Tape Guide (Q and A) (June 1970)

4-Track to 2-Track

Q I have a ° ° ° ° tape recorder.

It is four-track, and I would like to make it two-track. I bought the four track so that it would play pre-recorded tapes, but I found these to be of poorer sound quality than records and decided to buy a turntable.

Would it be possible to replace the four-track heads with two-track ones without difficulty, or are there other factors to be considered?

-B. Reichelt, River Edge, New Jersey.

A. It is possible to replace the quarter-track heads satisfactorily with half-track ones. At the same time you will have to take careful measures to achieve accurate vertical and azimuth alignment of the heads. Furthermore, the half-track record head may have different bias and record drive current requirements than the quarter track record head. Your tape recorder contains the necessary internal controls for making the bias and record drive current adjustments; follow the manufacturer's instructions in these respects.

Flywheel Rotors

Q. Certain tape recorders, such as the ° ° ° ° professional machines, use outer rotor hysteresis-synchronous motors. The flywheel is eliminated due to the flywheel action of the rotor. The motor shaft is used as the capstan. I have heard that the use of this arrangement is not desirable, although the ° ° ° ° recorders claim very impressive performance and the machines I have heard sound very fine indeed. Can you give me your opinion on this? I would also appreciate any assistance you could give me as to locating a manufacturer of such a motor: The one used in the ° ° ° ° is a two-speed unit of 900 and 1,800 RPM.

-William B. Neel, APO San Francisco.

A. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. If the ° ° ° ° machine's method of achieving flywheel action results in performance that "sounds very fine indeed," doesn't this endorse the method used? I think that the situation is similar to the one for phono turntables; some manufacturers have used very large motors, while others have used very small ones, but with good engineering both have achieved results that can be called excellent. There is usually more than one way to achieve high quality, and this holds for tape transports as well as for other mechanical devices.

Sorry, but I do not have the information you seek on a manufacturer of motors. I suggest that you consult an industrial electronic supply house. Or, why not order a motor from the manufacturer of the ° ° ° ° tape machines?

Mike Static

Q. I have a ° ° ° ° tape recorder with the microphone which comes with this machine. In taping, and holding the mike in my hand, I get a lot of static. Is there a mike that would eliminate this noise?

-S. Valenza, Jackson Heights, N.Y.

A. Microphones are usually sensitive to scraping or rubbing off their cases. Possibly the static to which you refer is due to such scraping against your fingers, clothes, etc. See what happens if you hold the microphone firmly, without allowing it to rub or brush against anything. If the problem remains, I suggest that you arrange to use the microphone in a stand. Or try other microphones which may be less sensitive to scraping and rubbing.

Noise From The Left

Q. I have a minor problem with my tape recorder. It is definitely electrical rather than mechanical. On some tapes I hear a ticking sound in the left channel. It is not regular but might be described as a crackling sound. It is not of great amplitude, [...missing content...]

(Audio magazine, June 1970; Herman Burstein)

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