ALL the BTR 2 & 3 at Abbey Road were painted Grey. There was also a mod to allow vari-speeding the capstan motor. These are NOT ex-Abbey Road machines.
I shall have a look next time I work there. I remember that I saw also one in Malta in the archives of the TV station, last month when I was there. If I have time to revisit next week while I m there I shall take a few shots of it too :)
many thanks, I haven't done much for ages, this video took 8 hours to upload too ( very slow broadband here), one of the reasons I don't upload much these days. At the moment its looking 50/50, Abbey road confirmed the REDD.18 were used there but they were also used world wide ( EMI studios only), but he couldn't comment on the tape guides which an ex EMI engineer seems to think where Abbey road only ( only seen them in pictures of their machines) - the search goes on.
I worked at Abbey Road from 1973 onwards. At that time as far as I am aware only one was being used (but not for recording). BTR's would not use PPM meters.
Hello, there are two styles of PPM's EMI used, the traditional black faced 1-7 scale meter often seen on modern equipment and seen on the BTR-2's Abbey road exhibited not so long ago, but these were not used, the ones used where the -40 to +15dB meters which are in fact EMI's version of the PPM, as far as I can find, these EMI PPM's where the only ones they ever used, I haven't seen a single picture of a VU metered version used in their studios, I believe you use to work in Abbey road in the days of the Studer A80's? the BTR-2 machines would have been stored by then I would have thought.
Good luck with your quest, btw, I seem to remember a film recording was made in the studios when the Beatles recorded 'All you need is love' and I,m fairly certain these was a quick glimpse of the tape machines running. Or am I imagining all this? Sorry just found the recording and there is a quick glimpse of a deck but not much more.
Hi, I worked in Abbey Road studios today and was ready to take some shots of the tape machines but sadly there were no BTR machines around in the corridors :(. Hopefully they return soon, unless they ended up in a museum or somewhere else for good.
The ones they did have there were on loan from EMI archives, they were not their own form back in the day but BBC variants as I later found out, there was some BTR-3 machines there, still trying to get one of these.
Having just purchased the Vinyl of Beatles At The BBC Vol2, I noticed a picture inside showing EMI BTR-2 machines at the BBC. It made me immediately think of your current crop of machines... Does that photo contain any of your machines? Interesting...
Hi, as I work as a musician in Abbey Road quite often I see these machines sitting around in corridors as of course analogue machines fascinate me hence my RUclips name :). I am happy to take some close ups of 2 machines I saw there & send them to you if that helps? Not sure when I am next in there to do some recordings, probably a matter of a few weeks?
Did you ever discover if these were from abbey road? Boy it would be a major find if they were.a piece of history with having the Beatles association,plus of course their value as to what they physically are.brilliant.
Sadly no, speaking with one of the head engineers there, he was very helpful, and though there was a BTR-2/3 stereo machine there, it was only there for experiments and was never used for recording, this is probably not that machine.
I'm curious about if in EMI-Odeon studios in Barcelona (Spain) were also these legendary BTR recorders. If so, many of the greatest hits of Spanish rock and pop of sixties, like all discography of "El Dúo Dinámico", were recorded on these kind of machines. Could someone evidence this point?. Thanks in advance.
Sorry for the late response, that is interesting, I don't suppose you know of any pictures of EMI Odeon and say the control rooms? these did come from Spain and its just as possible they where used there as well as the UK ( I do recall the seller mentioning something along the lines of that some of the Abbey road stuff got moved there).
