Patch Me Up! Easily Connect Tape Recorders to Audio Devices
Produced By:
clydesight on 31 Dec 1969
Tags: clydesightpatchcordvintage(more...)taperecorderselectronicsaudiocassettetechnology(less)
Description: This How To video shows a simple method (more...) for interconnecting two unmatched audio devices (vintage tape recorders, radio to tape recorder, etc.) using an attenuating dubbing patch cord WITH monitor speakers! An attenuating dubbing patch cord is used when the recording device (tape recorder, cassette recorder, even a digital recorder) only has a microphone input. The balancing electronics in the patch cord reduces the signal in from the hi-level source (a tape recorder, cassette recorder, radio, TV, computer, etc.) to the microphone input of the recording device, preventing distortion, overload and sending a clear signal. Without a patch cord of this type, one is forced to record using a microphone, which results in poor quality sound that is hollow and tinny. However, a direct patch cord connection usually will not allow you to monitor the source device, so setting cues or hearing the source device is impossible. The method described in this video solves this problem with the use of a Y connection and monitor speakers. With the method shown in the video, you can monitor the output signal of the source device for proper cueing, and it is very easy to do! In this video we deal with monophonic equipment, but a stereo application of the method can be achieved using extra cables and adaptors. (less)
Views: 51
Comments: 0
Duration: 00:00
Big Brother At The Fair! Mayfair 1607 Tape Recorder
Produced By:
clydesight on 31 Dec 1969
Tags: clydesightreeltaperecorder(more...)electronicsaudiovintagerimdrivetechnology(less)
Description: Big Brother gets new life! (Many thanks (more...) to CassetteMaster!) Mayfair is a highly collectible brand of vintage reel to reel tape recorder. The 1600 and the 1602 are noted for minimalist simplicity of design and sleek appearance. With their 1960's retro coloring (avocado and cream) and flash of elegance (silver metal reel platters), the machines caught the eye, if not the ear! Their big brother, the Mayfair 1607 is also a rim drive tape recorder with added features, including a remote control microphone, earphone output and one of the strangest external power supply systems we've ever seen. In order to work properly, it requires batteries! Yet, in spite of the additional features, as vintage electronics go, this machine is rather low tech due to its cheap power amp, use of DC bias and the odd rim drive system. But, it looks nice. The tape recorder shown here arrived in pretty bad condition. The batteries left in the machine had leaked and corroded the battery box terminals to the point that they had disintegrated. The internal foam protection had rotted and gotten into all the works, the rubber drive wheels were dried out and the amplifier had a bad electrolytic capacitor. Overall, a DAO (dead on arrival) from E-Bay to be sure. But we love a challenge! We replaced the battery terminals, cleaned and restored the rubber as best we could and found and replaced the bad capacitor, using CassetteMaster's tips on replacing bad caps. The result is a machine brought back to life! (less)
Silly, Silly Tape Recorder - Two Heads Are Better Than One
Produced By:
clydesight on 31 Dec 1969
Tags: clydesightvintagetaperecorder(more...)rimdriveMayfair1600RCAreeltoaudiotechnology(less)
Description: This How-To video shows you how to make (more...) two tape recorders act as one by jumping the heads of both machines -- using the amp from one, and the transport of the other. It's silly, but it works! If you've got a tape recorder with a bad amp, but a good transport (or vice-versa) and another with a good amp but a bad transport (or vice-versa), you can use this technique to make a fully working reel-to-reel tape recorder from two partially working machines. In this video, we use the Mayfair 1600 rim drive tape recorder amplifier to drive a signal onto a tape running in an RCA capstan drive vintage reel to reel tape recorder. The electronics are not harmed by this procedure, and the video shows how flexible vintage tape recorder audio technology really is, especially in cheap and almost useless machines! (less)
Views: 35
Comments: 0
Duration: 00:00
What IS Capstan Drive? How a Tape Recorder Works
Produced By:
clydesight on 31 Dec 1969
Tags: clydesightvintagetaperecorder(more...)WebcorMicrocorder300HowToVintageelectronicsTechnology(less)
Description: Have you ever heard the term 'capstan (more...) drive' when looking at a vintage tape recorder and wondered, 'What does THAT mean?'? While Captain Kirk may have cruised the galaxy using warp drive, quality tape recorders cruise the musical galaxy using capstan drive! All modern tape recorders (i.e. cassette recorders), and the quality vintage tape recorders use capstan drive to manage the tape movement because it is precise, constant and smooth, thus well suited for musical reproduction. 'Rim Drive', used in budget tape recorders, does not have this constancy of motion, making musical reproduction on such machines impossible and unpleasant to hear! (less)
Views: 33
Comments: 0
Duration: 00:00
Mastertape Theater - AMPEX Micro 28 radio cassette recorder.
