Date:         Sat, 27 Jan 2007 11:03:13 -0500
Reply-To:     Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
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Sender:       Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
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From:         "Richard L. Hess" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:      Re: Tape transport gentleness was delicacy WAS reel choices was
              help in fair pricing of reel to reel machines
Comments: To: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List <[log in to unmask]>
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At 01:31 AM 2007-01-27, Steve Puntolillo wrote:

>And Richard Hess [wrote]:
>
> > It's all how you work and what you become used to. Since you're
> > already invested in ATR-100s (presumably having solved the issues
> > that Steve worries about with the transport going crazy on bad
> > splices)
>
>I *think* I'm the "Steve" Richard is talking about?

You are, indeed!

>I should mention that the truly lovely Studer A820 1/4 and 1/2" machine
>(which is the *other* darling of mastering decks) can also lose control
>of its tension sensing mechanism and "lose it's mind". I have not
>experienced this first hand, but have heard so from reliable sources who
>own and love these machines.
>
>A possible advantage of the Studer is that it has a pinch roller and so
>at least will power its way through tapes with little bits of residual
>SSS without changing pitch. The ATR100 has no mechanism to combat
>temporary speed fluctuations due to tape that sticks or drags.

I think Parker Dinkens might be able to shed further light on this 
particular item (see I keep bringing everyone into this thread) as he 
has now owned two A820s. One, sadly, was damaged beyond repair by 
Katrina, but he has located a replacement and now has it. 
Fortunately, all of his head blocks were saved.

Also, this _may_ be the reason that Mark Donahue uses A80 transports 
for his work--Steve, I know that you are very pleased with yours for 
tapes with bad splices.

Cheers,

Richard

Richard L. Hess                   email: [log in to unmask]
Aurora, Ontario, Canada       (905) 713 6733     1-877-TAPE-FIX
Detailed contact information: http://www.richardhess.com/tape/contact.htm
Quality tape transfers -- even from hard-to-play tapes.