Alignment tape blues

After being conned by Charlie (66fourdoor, coolsitesandsounds) Nudo on
sleazeBay for a useless "dub of a dub" alignment tape, I wonder if
there is anyone who's actually FOUND a real alignment tape for an 8
track deck in the last 20 years or so. I've considered getting a 3.75
IPS capstan motor for one of my Ampex 351s with full track heads to
actually make a calibrated cart at 185 nW/m, but my searching shows
that bulk graphite backed cart tape is "unobtainium" anymore. Anyone
else tackled this problem?

I have a Wollensak (Sanyo-built) 3075 that I've worked into good
condition, including lapping the head, and I get about 10KHz at 3 dB
down on same-deck record/playback, using Scotch carts. If my memory
serves, anything over 7 KHz is gravy on track, as the head technology
just wasn't there to do much more than that...that would wait until
cassette took over and microgapped heads became cheap to produce.
Shame, since the faster tape speed certainly holds the potential for
better top end AND flatter bass response. I've heard you can get up
to 15 KHz using Scotch "Classic" (never seen one!) carts and higher
bias current, probably using the same oxide formulation of Scotch 307
open reel tape, but I don't think that'll ever happen for me, either.

Anyone else on this NG technically proficient on analog tape
technology? I'm HOPING that Nudo is an exception to the rule! Fish
tank filter foam for "pressure pads," indeed!

dB

Hey TBob!
Does your Wolley have the "special" switch?
Dan


DeserTBoB wrote in message . ..

I have a Wollensak (Sanyo-built) 3075 that I've worked into good
condition, including lapping the head, and I get about 10KHz at 3 dB
down on same-deck record/playback, using Scotch carts. If my memory
serves, anything over 7 KHz is gravy on track, as the head technology
just wasn't there to do much more than that...that would wait until
cassette took over and microgapped heads became cheap to produce.
Shame, since the faster tape speed certainly holds the potential for
better top end AND flatter bass response. I've heard you can get up
to 15 KHz using Scotch "Classic" (never seen one!) carts and higher
bias current, probably using the same oxide formulation of Scotch 307
open reel tape, but I don't think that'll ever happen for me, either.

I have a real alignment tape with tones for pitch etc. and they really
are rare. i've only seen them a couple times in all my years of
collecting.

You weren't conned by me, as my alignment tapes come with a MONEY BACK
GUARANTEE, and if you bought one and were not satisfied, you could
just RETURN IT for a full refund.

If you read my feedback, I've sold quite a few of those alignment
tapes and all left GOOD FEEDBACK.

I have an ORIGINAL ALIGNMENT TAPE, and it has factory GHOST TRACKING
on it due to the original in the factory having double tracked- it
also has WOW/FLUTTER that is quite obvious in the recording. You could
make a better alignment tape yourself using a small electric keyboard
for the tones and an 8-track recording deck.

Your accusations are complete falsehoods.

On 5 Oct 2004 08:12:08 -0700, (Dan) wrote:

Hey TBob!
Does your Wolley have the "special" switch? snip

Yes. It appears, from the schematic (have not run a freq sweep on it
yet) that this increases the bias for CrO2 oxide AND kicks in 70 µs
EQ, both of which showed up on cassette decks right around the same
time. Unfortunately, (and, I'm sure, by design) the bias current on
"Wollies" is not adjustable, having been optimized obviously for
Scotch's oxide formulations. I've yet to run across a CrO2 cart to
use and test it with.

I also got a 3056 at a junk sale, and it too has switchable bias/EQ,
but no Dolby "B". By the way, if anyone has a Dolby "B" 8 track
player and has heard some of Columbia's Dolby releases, you'll easily
hear the sonic superiority of 8 track over cassette...more headroom,
flatter bass response and competitive noise floor. It's a shame that
Columbia's carts were so prone to annoying flutter, however.

dB

On 5 Oct 2004 09:35:00 -0700,
(trippin28track) wrote:

I have an ORIGINAL ALIGNMENT TAPE, and it has factory GHOST TRACKING
on it due to the original in the factory having double tracked- it
also has WOW/FLUTTER that is quite obvious in the recording. You could
make a better alignment tape yourself using a small electric keyboard
for the tones and an 8-track recording deck. snip

What an IDIOT! Anyone KNOWS a true alignment tape is FULL TRACK. The
savvy technician also knows about "proximity effect" in the bass
region, and corrects for that while doing a freq run. I do remember
that Nortronics' 8 track carts were as good on wow and flutter as
their cassette and open reel tapes...virtually unmeasurable.

