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R/E/P => Recording - Engineering & Production => Topic started by: chengzhu on October 13, 2012, 01:07:09 PM

Title: 32-track anlog tape (1 inch)
Post by: chengzhu on October 13, 2012, 01:07:09 PM

I'm trying to find an equipment that able to read 32-track analog tape (1 inch).
Anyone knows which equipment could do this?
32-track analog tape player is very rare, one product I know of is from Soundscriber in 1960's or 70's, but I could't find it in any market.
So, any information?

Title: Re: 32-track anlog tape (1 inch)
Post by: Fletcher on October 14, 2012, 10:37:06 PM

1" - 32 track analog?  Are you sure?  I've never heard of such a beast.

There was an MCI machine that did 32 track analog on 4" tape [from what I understand it never made it out of the "proto-type" stage... but was shown at an AES show in the late 70's - early 80's [before my time actually... but the legend was talked about greatly].

Peace

Title: Re: 32-track anlog tape (1 inch)
Post by: Rick Sutton on October 14, 2012, 11:19:04 PM

 The 1" 32 track may be some form of logging format. Never heard of an audio format like that, but anything is possible.
 As I remember it the MCI was a 3" 32 track. It failed due to the extra tape width causing dimensional instability and the tape had a tendency to act as a sail in wind mode. The advancement of synchronizer technology pretty much put a nail in its coffin.

Title: Re: 32-track anlog tape (1 inch)
Post by: Tim Halligan on October 15, 2012, 11:23:27 AM

It sounds just stupid enough that maybe Trashcan or Fostex may be prime candidates.

Certainly Fostex did a 24 track 1" machine. Lanois had one at some point to catch his live shows.

Otari definitely did 32 over 2" with the MX-80.

Other than that...I got nothing...

Cheers,
Tim

Title: Re: 32-track anlog tape (1 inch)
Post by: Jim Williams on October 15, 2012, 12:27:41 PM

John Stevens did make a commercial 40 track 2" recorder. Same electronics as his 24 tracks. IIRC, TRB used one. Can't say the THD and crosstalk was anything to write home about...

Title: Re: 32-track anlog tape (1 inch)
Post by: mbrebes on October 15, 2012, 01:37:32 PM

I am pretty sure that Stevens also made a 32 track on 2" tape as well.

Title: Re: 32-track anlog tape (1 inch)
Post by: Fletcher on October 17, 2012, 08:58:12 AM

The Stevens machine was a very special beast... but again its 2" not 1".  The Fostex thing is entirely plausible... but I don't ever recall Fostex making anything that handled 1" tape... I believe all their machines were 1/2" [but I could be wrong].

Peace

Title: Re: 32-track anlog tape (1 inch)
Post by: Tim Halligan on October 18, 2012, 03:01:50 AM

Quote from: Fletcher on October 17, 2012, 08:58:12 AM

The Fostex thing is entirely plausible... but I don't ever recall Fostex making anything that handled 1" tape... I believe all their machines were 1/2" [but I could be wrong].

Fostex G24S was 1"

Cheers,
Tim

Title: Re: 32-track anlog tape (1 inch)
Post by: Nobtwiddler on October 19, 2012, 10:13:47 PM

I owned 2 Otari MX-80 32 tracks, but they were both 2 inch...
Never heard of a 1 inch 32 track?