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Tape Machine Guide

Article from Sound Engineer and Producer, February 1986

Tape machine listing



Only dedicated open reel recorders are listed, whether analog or digital. Cassette machines and worthy adaptations of video recorders will have to wait until another issue.

The recorders listed range from mono to 32 track, ⅛" to 2". Hence format and tape width were obviously important categories. Some machines have interchangeable headblocks and we have tried to make this clear, where applicable.

Some machines are available with an almost endless range of options. While we have tried to include the more common of these, there will be omissions.

For distributors, the names and addresses given are the usual UK contacts.

Noise reduction is a category which bears further explanation. For a machine to be included in this section it must have a dedicated unit available from the manufacturer. Many units that are often supplied with Dolby A are therefore annotated with a cursory 'no'.

Prices have been omitted entirely. There are several reasons for this, not least is the reluctance of some suppliers to quote prices. Prices will, in any case, vary with the specific option selected, purchaser status and servicing agreements.

As with the console survey, no figures are given for such specifications as signal-to-noise. Without a standardised measurement system and verified figures, it was felt that valid comparison could not be made between machines.

TAPE MACHINE GUIDE

SeriesModelTape WidthTracksSpool SizeAnalog or Digitalips Running SpeedNR?RemoteAutolocate
ACES (UK), (Contact Details)
MP16MP16½"1610½"A15SED on boardIncludedOptional
TR24TR242"2410½"A15OptionalIncludedOptional
AVM FERROGRAPH, (Contact Details)
77¼"Full track mono, half track mono or half track stereo.10½"ATwo speed from 15/16 to 15NoOptional
FOSTEX, Atlantex Bandive, (Contact Details)
A20 (SMPTE interface)¼"27"A15/7½ switchableDolby C on boardOptional
A80 (SMPTE interface)¼"87"A15Dolby C on boardOptional
B16½"1610½"A15Dolby C on boardOptional
LYREC, Scenic Sounds Equipment, (Contact Details)
TR 5322" or 1" 88/16/2410½"A15NoIncludedIncluded
TR 55½" or ¼"210½"A15/7½NoOptional
MITSUBISHI, (Contact Details)
X80 (transportable)
80A (studio console)
¼"Stereo programme over 8 PCM and analog cue and SMPTE10½"D15NoNo
X8501"32 audio — 40 PCM, 2 analog, 1 SMPTE, 2 dataD30NoNoOptional
