Infos on analog tape machines

[ricothetroll]

Hi,
I'm currently trying to repair a Klemt Echolette NG51 tape echo. The thing is I don't know much about how tape machines work, so I'd like to learn the basics. Does someone has links to some websites or books with that basic theory ? My googling didn't get anything interresting, only links to repair services...
Thanx in advance !
Best regards.
Eric

 

[Phil smith]

For example - some basics about tape echos - http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan01/articles/vintage.asp
As a option, you can study some reel-to-reel technical manuals. Here we go - http://analogrules.com/manual_list.html - there are alot of them (even full tech manual of STUDER A-800!) - great place with ALOT of useful info!

 

[ricothetroll]

Hi Phil,
Thanx for your answer !
Actually, I meant infos about the electronic side of analog tape machines, like for example the principles of erase/rec/play heads circuits (for example :  the reason for a HF oscillator), impedances, pre-emphasis, etc...
Best regards.
Eric

 

[PRR]

Magnetic Recording - Wire and Tape, M. L. Quartermaine has a chapter on VERY basic magnetic recording.

http://www.tubebooks.org/technical_books_online.htm

Also instructions on building your own recorders out of stove-pipe and Mechano bits.

 

[ricothetroll]

Thanx PRR for this great link ! This website is a goldmine !
Furthermore "magnetic recording" is just the kind of "basic" that I expected.
Best regards.
Eric