It's a fantastic machine, I use it in my analogue recording studio as mastering machine and, everytime I listen to the mix I feel very very very very lucky!
On my half inch 2 track, by Tim de Paravicini, running 30ips, you can peak at +12db, so don't have to worry about noise. The original tubes are very rare, but can be replaced by more common types, after some modifications. Tape editing is usually done with an edit block and a razor blade, and XLRs are the I/O connections. It's a good idea to change out the mains socket for an IEC three pin, which needs a qmax to punch the chassis. Definitely a two man lift, even without the trolley :-)
This is one recorder I will never want to sell, I would love to get a second one, I also plan to restore the main deck once I have the correct jade hammertone.
Cheers! this recorder gets used almost every day, I am thinking of dismantling it and sending parts off to be sprayed and parts to be anodized, replace all the bearings and the caps, it sounds great apart from a little rumble from iffy cap's.
Cheers! that's what I think too though I would love to get my hands on a Stereo Ampex 300, don't think they are as well built but the 400 I have with the 300 amp sounds great.
Cheers! though not as electrically advanced as many modern reel to reel's the sound of this machine is amazing, if you ever get chance to hear one, take it! This machine cost a lot of money and still are incredibly popular mainly because they are valve and offer such a great sound.
IMO, the finest machines ever would be John Stephens' 821-B, based on the 3M units of the 60's, or to Keith Johnson of Reference Recordings. His focused gap, 1 of a kind, hand built analog machine is simply the best I have ever experienced. When first used in the 1950s, it used tubes, or valves. In 1965, it was upgraded to solid state. His analog recordings are so superior, that it's almost unfair. If I could only take one machine, his would be my personal choice.
Interesting, I know of the 3M machine but not of the 821-B, is it a production recorder or one offs like the famous Tim De Paravaincini machines, he based his machines on the Ampex ATR-100 (I think) and the Studer C37, both machines were 1 inch tape running at 13 ips. He boasts a response of 20Hz to 35KHz on the Studer with a dynamic range of +- 0.1dB! absolutely superior machines but not a production recorder however I could send my C37 off to him and have it changed to these specs right now.
The 821-B was, in fact, a production machine built in limited quantities in the mid 1970's. 3M put a stop to John Stephens buying their Mincom platforms and building his machine around it, so, only about 60 or so were made. Pink Floyd used one for portions of The Wall in L.A, and brought the deck back to England with them from California as a result. Tim DP does in fact do his work with both Studers and Ampexes (ATR-100 and MR-70). You meant to say '15 IPS' in your above reply, right?
No, 13ips, it's a none standard speed, something he calculates for optimum performance with the 1 inch stereo heads. So the machine was not actually a real production machine really, it's a modified recorder like what Tim does in essence as 3M never made it with those electronics.
I have alot of the Reference Recording LPs and to my ears the earlier ones made with the tube electronics sound better. The later records sound a bit thin and bright.
Seblington, the Willi Studer story is partially correct. Willi actually saw and heard an Ampex MR-70 machine, and he himself said he could equal it, but never surpass it.
Reel to reel tape is the best way to loop or simply record. Nothing sounds as good, real, or warm. There is a huge difference in quality vs. digital. I have a few Tascams, Revox and a Teac. I am still learing to use them all at once for different purposes of course. Cool video. Thank you.
never got on with DBX, have it on the Teac machines, with the sound being so crystal as it is it would be a shame to change it by processing the sound though a transistorized unit, if it was a valve DBX, that would be interesting.
stunning....the tube technology simply cant be beat even in the 21st century! im obsessed with vintage tube analog technology, tape recorders, amplifiers etc., so this is a real treat to see...if i was to be a musician, i would record only on analog tube tape recorders. thanks for the post!!
At the moment I am using Quantegy 456, sometimes Emtec 911 and sometimes Scotch 996, it's the cheapest of the lot but comes on great looking gold reels. Noise reduction, it's the mains caps causing problems on this machine, the noise is not a problem, I do not like the DBX units but I do have some.
I realize it's the caps. My Philips does the same. Did the same anyways. All fixed up. How come you don't like dbx? I agree on some thing I won't use dbx either.
What kind of tape do you use? And have you considered some kind of external noise reduction? I use 3M 996 and a dbx type II noise reduction on my decks. Just curious. :-)
got that noise bit wrong, its not as loud as -7dB, its below -60dB possibly -70dB but not measured correctly. The 3M 996 is great stuff, I may experiment with a DBX unit on it sometime but with the sound being so crystal as it is it seems a shame to add electronics into the circuit.
Skvělý přístroj.Vždy jsem si ho přál mít. A mám. Je ve skvělém profi stavu.Pásků mám taky hodně,tak už se těším na toho mazlíka.
Pity153 5 days ago
Thank you so much for the pictures & commentary. I can't see a record level indicator. Was this outboard equipment or am I missing something?
6A8G 1 month ago
Where are the meters?