NAGRA, Hayden Laboratories, (Contact Details)
IV 8NQS-LC
NQS-LN
¼"Stereo + Nagra sync7" or 10½" with adaptorA3¾/7½/15NoNoNo
NQS-LSPC
NQS-LSPN
¼"Stereo7" or 15" with adaptorA3¾/7½/15NoNoNo
SNS-3SNS-3⅛"Stereo2⅝"A15/16 / 1⅞ or 1⅞ / 3¾NoNoNo
ENE-DFC
NE-DAN
¼"Stereo7" or 10½" with adaptorANoNoNo
IV SJ¼"Stereo + Nagra sync7" or 10½" with adaptorANoNoNo
ISDISD
ISDT
¼"Mono7"A7½ — ISD
7½/3¾ — ISDT
NoNoNo
ISLISL
ISLT
¼"Mono and neopilot7"A7½ — ISL
7½/3¾ — ISLT
NoNoNo
OTARI ELECTRIC (UK), (Contact Details)
MX5050B2II¼"Mono, stereo or DIN stereo10½A7½ and 15NoCB102
CB110
Optional
MX5050MKIII-2¼"Mono, stereo or DIN stereo10½A7½, 15NoCB114
Optional
MX5050BQ-II¼"410½A7½, 15NoCB102
CB110
Optional
MX5050MKIII-4½"410½A7½, 15NoOB114
Optional
MX5050MKIII-8½"810½A7½, 15NoCB114
Optional
CB116
Optional
MX70161"1610½A15,30NoIncludedOptional
MX708/161"8 (pre-wired 16)10½A15,30NoIncludedOptional
MX7081"810½A15,30NoIncludedOptional
MTR12¼"212½"A3¾/7½/15 or 7½/15/30NoOB111
CB102
Optional
CB109
Optional
MTR10½"210½"A3¾/7½/15 or 7½/15/30No
MTR90 MKII90/81"8 (prewired up to 24)14A15/30NoIncludedOptional EC101
chase lock synch
90/162"1614A15/30NoIncluded
16/24216 (24)14A15/30NoIncluded
2422414A15/30NoIncluded
REVOX, FWO Bauch, (Contact Details)
B77¼"Mono, ½ track, ¼ track10½"ATwo speed from 15/16 to 15NoNoOptional
PR99¼"Mono, ½ track, ¼ track10½"ATwo speed 7½, 15NoNoOptional
STUDER, FWO Bauch Ltd, (Contact Details)
A80VU16(24)C
24C
24W
2"16 or 2410½A7¼/15 or 15/30NoOptionalOptional
A80VUVideo tape laybackPAL B or C10½"A7¼/15NoOptionalOptional
A80MRCassette mastering½ or 1"210½"A3¾ and 7½Dolby HX add onOptional
A80QCQuality control⅛"1 or 210½"A1⅞NoOptional
A8008-1"1"814"A7½/15 15/30NoOptionalOptional
A80016(24)-2 24-2 24/2LS2"16 or 2414"A7½/15 or 15/30NoOptionalOptional
A810¼"Mono, 2 track, centre code or PIL/TC10½A3¾, 7½ 15 and 30 all machinesNoOptional
D820¼"DASH14D15NoOptional
A820¼ or ½"Mono, stereo, twin track or timecode12¼ or 14"A3¾, 7½ 15, 30NoOptional
SONY BROADCAST, (Contact Details)
MCI JH110Many options¼ or ½"Mono, 2 or 4 in various combinations10½" or 14"A7½/15/30 or 3¾/7½/15NoOptional JH-100C
RTZ 111/SRC or JH-100C-R/L
MCI JH110B-3 LBJH-110B-3-LB1"C format video 3 track10½ NAB 'B' or 3,5,7" NAB 'A'A9.606NoAutolocator III optional
MCI JH 2424-8, 24-16/8,
24-16, 24-24/16, 24-24
1 or 2"1" 8
2" 16/24
Quick change heads
14"A15/30NoAuto locator III optional
Sony APR-2003APR-2003¼"2 audio and centre track5"A7½/3¾Dolby A adaptorNo, portable machine
