How to align a tape machine for recording (Bias setup included)

Part 2 in our "How to" series about recording with tape. Before you do the record alignment in this video, make sure to do a repro alignment using your MRL (see the repro alignment video). This video is kind of long, but I decided to leave in a lot of extra footage to provide as much info and guidance as possible.

Things you'll need to complete this exercise are an MRL, a tone generator (we like the neutrik minirator for it's portability and ease of use), and the overbias amount recommended by your the tape manufacturer. In this video, we used RMG 486 which required an overbias amount of +4 at 15 ips for our gap width (consult your manual or the internet for the gap width for you machine)

This process may seem complicated at first, but with a little practice you'll get the hang of it! Feel free to leave comments or shoot me an email if you have any question / comments or suggestions! Long live analog recording.
www.ohmrecordingfacility.com
oliphantscott@gmail.com

Category:

Education

Tags:

• otari
• mtr 90
• mrl tape
• alignment
• repro
• analog
• recording
• how to
• tape bias
• record alignment

[dap714]

thanks for the video it really helped me setup my tape machine, but i dont understand the tails out heads out concept can you please explain a little more simpilar thank you,long live analog!

[ohmrecording]

@dap714 hey there, tails out, basically would mean storing your session on the take up reel not the supply reel, so you would have to rewind the tape back onto the supply side before the next session. or to put in a simpler way, fast forward (or play all the way through the tape, some say it's packed better). good luck! glad you got your machine set up, have fun

[Dzoni73]

how does otari mtr90 hold up against Studer A8XXX series?

[ohmrecording]

@Dzoni73 the studer 8xx (specifically the 827) is kind of the cadillac of the tape recorders. They are awesome machines, you can record backwards. Some can align themselves. But they are expensive. The MTR 90 mkiii we have is an outstanding tape machine, rarely have problems with it, sounds awesome, excellent head life, and good price. In the end, it's about the music you record with it, the deck is mostly transparent, get one that is in good condition.

[ElasticMinds]

I have a Scully 280-2 channel, and have an MRL tape. Only problem I have is that its +6 tape and my meter reads at +3db. I noticed in part 1 you didnt demag the heads, I have a cheap demagger but im not sure how much good it did. its one of those things were im trigger shy about jumping into something like this without all the knowledge on hand, and potentially screwing it up.

[ohmrecording]

@ElasticMinds

What operating level do you want to run at? +6 (320nw/m?) is more than workable, set your repro head to 0 for the tones on your tape, then set your record side to 0 zero as well with a tone generator (see the other video). I wouldn't recommend demag unless you know what you are doing, it can make an almost nonexistent problem much worse. Good luck!

[Mustelator]

Incredible!!! I am one audiophilous, that love analog sound, but never going to studio recording. It's biggest!!! Wowww, great machines!

[AudioHitch]

Great videos. We have 499 and GP9 tapes but not certain what the bias should be set to. any info would be greatly appreciated and passed onto our tech.

[dap714]

gotcha! thanks again, by the way love your tape machine!

[aaronrahmad]

Hi, great video. Can you do me a favour and quickly explain the "record head out or tail out" section you talk about please? Cheer.

[Meteotrance]

waow awesome the calibration process of the bias, is realy interesting ^^