I'm currently working on a documentary, and have encountered a number of
reel to reel tapes that could be used as audio footage. I've always
wanted to own a reel to reel deck since a child, so this was a perfect
excuse to purchase one.

To do this task I obtained a Teac A-3300SX for a reasonable price. The
tapes I'm transferring are 30-35 years old, and consist of lectures, no
music. The tapes are 1/2 track, and the Teac is a 1/4 track deck. Both
sides of the tapes were used in recording.

Of course, since these are 1/2 track tapes, and both sides were recorded
on, I have to adjust the balance to hear the desired channel. The problem
I'm encountering is that Side 2 (or the right channel) bleeds into the
left channel in reverse, even with the right channel's output
disconnected. Most of the time this isn't a big deal, but occasionally it
becomes annoying, especially on one tape.

Is there a way I can fix this? Is this occurring because of misaligned
heads on my deck? Could it be the design of the heads these tapes were
recorded on? Maybe the recorder's heads were misaligned? Or could it
just be the chemicals in the tape breaking down after so many years? Do I
have any alternatives without spending a fortune?

I'm having fun with this otherwise I'm currently working on a
documentary, and have encountered a number of reel to reel tapes that
could be used as audio footage. I've always wanted to own a reel to reel
deck since a child, so this was a perfect excuse to purchase one.

To do this task I obtained a Teac A-3300SX for a reaosnable price. The
tapes I'm transfering are 30-35 years old, and consist of lectures, no
music. The tapes are 1/2 track, and the Teac is a 1/4 track deck. Both
sides of the tapes were used in recording.

Of course, since these are 1/2 track tapes, and both sides were recorded
on, I have to adjust the balance to hear the desired channel. The problem
I'm encountering is that Side 2 (or the right channel) bleeds into the
left channel in reverse, even with the right channel disconnected from my
reciver. Most of the time this isn't a big deal, but occasionally it
becomes annoying, especially on one tape.

Is there a way I can fix this? Is this ocurring because of misalinged
heads on my deck? Could it be the design of the heads these tapes were
recorded on? Maybe the recorder's heads were misalinged? Or could it
just be the chemicals in the tape breaking down after so many years? Do I
have any alternatives without spending a fortune?

On Tue, 15 Nov 2005 20:59:34 -0500, Haroon
wrote:

Of course, since these are 1/2 track tapes, and both sides were recorded
on,

These are mutually exclusive formats. Makes me think
that your playback deck is aging (Brilliant! deduction;
Thanks, it comes naturally) and that you're hearing
old, hard, glazed pinch rollers, among a host of
other well understood and well documented issues
with aging tape players.

Really, playing back 30-35 year old tapes on 30-35
year old machines is not trivial.

And personally, I could think of several things I could
do better 30-35 years ago; that is, if I could remember.

Good fortune with your project,

Chris Hornbeck

Haroon wrote:
To do this task I obtained a Teac A-3300SX for a reasonable price. The
tapes I'm transferring are 30-35 years old, and consist of lectures, no
music. The tapes are 1/2 track, and the Teac is a 1/4 track deck. Both
sides of the tapes were used in recording.

Stop right now.

Of course, since these are 1/2 track tapes, and both sides were recorded
on, I have to adjust the balance to hear the desired channel. The problem
I'm encountering is that Side 2 (or the right channel) bleeds into the
left channel in reverse, even with the right channel's output
disconnected. Most of the time this isn't a big deal, but occasionally it
becomes annoying, especially on one tape.

STOP RIGHT NOW.

If you have a 1/2 track tape, and both "sides" were used, then you have
a mono tape.

Is there a way I can fix this? Is this occurring because of misaligned
heads on my deck? Could it be the design of the heads these tapes were
recorded on? Maybe the recorder's heads were misaligned? Or could it
just be the chemicals in the tape breaking down after so many years? Do I
have any alternatives without spending a fortune?

No. You cannot play half-track tapes reliably on a quarter-track consumer
machine. Since you've got a mono tape to start out with, you don't have
as much worry, but you still are going to have much worse S/N using the
righthand channel of a 4-track machine, also more distortion and funny
EQ since you are only playing back part of the track.

If you want to play a half-track tape, you need a machine with half-track
heads. There is no way around it.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Haroon wrote:

I'm currently working on a documentary, and have encountered a number of
reel to reel tapes that could be used as audio footage. I've always
wanted to own a reel to reel deck since a child, so this was a perfect
excuse to purchase one.

To do this task I obtained a Teac A-3300SX for a reasonable price. The
tapes I'm transferring are 30-35 years old, and consist of lectures, no
music. The tapes are 1/2 track, and the Teac is a 1/4 track deck. Both
sides of the tapes were used in recording.

