Tape Trail

I am not crazy about that topology

71.224.236.29

Victor Khomenko

M

In Reply to: RE: Yup... posted by kootenay on June 13, 2024 at 08:30:38

Decades ago, when I was reading books on tape deck design, that approach was described as ideal. And it is close... when you limit the operation to just Play mode. But when you start rewinding, that puts too much stress on the tape - compare that to the straight line rewind path on some other machines. Yes, you can reduce that stress by avoiding the tape lifters, to some degree, but it is still going to be there.

You probably know that 3M made such machines... I don't know if that was in some way connected to Stephens.

Follow Ups:

Here's the original 3M reel to reel machine... - kootenay 09:31:30 06/14/24 (3)
In 1971---Stephens recorders came out with a no capstan and no pinch roller design. Looked a lot like 3m machines. I've read they were extremely gentle on tape...but as you said not so much on the rewinding operations.
- I saw some discussions on Stephens vs. Studer - Victor Khomenko 10:37:55 06/14/24 (2)
  Pretty much everyone there agrees that the Studers were superior in their function and tape handling, but that Stephens had much better sound.
  - RE: I saw some discussions on Stephens vs. Studer - Tre' 11:26:43 06/14/24 (0)
    I like the Ampex MM1200. It's got slam!
    
    Tre'
    Have Fun and Enjoy the Music
    "Still Working the Problem"
  - Agreed!... - kootenay 11:25:00 06/14/24 (0)
    It's one of the reasons many of the bands that came out in the 70s and 80s use it to record their album because of its sound quality. Such as Steely Dan, Grateful Dead, Queen, heck even Neil Diamond just to name a few...
    Steely Dan's classic album Aja was recorded on Stephens' 24-track...
    - https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/classic-tracks-steel (Open in New Window)
    Edits: 06/14/24

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