Re: [ARSCLIST] Consumer open reel EQ curve?

[Jeffrey Kane <jeffkane@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks SO much, the info is invaluable!

As for what's wrong with the internal preamp? Long story and you may be
sorry you asked. I'll actually still be able to use it if I switch back to
the original headblock (I'm going with a Manley Tapehead that requires high
inductance heads so I'm doing a separate headblock for each).

I find that older recordings (ESPECIALLY two track) sound more lifelike with
tubes in the chain. It may be simple personal bias and placebo effect but
solid state doesn't convey the full presence of the recording to my ears.
This is particularly apparent with early two-track Mercury Living Presence
reels (which are generally just astonishingly good recordings IMO).

The ReVox G36 that I started out with has many many flaws (not the least of
which is positively Cro-Magnon tape handling) but there's a certain
"rightness" about the sound I've never been able to achieve with any solid
state deck I've used.

To me the A807/TapeHead combo represents a beautiful combination. State of
the art tape handling and heads with tube playback electronics.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
> [mailto:ARSCLIST@xxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Richard L. Hess
> Sent: Monday, November 15, 2004 4:13 PM
> To: ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Consumer open reel EQ curve?
>
> Hi, Jeff,
>
> What's wrong with the internal preamp on the A807? (I have my own pet
> peeves, but I'm wondering why you're going the external route).
>
> AME was never a consumer format, so I would dismiss that. I am one of a
> handful of people equipped for AME reproduction on current equipment, and
> I've supplied some of the AME filters to other transfer houses. You'll
> find
> it on 2- and 3-channel masters from the 1960s at 15 in/s. See the info at
> http://www.flash.net/~mrltapes
>
> CCIR is widely used in Europe, but I doubt (m)any of your tapes will be
> that format. A stock A807 can be set up to switch between CCIR and NAB.
>
> Please note that at 3.75 in/s, there is no difference between U.S. (NAB)
> and European practice. Again, see the MRL Web site. The table on page 3 of
> the "Choosing and Using..." document indicates that the IEC EQ was used
> only in professional circles in Europe. Consumer machines and pre-recorded
> tapes worldwide apparently followed the NAB standards.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Richard
>
> At 03:44 PM 11/15/2004 -0600, you wrote:
> >I'm getting a Studer A807 fitted out for archival use and plan to use an
> >external head preamp. I've been asked what EQ curve I'd like to use (NAB,
> >CCIR or AME) but am not sure what curve, if any, was used for consumer
> open
> >reel decks and/or commercially duplicated reels? Most of what I'll be
> >working with is 2 and 4 track reels at 7 1/2 IPS, with about a 50/50 mix
> of
> >consumer recorded and pre-recorded reels. In cases where I have recording
> >deck info it's generally machines such as older Teac A series, Sony and
> Akai
> >units of '60s vintage. Any help is greatly appreciated.
> >
> >
> >
> >Thanks,
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >Jeff Kane