Of course, since these are 1/2 track tapes, and both sides were recorded
on, I have to adjust the balance to hear the desired channel. The problem
I'm encountering is that Side 2 (or the right channel) bleeds into the
left channel in reverse, even with the right channel's output
disconnected. Most of the time this isn't a big deal, but occasionally it
becomes annoying, especially on one tape.

You have it backwards. The 3300 is a 2 track (1/2 track) stereo
machine.
From your description the tapes are 4 track (1/4 track)

Is there a way I can fix this? Is this occurring because of misaligned
heads on my deck? Could it be the design of the heads these tapes were
recorded on? Maybe the recorder's heads were misaligned? Or could it
just be the chemicals in the tape breaking down after so many years? Do I
have any alternatives without spending a fortune?

The only real solution is to get a deck with the correct format.
Some machines have both 1/4 and 1/2 track heads for playback
The Panasonic 1500 series are some of the better decks with
this feature. As far as cost, with used tape machines are now going
for pennies on the dollar I doubt you will be able to 'spend a
fortune'.

Good luck
rd

"Haroon" wrote ...
I'm currently working on a documentary, and have encountered a number of
reel to reel tapes that could be used as audio footage. I've always
wanted to own a reel to reel deck since a child, so this was a perfect
excuse to purchase one.

To do this task I obtained a Teac A-3300SX for a reasonable price. The
tapes I'm transferring are 30-35 years old, and consist of lectures, no
music. The tapes are 1/2 track, and the Teac is a 1/4 track deck. Both
sides of the tapes were used in recording.


Are you sure you don't have that backwards?
Your symptoms sound more like playing 1/4-track tapes on a
1/2 track machine.

If the tapes are 1/4-track, you have no choice but to play them on
a 1/4 tack machine. The 1/2-track heads will read 1/4-track tracks
going in both directions simultaneously. No practical way to avoid
this.

If the tapes are 1/2 track (mono if both sides are recorded), they
*can* be played on a 1/4-track machine (using only the Left
channel), but it is a kludge and will not yield anything near optimal
results.

To be honest, the whole 1/2 vs. 1/4 track thing has confused me a bit. The
reason I believed my deck was 1/4 track was because it states so in the
unit's instruction manual. Actually, it even goes on to explain what
others have mentioned regarding panning to the left channel when playing
back a 1/2 track tape on the unit.

Maybe I was unclear in describing what's happening, and maybe if I'm
clearer someone can give me a better diagnosis, especially regarding what
kind of tapes these are (the person who gave them to me knows very little
about them, and I'm new to this).

When I start playing the tapes everything sounds fine, except audio is in
the left channel only. No big deal, since I can fix that in a sound
editor. However, as time progresses I eventually reach the point where
the other side of the tape was also recorded on; there is clear and loud
*reversed* audio in the right channel at this point. However, even after
disconnecting the right channel's cable from my receiver, there is a
*faint* sound of the right channel still in the left channel.

With all of that said, is it pretty safe to say I'm playing back a 1/2
tape on a 1/4 machine, and this is the best outcome I can possibly get
with my current setup? Sorry if I'm being redundant, but I'd prefer to
not waste money (and time) on another deck and not get exactly what I
need. Thank in advance.

"Haroon" wrote ...
To be honest, the whole 1/2 vs. 1/4 track thing has confused me a bit. The
reason I believed my deck was 1/4 track was because it states so in the
unit's instruction manual.

It is easy enough to just look at the heads to see whether it is 1/2
track or 1/4 track.. No need to rely on a manual which may or may
not accurately describe your hardware. Should't take as long to do
that as you spent reading this paragraph.

"Haroon" wrote in message
news
Is there a way I can fix this? Is this occurring because of misaligned
heads on my deck? Could it be the design of the heads these tapes were
recorded on? Maybe the recorder's heads were misaligned? Or could it
just be the chemicals in the tape breaking down after so many years? Do I
have any alternatives without spending a fortune?

It's happening because you're playing a half-track tape on a quarter-track
deck. The way to beat the problem, frankly, is to quit knocking your head
against the wall and get a half-track deck and be done with it. They're not
terribly expensive these days -- look for a Revox A77 or an Ampex AG440.
Just make sure you get a half-track. Or you could rent one, but if you have
a lot of tapes to do it may be cheaper to buy than rent.

Peace,
Paul

"Haroon" wrote in message
news
When I start playing the tapes everything sounds fine, except audio is in
the left channel only. No big deal, since I can fix that in a sound
editor. However, as time progresses I eventually reach the point where
the other side of the tape was also recorded on; there is clear and loud
*reversed* audio in the right channel at this point. However, even after
disconnecting the right channel's cable from my receiver, there is a
*faint* sound of the right channel still in the left channel.

