Hi Matt Is the chap in Bedford called Mr Thear? I found his name on a bit of paper and I think he's the guy who serviced and checked the machine when it arrived 10 years ago.
Andy > Hi Andy > I know it is a bit 'forward' but where are you in the UK? > There is a guy near Bedford who services Otari machines. I am near > Liverpool but not a 'tape machine' person, just mixing desks and > 'outboard'. > Matt S >> Matt's right If i was going to buy it I could just record to tape (24 >> channels of great tape compression) and then dump to DAW and that would >> work fine. If it was in the condition that it was when it arrived from >> the >> US 10 years ago I would be up for doing that. Unfortunately it isn't and >> I >> don't have the skills to get it up and running and then maintain it. >> >> Andy >> >> >>> Hi >>> Following Thomas's observation, yes OK if it is all record then replay >>> it won't matter. >>> Many now seem to record to tape, then dump to DAW for 'mixing'. I >>> suppose you could retime it in the DAW, Mad but I presume possible! >>> Matt S >>> >>>> I remember seeing the Stephens at the AES in New York. I guess I was >>>> underwhelmed by it. >>>> >>>> There are lots of fixes for this problem but as long as the tapes are >>>> only going to be recorded or played on this machine what difference >>>> does it make if the machine is running slower or faster. It will run >>>> at the same speed for both record and playback. If you have to take >>>> these tapes elsewhere then you have a problem and some >>>> suggestions/solutions have all ready been discussed. If you are only >>>> using this machine in house then I don't see a problem with a slower >>>> or faster than normal tape speed since it will be the same machine >>>> used for both record and playback. Am I missing something here? >>>> >>>> -TOM- >>>> >>>> Thomas W. Bethel >>>> Managing Director >>>> Acoustik Musik, Ltd. >>>> Room with a View Productions >>>> Oberlin, OH 44074 >>>> 440-775-3681 >>>> www.acoustikmusik.com >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Matt Syson wrote: >>>> >>>>> Hi >>>>> I can see 2 possible ways of overcoming the mains frequency issue. >>>>> The neatest way, which may actually be built into the machine is an >>>>> alternative capstan spindle like some other manufacturers. >>>>> You 'simply' (Ha Ha) unscrew the exiting spindle and replace it with >>>>> one which is slightly thicker in this case. >>>>> If the motor is not a synchronous type, there may be some adjustment >>>>> that could be done. >>>>> The second perhaps slightly easier way would be to use a UPS (power >>>>> supply not parcel business) destined for the US having 60Hz output. >>>>> Rather than trying to power the whole machine, rewire it so the >>>>> electronics run from 50Hz and only the motor(s) run from 60Hz. >>>>> If a little eccentric perhaps but a 1KW amplifier in 'bridge' mode >>>>> will give 110Volts AC. This could be fed with a 60Hz sinewave and use >>>>> this to drive the motor(s). >>>>> Again, run the electronics from mains directly as this is very >>>>> inefficient. There may be an issue with the 10Hz difference >>>>> frequency, so it would have to be tried out to check all is well. >>>>> Matt S >>>>> >>>>>> I posted this yesterday but I am not sure that it went out to the >>>>>> List. >>>>>> >>>>>> Hi All >>>>>> >>>>>> I have had a few people ask about the Stephens so I thought I would >>>>>> post >>>>>> some more background about it and also a yousendit sownload link to >>>>>> some >>>>>> photos. The file at Yousendit is big at 49MB. Anyway here goes. >>>>>> >>>>>> I Fished the Stephens out of storage on wednesday and I have to say >>>>>> it >>>>>> appears to be in a bit of a state. >>>>>> >>>>>> Heres the story. >>>>>> >>>>>> We bought this 10 years ago when we were making an album. Our US >>>>>> based >>>>>> producer told us that it was a great machine and we should buy it >>>>>> and have >>>>>> it shipped to the UK. Unfortunately no one realised that this >>>>>> machine >>>>>> wouldn't work properly in the UK due to the different speed of CPS >>>>>> in our >>>>>> mains power. When the machine arrived for some reason the case was >>>>>> discarded. I remember seeing it rotting in the band leaders front >>>>>> yard. >>>>>> The original idea was to have it flight cased, like the portable >>>>>> model, so >>>>>> it wouldn't take up much room. We took the machine to a UK tape >>>>>> specialist >>>>>> (no one remembers who it was and I didn't go) and he checked the >>>>>> tape >>>>>> machine over and gave it a clean bill of health (apart from the tape >>>>>> speed >>>>>> issue). >>>>>> >>>>>> Like all these things no one got around to flightcasing it and also >>>>>> the >>>>>> tape speed thing was an issue. On the next album we worked with an >>>>>> engineer who was much more used to using Studers and so a A80 MKIV >>>>>> (also >>>>>> for sale)was bought from funky junk. >>>>>> >>>>>> Since then the Stephens has sat in a lockup waiting for something to >>>>>> happen. >>>>>> >>>>>> As far as I can see, all the the components and parts are there and >>>>>> there >>>>>> is a bag of spare parts (relays Amps.etc). We have got the manual >>>>>> and the >>>>>> schematics and a rough idea (scraps of paper) of the service >>>>>> history. >>>>>> There is no reason to expect that with a bit of effort and patience >>>>>> this >>>>>> machine could not be brought back to life. having said