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Reel to Reel uses -

My wife and I love to entertain.  It never ceases to surprise me how many will walk over to my stereo and stare at my Reel to Reel tape deck.  Some under the age of 35, will ask what it is? Others want to know why I have it, and what do I use it for?  Of course I answer their questions, but now it makes we wonder how others use their machines?  I have been following a couple of high end blogs that I really enjoy and see that one gentlemen uses his machine to play master tape copies.  I do this as well, but have no where near the selection that he does.  I make copies of my favorite LP's to play when guests are over, and also make my own master tapes using a couple of neuman's microphones.  I record small jazz trios and solo artists straight to the machine.  People are amazed at how 'real' these tapes sound.  My main reel to reel is a Pioneer RT-1050 high speed half track.  I have a second just like it that I use for the above mentioned site recordings.  I also have a ReVox B-77, a Sony TC-765, and a Crown 822, all half track machines.  Anyone out there making your own masters?

Norman
normansizemore
livin_262002
101 posts
 
Norman,

  PR99 is a very versatile unit though it was marketed mainly to radio stations. It was used more as a playback unit rather than for recording. When I had mine I really liked it. The CCIR mod to PR99 is not a complex one I had planned on changing EQ on mine before I sold it. Also the PR99 had trouble calibrating for a +6 tape like the SM911 and Quantegy 456 the bias oscillators on it didn't put out enough current. That was the main reason I sold mine. That said it could be modded to bias those tapes and CCIR eq.
topoxforddoc's avatar
topoxforddoc
313 posts
 
Since getting into R2R again, I find that I hardly play my turntable (Platine Verdier, GT Audio Battery PSU, Schroeder Model 2/Allaerts MC1B & Hadcock 228/Decca FFSS MkIV). I have 3 R2R decks, all 2 track and 15 IPS capable - Sony APR-5002, Studer A807/II and a High Speed Revox G36. They are all calibrated for BASF/Emtec/RMGi/Pyral 911SM and LPR35. Here’s a link to my system playing a distribution master of Jesus and Mary Chain - Psychocandy.http://vid1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj516/topoxforddoc/JAMC%20Tape%20low%20res.mp4
normansizemore OP
473 posts
 
Livin_262002

Thanks for the PR99 update.  I currently have my Pioneer RT-1050 calibrated for +6 tapes.  That is a bit surprising for me, but maybe not if the machines were basically used for radio hot bias isn't an issue.

N.
normansizemore OP
473 posts
 
topoxforddoc,

The Sony looks intoxicating!  I haven't that type of budget or room!  But what fun?  

N.
livin_262002
101 posts
 
Agree the Sony APR series machines are cool looking. One had come up for sale locally for $600 I almost pulled the trigger on it but again virtually non existent spares and the sheer size of the unit discouraged me. Nevertheless awesome machine.
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