With all of that said, is it pretty safe to say I'm playing back a 1/2
tape on a 1/4 machine, and this is the best outcome I can possibly get
with my current setup? Sorry if I'm being redundant, but I'd prefer to
not waste money (and time) on another deck and not get exactly what I
need. Thank in advance.

Yes, that's about what I'd expect from a quarter track consumer deck with
some crosstalk between the electronics of the two channels. But if you want
to be sure...find someone who has a half-track deck and trade them a
six-pack for 15 minutes of time with the deck. Play your tapes and listen.
You may still get a bit of crosstalk, especially if the tapes were made on a
machine with crummy alignment, but it'll probably be a lot less than you're
getting now.

Peace,
Paul

Well I found some more information about the deck.

My instruction manual is for both a A-3300SX and A-3300SX 2T. They are
identical machines with the exception of their playback speed and heads.
I assumed I had an A-3300SX because that's what the label on the front
said, but upon looking at the back label, it is an A-3300SX 2T, which is
1/2 track. This also explains why it only played back at 7 1/2 and 15
ips, even though the manual said it was capable of 3-3/4 ips

I'm guessing 1/4 track was a more popular format than 1/2. Which is
superior in terms of sound quality however, 1/2 because of the wider
trackes?

"Haroon" wrote ...
Well I found some more information about the deck.

My instruction manual is for both a A-3300SX and A-3300SX 2T. They
are
identical machines with the exception of their playback speed and
heads.
I assumed I had an A-3300SX because that's what the label on the front
said, but upon looking at the back label, it is an A-3300SX 2T, which
is
1/2 track. This also explains why it only played back at 7 1/2 and 15
ips, even though the manual said it was capable of 3-3/4 ips

Yes, that completely explains what you are hearing.

I'm guessing 1/4 track was a more popular format than 1/2. Which is
superior in terms of sound quality however, 1/2 because of the wider
trackes?

Yes, 1/2 track is superior exactly because of the wider
tracks. 1/4 track was a consumer format invented to make
reel-to-reel recording more popular by allowing stereo
on both sides of the tape. Alas, the tracks are "interleaved"
so that the right channel is on the lower half of the tape
where it will be read by a 1/2 track head (going the
wrong direction).

"Paul Stamler" wrote i...
"Haroon" wrote ...

Is there a way I can fix this? Is this occurring because of
misaligned
heads on my deck? Could it be the design of the heads these tapes
were
recorded on? Maybe the recorder's heads were misaligned? Or could
it
just be the chemicals in the tape breaking down after so many years?
Do I
have any alternatives without spending a fortune?

It's happening because you're playing a half-track tape on a
quarter-track
deck.

He appears to have discovered that he has a 1/2 track machine
and it sounds like he is trying to play 1/4 track tapes on it.

The way to beat the problem, frankly, is to quit knocking your head
against the wall and get a half-track deck and be done with it.
They're not
terribly expensive these days -- look for a Revox A77 or an Ampex
AG440.
Just make sure you get a half-track. Or you could rent one, but if you
have
a lot of tapes to do it may be cheaper to buy than rent.

My Sony TC-850 will do both 1/4 track and 1/2 track
(with two switchable playback heads), and also has an
exchangable head stack for 1/4 vs. 1/2 erase/recording.
It also runs 3.75, 7.5, and 15 IPS. Fortunately, I stocked
up on the rubber parts (capstan belt & pinch rollers, 2
of them) before Sony pulled the plug.

Paul Stamler wrote:

"Haroon" wrote in message
news
Is there a way I can fix this? Is this occurring because of misaligned
heads on my deck? Could it be the design of the heads these tapes were
recorded on? Maybe the recorder's heads were misaligned? Or could it
just be the chemicals in the tape breaking down after so many years? Do I
have any alternatives without spending a fortune?

It's happening because you're playing a half-track tape on a quarter-track
deck.

Think about it ...
A half track (or 2 track, whatever) tape won't have anything going
in reverse because the 2 tracks take up the whole tape width.
Therefore you can't record anything on "the other side" because
a 2 track (stereo) tape recorded on the other side would erase
the original recording on the first side.
The tapes are almost certainly 4 tracks if there is content going in
2 directions. (Mono or stereo)

There are other possible formats, such as 2 track mono,
being played back on a 4 track machine that might show
the symptoms you are seeing. I'd suggest finding for
certain what the tape's format is as well as your deck's
and if the tapes are all the same format.

rd

Haroon wrote:

The tapes are 1/2 track, and the Teac is a 1/4 track deck. Both
sides of the tapes were used in recording.

