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Vintage Tape (Audio), Cassette, Wire and Magnetic Disc Recorders and Players Open-reel tape recorders, cassette recorders, 8-track players etc.

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Old 7th Dec 2022, 6:28 pm   #1
John_BS
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Default BBC Tape machine maintenance / alignment specs

This documant is available on the bbceng.info website, but I've attached a copy here for ease of access.

For recorders with VU meters, align 0VU to correspond to 320nWb/m for most tapes.

Mods; I don't know if this is worth making sticky?

John
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File Type: pdf BBC-Tape-Machine-Maintenance-Guidelines.pdf (809.8 KB, 124 views)
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Old 7th Dec 2022, 11:35 pm   #2
jamesperrett
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Default Re: BBC Tape machine maintenance / alignmet specs

That document makes interesting reading but it also makes a few assumptions which may not necessarily be true outside the BBC. There is no mention of the different equalisation standards commonly encountered - probably because the BBC only used one standard. The reference levels are also higher than normally encountered with domestic machines.

It probably should be read in conjunction with a more step by step guide and also the service manual for the machine that you are working on.
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Old 8th Dec 2022, 10:58 am   #3
John_BS
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Default Re: BBC Tape machine maintenance / alignmet specs

Quote:
Originally Posted by jamesperrett View Post

It probably should be read in conjunction with a more step by step guide and also the service manual for the machine that you are working on.

Yes, if you have one. Ditto, data on the tape-type you're using.
BBC standard was IEC EQ.

JOhn
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Old 8th Dec 2022, 8:51 pm   #4
Stevie342000
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Default Re: BBC Tape machine maintenance / alignmet specs

Quote:
Originally Posted by John_BS View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by jamesperrett View Post

It probably should be read in conjunction with a more step by step guide and also the service manual for the machine that you are working on.

Yes, if you have one. Ditto, data on the tape-type you're using.
BBC standard was IEC EQ.

JOhn
Is that IEC 1 or IEC 2? I read it as you need to refer to your manual and use it as a guide. The best bit is make sure the tape is running past the heads correctly without that the rest is not of much use as it will be out of kilter.
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Old 8th Dec 2022, 9:11 pm   #5
John_BS
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Default Re: BBC Tape machine maintenance / alignment specs

The "original" IEC standard (= DIN/CCIR) is now known as IEC 1, and that's the one which the BBC used, and corresponds to the "IEC" position found on Revox A77's etc.

As I understand it, the old "NAB" standard was absorbed into IEC and became IEC 2.

So, if an A77 was re-issued today, the replay switch would be labelled "IEC 1" and "IEC 2"
John
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Old 24th Dec 2022, 12:51 am   #6
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Default Re: BBC Tape machine maintenance / alignment specs

Most 'domestic' machines were Nab and normally the consumer line up of 250nWb/m, except for the Revoxes and some European models. That document is for professional machines, as used by the BBC. It is always best to get the service manual for your particular machine and follow those specific guidelines.
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