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[ssltech]

Al,

There's no ego behind these words:

I remember the first time I tried to work on a tape machine. I got a bit mixed up, but I NEVER messed with the path.

Then a 60-year old chap who'd actually BUILT a few vacuum tube multitrack tape machines back in the day -and who I HIGHLY respected- showed me some tricks. He also showed me how to lap heads, and he taught me how the smallest effect can RUIN the machine -not right away, but pretty quickly.

Without these forwarnings, I'd have seriously shortened the service life of the first few machines (or their heads at the VERY least!) -and yet you're railing at some of the soundest advice you could receive.

Peter Coghlan (for such was his name) had to SHOW me. He couldn't have described it over the phone. He couldn't have written some notes, that wouldn't have worked. You have to LOOK at what's being done. This is friction at work. You don't notice when it begins to do evil work, until it's too late.

Oh, and wow and flutter is the same at ALL frequencies, since it's tape-speed stability related. If you're describing the effect of level instability which is MORE pronounced at higher frequencies, then it's tape-to-head contact which is your problem. That very likely means a head re-lap.

Peter even showed me how to re-lap heads, but I have NEVER attempted it. -Even the setup and alignment of heads is something which commands my full and most careful attention.

I couldn't have leadned it from an internet forum, and if you can, then you're a MUCH better man than I. Thay may very well be the case, but I -and others here, all of whom have done this many , many times over between us- all think that you are better served by being SHOWN how to do it.

If you wanted to hear something different, I'm sorry. The advice you've received is about the best advice you can get. -You didn't even bake the MRL. A tech would have been all over that as being important in five seconds.

Keith

[althemusicwizard]

[Larrchild]

M:   Look, I CAME HERE FOR AN ARGUMENT, I'm not going to just stand...!!
Q:   OH, oh I'm sorry, but this is abuse.
M:   Oh, I see, well, that explains it.
Q:   Ah yes, you want room 12A, Just along the corridor.

[Andy Peters]

althemusicwizard wrote on Mon, 27 November 2006 13:35

If anyone thinks their answer was going to be interpreted by me as helpful.....please go and read a book called 'The Essential Difference' by Simon Baron-Cohen.

Your tone is much like that of his relative, Sacha Baron Cohen.

-a

[Dave Hecht]

althemusicwizard wrote on Mon, 27 November 2006 11:42

Larrchild wrote on Mon, 27 November 2006 12:23 What did you want to hear? That you are doing great? Sheesh. I worship the people you walk on. Well, for a website that purports to have 'the brightest and creative minds' (or something like that) answers to some of the specific questions would have been nice........ But like most things on the internet, you have to trawl past male egos, testosterone city, pyscopaths and freaks just to sometimes get where you want to be. I've learned on posting these last few years that if I haven't got anything to contribute, I keep quiet. I asked some very specific questions, and all I got back were a bunch of opinions. IF I'D ASKED 'SHOULD I CALL A FUCKING TECHIE?' then maybe the replies were apt. You know nothing about me, what I want to use the machine for yet reel out this advice like you'd paid for the machine......I'm sorry, it's my machine and if I want to run the risk of ruining it, then that's my decision. If you don't want to answer my questions, fine, let the thread die.....but for fuck's sake, don't tell me again that I need to call a techie.... Is that clear enough? Good.

 Al,

 You need to lighten up. These guys are just trying to help you out. Since I've been moderating this forum, I've found SSL Tech, Sodderboy, Larry and OldGearGuy to be very knowledgeable. and their answers are usually right on the money. If they're suggesting you consult/hire a good tech (which I happen to agree with), it's because they know the potential pitfalls and are trying to SAVE YOU GRIEF AND MONEY. Your reply is totally out of order.

 You may very well be capable of completely refurb'ing this machine by yourself with some help online. However, we've all seen machines that were seriously fucked up by someone without the proper experience working on them. This is far more common than a complete beginner getting it right.

 If you don't like the advice offered, don't take it. But in the future, DO NOT reply to people who are trying to help you out in such an offensive manner on MY forum.

Dave Hecht

[wwittman]

althemusicwizard wrote on Mon, 27 November 2006 12:46

'Opinions are like arseholes..........

... some pass more shit than others.

[Tomas Danko]

althemusicwizard wrote on Mon, 27 November 2006 12:46

'Opinions are like arseholes..........

...I'd love to have your's.  

[Dave Hecht]

wwittman wrote on Mon, 27 November 2006 15:27

althemusicwizard wrote on Mon, 27 November 2006 12:46 'Opinions are like arseholes.......... ... some pass more shit than others.

Will,

 Thanks. You always seem to get right to the crux of the matter.

Dave Hecht

[althemusicwizard]

[althemusicwizard]

[ssltech]

althemusicwizard wrote

Dave, You find my tone offensive, but the ridicule and offensiveness I've received here you don't find offensive?

I know that this was addressed to Dave, but I implore you to read the replies again; -I just did. -I cannot find anyone actually ridiculing you.

althemusicwizard wrote

BTW, if this forum is the cream of creative and scientific minds, haven't you got any jobs and lives to be getting on with rather than dishing out insults to me?

Again, I've read it from top to tail and I can't find anything that I can characterise as an "insult" which was directed at you. I did find you saying that you'd been called an "asshole" and an "idiot" (I think those were the two words you used) but nowhere do I read their initial use by anyone else.

Al, I'ver really tried to help, and I hope that you realise that, but if not -well, I tried. -However, we DO have jobs and lives, and the real effect of that -in my case at least, I don't presume to speak for everyone- is to slow down the reply rate, because I respond in between other -more locally pressing- obligations.

