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Scott Dorsey Scott Dorsey is offline
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Default Ampex ATR100 operating issues

Gareth Magennis wrote:
I've looked at buying test tapes many times in the past, but this is not
something to take lightly, given the price and variety, and suitability for
more than one machine.

They are available here in the UK:
https://www.canford.co.uk/MRL-TEST-TAPES


There is a somewhat confusing variety of flux density/EQ/level etc.


For the most part, you can set any configuration with any tape, by using
compensating factors from the MRL book.

But if you get the tape with exactly the configuration you want, you
pretty much set everything to zero, you play back the sweep and the meter
stays solid without moving, and it's a much more rapid process.

I would decide if you want CCIR or NAB (and make sure the switches on
the padnet cards are set for whichever you prefer) and then I would
get the 250 nW/m 15 ips tape for that EQ.

Pick whatever your mastering guys use. That's likely CCIR if they are
in the UK or NAB if they are in the US, but not always.

I would set the playback up for 250 nW/m 15ips and then I would put on a
reel of 468 and set the record up appropriately.

You may someday wish to use other speeds and you might someday want higher
operating levels, but that is a reasonable default configuration.

Note that the tape does vary from batch to batch, so buy enough for a project,
set the machine up for that box, and then when you buy another box check the
record alignment for that new box.

Which recording tape to use is a religious issue but I've been using 468
since Agfa introduced it, and I have nothing but fine things to say about it.
But I'm not into crushing the tape with crazy high levels either.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."