Produced By:
clydesight on 31 Dec 1969
Tags: clydesightAMPEXmicro28(more...)cassettetaperadiorecorderelectronicsaudiovintagetechnology(less)
Description: Exploring the AMPEX Micro28 radio (more...) cassette tape recorder. In the late 1960's AMPEX released the Micro series of cassette recorders. The AMPEX Micro 28 has a combination radio-cassette mechanism that allows direct recording from the radio without patch cords. The quality is excellent, with fine, rich tone. Recording is flawless thanks to AMPEX automatic level control and an excellent drive system (similar to the Lloyd's 8V84A cassette recorder) You can see the drive system on YouTube in our video: 'Embracing Your Inner Cassette Recorder'. (less)
Wollensak 5750 Vintage Tape Recorder Restoration
Produced By:
clydesight on 31 Dec 1969
Tags: clydesightWollensak5750tape(more...)recorderreeltoaudioelectronicstechnology(less)
Description: http://www.clydesight.com/wollensak_r... (more...) ** or *** Google: 'Wollensak 5750' Performance Demo of Wollensak 5750 vintage reel to reel tape recorder restored in late 2007. Complete restoration details with stereo sound samples, diagrams and links to places to get parts and info are provided on our Wollensak Restoration Web site: http://www.clydesight.com/wollensak_r... In 1967, this was one of a series (the 5000 series) of 'designer' tape recorders that supposedly went up against the AMPEX market. IMHO this is a beautiful design with quite a few original mechanical attributes (i.e. their 'power cam' operation.) It appears that the series lasted about 4 years (circa 1965 to 1969.) I bought this unit on E-Bay, it came as a DOA (busted)- no surprise there. I spent quite a bit of time restoring the machine and wrote a web site about it that details how I restored/rebuilt the walnut finish cabinets, got and installed all new rubber parts and adjusted the machine for near new performance, even after it had suffered almost 40 years of neglect. Although the sound here is mono and as the camera mike picks up, The Web site has a stereo performance that is IMHO just incredible - it was made by plugging the Wollensak to the line in of the computer. The site also has lot of detailed pictures and information for tape recorder buffs, including a history of the series, links to catalogs and ads (some of these are hysterical by today's standards) and links to places where one can get custom made parts and manuals for vintage reel to reel tape recorders of all types. This video shows the restored machine in operation. The unit is NOT FOR SALE. The web site has complete restoration details, shows the interior operation of the machine, and has parts/information sources for tape recorder enthusiasts of all kinds. Just Google ClydeSight and click on the tape recorder on the landing page. (less)
Views: 24
Comments: 0
Duration: 00:00
It's ALIVE! - Standard SR100 Unique Cassette Recorder!
Produced By:
clydesight on 31 Dec 1969
Tags: clydesightstandardcassettetape(more...)recorderSymphoniaFelinaFrankensteinelectronicsaudiovintage
technology(less)
Description: Exploration of the Standard SR100 - (more...) unique design vintage cassette tape recorder. In the late 1960's, the Standard Radio Corporation of Japan released a uniquely designed cassette recorder into the new cassette market. This video shows the little machine in operation and how it was so cleverly made. It was purchased on E-Bay and arrived DOA, with battery corrosion, stalling mechanics and a dead capacitor hampering the main amplifier. I restored the machine and brought it 'back to life'. The mechanism is entirely unique, unlike the standard design created by Philips of Holland and seen in the Lloyd's 8V84A cassette recorder that appeared about the same time. See video 'Embracing Your Inner Cassette Recorder - Lloyd's 8V84A' at (less)
Embracing Your Inner Cassette Recorder - Lloyd's 8V84A
Produced By:
clydesight on 31 Dec 1969
Tags: clydesightcassettevintagetape(more...)recorderelectronicsaudiotechnology(less)
Description: This historical reference video (more...) documents the workings of the Lloyd's 8V84A Series 90 vintage cassette recorder dating from approx. 1968. It is an example of portable vintage electronics when the concept of the cassette recorder was first introduced. As vintage audio, it deserves to be cataloged for historical reference due to its quality and rarity. The musical selection the Lloyd's cassette recorder plays is called 'Dream Angels', the theme from the Dream Angel Oracle Divination Computer Program available at ClydeSight Productions. http://www.clydesight.com/DAO/ (less)
National SNAP! What is it?
Produced By:
clydesight on 31 Dec 1969
Tags: clydesightreeltaperecorder(more...)Nationalelectronicsaudiovintagetechnology(less)
Description: National SNAP is a rare and remarkable (more...) vintage reel to reel tape recorder similar to the Concord F-88. The Concord F-88 is a highly collectible vintage reel to reel tape recorder that sometimes appears on E-Bay. When it does, a bidding war usually ensues. The National SNAP is an almost identical machine that is much harder to find! It may never have been marketed in the United States, since 'National' and 'Panasonic' are brand names for the same machines in different marketing regions. 'Panasonic' was marketed in the U.S. while 'National' only rarely appeared in the U.S. in the early 1960's. Like the Concord F-88 and it's 'baby brother', the Concord F-20 Sound Camera (see our video on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqRlQj... ), the National SNAP vintage reel to reel tape recorder is high quality, adorable, very cute and tiny -- using very rare 2.5 inch reels of tape running at 1-7/8 ips only. The Norelco Continental 101 (see our video on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuwoxN... ) was also a portable reel to reel tape recorder dedicated to 1-7/8 ips speed, but it was much larger (and more expensive). (less)