Ampex AG-440 8-track 1inch tape recorder

One of the first big studio recorders. This one was purchased new in 1973 by Don Cedarstrom of Custom Recording and Sound in Boise Idaho. Don, incidentally, did some of the early recording for Paul Revere and the Raiders in Boise in the 60s. I purchased the recorder from Don in 1997. It is a great deck but in the late 90s personal computers became powerful enough to start being considered as a recording platform, so I have only used this great old deck on a few projects.

I also show a owners manual and a first edition copy of Runstein's Modern Recording Techniques which features this recorder, among other, and is a great resource for professional recording, and was first printed in 1974. An interesting note about that edition of the book is that in the section covering noise reduction Runstein discuses what was then a new noise reduction technology, that is, digital recording. It is a great historical look at the foundational causes of why digital audio supplanted analogue.

To see and even older recorder check this out: http://youtube.com/watch?v=jJ122PObscg

Category:

Music

Tags:

• tape
• reel
• to
• music
• studio
• recorder
• player
• one
• inch
• 1
• eight
• track
• channel
• professional
• ampex
• ag
• 440
• ag440
• vintage
• pro

[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.

[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]

@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!

[alexbleks]

@wado1942 for fun & education :)

[wado1942]

Yes, but why would you want to do that?

[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]

@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.