Sony APR-5000APR-5000¼"Mono, stereo or IEC centre track.Available from 3½ to 12½"A3¾/7½/15 or 7½/15/30NoOptional
Sony PCM 3324PCM 3324½"24 and 2 analog and 2 timecode/controlD (DASH)7½/15/30NoOptionalRM3310
Sony PCM 3102PCM 3102¼"2 digital, 2 analog, 1 timecode12½"D (DASH)NoOptional
SOUNDCRAFT MAGNETICS, (Contact Details)
2020¼" or ½"Mono or 2 track14"A7½/15/30NoOptionalExternal computer control via RS 232C/RS 442
381381-81"810½A15NoOptionalNo
760761-161"1610½A15/30NoOptionalOptional
760762-162"1610½A15/30NoOptionalOptional
760762-242"2410½A15/30NoOptionalOptional
STELLAVOX, Future Film Developments, (Contact Details)
SR8SR8¼"Mono, stereo master, stereo or Stella Diapilot5" or 10½ with ABR add orA3¾/7½/15NoNoNo
SM8SM8¼"Stereo master recording5" or 12" with ABR add onA3¾/7½/15Plug in companderNoNo
SP8SP8¼"Mono, mono pilot neo, stereo master recording, stereo, stereo pilots synchrotone, Stella dia pilot5" or 10½A3¾/7½/15NoNoNo
SU8SU8¼"Mono, mono pilot neo, stereo, stereo pilot synchrotone, Stella dia pilot, mono stereo pilot5" or ABR add onA3¾/7½/15NoNo
SI8SI8¼"Instrumentation pilot5" or ABR add onANoNoNo
SI8SI8¼"Instrumentation pilot5" or ABR add onANoNoNo
TD9TD9⅛/¼/½"All above formats plus stereo master recording, tetra master recording, (mono) stereo pilot, tetra pilot14"A3¾/7½/15/30NoOptionalNo
TASCAM, Harman (UK), (Contact Details)
2022-2¼"27"A15/7½ switchableOptional DBXRP22 remote pause optionalNo
2022-4¼"47"A15/71/2 switchableOptional DBXRC71
RP70
Punch in optional
No
3032¼"210½"A15/7½ switchableOptional DBXRC71 optional
RC30P punch in
No
3034¼"410½"A15/7½ switchableOptional DBXRC71 optional
RC30P punch in
No
3038½"810½"A15Optional DBXRC71
RC30P
Punch in
No
34B34B (mic inputs)¼"410½"A15/7½Optional DBXOptionalNo
388388 (recorder/mixer)¼"87"ADBX switchableRC71
RC30P
Punch in optional
AQ65 optional
4042¼"210½"A15/7½ switchableOptional DBXOptionalNo
44 (SMPTE compatible)¼"410½"A15/7½ switchableOptional DBXOptionalNo
48 (SMPTE compatible)¼"810½"A15Optional DBXOptional RC30P
Punch in
No
5052 (SMPTE compatible)¼"210½"A15/7½ switchableOptional DBXOptional RC50No
58 (SMPTE compatible)½"810½"A15Optional DBXOptional RC50
RC51
No
MS16MS16 (SMPTE compatible)1"1610½"A15Optional DBXOptional RC65AQ65
UHER UK, (Contact Details)
Report Monitor2000¼"Mono5"A15/16, 1⅞, 3¾, 7½NoNoNo
Report Monitor2200¼"½ track5"A15/16, 1⅞, 3¾, 7½NoNoNo
Report Monitor2400¼"¼ track5"A15/16, 1⅞, 3¾, 7½NoNoNo



