Tape machine noise profiles

[skaren]

Hi there,

Does anyone recognise the noise profiles of these noises coming of various channels of my tape machine (Soundcraft 760 series 24 track).

Perhaps some of you with a lot of tape machine experience might have come across something similar in the past.

Trying to figure out if there is a problem with the heads, the tape itself, the power supply, connections within the machine etc

https://goo.gl/UIRA6L


Many thanks

 

[radardoug]

I note this is your third thread on this machine. Having multiple threads is not going to help you.
You need to evaluate whether it is worth you investing time and money in this POS machine, or buy a more reliable machine.
Also this machine is probably 40 or more years old. They never worked properly when they were new!

 

[ruffrecords]

Is this with or without tape passing?

Cheers

ian

 

[radardoug]

He's getting the noise in record Ian so yes.

 

[ruffrecords]

He's getting the noise in record Ian so yes.

In which case the first thing to do is eliminate the replay amps. Press pause and listen again. If the noise goes, the replay amps are OK but it could still be interference from the transport. So next test is to play some virgin tape. If there is no noise then it is definitely getting in on the record side.

Cheers

Ian

 

[skaren]

I note this is your third thread on this machine. Having multiple threads is not going to help you.
You need to evaluate whether it is worth you investing time and money in this POS machine, or buy a more reliable machine.
Also this machine is probably 40 or more years old. They never worked properly when they were new!

On the contrary, I believe all knowledge (barring blatant misinformation) will help in some way even though it is not directly responsible for the the solution for this specific problem.  Since there are clearly not as many engineers with knowledge about tape maintenance and repair in the business anymore discussions on these kind of forums can certainly help if only by giving a rough diagnosis.

It might not be as an expertly designed machine as it could have been but it has its own sound and using the most "hifi" or "classic" piece of gear is not always the best creative choice. If this machine was used for a client based studio that is one thing but it is in use for a single band's studio so the priorities are different.

I very much appreciate all your suggestions on this matter.

 

[pucho812]

I would watch what you say about engineers and tape... There are plenty of us still around even though tape is not the main format it used to be.  FWIW you could easily sell that machine and with the money get a more solid machine like an otari or even a studer.  There is reason soundcraft stopped making tape machines.

 

[0dbfs]

I agree with Pucho and we always set the machines up to be as flat and transparent as possible. Align with 1k, 10k, 100hz / etc... Then go in and check 4k, 15k, 400hz and make them flat too. Don't just follow the directions - look for and address the problems!

Print your tones once you're happy and make any notes you need to on the tones reel.

Cheers,
jb