Reel to Reel audio tapes player recommendation

[neuz]

My father has about 40 reel to reel audio tapes that I was wanting to get converted to CD's. After calling around it sounds like I would pay about $90 per tape or about 60 cents per minute. Each tape is about 4 hours. I'm thinking that I would be better off buying a reel to reel player and dubbing them myself. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on what I should get. They are 4 channel tapes so I would need a 4-channel player. Any suggestions would be appriciated.
thanks.

[edDV]

Teac/Tascam was a quality prosumer brand in the day. Akai was also popular. Typical recording speeds were 3 3/4 ips or 7 1/2 ips. The pro models typically offered 7 1/2 ips or 15 ips speeds.

A quality model will have separate motor on each reel hub and one or two capstan motors. Cheap models have one or two motors with belt drive.

By "4 track", do you mean 2 track stereo in each direction or 4 channel in one direction?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reel-to-reel_audio_tape_recording

The former usually had two VU meters, the latter four meters.

Condition is important. It costs a small fortune to have these refurbed with new rollers, solenoids and reel brakes. If I were you I'd use Craigslist to shop locally. That way you can test the unit before you buy and save about $70-90 shipping cost.

[v491138]

Teac was OK back in MY day. My last deck was a Tandberg. Truly good machine, but 4 track.
I do hope he means 2 tracks in each direction and not true 4 channel. That will be expensive.
It is still likely the best way to go. Once you have the setup, you can just set it and forget it. <G>

[jman98]

CD does not officially support quadrophonic audio, although it is possible with the right tools and know-how (search on the internet) to create your own AC3 or DTS CDs that have 4 channel sound. You won't be able to play them back in standard audio CD players though unless maybe those players are connected to amplifiers that can decode DTS and AC3. I am assuming here that when you say 4 channel audio you mean that you've got quadrophonic tapes.

If you do not intend to preserve the 4 channel audio, you might be able to find normal CDs of some of the selections rather than going through the trouble of recording these yourself. Just a suggestion.

That price is terrible. I would guess that nobody you talked to really wants to do the work if they asked for that much money.

[neuz]

Thanks for the replies. Being that they were my dad's I am using the terminalogoy that he used. They were recordered at the 3 3/4 speed. He said that it had two channels per side making it a 4-channel recordings. ( not sure if that make since or not). These were recordings of family members being interviewed, my grandparents singing in church in the late 50's early 60's and many many auto racing recordings. There are alot of recordings from old shows and specials from tv such as Elvis and many others. Most of the things recorded are not things I can find any where else.

[edDV]

Assuming your tapes are on 7" reels, you will need a model similar to these Teacs in good working condition. The early small reel models were numbered 2xxx (two thousand). Late models were X-3 variations.





Note that most of the large reel models will lack a 3 3/4 ips speed option.

[neuz]

Thanks. I don't have a reel in front of me but I do remember that they said 1200ft on the box. If the larger ones lack the 3 3/4 ips speed, then that wouldn't do me any good would it?

[edDV]

Thanks. I don't have a reel in front of me but I do remember that they said 1200ft on the box. If the larger ones lack the 3 3/4 ips speed, then that wouldn't do me any good would it?

1200 ft would be the smaller consumer 7" reels as show above. 7" reels can hold 1200, 1800 or even 2400 ft of tape. 2400 ft uses a thinner backing but also is more fragile.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_tape_length_and_thickness

You said the tapes were recorded 3 3/4 so make sure the deck supports that speed.

[v491138]

Thanks. I don't have a reel in front of me but I do remember that they said 1200ft on the box. If the larger ones lack the 3 3/4 ips speed, then that wouldn't do me any good would it?

Don't get confused. It is clear that you have 7" reels of quarter track stereo (2 channels in each direction) recorded at what most of us back then considered SLOW speed and nearly every machine of the day that supported reels no larger than 7" supported 3.75 ips.
No problem. Other than finding such in good working order. Then again, the photos would seem to imply a possible source <G>.
Pretty standard stuff back in the day. Like some 40 years for me when I bought that Tandberg.
Point is, stick with 7" capacity deck and you should have no problems.