(I know next to nothing about R2R players)
LazarusLonger 6 months ago
They just dont make em like they used to...
fknrdcls 1 year ago
Absolutely amazing!!!
The build quality is almost inhuman. The C37 is a masterpiece of machining and electrical engineering. I had no idea quality like this existed.
As a child of the age of the Integrated Circuit, I'm glad these megaliths of techno-wonder are being cared for and preserved for future generations.
Great share!!!
-b- KCMO
b1aflatoxin 1 year ago
What an amazing well engineered machine.
Thanks for showing this detailed video.
RODALCO2007 1 year ago
Thank you for your kind words. The C37 does not and never has had metering, it's metering wuold have been done at the desk.
Seblington 1 month ago
this reminds me of a machine i saw in a FRANK ZAPPA home reel...very cool!
gwamba 1 year ago
nice
djvladtepes 1 year ago
Dear Seblington,
Your contributions are invaluable! Thank you ever so much...long live analogue tape :-)
Very best regards,
Sam
c1ferrari 1 year ago
Great machine, I bet it sounds live, when a recording is made?. Thank you for your great videos.
teendude16 2 years ago
ok thanks for replying.
fimballs 2 years ago
just looking at your website and saw the countess machine is this on youtube? if not please do a demo .thanks for your fantastic vids bythe way.
fimballs 2 years ago
Hello, sorry to say I dont have one of these, it went some time ago when I was trying to make the collection smaller.
Seblington 2 years ago
i was just wondering what oxide is used in tapes? black, brown, or red any difference.
btown2011 2 years ago
ouch - sounds like a bearing is failing in the transport somewhere. Spooling should sound much smoother :-)
cransley 2 years ago
you just cant beat valves...
toth1971 2 years ago
Amen to that brother.
erjohnson227 2 years ago
thankyou erjohnson227 check my amp out.
toth1971 2 years ago
It's a fantastic machine, I use it in my analogue recording studio as mastering machine and, everytime I listen to the mix I feel very very very very lucky!
prosdocimirecording 2 years ago
On my half inch 2 track, by Tim de Paravicini, running 30ips, you can peak at +12db, so don't have to worry about noise. The original tubes are very rare, but can be replaced by more common types, after some modifications. Tape editing is usually done with an edit block and a razor blade, and XLRs are the I/O connections. It's a good idea to change out the mains socket for an IEC three pin, which needs a qmax to punch the chassis. Definitely a two man lift, even without the trolley :-)
charlessmyth 2 years ago
So does this machine have XLR (or cannon) sockets on it?
Where do you get the valves from?
TVperson1 2 years ago
Yes, its all XLR and the valves can be brought from all sorts of places, RS sell them new (Most of the ones in this machine).
Seblington 2 years ago
i recently bought a grundig reel to reel off ebay and the tubes in it are black at the ends. do you think i could get replacements from anywhare?
marksmall82 2 years ago
you live in us? or europe? i have tones of new and nos tubes.
btown2011 2 years ago
the modularity is most interesting to me. nice video.
jwallis123 3 years ago
a pair of scissors to cut the tape? my, how impressive!
karen608608 3 years ago
Studer is Swiss and I guess this machine is expensive....but fantastic engineering I agree....
andreasoberholz 3 years ago
its a true beauty!!!
Nice informative movie
nvanzoeren 3 years ago
super!
jaarex 3 years ago
whoooohoo!what a nice recorder!very mechanical....!and a complex video!
oviwolf 3 years ago
This is one recorder I will never want to sell, I would love to get a second one, I also plan to restore the main deck once I have the correct jade hammertone.
Seblington 3 years ago
You are absolutely brilliant! Look at how well cared for this machine is!
DerrickAcker 3 years ago
Cheers! this recorder gets used almost every day, I am thinking of dismantling it and sending parts off to be sprayed and parts to be anodized, replace all the bearings and the caps, it sounds great apart from a little rumble from iffy cap's.
Seblington 3 years ago
Is it German.I want one.How much???
thedirtydeltas 3 years ago
it's from Switzerland, it's very hard to find one for sale these days and they usually cost a bomb! mine was over £2000
Seblington 3 years ago
That is truly amazing. I just *have* to have one! Are the tubes in it rare or easily available?
BopFanatic 3 years ago
It was the Ampex MR-70 that Studer was trying to match.
Audiovideopark 4 years ago
very interesting
southjk 4 years ago
ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!!!!
CHEERS
producer73 4 years ago
Cheers!
Seblington 4 years ago
explained perfectly! emerick envies!
troddsy 4 years ago
Great video. Great machine. Also. I agree wih the dog. :-D
mikesoundcity 4 years ago
Cheers!
Seblington 4 years ago
good machine for me is the best last vacuum tube deck...
guimbadriver 4 years ago
Cheers! that's what I think too though I would love to get my hands on a Stereo Ampex 300, don't think they are as well built but the 400 I have with the 300 amp sounds great.