Now we probably all know something that you don't. -We know how to align 2" machines. (At least I believe we all do: I've not met everyone personally.) -That's frustrating to you, but assuming that one day you do learn and gain the experience and understanding of how fine these adjustments are, I promise you honestly and without ego or testosterone, that you'll laugh when you think of how you backed the angle-setting screws out so far that they actually came out. -It really is like a mechanic saying: "remember the first time I trid to replace a transmission, and I undid the last bellhousing bolt before I put the jack underneath... Well, at least I know more about it now!"

Sincerely, honestly and seriously, I do wish you the best. I hope you achieve and attain the knowlege and experience. -And then It'd benefit you to re-read this thread -if you feel like it- perhaps come back and share what you've learned. -I think it might include an apology to Dave and everyone else, but the Internet's a big place, and there's a lot to do even before I start typing, so I won't expect one.

Oh by the way, on the subject of insults: please note that the work "wanking" in America does not mean the same thing as in Britain... "wanking" can mean "messing" or "Fiddling" or even just "adjusting" and can even be used in polite company without oiffence. -Basically the Americans don't konw how to use the words "Bollocks" or "Wank" in a sentence... -please consider that accordingly.

All the best.

[Larrchild]

Mr. Wizard,
If we could articulate what the tape looks like when it's laying flat against the heads, or why the position of the heads totally interact with each other, and guide you through that iceberg channel over the internet, we would be tripping over each other to help.
I've seen it here.

But we can't. This is not: "Post a schematic, and we will point to the bad transistor".

This is like taking a wrench to the pinblock of your grand piano, and trying to get it back where it was. You would be calling the tuner pretty fast.

A good hour or two of passing tape at the wrong height or angle will wear a groove in the permalloy head that it will want to follow forever.

The intent of a forum called "Dave Hecht - Master Tech" is not to tell people "Dude,you need  a tech", but somedays, it's the only right answer.

You are experiencing the 5 stages of tape recorder grief:

* Denial

Quote:

I don't know what your technical ability is where this kind of thing is concerned, but I've never been one to run to the specialists just because I don't have the knowledge at that particular point in time. I have built my own house, installed heating, installed electrics, written music for television, run conferences etc.....The point I'm trying to make is that we all know something about something and unless we enquire and investigate that is all we will ever know.

* Anger

Quote:

IF I'D ASKED 'SHOULD I CALL A FUCKING TECHIE?' then maybe the replies were apt. You know nothing about me, what I want to use the machine for yet reel out this advice like you'd paid for the machine......I'm sorry, it's my machine and if I want to run the risk of ruining it, then that's my decision. If you don't want to answer my questions, fine, let the thread die.....but for fuck's sake, don't tell me again that I need to call a techie.... Is that clear enough? Good.

* Bargaining

Quote:

(Well since I also have a wide experience of autism, and that autism is prevalent in engineers and computer programmers and just about anybody who works with systems, I'll put some of the replies down to a 'communication disorder'.

* Depression

Quote:

I think I want to leave this thread now.

* Acceptance

Quote:

You Guys Were Right, I am so Fucked Now! What was I thinking?

Please let us know when you get to stage 5.

[mickeyflame]

pal, sometimes one must just admit defeat and
(ill say it again) get a tech.

the guys at proaudioeurope,london are tape specialists
also check out servicesound.com these guys are very
helpful.

shot
mick

[Dave Hecht]

althemusicwizard wrote on Tue, 28 November 2006 02:21

Baah, Baah, baah.....what's that? That's the sound of sheep. Dave, You find my tone offensive, but the ridicule and offensiveness I've received here you don't find offensive? Well that speaks volumes about you and not about me. Go ahead ban me....it doesn't seem as if I was going to get any CONSTRUCTIVE advice here anyway..... BTW, if this forum is the cream of creative and scientific minds, haven't you got any jobs and lives to be getting on with rather than dishing out insults to me?

Al,

 None of the early posts ridiculed you. They were all trying to explain to you that setting up a tape transport with no experience is practically impossible, and definitely impossible in the state you got it to. You responded with nasty, sarcastic replies because you didn't like the answers you were given. As I posted earlier, if you don't like the advice, don't take it.

 As you continued to receive the same suggestions (which should probably be telling you something), your replies got nastier and more sarcastic. At that point, if anyone took offense, or got fed up, and responded in kind, I can't blame them. So no, I don't find the replies you were given offensive. YOU chose to take this to the gutter, don't get upset if someone responds in kind. And yes, I do have a life and full time job, as do the other guys you've taken shots at, which is why most people appreciate the time we put into trying to help them. As for you, your continuous rants speak volumes about YOU not me.

 As for not receiving any constructive advice, that's exactly what you were given. How to not ruin your machine. As Keith pointed out, tape transport alignments are not something that can be explained without being able to actually SHOW someone the correct tape path, adjustments, etc.

 As for banning you - I don't need to. Your continuous rants are simply making you look like a fool, and I doubt anyone here takes you seriously.

Dave  Hecht

[sodderboy]

Somewhere in sunny Florida-

Lassie:  Woof! woof-woof. . .  woof, woof-woof-woof-woof.  Woof woof woof.

Larr:  Oh, you're right girl.  This Otari RHS play tension should be 400 g and not 425.  

Keef:  Um, actually, Lassie, that SR# machine should be 395 g.

Lassie: woof, weef!

Keef:  It's OK.  That rev. C gets the best of us.  Walkies!

Dave:  who let that dog into the forum?


Larry, you made my day!  The possibilities are endless with "Studio Lassie".
Mike