Getting started

I'm thinking of getting back into reel2reel. Looking at a few different decks. Don't want to spend a bunch of money. Can anyone suggest how to get started. It has been 30 yrs since I have messed with a r2r.

Here is a deck I was looking at.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...:MEWA:IT&ih=023

I'm not an expert in R2R but, maybe this help:

http://www.ehow.com/video_2385273_-use-ree...el-machine.html

I want one for the wow factor, but havent come across the right deal, I dont have the room for one, I would make room, but I have wanted an r2r since 1983, but just never got one.

elroy

A very good friend of dingus's had a black faced teac 2000x that has been sitting in storage for 20 years, I havent had the chance to ask him if I could fool around with it.

If I see him, I am goin to ask him.

elroy

I've had a 10 1/2" Akai GX-600DB RTR since 1975. It was one of the very RTR machines with built-in Dolby B noise reduction. Amazingly, it still works just fine.

I seldom use it today, aside from making an occasional recording fom a compilation of old LP's and CD's, or to play back a tape I may have made on it decades ago.

I'd avoid that Akai 4000. The most reliable machines had three heads, and three motors, and the 4000 has neither. The mechanical drive is one that was always trouble prone, and if not used judiciously, it's quite easy to ruin a tape by going to "Play" too quickly after having had it on the "Rewind" or 'Fast-Forward" function. Three-motor drive sytstems, usually with solenoid controls, solve that potential problem, and offer much faster rewind and fast-forward times with one motor to drive the capstan, another for rewinding the tape, and the last for fast-forwarding the tape.

A three-head design allows for monitoring a tape while it is being recorded. That means listening to the tape itself, not the source material, while the recording is being made. A quick flip of the tape monitor from "on" to "off" will instantly reveal whatever differences may exist between the source material and the recording being made of it. Three head designs usually offered better fidelity too.

I haven't looked for years, but I wonder how easy it is to find blank tape these days. That might be a concern too.

Thanks for your inputs.

i found some tapes also found an akai m10
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...:MEWA:IT&ih=001

This post has been edited by speakerman1 on November 19, 2008 11:56 am

Need to be careful with some tapes as they shed and make a mess. Certain head materials, glass, ferrite, etc. are exceptionally durable. I picked up another Akai R2R a couple months ago to get the metal reels. Wander over to the Tapeheads sister site (if you haven't already) for a wealth of info as my knowledge is rather limited.

2nded! Also I don't know where you live, r2r's are very much like TT's, they don't ship well unless the seller really knows how to pack properly. If you live close to a major city, I'd personally use CL. Do you have a good pair of headphones? Read up on the r2r's that might fall into your price range. New and good quality used tapes are avaliable, a little pricey though compaired to cassette's or blank CD's.....

My roomie brought home a Fostex E-2 pro deck that was on it's way to the dumpster at a local TV station, built like a tank, and even better....Free! I'll put up a link.

http://www.tapeheads.net/showthread.php?t=1893

I haven't used it yet, I'm waiting on some new tapes to come in from a local recording studio. The most important thing is to have fun! Just like the rest of the hobby! Once you see those reels spinnin', meters dancin', the glorious sound of analog tape, gottcha

This post has been edited by stuwee on November 19, 2008 01:41 pm

I live in the country. Any advice would be appreciated.

yes nice headphones. you guys know my wife is going to kill me. think i'll put a lock on the sound room.

Well, if you can't find one locally, then ebay it might be. I'd go with audiogon auctions and pay a little more. Most folks there know how to pack.

I'd request a youTube vid of the machine/deck in action, alot of folks that are selling can do this, it'd give you more piece of mind too. In fact all componets should be marketed this way

Sorry, I can't be more helpful, I just got into r2r myself, these tips are just IMHO.

Craig

That's a great idea.


I might be able to give advice about what to look for and what to avoid, track/tape size/speed choises, issues to be aware of etc.

But I think I would start asking a few questions for getting a little closer to what "route" you are going for.

What do you want to use the machine for?

Playing pre recorded tapes purchased on eBay?
Rcord FM and LP's?
Record Digital sources?
Make your own "in the field" recordings?
Make your own master recordings of music events?

What gear are you intending to match the R2R with?

"dolph"

I'd like to record from LPs and cds. I'm running tube amp , and cdp. Music hall TT. Audio Magic cables and epo 16s and norman labs.