Nagra tape recorders

[[email protected]]

Hello.

I am an audio widow. My late husband was an audio geek. He left behind 2 Nagra tape recorders.

I know they were once state of the art. And they are no longer that.

My question: Can anyone tell me if I should just dump them, which I shall find painful but will do, or if someone, somewhere, still uses them for something?

I hope someone in the group can advise me. I still get your daily emails.

Gail Williams

[John Williamson]

On 02/02/2016 19:00, wrote:
> Hello.
>
> I am an audio widow. My late husband was an audio geek. He left behind 2 Nagra tape recorders.
>
> I know they were once state of the art. And they are no longer that.
>
> My question: Can anyone tell me if I should just dump them, which I shall find painful but will do, or if someone, somewhere, still uses them for something?
>
> I hope someone in the group can advise me. I still get your daily emails.
>
> Gail Williams
>
If all else fails, and they are in good cosmetic condition, one of the
movie museums may be interested, possibly as spare parts if they are in
not so good condition, but still work, to keep other, better machines
running, or even your local town museum, as early technology is under
represented in their collections.

There are also one or two collectors who follow the audio groups who may
be interested.

--
Tciao for Now!

John.

[John Williamson]

On 02/02/2016 19:00, wrote:
> Hello.
>
> I am an audio widow. My late husband was an audio geek. He left behind 2 Nagra tape recorders.
>
> I know they were once state of the art. And they are no longer that.
>
> My question: Can anyone tell me if I should just dump them, which I shall find painful but will do, or if someone, somewhere, still uses them for something?
>
> I hope someone in the group can advise me. I still get your daily emails.
>
> Gail Williams
>
Also, if you feel that way inclined, good working examples can fetch
$600 or so on eBay.

--
Tciao for Now!

John.

[Scott Dorsey]

> wrote:
>Hello.
>
>I am an audio widow. My late husband was an audio geek. He left behind 2 Nagra tape recorders.
>
>I know they were once state of the art. And they are no longer that.
>
>My question: Can anyone tell me if I should just dump them, which I shall find painful but will do, or if someone, somewhere, still uses them for something?

They are collectable, as are the accessories and microphones. Take a look
on Ebay... people are paying some money for even the Nagra III machines.

I would call Dan Dugan at 415-821-9776 and have him broker them for you.
He was the west coast Nagra guru for many years.

Did we know your husband? Who was he?
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Scott Dorsey]

John Williamson > wrote:
>On 02/02/2016 19:00, wrote:
>> Hello.
>>
>> I am an audio widow. My late husband was an audio geek. He left behind 2 Nagra tape recorders.
>>
>> I know they were once state of the art. And they are no longer that.
>>
>> My question: Can anyone tell me if I should just dump them, which I shall find painful but will do, or if someone, somewhere, still uses them for something?
>>
>> I hope someone in the group can advise me. I still get your daily emails.
>>
>> Gail Williams
>
>Also, if you feel that way inclined, good working examples can fetch
>$600 or so on eBay.

Well, Nagra made a lot of machines over many years. $600 is ludicrously
high for a Nagra III, and ludicrously low for a Nagra T. So a lot of it
depends on what models they are.
--scott

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

[JackA]

On Tuesday, February 2, 2016 at 2:01:03 PM UTC-5, wrote:
> Hello.
>
> I am an audio widow. My late husband was an audio geek. He left behind 2 Nagra tape recorders.
>
> I know they were once state of the art. And they are no longer that.
>
> My question: Can anyone tell me if I should just dump them, which I shall find painful but will do, or if someone, somewhere, still uses them for something?
>
> I hope someone in the group can advise me. I still get your daily emails.

Personally, I'd toss them. Even if you wish to sell, are you going to state "Working Condition" or, "As Is"? And, if shipped with delicate mechanical mechanisms, and the don't work as advertised, it'll even create more headaches for you.

Jack
>
> Gail Williams

[[email protected]]

On Tuesday, February 2, 2016 at 2:01:03 PM UTC-5, wrote:
> Hello.
>
> I am an audio widow. My late husband was an audio geek. He left behind 2 Nagra tape recorders.
>
> I know they were once state of the art. And they are no longer that.
>
> My question: Can anyone tell me if I should just dump them, which I shall find painful but will do, or if someone, somewhere, still uses them for something?
>
> I hope someone in the group can advise me. I still get your daily emails.
>
> Gail Williams

I can't figure out how to reply to an individual. (I hate computers.) This is to Scott Dorsey:
My husband was Larry Racies. Worked for CBS News for years, was active in union affairs, worked on a few feature films. Member of SMPTE, AES.
My thanks to all you gentlemen for responding.

