Tag: tape machines

Excellent Larry Scully / Bert Whyte interview from AUDIO 1969

Post author By chris
Post date 03/11/2018
No Comments on Excellent Larry Scully / Bert Whyte interview from AUDIO 1969

Download the complete 5-page Bert Whtye interview of Larry Scully from the 11.69 issue if AUDIO:

DOWNLOAD: LarryScully_BertWhyte_Interview_AUDIO_1169

As longtime PS dot com readers know, we are based in Bridgeport CT, former home of Scully. Scully was America’s leading manufacturer of Lathes for cutting LP masters; only Neumann lathes offered any real competition in terms of quality. Starting in 1962, with the aid of former PRESTO engineers, Scully also began manufacturing high-quality tape machines in a variety of formats. I had a Scully 1″ 8-track machine recently and it was a marvel of engineering; the sound quality was absolutely astonishing. In this article, L Scully describes his father’s start at Columbia Records (also based in Bridgeport in the early 20th century), their movement the manufacture of professional tape machines, ETC. Great piece of history.

There is a plethora of Scully, Columbia/Bridgeport, and Bert Whyte material elsewhere on this site; just use the search box.

Tags bridgeport, lathes, mastering, scully, tape machines

Antique Hi-Fi Archive

Terminal Radio 1949 Recording and High-Fidelity Catalog

Post author By chris
Post date 03/26/2017
1 Comment on Terminal Radio 1949 Recording and High-Fidelity Catalog

Download the entire 16pp TERMINAL RADIO Recording and Hi-Fidelity Equipment catalog:

DOWNLOAD: Terminal_Radio_1949_Catalog

Products covered, with text, some specs, and photos, include: Brush Magnetic tape recorders BK414, 710B, 810, and 808 Twin-trak; hi-fi tube amps from Brooks (10C3, 12A3), Meissner 9-1093 tuner amp and 9-1091C, RJ-12A tuners; tuners from Browning, Many Stephens Tru-sonic speaker systems and drivers including P-63HF, P-52A, P-52LX, P-52HF; Hi fi amps including Scott 210-A, Fisher SA-1, Altec Lansing 323B, Newcomb HLP-14A, Bogen PX-15, Thordarson 31W10AX; Bell 2122, Masco MA-12EZand Rauland 1825; FM tuners from Espey, Meissner, Craftsmen, Howard; Customode hi-fi furniture and cabinetry; Altec drivers including the 603B, 600B, 400B; Jensen drivers incl. JRP40, HNP-51, JAP-60; Cinaudagraph speakers CIN-12A, 15B, 15C; and so, so, so much more.

Follow the link below to READ-ON,,,,

Tags altec, lathes, tape machines, vacuum tube hi-fi

Magnecord

Magnecord History: The Book: circa 1950

Post author By chris
Post date 03/29/2015
No Comments on Magnecord History: The Book: circa 1950

Magnecord, along with Ampex, was one of the first manufacturers of professional 15ips hi-fidelity tape machines in the world. While not remembered as clearly as their rival, Magnecord built a tremendous number of machines, and many of them have survived to this day. We have two at Gold Coast Recorders and after minimal repairs they still work just fine, nearly seventy years after their Chicago manufacture.

I picked up our two Magnecord PT6s at the Elephants Trunk flea market a few years ago for $25 each, and shortly after posting some new recordings made that I with the PT6s I was contacted by D. Boyers, son of Magnecord co-founder John Boyers. D provided us with an incredible amount of impossible-to-find archival material from Magnecord; you can start to dig through it at this link.

Fast forward to 2015: D. recently located a long-lost 45pp book that Magnecord created in 1950, presumably for the purpose of pitching new business to the US Government. In his words:

“I have uncovered what appears to be a very complete book detailing several aspects of the very early years. This 45-page document provides an inside look at the roles of key personnel within the organization, including several photos of workers and assembly facilities in the early factory.

The book appears to have been put together in about 1950, four years after Magnecord was first organized, and it lists several of the early accomplishments of the fledgling company, including their first year of a million dollars in gross sales. (Back when that was serious money)”

You can download the entire 45pp volume (posted as five PDFs due to file size) at the links immediately below: DOWNLOAD:

Magnecord_1950_part_1

Magnecord_1950_part_2

Magnecord_1950_part_3

Magnecord_1950_part_4

Magnecord_1950_part_5

This book offers an incredible look into the very first days of professional magnetic recording as well as capturing the enterprising spirit of a young pro-audio company growing fast and seeing limitless possibilities ahead. Enjoy –

Tags magnecord, manufacturers, pro audio history, tape machines

Pro Audio Archive

Highlights from the 1970 AES Convention, Los Angeles, CA

Post author By chris
Post date 04/03/2014
No Comments on Highlights from the 1970 AES Convention, Los Angeles, CA

above: the GRT 500 audio-tape evaluator c. 1970

Just in case you were too-young/too-hypothetical to have attended, we are pleased to bring you highlights from the 1970 convention of the Audio Engineering Society (via ye olde DB Magazine, r.i.p.). You can download the whole shebang here…

DOWNLOAD: AES_1970_DB_mag

…and we’ve also reproduced it below for your browsing enjoyment. Products on offer at that time include: mixing consoles from Electrodyne, Gately, Quad-Eight, Spectra-sonics, Fairchild, Langevin, and Altec. Opamp labs had kits on offer as well. Tape machines include 3M, Otari ‘of Japan,’ Teac 7030, GRT 500, Norelco (Phillips) pro-51, Sony Superscope TC-850, and Ampex. Dolby’s model 360 N/R system debuted, as did the Melcor ‘all electronic’ reverb and the Urei LA-3. New microphones on offer included the Electro-voice DS-35 and the Shure SM-53.

