Sony TC-630 reel-to-reel deck

This is my all-time favorite reel-to-reel deck. In fact, it's my favorite man-made device. I'm the first to upload a video featuring Sony's classic TC-630 reel-to-reel recorder. I bought two broken ones for $25 each and made one single working one with them. Note that this is the exact same deck seen in the movie "A Clockwork Orange"!

Filmed by my friend speedyc395 during his visit in 2006.

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• TC-630
• reel-to-reel
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• Animalympics
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[MrRandrews3]

I wouldn’t say all reel tape lasts 50 years. It depends on things like the type of tape, how well it has been stored, etc. Improper storage in high humidity can cause the tape to absorb moisture, which in turn breaks down the tape. Ampex and Scotch brand tapes are notorious for this, especially if they are back coated. Google “sticky shed syndrome” for more information about this. I’ve had to throw out many reels of tape because of this problem.

[aldiakaroofus]

@MrRandrews3 I am lucky so far, no such problem. Of course, I know better than putting my tapes in a humid place or outside in a shed. They are in my room.

[91165655497]

There is an auction currently on Ebay for some new Scotch 215 Superlife tapes. These come in plastic cases similar to BASF. I have some of these tapes and they're worth going after. I recorded some music off the radio last night onto some Shamrock tapes and was pleasantly surprised by the performance. I got these tapes through Ebay last year from someone here in Montreal.They come from a recording studio.What happened to that chap who has had problems with his 630? Has he resolved them?

[aldiakaroofus]

@91165655497 I hope so!

[aldiakaroofus]

Agreed. That's how I have treated my brand new vinyl records over the years. However, nowadays, all the records I buy are used. I find them in yard sales and charity bazars. Also, I use different grades of turntables for different levels of record conditions (near mint vinyl on my Linn Axis, slightly worn records or with a few scratches go on my Technics SL-1900, worn out records go on a portable Califone, etc).

But I might record again eventually in the future. :-)

[91165655497]

Not recording on tape anymore ? You keep your TC-630 as a museum piece ? Mine is the mainstay of all my recording. I record onto my 630 from vinyl or whatever then transfer to cassette if need be. An avation electronics engineer friend of mine recently told me that CD's/DVD's have the same lifespan like VHS tape, about 15 years.Reel to reel tape lifespan is about 50 years.Also, CD's don't produce sound faithfully the way tape does.I have tapes from the sixties that still sound fresh today.

[aldiakaroofus]

@91165655497 I use it to play the tapes I already have made in the past. I mostly collect music on vinyl records. Making tapes is just compiling music for me. What matters to me is the original source of the sound. Recording my vinyls on tape doesn't help preserve anything, it's just for fun.

[91165655497]

I have checked on the "Stick Shed Syndrome" and one article mentions Scotch 226, and 227 as well as 806 to 809. 226 and 227 are the Highlander series, their lowest grade. I'm unfamiliar with 806 to 809. Scotch 206 and 207 are not mentioned as well as the Dynarange series. BASF isn't mentioned at all. I've had a bad experience with Ampex though, however I don't know if all their tapes are affected. I've been using Scotch, BASF, Memorex, RCA,and Radio Shack / Supertape. I haven't had any problems.

[91165655497]

That chap still has his video posted on his troubles with his 630 but there's no new information on how his repairs ar coming along. I won that auction on Ebay for those Scotch 215 Superlife tapes. Some of those Scotch 203 Dynarange tapes I have the "Made By 3M" and "Scotch" logos enbossed on the reels in gold. The packaging is practically identical to the 215 tapes. The cases are white plastic like BASF with a cardboard sleeve in green and white with the red, black, and white plaid design.

[91165655497]

I'm just recording some Beatles music on Scotch 150. Pretty good results. Recording at 7 1/2 i.p.s. so the sound coming out matches the sound going in. I have a number of these I got through Ebay brand new. I received a dozen of these brand new in the original 3M box about a month ago, using one of them now. I have quite a few Scotch open reel tapes, my favourite and I can't say that I have ever had a bad experience with them especially when bought new. Scotch was one of the better brands !!

[91165655497]

From what I can see, this Scotch 177 tape has a response very similiar to that of Scotch Dynarange, one of my all time favourite tapes. Very clear treble response even at 3 3/4 allowing for more time on the tape resulting in a doubling of recording time when compared to 7 1/2 i.p.s. Now that the recording is on tape I'll rarely play those albums again keeping them at the condition they were in when they arrived. Listening to the music I can't tell the difference between the vinyl and the tape.

[91165655497]

I have just finished recording some Elvis Presley records on my Sony TC-630. Fantastic machine ! I'm listening to the recording now, sounds like Elvis is in the other room. Music recorded on Scotch 177. Good tape, recorded at 7 1/2 & 3 3/4 i.p.s. for the last song, not enough tape left at 7 1/2 for the last one. Albums; "Elvis In Person" "Back In Memphis" and "Pure Gold". Crystal clear and natural sound, great machine and a very good tape. First time I've used it. Got it on Ebay. SONY TC-630 !!