Ampex AG-440 8-track 1inch tape recorder

[MrMegaEli]

Hey, nice studio! Are you interested in selling the 440?

[nothadnotbad]

the music sux!

[BobWXXI]

IIRC the "AG" ojn Ampex decks of the 60s and 70s referred to solid state recording & playback electronics. The AG350 was a 2-track stereo machine for broadcast applications, same tape transport as tube-type 350s. The 440s had lupdated electronics & tape transports in 2, 4, 8 and 16-track versions, the bigger ones used wider multi-track tapes. Worked with 'em all--and Scully equivalents. Both good machines. These days they've given way to digital systems, many not

using tape at all.

[megamegamario13]

hey man, i love all vintage types and mediums of recording. and of course, tape is my favourite. awesome video and thank you, i just love watching this kind of stuff. also, is there any chance you could inbox me with the name of the song or something? thanks man

[alexbleks]

is it possible to save data to a reel to reel tape by using a home-made modulator or something?

[wado1942]

Yes, but why would you want to do that?

[alexbleks]

@wado1942 for fun & education :)

[wado1942]

@alexbleks Ah.

The first data recorders were AMPEX 1" 7-track machines that ran at 15 and 30 I/S, no modulation needed. AMPEX then got the idea to use conventional tape recorder electronics, reduce the speed and use 8-track head stacks for audio recording. Contrary to popular belief, it wasn't Les Paul's idea, he was just the first to buy one!

[spotmatic1]

Damn! Great video! Brought a tear to my eye. I used to work with these beasts back when they roamed the earth—mostly a 440B 2-track, but I handled the 4- and 8-track versions as well (also had a big MM-1000 16-track for awhile). But geeezzz! Hitting the Stop button from Fast Forward without shuttling? You're a very brave man!

[wetrubber69]

Just noticed something you may not be aware of. The head gate must be pulled open manually when fast-winding the tape. (Fast-forward or rewind). As the undue wear associated with the tapes friction against the heads (Erase, record and playback) will cause the high-end of the response curve to be steadily rolled off. This causes the recordings to become murky and muddy sounding thereby causing the need to have the heads "relapped" or replaced. Big bucks to do either. Just a note. :)

[skysongster]

Nasthaniel, Nice audio/visual. I did my 1st recording in 1975 in a Maryland studio on an Ampex 440, 8 track, 1" machine, @ age 16. I would love to transfer this analog too an 8 track digital for further editing, but even the best studios in the area of D.C. don't have one working. If you or any other readers of this article can facilitate this project, I will give my first born and a dozen hard shell Chesapeake Bay Crabs.  Thanks for the consideration.

[NickSayle]

pure porn!

[mig189189189]

Awesome video. Keep on with that good work!

[BadEditPro]

That is a wonderful machine. This would have been a better video if you would have talked about the machine a bit. :) JC

[goosman99]

I have a 1/2" 440-4 which is a lot of fun. I've never seen a 440 with the extra roller up above the headstack like that. Very interesting.

[analyzingfunny]

Was the banjo recorded on the machine? And I have a Scully 280-8!!! it was used to record "Whole Lotta Love"

[randommagnum]

Reminds me of the old Ampex MM-1000 I had.

[conordoyle85]

Hi Nathanial, beautiful video (and beautiful little tune on the banjo too!)

I just wanted to ask if you could clear something up for me... is the AG-440 the same as the same as the 440C but just an alternative name? I hear alot about the 440B and 440C but what does the 'AG' model entail? I'm looking about for a 1 inch 8 track in good condition, preferably Ampex.

[nathanielscott]

The two AG decks I know about are the 440 and the 445. The 440 is a record and play unit while the 445 is play only. It is also confusing that the 440 came in an 8 channel , 4 channel , and also a 2 channel model. The deck could be configured to accommodate 1", 1/2", and 1/4" tape and setup with different heads that provided single track, 2 track, 3 track, or 4 tracks. This info came from my "owner's operations and maintenance" manual. But I dont find any reference to B or C sub models. Sorry.

[RCAquadruplex]

The 440s had three "eras' of production. The original 440, then the 440-B, and finally the 440-C.

I have an 8 track 440-C and several 2 track Cs. The Cs are easily distinguished from the earlier ones by the flush VU meters and the infamous "Schadow" pushbutton switches on the electronics in place of the lever switches shown on this machine.

Each version was just an ongoing refinement of the previous one, and were not separate models.

[RobMackenzie]

@conordoyle85 Hi, I have the Ampex 440 electronics part shown between 1.20 and 1.37 in the vid if you or anyone's interested. Seems in perfect condition. Don't have the transport though. Cheers.

[wado1942]

@conordoyle85

The B and C are revisions on the original design to allow for things like higher headroom, better tape guides etc. The C revision allows for an optional DC servo capstan motor also (like my 440C) which gives lower flutter, more tape speed options and with a little modification, varispeed.

[Mastercorder]

Is that the same transport as the Ampex 300 ? any one seen any vintage MR - 70`s still in use ?

[RCATK41]

Where I worked at an AM-FM-TV station we only had 440-2A, B and C's.

Eventually Multi-track Otari's (noth the 5050 series)

[Interests2009]

Thanks for sharing

[jamesavery]

Hey nathaniel, does the AG-440 have a built in automatic tape cutter/scissors like some of the Studer decks?

[nathanielscott]

Actually no it does not have any kind of tape trimming device. As best as I can tell this deck was designed with editing in mind but only multi channel recording. The deck does not even have a footage counter.

[DangerousBastard]

Yeah, volume controls are tricky lol... Anyway, cool video! I have the same edition of "Modern Recording Techniques" from about 1974 I think. I want to get a machine like that one someday too.