that I am >>>>>> primarily >>>>>> a DAW guy and what I know about tape machines could be written on >>>>>> the back >>>>>> of a postage stamp. >>>>>> >>>>>> Looking at the documentation that came with it I can see that it was >>>>>> bought from Andy Tolley (San Diego) in 1999. I also have another >>>>>> service >>>>>> sheet that suggests that it was in service in 86 at a studio called >>>>>> Rusk >>>>>> Sound in L A. If anyone know about Rusk Sound or Andy Tolley could >>>>>> they >>>>>> let me know as perhaps some great music was recorded with this >>>>>> machine' >>>>>> >>>>>> I would love to have it myself but I just don't have the skills >>>>>> needed to >>>>>> maintain it. >>>>>> >>>>>> We would be open to lowball offers as I would like to see this once >>>>>> great >>>>>> machine restored and working or at least go to someone who could use >>>>>> the >>>>>> parts. >>>>>> >>>>>> Here is the link to the pictures (49MB). >>>>>> >>>>>> Download File at: >>>>>> >>>>>> https://rcpt.yousendit.com/660445493/aac154aed00213c02162bd4dde72e92a >>>>>> >>>>>> Anyhow that's the whole sorry tale of the Stephens >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Andy. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> ------ >>>>>> >>>>>> View the list online at: >>>>>> http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] >>>>>> >>>>>> You can unsubscribe at anytime by sending an email to >>>>>> mailto:[email protected] with "unsubscribe neotek" in the >>>>>> message body. If you have any difficulties, or questions --please >>>>>> send an email to mailto:[email protected]. >>>>>> >>>>>> The Neotek list is lovingly hosted by Catapult Web. Remember that >>>>>> any message or reply sent to the list will be automatically >>>>>> forwarded to all subscribers. >>>>>> >>>>>> Vive Le Neotek! >>>>>> >>>>>> Thanks. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>> ------ >>>>> >>>>> View the list online at: >>>>> http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] >>>>> >>>>> You can unsubscribe at anytime by sending an email to >>>>> mailto:[email protected] with "unsubscribe neotek" in the >>>>> message body. If you have any difficulties, or questions --please >>>>> send an email to mailto:[email protected]. >>>>> >>>>> The Neotek list is lovingly hosted by Catapult Web. Remember that any >>>>> message or reply sent to the list will be automatically forwarded to >>>>> all subscribers. >>>>> >>>>> Vive Le Neotek! >>>>> >>>>> Thanks. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> No virus found in this incoming message. >>>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.0.237 / Virus Database: >>>>> 270.11.8/1987 - Release Date: 03/06/09 07:20:00 >>>>> >>>>> >>>> ------ >>>> >>>> View the list online at: >>>> http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] >>>> >>>> You can unsubscribe at anytime by sending an email to >>>> mailto:[email protected] with "unsubscribe neotek" in the >>>> message body. If you have any difficulties, or questions --please send >>>> an email to mailto:[email protected]. >>>> >>>> The Neotek list is lovingly hosted by Catapult Web. Remember that any >>>> message or reply sent to the list will be automatically forwarded to >>>> all subscribers. >>>> >>>> Vive Le Neotek! >>>> >>>> Thanks. >>>> >>>> >>> ------ >>> >>> View the list online at: >>> http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] >>> >>> You can unsubscribe at anytime by sending an email to >>> mailto:[email protected] with "unsubscribe neotek" in the message >>> body. If you have any difficulties, or questions --please send an email >>> to >>> mailto:[email protected]. >>> >>> The Neotek list is lovingly hosted by Catapult Web. Remember that any >>> message or reply sent to the list will be automatically forwarded to >>> all >>> subscribers. >>> >>> Vive Le Neotek! >>> >>> Thanks. >>> >>> >> >> >> ------ >> >> View the list online at: >> http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] >> >> You can unsubscribe at anytime by sending an email to >> mailto:[email protected] with "unsubscribe neotek" in the message >> body. If you have any difficulties, or questions --please send an email >> to mailto:[email protected]. >> >> The Neotek list is lovingly hosted by Catapult Web. Remember that any >> message or reply sent to the list will be automatically forwarded to all >> subscribers. >> >> Vive Le Neotek! >> >> Thanks. >> >> > > ------ > > View the list online at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > > You can unsubscribe at anytime by sending an email to > mailto:[email protected] with "unsubscribe neotek" in the message > body. If you have any difficulties, or questions --please send an email to > mailto:[email protected]. > > The Neotek list is lovingly hosted by Catapult Web. Remember that any > message or reply sent to the list will be automatically forwarded to all > subscribers. > > Vive Le Neotek! > > Thanks. > ------ View the list online at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] You can unsubscribe at anytime by sending an email to mailto:[email protected] with "unsubscribe neotek" in the message body. If you have any difficulties, or questions --please send an email to mailto:[email protected]. The Neotek list is lovingly hosted by Catapult Web. Remember that any message or reply sent to the list will be automatically forwarded to all subscribers. Vive Le Neotek! Thanks.