Seblington 4 years ago
Omg this is a very advanced machine!!.
look how innovative this is..
rare item i think
HAL4400 4 years ago
Cheers! though not as electrically advanced as many modern reel to reel's the sound of this machine is amazing, if you ever get chance to hear one, take it! This machine cost a lot of money and still are incredibly popular mainly because they are valve and offer such a great sound.
Seblington 4 years ago
Thank you for you kind comments!
Seblington 4 years ago
VERY OROFESSIONAL
awtoftune 4 years ago
One really awesome machine!
CassetteMaster 4 years ago
IMO, the finest machines ever would be John Stephens' 821-B, based on the 3M units of the 60's, or to Keith Johnson of Reference Recordings. His focused gap, 1 of a kind, hand built analog machine is simply the best I have ever experienced. When first used in the 1950s, it used tubes, or valves. In 1965, it was upgraded to solid state. His analog recordings are so superior, that it's almost unfair. If I could only take one machine, his would be my personal choice.
mstcraig 4 years ago
Interesting, I know of the 3M machine but not of the 821-B, is it a production recorder or one offs like the famous Tim De Paravaincini machines, he based his machines on the Ampex ATR-100 (I think) and the Studer C37, both machines were 1 inch tape running at 13 ips. He boasts a response of 20Hz to 35KHz on the Studer with a dynamic range of +- 0.1dB! absolutely superior machines but not a production recorder however I could send my C37 off to him and have it changed to these specs right now.
Seblington 4 years ago
The 821-B was, in fact, a production machine built in limited quantities in the mid 1970's. 3M put a stop to John Stephens buying their Mincom platforms and building his machine around it, so, only about 60 or so were made. Pink Floyd used one for portions of The Wall in L.A, and brought the deck back to England with them from California as a result. Tim DP does in fact do his work with both Studers and Ampexes (ATR-100 and MR-70). You meant to say '15 IPS' in your above reply, right?
mstcraig 4 years ago
No, 13ips, it's a none standard speed, something he calculates for optimum performance with the 1 inch stereo heads. So the machine was not actually a real production machine really, it's a modified recorder like what Tim does in essence as 3M never made it with those electronics.
Seblington 4 years ago
I have alot of the Reference Recording LPs and to my ears the earlier ones made with the tube electronics sound better. The later records sound a bit thin and bright.
Anderskh 4 years ago
Seblington, the Willi Studer story is partially correct. Willi actually saw and heard an Ampex MR-70 machine, and he himself said he could equal it, but never surpass it.
mstcraig 4 years ago
Reel to reel tape is the best way to loop or simply record. Nothing sounds as good, real, or warm. There is a huge difference in quality vs. digital. I have a few Tascams, Revox and a Teac. I am still learing to use them all at once for different purposes of course. Cool video. Thank you.
toastershock 4 years ago
i love all the vids you ar a star,,,studer is the best,,,keep up the good work
thecobraman 4 years ago
never got on with DBX, have it on the Teac machines, with the sound being so crystal as it is it would be a shame to change it by processing the sound though a transistorized unit, if it was a valve DBX, that would be interesting.
Seblington 4 years ago
stunning....the tube technology simply cant be beat even in the 21st century! im obsessed with vintage tube analog technology, tape recorders, amplifiers etc., so this is a real treat to see...if i was to be a musician, i would record only on analog tube tape recorders. thanks for the post!!
(ps:digital sucks)
I967 4 years ago
Cheers! I love this mahcine too though I do have one digital reel to reel, digital just can't be beaten for simplicity but I love the valve sound.
Seblington 4 years ago
At the moment I am using Quantegy 456, sometimes Emtec 911 and sometimes Scotch 996, it's the cheapest of the lot but comes on great looking gold reels. Noise reduction, it's the mains caps causing problems on this machine, the noise is not a problem, I do not like the DBX units but I do have some.
Seblington 4 years ago
I realize it's the caps. My Philips does the same. Did the same anyways. All fixed up. How come you don't like dbx? I agree on some thing I won't use dbx either.
Lakota305 4 years ago
What kind of tape do you use? And have you considered some kind of external noise reduction? I use 3M 996 and a dbx type II noise reduction on my decks. Just curious. :-)
Lakota305 4 years ago
3M 996 is awesome tape. I use it and dbx type II as well. :D
Orcinus24x5 4 years ago
got that noise bit wrong, its not as loud as -7dB, its below -60dB possibly -70dB but not measured correctly. The 3M 996 is great stuff, I may experiment with a DBX unit on it sometime but with the sound being so crystal as it is it seems a shame to add electronics into the circuit.
Seblington 4 years ago
Nice machine
kensprin 4 years ago
Cheers, I love these recorders, took a few years to get a C37 but I am glad I did.
Seblington 4 years ago
Very nice. You know your stuff.
Lakota305 4 years ago
Amazing, can it do away with tape hiss?
thomasking55 4 years ago
Thre is a bit of hiss at -7-dB but the big problem on this recorder is a bit of mains hum, need to replace the caps, that will get rid of the hum.
Seblington 4 years ago