Seblington Manolo & Ramón, components of that duet, told some years ago in a radio or TV interview (I don't remember clearly) that some time after their arriving to EMI Spain, in Barcelona, they began to record their songs using certain tape recorders coming from Abbey Road, which previously were used by The Beatles. Those machines, as EMI Studios Crew said they, came from UK main studios (obviously Abbey Road) to Barcelona ones, almost as "second hand" stuff. But the fact that those guys were informed about they was recording on the same recorders that "the four of Liverpool", gives one some to thinking about. Were such machines the BTR's? If now you said me that these particular machines did return from Spain, then... 2 + 2 = 4. ;) I don't know about other recording studios or broadcast stations that were used BTR-2 or BTR-3 recorders in my country. Instead, for radio control rooms here were very popular other machines as AMPEX 350, all the range of Studers, and for local stations, the ubiquitous Revox A77, B77 and PR99. Even in sixties, many low sized stations used the Ferrograph Series 6, but these ones were substituted by Revox recorders, mainly because its attractive quality-cost relationship, reliability and durability, besides the fact that Revox machines are capable to admit 10½" reels, even using NAB adapters and even a kind of slightly low-sized AEG-DIN bobby (I don't have any of those platters, but I would like to get at least a pair of them... perhaps a matter of intensive searching along the net), unlike the Ferrograph ones that only could load 8" cine shaft reels. In recording studios during 60's, most of times the four track 1" and 400 series (1/4") of AMPEX were almost the choice, but afterwards, in 70's, the preferred machines were mainly the Studer A80 series, from 2 track 1/4", to 16 and 24 track 2" formats. About your question regrattably I must say you that I don't have any picture of that EMI studios in Barcelona, nor in any "Dúo Dinámico" record cover appears any photo of such control room, i would like to!, but it can be supposed that they were using recorders from their own brand, and quite obviously, the BTR ones. Thanks for your reply.
Germannio That is interesting, the jigsaw is coming together, being that the electronics are internal use REDD.17's, the bespoke arms only seen in the EMI control room pictures and this snippet of information, its looking more and more likely.
Seblington Curiously and by chance after have been speaking you about this issue, some days ago Manolo & Ramón did appear in a TVE 2 program about old times and music, in which they spoke again about the recorders they used to record their songs. But things there were a bit different. They said that till 1964, they were been recording still in mono until Abbey Road sent an used 4 track recorder (undoubtely a Studer J-37) to Barcelona studios. They said also that such recorder was previously used for The Beatles before Abbey Road got its first 8 track recorder. Together with the tape machine came a mixing console, also used in Beatles sessions (undoubtely a REDD, perhaps with his V72 preamps) to begin recording in stereo. Manolo & Ramón said even that with this tape machine and console was recorded "Love me do". This refutes a bit our theory about the BTR-2 used by "The 4" coming to Barcelona and after returning to London. But in any case, your machines could have been in service in the control room of EMI studios in Barcelona even previously to Beatles adventure, going back again to London when them were not of utility here, regardless of being taking part in Beatles sessions or not as seems more likely, keeping in mind that EMI Barcelona was founded well before the birth of The Beatles. Obviously when Manolo & Ramón as other spanish singers, bands and players were recording their songs in EMI studios in Barcelona in mono, is very likely that there were using the BTR's, at least the 2 model (full track) untill the arriving of the first multitrackers, the J-37 ones to starting recording in stereo. Perhaps EMI Barcelona did remain some older BTR-3 to masterize in stereo from 1" 4 track tapes to 1/4 ones, who knows!. If you can understand Spanish, you can watch this video of the program from the original TVE link : www.rtve.es/alacarta/videos/musica-ligerisima/musica-ligerisima-programa-1/2896120/ At minute 9'35 to 10'32 of that video, the singers explains very clearly the fact. Regards.
Germannio Hi, thanks for the info, Hmm, could poke a hole in the history of these two BTR-2's indeed, I wounder what are the chances Manolo & Ramón would reply to an email. Interestingly, there are Ampex machines in that video, looks lke a stereo and a mono version in rack mount,.
WOW. They are breeding ! interesting that when you get a good few the variations are noticeable. I know that there was a BBC label on the manual of the one I had but no indication that it was from there on the machine. Now I wonder if the EMI archives will have a record of serial numbers and where the machines went ?
ALL the BTR 2 & 3 at Abbey Road were painted Grey.
There was also a mod to allow vari-speeding the capstan motor.
These are NOT ex-Abbey Road machines.
Hi, nice to have you back on youtube!!
I hope to see some regular upload from you again.
Thanks, I would love to get back into it as well, soo many machines added over the year
Fascinating stuff here,I could talk for days about these! Thanks for the videos!