Of course, since these are 1/2 track tapes, and both sides were recorded
on, I have to adjust the balance to hear the desired channel. The problem
I'm encountering is that Side 2 (or the right channel) bleeds into the
left channel in reverse,

This is because the span of a quarter-track head is wider than that of
a half-track head and a little bit of the other track is being "seen"
by your playback head. I've usually been able to play half-track tapes
on a quarter-track head by selecting just one channel.

The left channel is the most outside part of the head. It will miss a
bit of the track width so the playback will be noisier and at a little
lower level than it should be (the low frequency response will be off,
also, but that's not such a big deal) but you should be able to
eliminate the "backwards" track.

You really should have a half-track playback head. The TEAC 3300 was
available in both quarter- and half-track versions, but of course the
quarter-track version was most common so the laws of probability
brought you together with one. You could probably find a replacement
head, or look for a half-track recorder. If you want to really learn
about tape deck maintenance, you could attempt to mis-align the
playback head vertically enough so that you got solid playback on one
channel from one track and iignore the other channel (which you should
be doing now anyway). But before you do this, you should have a
standard alignment tape on hand (so you can put it back the way it's
supposed to be) and study out the head mounting so you'll know how to
move it vertically and get it to stay perpendicular to the deck plate.

On Tue, 15 Nov 2005 21:16:06 -0500, Chris Hornbeck wrote
(in article ):

On Tue, 15 Nov 2005 20:59:34 -0500, Haroon
wrote:

Of course, since these are 1/2 track tapes, and both sides were recorded
on,

These are mutually exclusive formats. Makes me think
that your playback deck is aging (Brilliant! deduction;
Thanks, it comes naturally) and that you're hearing
old, hard, glazed pinch rollers, among a host of
other well understood and well documented issues
with aging tape players.

Really, playing back 30-35 year old tapes on 30-35
year old machines is not trivial.

And personally, I could think of several things I could
do better 30-35 years ago; that is, if I could remember.

Good fortune with your project,

Chris Hornbeck

They could be half track mono with audio in both directions.

Ty Ford


-- Ty Ford's equipment reviews, audio samples, rates and other audiocentric
stuff are at www.tyford.com

Haroon wrote:

My instruction manual is for both a A-3300SX and A-3300SX 2T. They are
identical machines with the exception of their playback speed and heads.
I assumed I had an A-3300SX because that's what the label on the front
said, but upon looking at the back label, it is an A-3300SX 2T, which is
1/2 track. This also explains why it only played back at 7 1/2 and 15
ips, even though the manual said it was capable of 3-3/4 ips

I'm guessing 1/4 track was a more popular format than 1/2. Which is
superior in terms of sound quality however, 1/2 because of the wider
trackes?

Quarter track was basically a low-cost consumer format that halved the
cost of tape. It was a bad idea on the whole. The narrower tracks
mean more crosstalk, and considerably poorer S/N. But it was cheaper.

Some professional machines had quarter-track playback heads to deal
with consumer tapes. I even have a quarter-track headstack for my
ATR-100 here, to deal with consumer tapes.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Okay, now we know what's happening: instead of playing back half-track
(mono) tapes on a quarter-track machine, you're playing back quarter-track
tapes on a half-track machine. So the advice still holds: get a machine with
the right format, and roll on. Note that because it's quarter-track, there
may still be a little bit of crosstalk with the backwards tracks.

Peace,
Paul

They could be half track mono with audio in both directions.

Ty Ford

On Wed, 16 Nov 2005 18:19:46 GMT, "Paul Stamler"
wrote:

Okay, now we know what's happening: instead of playing back half-track
(mono) tapes on a quarter-track machine, you're playing back quarter-track
tapes on a half-track machine. So the advice still holds: get a machine with
the right format, and roll on. Note that because it's quarter-track, there
may still be a little bit of crosstalk with the backwards tracks.

Thanks, guys. Makes good sense, especially for the
material and the era. To the OP: can you post a pix
of the head somewhere? Modern cameras make amazing
macros; just a thought.

But he still needs a new pinch roller; I ain't
budgin' about that (insert emoticon).

Thanks to you both, as always,

Chris Hornbeck

Some professional machines had quarter-track playback heads to deal
with consumer tapes. I even have a quarter-track headstack for my
ATR-100 here, to deal with consumer tapes.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

My Otari MX5050BII has 2-track and 4-track dedicated heads for playback. But
I don't use it anymore as I've gone digital, so it's up on Ebay now.


--
Best Regards,

Mark A. Weiss, P.E.
www.mwcomms.com
-

Wow, I bought this deck just to archive some old tapes, but decided to
record earlier this eveining. At 15 IPS, even with some old cruddy tape
from who knows when the sound from this thing is great. Not bad for a
machine that's 25+ years old.