Test TDK Tape

Pure_Brew · Sep 17, 2011

The 1020 isn't up and running yet. The belt kit didn't arrive yet hopefully Monday. The 9191 has proven to be awful compared to the recording you sent mostly noise wise. It plays back fine but I think I have succeeded in wearing out the first couple minutes of the tape, I've been working on the Zeppelin side. Where should I send this tape to next ...?

Pure_Brew · Sep 17, 2011

The tape itself sounded smooth to me- nice. Hard to compare others at the moment as the shift in noise seems higher and defineatly not so fresh anymore

Elite-ist · Sep 17, 2011

I'll give the TDK Test Tape a try. If there is a member closer to you, Joe, you can send it there first. Otherwise, if there are no other takers, please let me know, and I"ll PM you my mailing address.

Nando.

Pure_Brew · Sep 18, 2011

On distance you know better then I. I'm in Maine. Seems like theres a bunch of you to the west. If you pm me I'll try to get it out Monday.

Take care,
Joe

Elite-ist · Sep 18, 2011

Pure_Brew said:

I'll send you my mailing address. If no members reply by today, perhaps you can mail the TDK tape to me. I would be interested if I get similar results as you with my Pioneer CT-F9191. That's provided I can find it in the storage room, and it still works.

Nando.

Pure_Brew · Sep 18, 2011

Ok cool. My deck is pretty noisy. Funny I didn't notice it originally. At least not this bad.

I have no luck with analog playback sources. Earlier this year I had spun through 3 TT's. Speed issues, platter warping etc. You'd think new would be safe Arrrrgh!

Elite-ist · Sep 18, 2011

Pure_Brew said:

Hi Joe,

Speaking of which: did you find replacement feet for your Pioneer turntable?

So, the noise you speak of while recording with your Pioneer CT-F9191 is excessive hiss, without using Dolby B?

Nando.

Pure_Brew · Sep 18, 2011

Yes, without dolby b, there's alot of hiss but it seems higher than before. When I went to chrome tape it went down. Seems like it's back on the rise for some reason. B works, but the quality is not as good.

I don't have a pioneer TT, I don't have any TTs at the moment.

Elite-ist · Sep 18, 2011

Pure_Brew said:

Sorry about that, Joe, it's Robert who owns a Pioneer PL-518. If I do get the CT-F9191 up and running I'll post my results.

Nando.

speakerman1 · Sep 18, 2011

Pure_Brew said:

Sometimes it is bad to have a comparison.

Larry

Pure_Brew · Sep 18, 2011

No problemo. Yeah wait till you here Larrys acoustic side. Makes mine sound like AM radio lol. Hey, at least the deck plays well which was more then I expected at the beginning of this whole endeavor.

You know, it seems like it would be a simple thing to feedback noise in reverse polarity to itself and mix it in, to cancel it.

Elite-ist · Sep 18, 2011

Pure_Brew said:

Joe; Interesting concept. I would say it's doable. It could be an add-on box for us nostalgic cassette deck users.

Larry's recordings are good, and I made the comment in the Traveling Guitar Tape that his recordings of acoustic guitar truly showed off the potential of his system.

Nando.

Pure_Brew · Sep 18, 2011

I'm revisiting a BASF tape of Debussy I made, using Dolby B to get the noise to a tolerable level and it sounds fine on playback as it did before. Maybe I'll try to do that on Larrys tape before I ship it out.

I'm going to try to experiment with the noise thing maybe tomorrow. I can only think to try my laptop to sample then playback with some polarity reversed interconnents. Probably the BEST thing to do for this deck is professional service. I don't know how to align everything, adjust bias etc. There's alot of info in the service manual but I'd need some equipment to do that. Hmm maybe someday.

Cheers

speakerman1 · Sep 18, 2011

We did some mods to cancel out engine noise in the cabin of the aircraft. If you can get the right freq. You can use white noise to cancel it out. You just have to find the freq.of the hiss.

Larry

laatsch55 · Sep 18, 2011

Ergo, you need some equipment. I have some equipment, just need to learn how to use it.

speakerman1 · Sep 18, 2011

Pure_Brew said:

I'm revisiting a BASF tape of Debussy I made, using Dolby B to get the noise to a tolerable level and it sounds fine on playback as it did before. Maybe I'll try to do that on Larrys tape before I ship it out.

I'm going to try to experiment with the noise thing maybe tomorrow. I can only think to try my laptop to sample then playback with some polarity reversed interconnents. Probably the BEST thing to do for this deck is professional service. I don't know how to align everything, adjust bias etc. There's alot of info in the service manual but I'd need some equipment to do that. Hmm maybe someday.

Cheers

Test tapes are expensive for sure. Now there is a Jig floating around for Nak decks.

Larry

Pure_Brew · Sep 18, 2011

Yes if I wanted to replace these NOS chromes, it would likely cost me more then the 50 cents I paid. I find 2, use 1 and keep the other sealed. I haven't tried your blue but at least it's replaceable. Not cheap but replaceable. Seeing how my recorder is noisy I may wait to try it on the yamaha. :cheers:

laatsch55 said:

I do have a oscilloscope but it's single trace and about, oh, 50-60 years old ( heathkit in my avatar)

Pure_Brew · Sep 19, 2011

Pure_Brew said:

Just dropped off at the post office.

I tried recording again. Apparently there are 2 little plastic clips at the bottom of the transport that hold the tape in place and it's easy to misalign if the tape isn't fully positioned with these. Being a single capstan, the tape will sit crooked if not aligned and I think that is why I had excessive noise the first time.

There is still plenty of hiss but it's more tolerable. One whole side has Ray Brown with Dolby B, slightly overdriven. It's wishy washy and piano peaks are ugly.

On the flip side there is a couple more Brown tracks, this time with no Dolby, but with a much hotter signal and the limiter engaged. There is the heaviest recorded bass within that I have, short of electronica mixes, so be aware!
Anyway, this non dolby sound is much much better to me. This is followed by Larry's acoustic tracks.

Larry's signal is HUGE compared to mine and I couldn't completely record over it. You'll see after the end of the track in the space between mine and larrys.

Best wishes,
Joe

Elite-ist · Sep 19, 2011

Hi Joe,

Thank you for forwarding the TDK Test Tape to me. I'll give it a listen, soon after the tape arrives. The Ray Brown you recorded was from CD, I assume? If my CT-F9191 works, I'll give it a try for playback and recording. Then, if no other members want to become involved with this tape test, I can mail it back to you, and you can compare recordings. I'll try to remember to enclose an information sheet listing a few particulars of my recording for reference.

Now, off to find that deck, downstairs!

Nando.

Pure_Brew · Sep 19, 2011

Sounds good! By the way I just tried the same slight overdrive/limiter no Dolby on a FRESH Maxell and I'm pretty pleased. I think trying to record over isn't a strong point of this deck. Is that where 3 heads makes a difference?

Test TDK Tape

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