Thank you :-)
I shall have a look next time I work there. I remember that I saw also one in Malta in the archives of the TV station, last month when I was there. If I have time to revisit next week while I m there I shall take a few shots of it too :)
Interesting Vid sir, would be great if they were Abbey Road machines. Also nice to see a new vid from you. Cheers.
many thanks, I haven't done much for ages, this video took 8 hours to upload too ( very slow broadband here), one of the reasons I don't upload much these days. At the moment its looking 50/50, Abbey road confirmed the REDD.18 were used there but they were also used world wide ( EMI studios only), but he couldn't comment on the tape guides which an ex EMI engineer seems to think where Abbey road only ( only seen them in pictures of their machines) - the search goes on.
PLEASE keep us informed on this! We haven't seen any RTR posts from you in AGES! :O
Thank you, I will :-) I havent been uploading no, just been busy with other things
Seriously nice find if they are from Abbey Road !!
I worked at Abbey Road from 1973 onwards. At that time as far as I am aware only one was being used (but not for recording). BTR's would not use PPM meters.
Hello, there are two styles of PPM's EMI used, the traditional black faced 1-7 scale meter often seen on modern equipment and seen on the BTR-2's Abbey road exhibited not so long ago, but these were not used, the ones used where the -40 to +15dB meters which are in fact EMI's version of the PPM, as far as I can find, these EMI PPM's where the only ones they ever used, I haven't seen a single picture of a VU metered version used in their studios, I believe you use to work in Abbey road in the days of the Studer A80's? the BTR-2 machines would have been stored by then I would have thought.
Good luck with your quest, btw, I seem to remember a film recording was made in the studios when the Beatles recorded 'All you need is love' and I,m fairly certain these was a quick glimpse of the tape machines running. Or am I imagining all this? Sorry just found the recording and there is a quick glimpse of a deck but not much more.
Many thanks, thre is a few vids of them urnning out there
Hi, I worked in Abbey Road studios today and was ready to take some shots of the tape machines but sadly there were no BTR machines around in the corridors :(. Hopefully they return soon, unless they ended up in a museum or somewhere else for good.
The ones they did have there were on loan from EMI archives, they were not their own form back in the day but BBC variants as I later found out, there was some BTR-3 machines there, still trying to get one of these.
Having just purchased the Vinyl of Beatles At The BBC Vol2, I noticed a picture inside showing EMI BTR-2 machines at the BBC. It made me immediately think of your current crop of machines... Does that photo contain any of your machines? Interesting...
One day I hope to find out :-)
Hi, as I work as a musician in Abbey Road quite often I see these machines sitting around in corridors as of course analogue machines fascinate me hence my RUclips name :). I am happy to take some close ups of 2 machines I saw there & send them to you if that helps? Not sure when I am next in there to do some recordings, probably a matter of a few weeks?
Yes, please do, though the ones in the hallway may be BTR-3's?
Did you ever discover if these were from abbey road? Boy it would be a major find if they were.a piece of history with having the Beatles association,plus of course their value as to what they physically are.brilliant.
Sadly no, speaking with one of the head engineers there, he was very helpful, and though there was a BTR-2/3 stereo machine there, it was only there for experiments and was never used for recording, this is probably not that machine.
im really in to seeing if they actuly are the recorders from Abbey Road! and if so, this is a remarkable find!
IM still trying to find out :-)
I'm curious about if in EMI-Odeon studios in Barcelona (Spain) were also these legendary BTR recorders. If so, many of the greatest hits of Spanish rock and pop of sixties, like all discography of "El Dúo Dinámico", were recorded on these kind of machines. Could someone evidence this point?.
Thanks in advance.
Sorry for the late response, that is interesting, I don't suppose you know of any pictures of EMI Odeon and say the control rooms? these did come from Spain and its just as possible they where used there as well as the UK ( I do recall the seller mentioning something along the lines of that some of the Abbey road stuff got moved there).
Seblington Manolo & Ramón, components of that duet, told some years ago in a radio or TV interview (I don't remember clearly) that some time after their arriving to EMI Spain, in Barcelona, they began to record their songs using certain tape recorders coming from Abbey Road, which previously were used by The Beatles. Those machines, as EMI Studios Crew said they, came from UK main studios (obviously Abbey Road) to Barcelona ones, almost as "second hand" stuff. But the fact that those guys were informed about they was recording on the same recorders that "the four of Liverpool", gives one some to thinking about. Were such machines the BTR's?
