getting a tech to come on site that will kill you, it's the actual getting them there at all when you need them that will do your head in.

Unless you're running a BIG commercial facility and/or have an in-house tech, the only sustainable option these days is to look after it yourself. The best thing about this is that you will learn your machine intimately, and when it breaks down (which it will), you will have a head start on getting it going again. MCI's are extremely tactile machines in terms of maintenance - by pulling them apart yourself you get a feel for how they're put together, how they work, and why they stop working. they are a lot like old motorcycles in that regard - ever heard of a vintage bike rider not doing there own maintenance?

there ARE a couple of guys in melbourne - and it's not that i wouldn't recommend them - it's just that i wouldn't recommend relying on them. In 2012, owning a tape machine (especially an MCI) requires self-sufficiency - you need to be prepared to get your hands dirty.

(I just remembered that you're only talking alignment rather than more involved maintenance... but the same principles apply.)

[rob]

whats the current state of its alignment? Have you slated some tones and see how they come back. Hell if it is within a 1db or so you could just go with it....

[Lee Cardan]

Thanks Wez

For the most-part I am very self sufficient, I do all the repairs on my gear (with the exception of one very stubborn FX G384 that Rob knows all too well ) so yeah I do all my desk repairs (MCI 500) and anything else that may come up.. wouldn't have gotten into this level of a studio if I wasn't electronically inclined !

But regarding the tape machine, honestly I've had it about 3 years and used it very sparingly. I know it works, I know all channels work (however a few are stuck in playback from the record head - so maybe a few bung relays is all), and I know it sounds great so far, but I'm yet to actually ever do an alignment and I thought it'd be a nice idea to watch and get involved with someone who knows how to do very well. Learn directly from someone who knows what they're doing rather than learn the hard way... maybe not an option, but worth a shot. also the physical aspects of transport alignment process I'm clueless on

Wez if you're ever free and are keen to walk me through one then please let me know! Otherwise, well hence this topic

Rob, umm.. I don't know
I get to use the beast about once every two months I'd say, I love it to bits and have simply gone by what I'm hearing. I like what I hear coming out of it so I go with that.. I've been cycling through the same 8 reels of GP9 since day one, but I'd love to move over to some 456 so now more than ever would I need to start taking it seriously

[wez]

just sent you a PM Lee

[rob]

assuming the machine is set up for GP9, then a change to 456 will require a realignment. Also beware that alot of the 456 manufactured is now shedding and unusable.

[Lee Cardan]

I had a look through my stock and only have two reels of 456, I must have been thinking of 499 which I have about 5 reels for. There's also a few reels of EMI tape here, wonder how that stuff fares

I guess I wonder, how 'bad' will these tapes get after reusing again and again ?
I cracked open a fresh tape for a session recently and the high frequency response and noise floor was muuuch better on the new stuff.. seemed to have more dynamic range too (although that'd maybe be the result of the other improvements)

is there any way to rejuvenate old tape I wonder ?


thanks Wez

[wez]

Yeah just be really watchful with that old 456... at the first sign of shedding, get it off your machine and bin it.

Anyway you don't really want to change to 456... stick to the 499/GP9, maybe try the ATR. 499 at 15 ips is a good combo for rock-type stuff.

Big difference between new and used tape... even after one pass. You can't use it more than a few times and expect uncompromised results. And no, not much you can do to rejuvinate it... once it's used, it's used

will PM tomorrow about catching up.

w

[Chris H]

Yeah just be really watchful with that old 456... at the first sign of shedding, get it off your machine and bin it.

Anyway you don't really want to change to 456... stick to the 499/GP9, maybe try the ATR. 499 at 15 ips is a good combo for rock-type stuff.

Big difference between new and used tape... even after one pass. You can't use it more than a few times and expect uncompromised results. And no, not much you can do to rejuvinate it... once it's used, it's used

will PM tomorrow about catching up.

w

............If tape is propperly erased it should be good as new?

[wez]

............If tape is propperly erased it should be good as new?

sadly not, in practice. the noise floor always comes up a bit.

[The Tasmanian]

Yep - nothin like a fresh roll of tape.....

[adamcal]

Yep - nothin like a fresh roll of tape.....

...In The Morning....

[ekadek]

why not try the RMG brand. as far as i know its the only brand presently being actually made new.
ive been using 1/2 " stock 900 master tape with my tube ampex. its great. never sheds. holds good for about 10 records. im sure its expensive. but what else is there? nothing but old stuff.