Akai 4000DB tape recorder.

[Hugh Robjohns]

Yes... running a tape machine is an expensive business...

But hey -- think of the distortion you can create with it!

...assuming it does actually still work.

[Arpangel]

Yes... running a tape machine is an expensive business...

But hey -- think of the distortion you can create with it!

...assuming it does actually still work.

It’s a gamble Hugh, I’ve found another place Protape, and I’m around the corner from them now, I’m going to buy a 7 inch reel, they’ve got empty spools too, £28, not much, but it’s something!

[James Perrett]

It’s a gamble Hugh, I’ve found another place Protape, and I’m around the corner from them now, I’m going to buy a 7 inch reel, they’ve got empty spools too, £28, not much, but it’s something!

Protape have been around for years just off Tottenham Court Road but last time I was after tape they didn't have as wide a selection as Tape City.

[Arpangel]

It’s a gamble Hugh, I’ve found another place Protape, and I’m around the corner from them now, I’m going to buy a 7 inch reel, they’ve got empty spools too, £28, not much, but it’s something!

Protape have been around for years just off Tottenham Court Road but last time I was after tape they didn't have as wide a selection as Tape City.

Yes, I remember Protape, I used to get my cassettes from them in the 80’s, I actually thought they’d gone out of business.

[Arpangel]

Managed to get some sound out of it today, it powers up, all lights working, capstan working, and engages, I just threaded a tape, and pulled it through, got something on the meters, seems like it should be worthwhile getting an empty spool, my masters are stereo half track, but at least I can see if the mechanism is OK.

[Martin Walker]

Promising start Tony!

Martin

[Hugh Robjohns]

I have visions of Tony recording a masterpiece with a coiling pile of tape slowly building on the floor!

[Folderol]

I have visions of Tony recording a masterpiece with a coiling pile of tape slowly building on the floor!

Not a problem if he runs the machine at the top of his tower

[Drew Stephenson]

I was more imagining a spontaneous work of genius emerging to the tempo of the tape end flapping round the reel...

[Arpangel]

I have visions of Tony recording a masterpiece with a coiling pile of tape slowly building on the floor!

Not a problem if he runs the machine at the top of his tower

I’ll give you a mention on the album if it works……….

[ken long]

I have visions of Tony recording a masterpiece with a coiling pile of tape slowly building on the floor!

Not a problem if he runs the machine at the top of his tower

LMFAO

[Arpangel]

Update, surprisingly, it’s all working fine, I got an empty reel, and some master tapes on seven inch reels, I recorded years ago.
They play back fine, although at half speed, as they were recorded at 15ips, on a half track machine, so I had to fiddle around with the head selector switch to get anything out of it.
I found some blank tape, all fine, records well, although the heads need a good clean, and I’ll de-mag them too.
So money well spent.

[Hugh Robjohns]

[Tomás Mulcahy]

They play back fine, although at half speed, as they were recorded at 15ips, on a half track machine, so I had to fiddle around with the head selector switch to get anything out of it.

As you guessed, the Akai is quarter track. But IIRC, the capstan sleeve slides off to make it 15ips.

[Arpangel]

They play back fine, although at half speed, as they were recorded at 15ips, on a half track machine, so I had to fiddle around with the head selector switch to get anything out of it.

As you guessed, the Akai is quarter track. But IIRC, the capstan sleeve slides off to make it 15ips.

Thanks for that Tom, I’ll investigate.
One weird thing, the left tape guide has a wooden centre to it, I’m sure it should be metal, I think maybe someone has bodged it up at some point.

[Hugh Robjohns]

One weird thing, the left tape guide has a wooden centre to it, I’m sure it should be metal, I think maybe someone has bodged it up at some point.

I think you are right!

[Arpangel]

One weird thing, the left tape guide has a wooden centre to it, I’m sure it should be metal, I think maybe someone has bodged it up at some point.

I think you are right!

Yes, oh well, it seems to work OK, seeing as I'll probably use it for loops, and distressed things, it’s not that important.

[mooblie]

But IIRC, the capstan sleeve slides off to make it 15ips.

On mine (now long gone) the capstan sleeve removal switched between 3.75 and 7.5 ips.

15 ips wasn’t an option.

[Arpangel]

But IIRC, the capstan sleeve slides off to make it 15ips.

On mine (now long gone) the capstan sleeve removal switched between 3.75 and 7.5 ips.

15 ips wasn’t an option.

I’m not at home, I’ll check this out later.

[Forum Admin]

I owned one too in the ‘70s and it definitely did not offer 15ips speed.

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