Amazing AMPEX! Micro 14 Vintage Cassette Recorder

Ampex was very well known for tape recorder quality, and this Micro 14 from circa 1969 is an excellent example of their fine engineering. It has some amazing features, including a unique self contained dynamic microphone. Watch this video to see how Ampex engineered this fine example of vintage legacy audio electronics!

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Sponsored by:

The Vintage Tape Recorder Hall Of Fame. The name says it all. If you are interested in vintage tape recorders, both reel to reel and cassette, this FREE on-line museum is the place to be! Visit: http://www.vintagetaperecorderhof.com TODAY!

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This video explores the Ampex Micro 14 vintage monophonic cassette recorder from circa 1969. As small as a hard cover book, this was a pioneering approach towards the "walkman" style of portable cassette recorders, but pre dates that design by over a decade.

This cassette recorder has a unique "built-in" dynamic microphone the likes of which have not been see since! It uses a Philips style transport but an electromechanically governed motor which can actually run in forward AND reverse.

This vintage cassette tape recorder arrived at ClydeSight in need of restoration. New belts were installed, the machine was cleaned and lubricated. During this restoration, the AMPEX Micro 14 revealed a little known secret -- how cassette recorder capstan bearings are made! You'll have to watch the video to learn this secret.

The Ampex Micro 14 will soon become a part of the Vintage Tape Recorder Hall Of Fame collection, with its own exhibit. Be sure and visit it at:

http://www.vintagetaperecorderhof.com

Listings there are updated monthly!


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Copyright Disclaimer:

This is an educational video, a critique, and report on an historic piece of vintage audio electronic equipment that is no longer manufactured or sold in stores. It is covered by the Fair Use Section of U.S. Copyright Law:

"Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use."

The selection of music played by the vintage cassette tape recorder is from "Concerto for Virtual Harp and Orchestra" an original neoclassical composition composed by Tim Thompson and performed by his XV Orchestra.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• clydesight
• Ampex
• Micro
• 14
• vintage
• cassette
• tape
• recorder
• Concerto
• for
• Virtual
• Harp
• and
• Orchestra

[Twonky411]

I just got an Ampex Micro 7 at a junk store for 3$, AND IT WORKS!!!

It is probably one of the very first hand held recorders. It is so basic, no bells or whistles. No auto stop, no built in mic, ff/rew are momentary push buttons. I also have a Micro 9 that needs some TLC. They're like BRICKS, very solid and heavy.  Pretty kewl stuff for forty+ years old cassette recorders, aye!

[clydesight]

@Twonky411

Good find at the junk store! Philips/Norelco came out with the first cassette recorders, but were quickly followed by Ampex and others, eager to come up with a design that could help them sell many more machines.

[thecrystalcauldron]

Thanks for that. Very interesting.Certainly fooled me with the size and I loved the "special" microphone.

Well done

[clydesight]

@thecrystalcauldron

Thanks. I remember the ads in the 1960's for this machine. I thought it was much larger that it actually is!

[coolbluelights]

Interesting old machine, I would have thought you could plug any microphone into that jack, but I can see you can't!

[clydesight]

@coolbluelights Thanks. I was surprised to discover this design. Like you, I thought any 1/4 mic would do. I'd seen some machines without the mics and figured "no big deal". Glad I waited and got one WITH the mic.

[clydesight]

@RODALCO2007

Thanks!

Akai has made some very impressive machines and have a well deserved reputation for excellence.

It took me a couple of days to figure out that strange microphone set up. I used the jacks (actually, they are plugs, I called them jacks by mistake) because some people sell these machines on E-Bay without the microphone and I felt potential buyers should know what is going on.

[RODALCO2007]

An other great video with lots of detail of this interesting machine.

It's of the same vintage as my X-360 reel to reel from Akai.

Thanks for posting.

Excellent to show the ¼ inch jacks, never seen the Ampex version before.

[clydesight]

@ffeku

Thanks! That microphone plug is definitely strange. Never seen anything like it!

[ffeku]

Hi Clydesight ! Great job w/Ampex-almost 40 years old?

Thanks also for including the 1/4" jack comparison w/Ampex & the other two displayed..