[edDV]

Can't emphasize more "In good working order". You need to test it or get a guarantee. Refurb could cost hundreds of $ assuming the parts are available.

[neuz]

Ok, well, I took a few tapes to an audio business and the converted 2 tapes for me. The problem was that the broke them down into tracks and we can't figure out for the life of us what order they go. They gave me 13 CD's with all the audio. So I have decided that I want to go ahead and purchase a machine and do it myself. I'd like to spend under $150 for a machine. My problem is, I am not totally sure what I am looking for. Everything I see on Ebay doesn't say anything about 2-channel or 4-channel. and I am worried about the product not working when I get it. Does anyone have any recommendations for me as to what to get. I'd be happy if someone just held my hand and sent me a link to one they know would work for me. It doesn't have to be from Ebay either. After I transfer the tapes I would probably be looking to resell it.
Thanks for everyones help.

I guess another question would be, If the tapes I have are two channel's per side, would it matter if the player I bought was a 2-channel or 4-channel?
I found one on Ebay that looks ok. Any thoughts?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-AKAI-Reel-Reel-Recorder-Player-M-10-/370540088942?pt=V...item5645e90e6e

Thanks again!
Neuz

[edDV]

The pictures obscured the speed settings.

It all comes down to condition on this one. The seller doesn't know or won't say. Price way low for a good one.

The best ones will be found in estate sales. The average owner would be in late 50's - 80's.

Anything from the broadcast/radio or post industry won't support the formats you want.

I've had one good and one bad experience buying reel to reel machines on eBay. In the future I would need to evaluate the machine before I buy one. I have 3 reel to reel machines now (all three motor) and all need TLC to operate properly. Covers off and a little tweak or lube here and there.

Even if the machine works, old tapes may have problems.

[edDV]

... They gave me 13 CD's with all the audio.

What did they charge and how was the quality?

I could go into this business

[aedipuss]

i can see 7.5 and 3.75 on the speed switch in one of the pictures. they weren't very good recorders at 7.5 so i can only assume 3.75 is going to sound pretty bad. the wow and flutter on those beasts was awful, not to mention the cheap heads that had poor freq. response even when new.

use it and sell it back off quick. use q-tips and rubbing alcohol frequently to clean the oxide off the heads from the old tapes. they will shed quite a lot.

[neuz]

ok, well I went to a local resale store and they had a reel to reel player!! It plays but doesn't record. Which, for what I am doing that is fine. I don't need anything to record. I bought a Akai GX-265D. I bought it for $35. I thought that was a good deal. Plays but doesn't record. I hooked it up to my stereo(red/white audio cables) and it sounded great! My question is this: I hooked it up to the computer with the red/white composite on one side and 3.5mm on the other. I plugged it in to the microphone jack on my laptop. When I play the reel-to-reel you can't hear anything through the player or through the computer. I can only hear something when I play it back through the program I used to record it(Audacity). What can I do to hear it as it plays into the computer? Also, it doesn't sound as good when played back on the computer as it did on the home stero system. But that might be because I am having to record a bit, replay it and decide if that is too loud.
Anyway, I am very excited about things just need a little help getting it started.
Thanks,
Neuz

[neuz]

Any ideas what I can do to hear my reel to reel player in my computer and through player at the same time. attached is a picture of the front and a picture of the back(took both from the internet so I wouldn't have to take them).
Thanks so much for your help.

[dphirschler]

Don't connect through mic-in!! Use a line-in. Mic-in preamp cannot handle the levels. Even if you set the PC input recording levels very low, it will still be brickwalled.


