Ampex ATR 700

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by Rayooo

Print through was a problem. Back in the day I recall hearing a pre-echo at the start of many recordings.

Now that you mention it...

[Rayooo]

...and then there was the time when Willie Nelson, who as the story goes was in a session using a new Ampex ATR-124 .. the ATR-124 apparently went totally down, and Willie himself was reported to have saluted the machine in a not so nice way involving bodily fluids. Ok, it's time for this old fuddy-duddy (meaning me, not Mr. Nelson) to go back in his cave.

[jdandy]

Rayoo.......Print through is still an issue with analog tape. You can hear pre-echo on the CD of Shelby Lynn - Just A Little Lovin'. That CD was recorded on tape.

[Rayooo]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Rayoo.......Print through is still an issue with analog tape. You can hear pre-echo on the CD of Shelby Lynn - Just A Little Lovin'. That CD was recorded on tape.

interesting, I guess I was assuming 99% would have been digitally these days.
Some places I recall stayed at 15ips, lower S/N, less magnetic energy on tape..and thus less print through.

[W9TR]

Thanks, all, for keeping this thread alive with some very interesting background. I decided I have too many irons in the fire right now to add R2R into the mix. If a privately used Studer A80 half track comes along, resistance will be futile!

[djwhog]

yep I have stacks of 45 and 457 grand master tape. Had a connection source with Pro Audio Filament and also direct with a buddy in northern cal at Ampex.

You could record way hot on that stuff.

Many of the re-masters we buy on cd are from those tapes.

Love to own that deck Dan

[Rayooo]

Not sure what I'd be able to do with it, but it sure would be cool to own one of those old Ampex ATR-100s yeesh.

..more useless Ampex trivia, probably not even 100% true but it's a funny story just the same:

'young engineer at Ampex way way back when had this idea for increasing S/N ratio in Audio recording systems. At the time as the story goes, Ampex mgmnt. said in so many words. "S/N ratio (i.e. tape hisssssssssss) is good as is, no need to change things." 'young engineers name was Ray Dolby. ..yes that Dolby.

[Scottsmrnyc]

I now have a Tascam ATR 60 and a Tascam ATR 80. I would not every buy a Studer and you could correct me if I am wrong about this. I have heard a number of Studer/Revox Reel to Reel Machines and I feel that the Studer Decks were designed in post WW2 Europe to playback mostly classical music; not that I have anything against classical music. Every time I heard a Studer it sounded very thin in the bass and mids. I do feel that the Tascam signature sound is far more well rounded and fuller in the bass and mids. I bought my Tascam ATR 60 for $1800 and my Tascam ATR 80 for $3400; this includes the shipping charges. Both units are totally in mint condition. The fact that Studer is the originator of reel to reel is of little importance to me.

[Myles B. Astor]

Originally Posted by Scottsmrnyc

I now have a Tascam ATR 60 and a Tascam ATR 80. I would not every buy a Studer and you could correct me if I am wrong about this. I have heard a number of Studer/Revox Reel to Reel Machines and I feel that the Studer Decks were designed in post WW2 Europe to playback mostly classical music; not that I have anything against classical music. Every time I heard a Studer it sounded very thin in the bass and mids. I do feel that the Tascam signature sound is far more well rounded and fuller in the bass and mids. I bought my Tascam ATR 60 for $1800 and my Tascam ATR 80 for $3400; this includes the shipping charges. Both units are totally in mint condition. The fact that Studer is the originator of reel to reel is of little importance to me.

Sure that's not the head bump you're hearing? Have you checked the head alignment lately?

[tony-w]

Originally Posted by Scottsmrnyc

I now have a Tascam ATR 60 and a Tascam ATR 80. I would not every buy a Studer and you could correct me if I am wrong about this. I have heard a number of Studer/Revox Reel to Reel Machines and I feel that the Studer Decks were designed in post WW2 Europe to playback mostly classical music; not that I have anything against classical music. Every time I heard a Studer it sounded very thin in the bass and mids. I do feel that the Tascam signature sound is far more well rounded and fuller in the bass and mids. I bought my Tascam ATR 60 for $1800 and my Tascam ATR 80 for $3400; this includes the shipping charges. Both units are totally in mint condition. The fact that Studer is the originator of reel to reel is of little importance to me.

I've owned both, and never noticed any thinness on the Studer. I definitely prefer 30ips over 15ips, and always felt the bottom was tighter without much missing at the faster speed.