Tape Guide (Q and A) (Jun. 1975)

Tape Deck Minus Electronics?

Q. I am considering the purchase of a tape transport which has no electronics. Does this use regular stereo preamps, or is there a certain kind to get? Is there anything else needed besides the preamps?

-Ed Hansen, Jr., Akron, Ohio.

A. I strongly advise against buying just a tape transport with the idea of adding electronics unless you intend just to play prerecorded tapes. In such case you connect the playback head to the Tape Head input of an amplifier (Many amplifiers, though not all, have such inputs.). If your amplifier lacks such an input, you can get a separate playback preamp to provide amplification and equalization (bass boost). These amps are available from audio stores and catalog houses.

If you wish to record, then you need record electronics, a much more elaborate affair which includes equalization (mainly treble boost), amplification, bias current to the record head and to the erase head, and a recording level indicator. I don't know where you can buy such electronics other than in a recorder.

More on Dolby

Q. I am considering the purchase of a cassette deck. Several of the new recorders which use the Dolby system seem tempting, but I'm puzzled.

Since many of my tapes will be prerecorded without benefit of Dolby, will they suffer from playback de emphasis on a Dolby deck? Is it expected that pre-recorded cassettes will be Dolbyized soon? Do decks provide for switching the Dolby circuits in and out?

-John F. Motch; Sunnyvale, California

A. More and more cassette machines, and open-reel ones as well, will be using the Dolby B system. They without exception will include a switch for taking the Dolby compensation out of the system, so that previously recorded tapes can be played back properly. There are increasing signs of Dolbyized pre-recorded tapes in cassette and open-reel form.

Making Quieter Recordings

Q. Would I profit by taking one of the following actions? (1) Having the bias adjusted on my TEAC for low noise Scotch 203 tape. (2) Purchasing an Advent 101 Dolby Noise Reduction System for use with my TEAC and standard Scotch 150 tape. If I adapt my TEAC to use low-noise tape, what effect would this have on my recorded Scotch 150 tapes?

-Edward R. Kosek Jr.; Killeen, Texas

A. If you find that tape noise is already very low and therefore not a problem, it would seem that you would settle for the simpler and less costly of your two alternatives, namely to have your machine adjusted for low-noise tape. These adjustments involve only the record electronics.

Playback of previously recorded tape would not be affected.

FM Recording from TV Antenna

Q. I live 60 miles from Atlanta, and I want to record from my stereo receiver which uses an antenna intended for black and white TV. When I listen to FM, the meter pointer never goes all the way to the 5 position, but stops near 4. Should I get a separate FM antenna? I have another TV antenna designed for color. Should I use this antenna, with a splitter?

-Alexander Stewart; Tallapoosa, Georgia

A. In fringe areas it is often desirable to use an antenna designed specifically for FM, rather than one designed for a broader range, as is the case with TV. On the other hand, TV antennas designed for color are often adequate for FM as well (unless designed to omit the FM range). If your FM programs come in noise free, particularly on stereo, the antenna you are using is satisfactory.

Squeal From White Box Tape

Q. Several of my older recording tapes, on 7-in. reels, cause a very annoying high-pitched squeal when played back. Newer tapes don't squeal. It seems to be a mechanically-produced sound, although the vibration also distorts the audio output. The tapes are 1800-foot Mylar, supposedly lubricated (according to the box), priced at $1.99. I've cleaned and lubricated the record, erase, and playback heads and tape guides, but still get the squeal. I use a Wollensak T-1500 machine, which has had moderate use and no head replacements.

-Kenneth N. Sewall; 44 Lakewood Terrace, Bloomfield, N.J.

A. Apparently you are experiencing one of the problems that accompany use of cheap white box tape. Not that high-price, high quality tapes are always free of such problems. But there is substantially less risk of running into problems with better, name brand tapes. I know of no really good suggestions beyond the measures which you have already tried. It may be necessary for you to throw away the tapes that give you trouble.

Where Can I Find...?

Q. I am interested in three hi-fi items, but I'm having difficulty locating them. First is a converter which will power an eight-track tape player in a car with a six volt system.

The others are containers for open reel and 8-track cartridge tapes. I need something more sturdy than the containers provided with prerecorded and blank tapes

-David S. Johnson; APO, San Francisco

A. Metal containers for open reel tapes can be obtained from photography stores (these are used for film reels). With respect to the other equipment you are seeking, I suggest that you check your local phone book and those of nearby cities for parts stores. If none are close enough, write to Lafayette Radio, Box 88, Syossett, N.Y. 11791, or to Radio Shack, 2617 West Seventh St., Fort Worth, Texas 76017, asking for their (free) catalogs.

(Source: Audio magazine, Jun. 1975; Herman Burstein)

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