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Sound Engineer and Producer - Feb 1986

Donated & scanned by: Mike Gorman

Topic:

Buyer's Guide


Feature by Simon Croft

Previous article in this issue:

> Sennheiser MKH 40

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TAPE MACHINE GUIDE

SeriesModelTape WidthTracksSpool SizeAnalog or Digitalips Running SpeedNR?RemoteAutolocate
ACES (UK), (Contact Details)
MP16MP16½"1610½"A15SED on boardIncludedOptional
TR24TR242"2410½"A15OptionalIncludedOptional
AVM FERROGRAPH, (Contact Details)
77¼"Full track mono, half track mono or half track stereo.10½"ATwo speed from 15/16 to 15NoOptional
FOSTEX, Atlantex Bandive, (Contact Details)
A20 (SMPTE interface)¼"27"A15/7½ switchableDolby C on boardOptional
A80 (SMPTE interface)¼"87"A15Dolby C on boardOptional
B16½"1610½"A15Dolby C on boardOptional
LYREC, Scenic Sounds Equipment, (Contact Details)
TR 5322" or 1" 88/16/2410½"A15NoIncludedIncluded
TR 55½" or ¼"210½"A15/7½NoOptional
MITSUBISHI, (Contact Details)
X80 (transportable)
80A (studio console)
¼"Stereo programme over 8 PCM and analog cue and SMPTE10½"D15NoNo
X8501"32 audio — 40 PCM, 2 analog, 1 SMPTE, 2 dataD30NoNoOptional
NAGRA, Hayden Laboratories, (Contact Details)
IV 8NQS-LC
NQS-LN
¼"Stereo + Nagra sync7" or 10½" with adaptorA3¾/7½/15NoNoNo
NQS-LSPC
NQS-LSPN
¼"Stereo7" or 15" with adaptorA3¾/7½/15NoNoNo
SNS-3SNS-3⅛"Stereo2⅝"A15/16 / 1⅞ or 1⅞ / 3¾NoNoNo
ENE-DFC
NE-DAN
¼"Stereo7" or 10½" with adaptorANoNoNo
IV SJ¼"Stereo + Nagra sync7" or 10½" with adaptorANoNoNo
ISDISD
ISDT
¼"Mono7"A7½ — ISD
7½/3¾ — ISDT
NoNoNo
ISLISL
ISLT
¼"Mono and neopilot7"A7½ — ISL
7½/3¾ — ISLT
NoNoNo
OTARI ELECTRIC (UK), (Contact Details)
MX5050B2II¼"Mono, stereo or DIN stereo10½A7½ and 15NoCB102
CB110
Optional
MX5050MKIII-2¼"Mono, stereo or DIN stereo10½A7½, 15NoCB114
Optional
MX5050BQ-II¼"410½A7½, 15NoCB102
CB110
Optional
MX5050MKIII-4½"410½A7½, 15NoOB114
Optional
MX5050MKIII-8½"810½A7½, 15NoCB114
Optional
CB116
Optional
MX70161"1610½A15,30NoIncludedOptional
MX708/161"8 (pre-wired 16)10½A15,30NoIncludedOptional
MX7081"810½A15,30NoIncludedOptional
MTR12¼"212½"A3¾/7½/15 or 7½/15/30NoOB111
CB102
Optional
CB109
Optional
MTR10½"210½"A3¾/7½/15 or 7½/15/30No
MTR90 MKII90/81"8 (prewired up to 24)14A15/30NoIncludedOptional EC101
chase lock synch
90/162"1614A15/30NoIncluded
16/24216 (24)14A15/30NoIncluded
2422414A15/30NoIncluded
REVOX, FWO Bauch, (Contact Details)
B77¼"Mono, ½ track, ¼ track10½"ATwo speed from 15/16 to 15NoNoOptional
PR99¼"Mono, ½ track, ¼ track10½"ATwo speed 7½, 15NoNoOptional
STUDER, FWO Bauch Ltd, (Contact Details)
A80VU16(24)C
24C
24W
2"16 or 2410½A7¼/15 or 15/30NoOptionalOptional
A80VUVideo tape laybackPAL B or C10½"A7¼/15NoOptionalOptional
A80MRCassette mastering½ or 1"210½"A3¾ and 7½Dolby HX add onOptional
A80QCQuality control⅛"1 or 210½"A1⅞NoOptional
A8008-1"1"814"A7½/15 15/30NoOptionalOptional
A80016(24)-2 24-2 24/2LS2"16 or 2414"A7½/15 or 15/30NoOptionalOptional
A810¼"Mono, 2 track, centre code or PIL/TC10½A3¾, 7½ 15 and 30 all machinesNoOptional
D820¼"DASH14D15NoOptional
A820¼ or ½"Mono, stereo, twin track or timecode12¼ or 14"A3¾, 7½ 15, 30NoOptional
SONY BROADCAST, (Contact Details)