[nathanielscott]

I love my first edition "modern Recording Techniques." I think it is so cool how digital audio is only covered in the noise reduction section of the book. At the time it was the newest a coolest method of making a noise free recording. It is kind of wierd to think that is how digital audio got its start. The first digital audio was actually recorded on big decks like this on in the 70s.

[wado1942]

Actually, the first manufactured digital tape recorder hit the market in 1968, though digital recording experiments go back to 64. Since the tape stored calculated measurements of the input waveform instead of the waveform itself, it wasn't considered a true recording medium by many audio pros until the mid 70s so they didn't get much use.

[freqazoidiac]

thanks for the great clip..even with the banjo music..i love the realness in some of the note runs there..the flubs are charming..and there is NOTHING wrong with BANJOS BOY! :D hahah looks like a fabulous machine. never had a chance to work with anything smooth like that..just a fostex 16 trk..and mostly digital. but It's all just tools right..how we use them is key ! :D

[chrstman]

Whats up with the crappy banjo music?I couldn't look at the whole video because that music was so annoying.

[nathanielscott]

Too bad the volume control is so complicated to use.

[strong1235]

I would start at $1000.00 if it is running and the heads are in good shape. The 440-8 was a 440 series "pushed to it's limits" I would rather have a MM1200 or similar that was designed from the ground up for big tapes and multi-trac. Similar electronics but better mechanics, brakes etc.

[davidkruse]

start at $1000? and how high to you think it would go? what's the lowest and highest i could realistically get for it?

[sleestack]

but don't the MM1200 have terrible reliability issues?

[strong1235]

This is either an "A" or "B"series machine. The later "C" version has pushbuttons instead of horizontal switches for record and playback. It also has better sel-sync response.

Beware of Scully! I saw a 4 channel one literally catch fire during a studio session one time. The transport wiring developed a short and caught fire! We just got the master off it before it had serious smoke damage!

[davidkruse]

does anyone know how much this thing is worth, what a reasonable price would be. like if i were to auction one off what would i put the opening bid at?

[southjk]

really nice setup..enjoyed the banjo as well

[sleestack]

Can the ampex 440 be dismantled into smaller parts for shipping? I don't mean circuit board parts. More like the channels separated and the deck separated. Stuff like that.

[nathanielscott]

Yes, and very easily. The whole deck is somewhat modular. Every channel has a separate amp that is really just a rack mounted pre-amp. Four screws and disconnect the cables (which are all hand tightened) and the module is free.

The tap transport itself is a single unit, but it does easily disconnect from the frame.

[sleestack]

wow, that is what has been turning me off of multitrack decks. The thought of shipping to a tech. I wonder what other machines can be dismantled this easily.

[nerkman]

Tasty!

To think that most of the classic rock between 1966 and 1970 were recorded on this and the 3M counterpart.

[CassetteMaster]

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEWW!! That is ONE AWESOME deck! I'd like to get my hands on one of those! Has very nice quiet operation, and would be fun making layered songs with that!! QUALITY!!

[loaw]

Looks like a nice deck for sure. I'd be interested to A/B one of these to my Scully 280, which I understand was the competition to Ampex at the time

[sleestack]

Is it hard to punch in on these 440's?

[nathanielscott]

I would have to say it is not easy or practical at all with out a fairly elaborate modification.

[strong1235]

The later "C" version is much easier to do punch ins and track stacking as the response of the sync playback system is much better.

[analyzingfunny]

That is beautiful. I have a Scully 280-8.

[TomLaMotte]

Nice!

I'm going to see a 440 1/4 full-track this week...

I hope it still has some workhours left...

[fazeka]

Nice, although I would love to compare a 3M M56 to the Ampex.

[sleestack]

how reliable are these decks?

[nathanielscott]

Mine still records, but I don't know what to compare it to in terms of reliability. The only real problem this deck has had over its entire life is a weakening tape lifter solenoid.

I really like the sound of the solid-state amps (no ICs all discrete components). I have never scoped them out compared to my more modern pre-amps (in terms of dynamic range, frequency response or slew rate) but they do have a much more pleasant sound.

[sleestack]

Well, thats not bad. I always hear stories of how people have to fly in techs on a regular basis or are constantly trying to fix problems with their decks. Pretty scary thought as I can't even use a soldering iron.

[wado1942]

You're hearing about the exception, not the rule.  I have a TASCAM 85-16 (almost as old as I am) an Otari 5050-BII and once had a Teac 80-8 (predates my life by 3 years). None of these decks have ever given me a hard time except the 5050 which has a little fluctuation in the right channel using IEC 15I/S mode (no other mode though). I've done FAR less maintainance on these machines than any of my computer-based DAWs.

[wado1942]

You're hearing about the exceptions, not the rule. I have a TASCAM 85-16, an Otari Mx5050-BII and once had a TEAC 80-8. The only major problems I've had is a fluctuation in the right channel of the 5050 in IEC 15I/S mode (none of the other modes). I've done FAR less repair on my tape decks which are about as old as I am than I have my computer DAWs.

[strong1235]

Well, hundreds are still running after over 30 years of use! Think your Chinese made DVD player will do that? Even better, they can be easily repaired or serviced after all that time and even updated or modified! And when well cared for, sound better than digital equipment.

[lewisldurham]

I have the same 8 track however I think mine may be a few years earlier. I have compared the Ampex 8 track back to back (literaly) with the Studer A80 - 8 track and the ampex pissed all over the Studer. The transport on mine is crap but it sounds as sweet as a nut. Stick to the tape. And we can only dream about an Ampex 350 - 8 track!!