Darryl

[dphirschler]

If your laptop PC doesn't have a line-in, you might be able to buy a USB sound card. Then you could connect line-in to the device. Even then you need to make sure the preamp can handle it. Or maybe you could get a flash-RAM audio recorder $100-200 (and up). Or maybe even a standalone CD recorder. Or perhaps you have a standalone DVD recorder. Just run the audio only... and use the highest quality (hopefully you can record LPCM).


Darryl

[Computer Nerd Kev]

Just a couple more tips:

Even using Line-in, I would treat your sound card carefully and slowly raise the volume from silent on the tape player until the levels seem right in Audacity's meters. Not sure what the chances are of blowing the sound card but after ruining couple myself I've taken to treating them with cotton gloves, especially in a laptop.

Also, you should really have heard something when recording from the Mic plug so if the same thing happens using Line-in, make sure nothing is muted in the Windows mixer or the sound card driver software (if present).

[neuz]

Thanks for the replies.
setting in Audacity that says "Playthrough while recording (uncheck when using stereo mix)".
That fixed it so I can now hear it while recording.

So when you guys say I need an amp can I use just a regular stereo receiver?

I have a Pioneer VSX-403 Stereo Receiver. Can I use that?? I am assuming that would have a composite out that would go to the computer.

Ok, so my computer is a laptop that doesn't have a line-in.
Should I use a desktop and just use the line-in that is integrated on the motherboard?? Probably a green or light-blue input on the pc, I think??

What is the advantage of using a receiver? So that I can turn the reel to reel player output volume up and then I'd have to turn the volume down on the laptop???

Thanks for everyones help! It is sooooo appriciated.
I'm pretty new to this so sorry for the basic questions just wanting to make sure I understand everything.

[dphirschler]

Line-in would be blue, I believe. The headphone/speaker out is green, and mic-in is red. You need to be running the sound into your PC at line levels. The mic input cannot handle it.

That's good advice about bringing the levels up slowly. There is always the chance that the line-levels coming out of your reel to reel is too strong for the preamp in your soundcard. If it is, then you may be able to use an old tape deck or something to "condition" the levels a bit. Basically, you would run the sound into the line-in on the tape deck, and out through "monitor" (if it has one). Then to the line-in on your PC. You are basically betting that your tape deck has a preamp that can handle the hot levels coming out of the reel to reel.

I use an old portable DAT recorder to "condition" my line levels. It has a very strong preamp, so I know it can handle the line levels from all my equipment. I run line-in into the DAT, and coax S/PDIF (digital audio) output to my soundcard (which happens to have a S/PDIF input). And I set the levels on my DAT.

Good luck!

Darryl

[SingSing]

neuz, like the Akai you got. They are great open reel player.

Get a RCA to stereo ack wire from walmart or best buy or radio shack and connect from akai line out to pc audio in, and switch off the mic preamp of the pc audio in. You should be good to go.

[SingSing]

Assuming your tapes are on 7" reels, you will need a model similar to these Teacs in good working condition. The early small reel models were numbered 2xxx (two thousand). Late models were X-3 variations.


[Attachment 6688 - Click to enlarge]


[Attachment 6689 - Click to enlarge]

Note that most of the large reel models will lack a 3 3/4 ips speed option.

Are you running a "hi-fi from the 1960" museum ?

[edDV]

Assuming your tapes are on 7" reels, you will need a model similar to these Teacs in good working condition. The early small reel models were numbered 2xxx (two thousand). Late models were X-3 variations.


[Attachment 6688 - Click to enlarge]


[Attachment 6689 - Click to enlarge]

Note that most of the large reel models will lack a 3 3/4 ips speed option.

Are you running a "hi-fi from the 1960" museum ?

My reel-reel tapes go back to the 1950's when my parents bought a Sears Silvertone recorder. I mostly recorded music off radio in those days, also TV sound (pre VHS). This continued through college sharing music and sound effects clips. Later I edited/layered 4 track live recordings with a SIMUL-SYNC Teac 3340S. Still have that deck.

http://www.angelfire.com/electronic2/vintagetx/TeacA-3340S.html