[JackA]

On Tuesday, February 2, 2016 at 5:07:10 PM UTC-5, wrote:
> On Tuesday, February 2, 2016 at 2:01:03 PM UTC-5, wrote:
> > Hello.
> >
> > I am an audio widow. My late husband was an audio geek. He left behind 2 Nagra tape recorders.
> >
> > I know they were once state of the art. And they are no longer that.
> >
> > My question: Can anyone tell me if I should just dump them, which I shall find painful but will do, or if someone, somewhere, still uses them for something?
> >
> > I hope someone in the group can advise me. I still get your daily emails.
> >
> > Gail Williams
>
> I can't figure out how to reply to an individual. (I hate computers.)


I use groups.google.com to reply (and read). Now that I have an Android cellphone, I NOW receive new additions to topics via e-mail! I GUESS I can reply directly via e-mail.

Good luck!

Best,
Jack

This is to Scott Dorsey:
> My husband was Larry Racies. Worked for CBS News for years, was active in union affairs, worked on a few feature films. Member of SMPTE, AES.
> My thanks to all you gentlemen for responding.

[Peter Larsen[_3_]]

On 02-02-2016 23:07, wrote:

> On Tuesday, February 2, 2016 at 2:01:03 PM UTC-5, wrote:

>> Hello.

>> I am an audio widow. My late husband was an audio geek. He left behind 2 Nagra tape recorders.

So sorry to hear that.

>> I know they were once state of the art. And they are no longer that.

They still are in many ways. While my own feeling is that tape recorders
are not so relevant for recording anymore, except as special effects,
they are extremely relevant for transfers of recorded tape.

>> My question: Can anyone tell me if I should just dump them, which I shall find painful but will do, or if someone, somewhere, still uses them for something?

Do what Scott says, perhaps he can contact you.

>> I hope someone in the group can advise me. I still get your daily emails.

A Nagra is never a dumpster candidate. As for what market value they
have, I do not know. But about now enough analog taperecorders have gone
the dumpster way for the remainder to get more valuable by the day, so
they have some sales value and certainly also a possible value for a
museum or and archive utility.

>> Gail Williams

> I can't figure out how to reply to an individual. (I hate computers.) This is to Scott Dorsey:
> My husband was Larry Racies. Worked for CBS News for years, was active in union affairs, worked on a few feature films. Member of SMPTE, AES.
> My thanks to all you gentlemen for responding.

Thank you so much for asking rather than just discarding.

Kind regards

Peter Larsen

[[email protected]]

On Wednesday, February 3, 2016 at 7:33:47 AM UTC-5, Peter Larsen wrote:
> On 02-02-2016 23:07, wrote:
>
> > On Tuesday, February 2, 2016 at 2:01:03 PM UTC-5, wrote:
>
> >> Hello.
>
> >> I am an audio widow. My late husband was an audio geek. He left behind 2 Nagra tape recorders.
>
> So sorry to hear that.
>
> >> I know they were once state of the art. And they are no longer that.
>
> They still are in many ways. While my own feeling is that tape recorders
> are not so relevant for recording anymore, except as special effects,
> they are extremely relevant for transfers of recorded tape.
>
> >> My question: Can anyone tell me if I should just dump them, which I shall find painful but will do, or if someone, somewhere, still uses them for something?
>
> Do what Scott says, perhaps he can contact you.
>
> >> I hope someone in the group can advise me. I still get your daily emails.
>
> A Nagra is never a dumpster candidate. As for what market value they
> have, I do not know. But about now enough analog taperecorders have gone
> the dumpster way for the remainder to get more valuable by the day, so
> they have some sales value and certainly also a possible value for a
> museum or and archive utility.
>
> >> Gail Williams
>
> > I can't figure out how to reply to an individual. (I hate computers.) This is to Scott Dorsey:
> > My husband was Larry Racies. Worked for CBS News for years, was active in union affairs, worked on a few feature films. Member of SMPTE, AES.
> > My thanks to all you gentlemen for responding.
>
> Thank you so much for asking rather than just discarding.
>
> Kind regards
>
> Peter Larsen


Nagras were popular for movie produciton.
I was going to suggest the OP post over at ramps
rec.arts.movies.production
but I just went over there and it looks like that usegroup has died.
anybody know where they all went.
It was interesting reading.

