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Does anyone have an ordinary domestic reel-to-reel tape recorder (not a professional one such as a Revox) that could be leant out for a few days?

The problem/situation is this...

One of my old interviews is to be released later this year on CD, and although I have the original tape, the tape recorder on which it was recorded has long since gone west! The company responsible for copying the tape only have a professional Revox machine and this is causing problems - bleed through from the other side of the tape, etc.

If you are able to help and live in the BRACKNELL area, then please let me know. You will, of course, get a credit on the CD when it is eventually released.

Thanks.

Yours hopefully,
Chris

Just to be of assistance, Chris, do you mean you need a 4-track tape-recorder?

That would account for "bleed from the other side of the tape" when played back on a Revox or similar (all tracks are on the same side of the tape, of course).

The trouble is that you'll get the same problem with any half-track (2 track) recorder. You'll need a 4-track machine...

Jim,

Ta. Good question.

Being of limited knowledge in these matters, I'm not sure.

The interview was recorded on a pretty good machine which, as I recall, could record on either the whole of the side (of tape) or could record in mono on half of the side. The tape in question was recorded in stereo using the whole (both tracks) of each side.

I gather that the Revox machine used to try and copy was an old machine from the 1960s and was of a high-end professional standard. At the time I was told that this would therefore only be able to reproduce in mono. I put this down to the natural difference between professional and commercially available domestic machines. All this is more or less speculation on my part as I am not in any way experienced in such things.

If there is bleed from one side of the tape to the other (both sides of the tape having been recorded on) would erasing one side solve this problem? In other words, there would then be nothing to bleed through. Only one side of the tape is needed and, to be honest, the other side can be erased as far as I'm concerned.

So, in short, I am guessing that the kind of domestic reel-to-reel machine that was common in the 70s, 80s and could record in stereo is what is required. Beyond that, I will have to ask the company involved for their requirements.

Thanks in advance.
Chris.

P.S. Any expenses will, of course, also be met and covered by myself.

Hi Chris

Dad has a couple of these in working order, ill have to check what models but we are based in Romford if that helps?

Having thought about it some more - on the bus! - I guess it is a 2-track machine that we are talking about here.

I was told that the Revox machine would only play back in mono and, from this, I took it to mean that it only had one record/playback head. All I can tell you about the machine is that it was used on a professional-basis in the 1960s and 70s. I am guessing, therefore, that either a 2-track or 4-track machine would do the trick.

What I am not clear about, however, is just how and why sound should bleed from one side of the tape to the other. One of life's little mysteries (to me!).

Thanks both of you for your interest and help.

Chris

Hi Chris
Jim's reply is correct.
All tracks are on one side of the tape, when you get to the end and turn the reel over you are working in parallel but running in the opposite direction.
Alan

Are you shure its not print through? This happens when reel tapes are not rewound from time to time

Must say that this sounds like a print-through issue to me.

I think Jim is right that the tape has been recorded in 4-track mode (stereo). If you try to play such a tape on a 2-track machine you get this 'bleeding' effect.
Track 1 and 3 are the right and left channel of one running direction, track 2 and 4 of the other direction.
If you have a look at the head of 2-track machine you see that it covers 2.3 mm of e.i. track one. If a 4-track tape is used track 1 and 3 cover a space of 2.75 mm (1mm of track 1, 0.75 mm space and 1mm of track 2). The result is that the 2-track head reads track 1 plus 0.55 mm of track 2.
The only solution is a 4-track machine.

Ulrich

PS. Please consider that I am no native Speaker when reading my comments. Sorry in advance for any mistakes.

Thanks folks.

Yeah, I guess it could be 'print through' as the tape hasn't been played for about 20 years. I am still of the view that by erasing the unwanted tracks this might provide a solution.

Anyway, I received this email this morning...

Thanks Chris

The Revox is a 2 track machine which records and plays back across the whole width of the tape. We probably need a domestic 4 track machine which allows for the tape to be turned over.

If you are unable to source this I may know someone that can help. If there are any costs involved I can let you know in advance.


Let me know if you have any luck otherwise I'll make enquiries.

Have a great weekend.

I'm sure this all makes perfect sense. I'll admit that I genuinely believed that the tape was recorded on BOTH SIDES. As I say, it's been a loooooooooooooooooong time since I have been able to play/record these tapes and the machine has long since died a death!

Thanks again.