Tags 3M, altec, ampex, consoles, electrodyne, fairchild, langevin, otati, shure, spectra-sonics, tape machines, teac, urei, vintage microphone

Pro Audio Archive The 4-Track

Fostex “Creative Sound Systems” 1981 full catalog

Post author By chris
Post date 09/06/2013
3 Comments on Fostex “Creative Sound Systems” 1981 full catalog

Download the complete 12pp Fostex “Creative Sound Systems” 1981 (???) catalog:

DOWNLOAD: Fostex_1981_Catalog

Models covered in great detail include: Fostex A-8, A-4, A-2 1/4″ tape machines; Fostex 250 cassette four-track; and the Fostex 350 8x4x2 mixer.

Interesting feature on the 350 – and something that’s not at all obvious from the top surface – it has 2 stereo RIAA phono preamps which are patchable on the rear of the unit, presumably to whichever inputs or external gear you like.

I’ve uploaded a ton of information on these machines before (see here, here, and here), so dig back if you want more commentary… otherwise i’ll let the catalog speak for itself…

Tags fostex, tape machines, the 4-track

Pro Audio Archive

Fostex A-Range Tape Machines c. 1981

Post author By chris
Post date 05/31/2013
No Comments on Fostex A-Range Tape Machines c. 1981

Download a 5pp review of the Fostex home-multitrack range circa 1981. Published in British magazine STUDIO SOUND, the review covers the Fostex A-2, A-4, A-8, as well as the Fostex 350 mixer. Review is by one G. Chkiantz.

DOWNLOAD: Fostex_A_range_1981

Tags fostex, tape machines

Pro Audio Archive

The Telefunken Magnetophone 15A tape machine

Post author By chris
Post date 05/29/2013
3 Comments on The Telefunken Magnetophone 15A tape machine

Download the original 12pp catalog for the Telefunken 15A tape machine:

DOWNLOAD: Telefunken_Magnetophon_15A

I can’t imagine that many of these things were sold in the US. If you’ve used one, and have some conception of how it compares to contemporary offerings from Studer, Ampex, and MCI, drop us a line a weigh in…

Tags tape machines, telefunken

Connecticut Audio History

Scully kit of the early 1960s

Post author By chris
Post date 04/30/2013
4 Comments on Scully kit of the early 1960s

How are y’all doing today… long-time readers will know that there is a lot of Scully material on this site… Scully was a Bridgeport institution; I drive by the ole Scully plant everyday on my way to the studio. Not sure what goes on in that large brick structure these days, but many years ago it was turning out most of the lathes that were cutting LP masters in the US. Scully tape machines were never as ubiquitous as their lathes, but were a big part of the US recording scene nonetheless… Scully was a small family-owned company that competed favorably with Ampex, and this itself is notable. Anyhow… at left is the Scully 270 transport, and below, I found a couple of period adverts for the 280, which seems to have been their most successful tape-machine design, if the number of surviving units is any indication. My friend Sal sold his 280 -two-track AND 4-track machines, together with carts and racks, for $1000 last year… and it was hard to find a buyer even at that price. I will probably forever regret not buying them myself, but… you can’t have it all, can you… Anyhow, if you are using a 280 these days, drop us a line and let us know whatcha think.

For more Scully info, click the links below:

The Scully Model 100 16-track machine

Larry Scully interview and history

The Scully 601 LP Lathe

What’s inside a Scully 280?

Tags scully, tape machines

Recording Studio History

Les Paul’s Home Eight-Track Studio Circa 1958

Post author By chris
Post date 03/14/2013
3 Comments on Les Paul’s Home Eight-Track Studio Circa 1958

Les Paul discusses his DIY’d home eight-track studio in RADIO ELECTRONICS 1958. Thanks to JF for providing this scan.

DOWNLOAD: Les_Paul_Radio_Electronics_10_1958_another_copy

Tags les paul, tape machines

Connecticut Audio History

Scully Model 100 Sixteen-Track Tape Machine of 1971

Post author By chris
Post date 02/16/2013
9 Comments on Scully Model 100 Sixteen-Track Tape Machine of 1971

Above: The Scully 100 is introduced: 1971. I love these headlines… “…turns you on… blows your mind….” Amazing. Anyhow… any of these still makin albums out there? Let us know…

Tags connecticut, scully, tape machines