MCI JH110Many options¼ or ½"Mono, 2 or 4 in various combinations10½" or 14"A7½/15/30 or 3¾/7½/15NoOptional JH-100C
RTZ 111/SRC or JH-100C-R/L
MCI JH110B-3 LBJH-110B-3-LB1"C format video 3 track10½ NAB 'B' or 3,5,7" NAB 'A'A9.606NoAutolocator III optional
MCI JH 2424-8, 24-16/8,
24-16, 24-24/16, 24-24
1 or 2"1" 8
2" 16/24
Quick change heads
14"A15/30NoAuto locator III optional
Sony APR-2003APR-2003¼"2 audio and centre track5"A7½/3¾Dolby A adaptorNo, portable machine
Sony APR-5000APR-5000¼"Mono, stereo or IEC centre track.Available from 3½ to 12½"A3¾/7½/15 or 7½/15/30NoOptional
Sony PCM 3324PCM 3324½"24 and 2 analog and 2 timecode/controlD (DASH)7½/15/30NoOptionalRM3310
Sony PCM 3102PCM 3102¼"2 digital, 2 analog, 1 timecode12½"D (DASH)NoOptional
SOUNDCRAFT MAGNETICS, (Contact Details)
2020¼" or ½"Mono or 2 track14"A7½/15/30NoOptionalExternal computer control via RS 232C/RS 442
381381-81"810½A15NoOptionalNo
760761-161"1610½A15/30NoOptionalOptional
760762-162"1610½A15/30NoOptionalOptional
760762-242"2410½A15/30NoOptionalOptional
STELLAVOX, Future Film Developments, (Contact Details)
SR8SR8¼"Mono, stereo master, stereo or Stella Diapilot5" or 10½ with ABR add orA3¾/7½/15NoNoNo
SM8SM8¼"Stereo master recording5" or 12" with ABR add onA3¾/7½/15Plug in companderNoNo
SP8SP8¼"Mono, mono pilot neo, stereo master recording, stereo, stereo pilots synchrotone, Stella dia pilot5" or 10½A3¾/7½/15NoNoNo
SU8SU8¼"Mono, mono pilot neo, stereo, stereo pilot synchrotone, Stella dia pilot, mono stereo pilot5" or ABR add onA3¾/7½/15NoNo
SI8SI8¼"Instrumentation pilot5" or ABR add onANoNoNo
SI8SI8¼"Instrumentation pilot5" or ABR add onANoNoNo
TD9TD9⅛/¼/½"All above formats plus stereo master recording, tetra master recording, (mono) stereo pilot, tetra pilot14"A3¾/7½/15/30NoOptionalNo
TASCAM, Harman (UK), (Contact Details)
2022-2¼"27"A15/7½ switchableOptional DBXRP22 remote pause optionalNo
2022-4¼"47"A15/71/2 switchableOptional DBXRC71
RP70
Punch in optional
No
3032¼"210½"A15/7½ switchableOptional DBXRC71 optional
RC30P punch in
No
3034¼"410½"A15/7½ switchableOptional DBXRC71 optional
RC30P punch in
No
3038½"810½"A15Optional DBXRC71
RC30P
Punch in
No
34B34B (mic inputs)¼"410½"A15/7½Optional DBXOptionalNo
388388 (recorder/mixer)¼"87"ADBX switchableRC71
RC30P
Punch in optional
AQ65 optional
4042¼"210½"A15/7½ switchableOptional DBXOptionalNo
44 (SMPTE compatible)¼"410½"A15/7½ switchableOptional DBXOptionalNo
48 (SMPTE compatible)¼"810½"A15Optional DBXOptional RC30P
Punch in
No
5052 (SMPTE compatible)¼"210½"A15/7½ switchableOptional DBXOptional RC50No
58 (SMPTE compatible)½"810½"A15Optional DBXOptional RC50
RC51
No
MS16MS16 (SMPTE compatible)1"1610½"A15Optional DBXOptional RC65AQ65
UHER UK, (Contact Details)
Report Monitor2000¼"Mono5"A15/16, 1⅞, 3¾, 7½NoNoNo
Report Monitor2200¼"½ track5"A15/16, 1⅞, 3¾, 7½NoNoNo
Report Monitor2400¼"¼ track5"A15/16, 1⅞, 3¾, 7½NoNoNo



More with this topic


Browse by Topic:

Buyer's Guide



Previous Article in this issue

Sennheiser MKH 40

Next article in this issue

Soundings


Publisher: Sound Engineer and Producer - Media Week Ltd.

The current copyright owner/s of this content may differ from the originally published copyright notice.
More details on copyright ownership...

 

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