If now you said me that these particular machines did return from Spain, then... 2 + 2 = 4. ;)
I don't know about other recording studios or broadcast stations that were used BTR-2 or BTR-3 recorders in my country. Instead, for radio control rooms here were very popular other machines as AMPEX 350, all the range of Studers, and for local stations, the ubiquitous Revox A77, B77 and PR99. Even in sixties, many low sized stations used the Ferrograph Series 6, but these ones were substituted by Revox recorders, mainly because its attractive quality-cost relationship, reliability and durability, besides the fact that Revox machines are capable to admit 10½" reels, even using NAB adapters and even a kind of slightly low-sized AEG-DIN bobby (I don't have any of those platters, but I would like to get at least a pair of them... perhaps a matter of intensive searching along the net), unlike the Ferrograph ones that only could load 8" cine shaft reels.
In recording studios during 60's, most of times the four track 1" and 400 series (1/4") of AMPEX were almost the choice, but afterwards, in 70's, the preferred machines were mainly the Studer A80 series, from 2 track 1/4", to 16 and 24 track 2" formats.
About your question regrattably I must say you that I don't have any picture of that EMI studios in Barcelona, nor in any "Dúo Dinámico" record cover appears any photo of such control room, i would like to!, but it can be supposed that they were using recorders from their own brand, and quite obviously, the BTR ones.
Thanks for your reply.
Germannio That is interesting, the jigsaw is coming together, being that the electronics are internal use REDD.17's, the bespoke arms only seen in the EMI control room pictures and this snippet of information, its looking more and more likely.
Seblington
Curiously and by chance after have been speaking you about this issue, some days ago Manolo & Ramón did appear in a TVE 2 program about old times and music, in which they spoke again about the recorders they used to record their songs. But things there were a bit different. They said that till 1964, they were been recording still in mono until Abbey Road sent an used 4 track recorder (undoubtely a Studer J-37) to Barcelona studios. They said also that such recorder was previously used for The Beatles before Abbey Road got its first 8 track recorder. Together with the tape machine came a mixing console, also used in Beatles sessions (undoubtely a REDD, perhaps with his V72 preamps) to begin recording in stereo. Manolo & Ramón said even that with this tape machine and console was recorded "Love me do". This refutes a bit our theory about the BTR-2 used by "The 4" coming to Barcelona and after returning to London. But in any case, your machines could have been in service in the control room of EMI studios in Barcelona even previously to Beatles adventure, going back again to London when them were not of utility here, regardless of being taking part in Beatles sessions or not as seems more likely, keeping in mind that EMI Barcelona was founded well before the birth of The Beatles.
Obviously when Manolo & Ramón as other spanish singers, bands and players were recording their songs in EMI studios in Barcelona in mono, is very likely that there were using the BTR's, at least the 2 model (full track) untill the arriving of the first multitrackers, the J-37 ones to starting recording in stereo.
Perhaps EMI Barcelona did remain some older BTR-3 to masterize in stereo from 1" 4 track tapes to 1/4 ones, who knows!.
If you can understand Spanish, you can watch this video of the program from the original TVE link :
www.rtve.es/alacarta/videos/musica-ligerisima/musica-ligerisima-programa-1/2896120/
At minute 9'35 to 10'32 of that video, the singers explains very clearly the fact.
Regards.
Germannio Hi, thanks for the info, Hmm, could poke a hole in the history of these two BTR-2's indeed, I wounder what are the chances Manolo & Ramón would reply to an email. Interestingly, there are Ampex machines in that video, looks lke a stereo and a mono version in rack mount,.
WOW. They are breeding ! interesting that when you get a good few the variations are noticeable. I know that there was a BBC label on the manual of the one I had but no indication that it was from there on the machine. Now I wonder if the EMI archives will have a record of serial numbers and where the machines went ?
Hello, Fixerbob, your machine is the one I replace the top deck on, its almost 100% working now :-)
The Douglas DC3 of the tape machine world??
Du bist genial vielen Dank
How many BTR 1&2 machines were made?
Not really sure, the BTR-1's where probably in the hungreds, the BTR-2 in their thousands
Good luck finding out, i hope they are from Abbey Road.
Thanks :-)
Seblington
I have actually been to Abbey Road studios and was lucky enough to have a tour of Studio 2.
The Douglas DC3 of the tape machine world??