chauncey, I understand it is a 1/4" wide tape. the question is, how many tracks are recorded on the tape: 2 or 4? here's a listing:
says 1/4" tape, does not specify 2 track forward or 4 track auto reverse, like a standard 4 track stereo tape, i.e. the pre-recorded ones I buy at 7-1/2" ips. on 7" reels. no info, I presume 4 track stereo, auto reverse. |
IF discogs is correct, then you need a deck with 2 track heads. I would verify with Acoustic Sounds directly. That is the professional/better sound setup. I just cannot imagine not saying so in the tape’s description. ...................................................... There may be a deck with selectable heads, someone like Mike might know. That would be ideally flexible. perhaps a deck can be switched from using a 2 track head (wider tracks) and another separate 4 track head, presumable two forward, two backwards, which is why you want auto-reverse. That’s probably a pipe dream, perhaps make room now to fit two decks if you ever get into pre-recorded 4 track tapes. That machine would need a 7-1/2 IPS option.
.................................................. I had a 2 track deck, (play only) with selectable optional heads. Original 2 track stereo tapes 1956, came in two recording methods, requiring different heads. ’in-line’ tapes: the left and right signals were aligned horizontally/vertically, (’in-line’. quickly became the standard). left signal directly above the right signal, allowing a single 2 track stereo head, record/play one direction only. ’staggered’ tapes the l/r signals were recorded staggered 3/4" apart horizontally/vertically. i.e. they did not align vertically. ..................................... thus the l and r heads had to be either ’in-line’ (single head, two stripes) or ’staggered’ 3/4" apart.(two staggared heads, one l signal; other, 3/4" away r signal. My deck had an inline 2 track stereo head, and a separate single track head 3/4" further along. record staggared, play staggered. switch would select either both track’s of the stereo head for in-line; or switch to 1 track from the 2 track head, other track from the separate head 3/4" further along to play staggered heads.
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I purchased a completely refurbished/rebuilt Revox PR99 MK2 from this company 2 years ago: https://www.techtrader.ch Cost and shipping to the USA was very reasonable for a R2R tape deck this good that looks and performs like new. SQ is the very best I have ever heard. For example, Lyn Stanley 15ips RtR tape London With A Twist, Live At Bernie’s. Stupidly expensive, but, SQ second to none IMHO. Everyone who has heard this tape on my systems simply say "Wow, sounds like live music". This website has a wealth of information on R2R machines and music on tape:
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if you are wanting to be in the realm of state of the art tape playback, you should try to acquire a ’master recorder’ level deck. there are a number of decks at that level that are all capable of sounding great. any of the new decks brought to market recently do not play at that level. these new decks play at the 'Prosumer' and 'Broadcast' level.....but not at the 'master recorder' level. my recommendation would be to find a really good condition Ampex ATR-102. you need to talk to someone who is an expert about it. i would recommend reading this thread on What’s Best Forum about a change i just made from my Studer’s to a pair of ATR-102’s. that thread should answer many questions and provide contact info to a couple of guys who can help you. tape can be awesome.
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