Mark

[Scott Dorsey]

> wrote:
>I can't figure out how to reply to an individual. (I hate computers.) This is to Scott Dorsey:
>My husband was Larry Racies. Worked for CBS News for years, was active in union affairs, worked on a few feature films. Member of SMPTE, AES.

My God! Larry was a legend, I had no idea he had passed!

I think most of his Nagra gear was older, but anything Nagra made is still
probably worth preserving. He also used to have an Auricon sound-on-film
rig which is again something of a collector's item.

Also.... you may want to contact the Audio History Library which would be
very interested in any documentation or paper records he might have had.
is a good contact there. They are a good operation
that is trying to preserve any information possible about older sound
recording technology and techniques.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[[email protected]]

On Tuesday, February 2, 2016 at 2:01:03 PM UTC-5, wrote:
> Hello.
>
> I am an audio widow. My late husband was an audio geek. He left behind 2 Nagra tape recorders.
>
> I know they were once state of the art. And they are no longer that.
>
> My question: Can anyone tell me if I should just dump them, which I shall find painful but will do, or if someone, somewhere, still uses them for something?
>
> I hope someone in the group can advise me. I still get your daily emails..
>
> Gail Williams



On Tuesday, February 2, 2016 at 2:01:03 PM UTC-5, wrote:
> Hello.
>
> I am an audio widow. My late husband was an audio geek. He left behind 2 Nagra tape recorders.
>
> I know they were once state of the art. And they are no longer that.
>
> My question: Can anyone tell me if I should just dump them, which I shall find painful but will do, or if someone, somewhere, still uses them for something?
>
> I hope someone in the group can advise me. I still get your daily emails..
>
> Gail Williams

I now have a bit more info. Both machines are Nagra IV-S. Each comes in a carrying case (one a bit beat up), each has a power supply, one has a synchronizer, the other a time code resolver and some kind of cue mike. I am at sea. You kind gentlemen advise a gamut of actions, from "boat anchor" toss-out to Ebay. I used to do audio at CBS, and these machines are just so nice! Someone, somewhere, must be able to, at least, appreciate them for what they once were....Gail

[John Williamson]

On 03/02/2016 18:38, wrote:
> I now have a bit more info. Both machines are Nagra IV-S. Each comes in a carrying case (one a bit beat up), each has a power supply, one has a synchronizer, the other a time code resolver and some kind of cue mike. I am at sea. You kind gentlemen advise a gamut of actions, from "boat anchor" toss-out to Ebay. I used to do audio at CBS, and these machines are just so nice! Someone, somewhere, must be able to, at least, appreciate them for what they once were....Gail
>
Ignore the "Boat anchor" responses, these machines deserve to be
preserved and used. In particular the timecode capable nachine could be
used to recover old movie audio recordings, as very few existing
machines can recover the Nagra format timecode, which was recorded by a
separate head on a wider than normal guard track between the audio channels.
--
Tciao for Now!

John.

[Scott Dorsey]

> wrote:
>I now have a bit more info. Both machines are Nagra IV-S. Each comes in a=
> carrying case (one a bit beat up), each has a power supply, one has a sync=
>hronizer, the other a time code resolver and some kind of cue mike. I am at=
> sea. You kind gentlemen advise a gamut of actions, from "boat anchor" toss=
>-out to Ebay. I used to do audio at CBS, and these machines are just so nic=
>e! Someone, somewhere, must be able to, at least, appreciate them for what=
> they once were....Gail

The IV-S is worth some money, because the people primarily using these things
today are people who want to make stereo recordings in the field. The
synchronizers and resolvers aren't in any real demand today because nobody is
really using pilot tone anymore, but you should be able to get one or two
thousand each for an IV-S in good-but-not-refurbed condition. Again, talk
with Dan Dugan about them, he will find you a buyer.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[John Williamson]

On 03/02/2016 13:27, wrote:
> Nagras were popular for movie produciton.
> I was going to suggest the OP post over at ramps
> rec.arts.movies.production
> but I just went over there and it looks like that usegroup has died.
> anybody know where they all went.
> It was interesting reading.
>
I just asked the question on the group, and most them seem to be here:-

http://jwsoundgroup.net/


--
Tciao for Now!

John.

[Klay Anderson[_2_]]

Better fix that. I'll put a black bar over that Monday.