Revox A77 bulky conversion to High Speed
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- Опубликовано: 16 сен 2022
- Look at my other videos for:
Varispeep conversion: • Revox A77 Marathon: Pa...
Playing a 15IPS tape: • "Σκόνη, πέτρες, λάσπη"...
This video refers only to mechanical conversion. Anybody may or may not do any relevant electronics adjustment. Since the mod is reversible I do not recommend any electronics adjustment. Recording on HighSpeed does not make much of a difference. 15 IPS is needed only for playing back tapes and that does not require any electronics adjustment. 
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In the 1980s I converted my 1979 B77 Mk1 from a standard speed to a high speed deck. I purchased a new motor and chaged all the EQ and emphasis in the record and playback boards. I also changed the heads from a 4-track bi-direction to a 2-track stereo, single direction, which meant changing the oscillator transformer. I also have a large collection of NAB reels with the aluminium Studer reel hubs. She's a beautiful machine, she looks like brand new. My other four Revox's are A77 Mk.3s. I used to be a tech in a radio station.
Sure, you did it professionally. I showed the amateurs bulky method that the average user like me could do it at home.
@@dchatz _You're right about the aesthetics, reel2reel tape recorders do look great in a hifi or home studio setting_. Studer-Revox actually started making them again, albeit in a modern way and they are eye-wateringly expensive. I don't run my machines any more. Too expensive to maintain and I no longer have access to the test gear. So the B77 is packed away in her own flight case, the previous owner had made for it. The A77s are in wooden crates, with all the NAB reels and assorted gear.
@@channelsixtysix066 great!!!!!I prefer the professional method, I would like to know exactly what you changed in the audio cards, thank you very much for your help !
Genius hack. I especially like how non invasive and reversible it is!
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Great idea !
Thank you
Revox a77 mk4 - 2 track, what reel ampex 406 is 1/2 or 1/4 tape?
It is 1/4 tape. A77's had no 1/2 tape versions (it was a consumer machine, not professional, although it was used professionally also (Pink floyd etc)).
I’m sorry but this is a dumb idea. Using a plastic pipe to widen the capstan diameter is going send the flutter measurements through the roof. Those telling you to double the speed digitally gave you the best advice, bar from properly converting it to a 15ips machine with a wider capstan and EQ electronics.
you are correct, this is not a proper conversion and that is why it is called "bulky". It is a method of quickly listening something and not for proper digitizing (proper digitizing is of course digitally doubling the speed). There is of course significant flutter but actually not that bad. You can see the video on the description the result playing a real 15ips tape. Of course the flutter is to much proportional to the pipe diameter variations. If you find a plastic pipe with straight, exactly in the middle and steady diameter the result might be not that bad.
Careful not to let anything made of steel, like those pliers, touch the heads or tape. It will magnetise the heads and put drop outs on the tape.
That is correct. Also scratching the capstan shaft is another issue. I was careful not to.
It may be explaned in 15 sec. 🙂
More standard conversion following shortly
Wow I got the shaft changed and it cost a fortune
Yes but your conversion is proper while mine is very bulky. An original 15IPS shaft is expensive, a complete motor even more. Tell me, did you just replace the shaft? Didn't this bring the tape too low to be out of the near tape guide? How did you get away with that? Normally the motor has to be moved a bit to the top, did you do something similar or left it as it was?
@@dchatz yes. I got the shaft on eBay for 120 AUD. One technician just changed the shaft and the A77 was very noisy. The next technician moved the entire motor so the capstan sits in the right place. The technicians cost alot of money (almost 2 grand) . Is it worth it? That's another story.
Why not just buy a high speed machine like mine