Tape Machine Alignment & Maintenance

Send us a text


Tape Machine Alignment & Maintenance


In this second of three parts on recording to magnetic tape, we
look at why proper machine setup is critically important for
good, consistent results. This episode is rather arcane because
we are talking about an obsolete technology. It includes details
on how and why adjustment is necessary, and a rough outline of
how it is done.


Tape machines from different eras and from different
manufacturers have variations on these generic procedures, so if
you want to learn how to do this, you will have to acquire the
manual for your tape machine and follow the alignment
instructions the manufacturer recommends.


But this episode will give you a good sense of what is involved
and what you have to look forward to if you want to record to
tape. I don’t want to discourage anyone from doing this, but I
think it is important to learn some of the basics before
investing in tape technology.


Some of the topics covered are: reference alignment tapes,
setting head azimuth, adjusting record and playback level and
equalization, setting tape bias for best performance (with a
couple of different methods), mechanical wear and adjustment,
parts replacement, and why all these things are necessary.


As always, your comments and suggestions are welcomed. You can
send email to dwfearn@dwfearn.com


And for access to all the episodes of My Take on Music Recording,
you can go to www.dougfearn.com


email: dwfearn@dwfearn.com
www.youtube.com/c/DWFearn
https://dwfearn.com/