Do you have a wow and flutter bridge? Do you have a selective
voltmeter? Do you know ANYTHING about magnetic recording? I
seriously doubt it. From what you peddle on sleazeBay, I see you're
just a junk peddler with screwball political ideas and probably a
scofflaw. I wonder what kind of code violations the county would find
on your property?

Your accusations are complete falsehoods. snip

You're a complete BOOB, and must be eliminated from both eBay and this
NG.

dB

DeserTBoB wrote in message . ..
After being conned by Charlie (66fourdoor, coolsitesandsounds) Nudo on
sleazeBay for a useless "dub of a dub" alignment tape, I wonder if
there is anyone who's actually FOUND a real alignment tape for an 8
track deck in the last 20 years or so. I've considered getting a 3.75
IPS capstan motor for one of my Ampex 351s with full track heads to
actually make a calibrated cart at 185 nW/m, but my searching shows
that bulk graphite backed cart tape is "unobtainium" anymore. Anyone
else tackled this problem?
I HAVE AN ORIGINAL ALIGNMENT TAPE IN THE BOX- MY EBAY ALIGNMENT TAPES
ARE BETTER !!!!! YOU'RE WRONG- YOU GOT A FULL REFUND, AFTER YOU
DUBBED A COPY OF THE TAPE YOURSELF, YOU RETURNED IT, AND I HAVE THE
CANCELLED I SENT YOU ! THAT SAME TAPE WENT TO SOMEONE ELSE ON EBAY-
AND THEY LEFT GOOD FEEDBACK !!

I have a Wollensak (Sanyo-built) 3075 that I've worked into good
condition, including lapping the head, and I get about 10KHz at 3 dB
down on same-deck record/playback, using Scotch carts. If my memory
serves, anything over 7 KHz is gravy on track, as the head technology
just wasn't there to do much more than that...that would wait until
cassette took over and microgapped heads became cheap to produce.
Shame, since the faster tape speed certainly holds the potential for
better top end AND flatter bass response. I've heard you can get up
to 15 KHz using Scotch "Classic" (never seen one!) carts and higher
bias current, probably using the same oxide formulation of Scotch 307
open reel tape, but I don't think that'll ever happen for me, either.


YOU KNOW DIDDLEY ABOUT 8-TRACK DECKS- ANY DECK FROM THE MID-FI TO HIGH
END MFGRS. WILL GO 15KHZ NO PROBLEM, AND AKAI 82D'S WILL HIT 19KHZ,
POSTS FROM "REAL" TECHS TO FOLLOW !! EVEN A ****TY CAR 8-TRACK DECK
WILL HIT 10KHZ WITH EASE.


Anyone else on this NG technically proficient on analog tape
technology? I'm HOPING that Nudo is an exception to the rule! Fish
tank filter foam for "pressure pads," indeed!

YOU DICKHEAD !!- THE AUCTION WAS DONE AS A JOKE- AND SOLD 300 PADS
ANYWAY WITH GOOD FEEDBACK !! IT WAS DONE TO PROVE AND SHOW, YOU CAN
GET PERFECT RESULTS FROM HOME-MADE PADS, YOU MORON !! THE AUCTION
WASN'T INTENDED TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY !!

WHAT ABOUT YOUR 4 USERNAMES ON EBAY,
DESERTBOB-DESERTBOB1-DESERTBOB2-DESERTBOB3 ?? YOU HYPOCRITE !!

Read up D-Bob, you ****ing ASSHOLE, the following specs from a REAL
knowledgeable tech man, not a jerkoff wannabee like YOU. This fella
forgot more about 8-track decks than you'll ever know- and he spec'd
Akai 82D's out to 19khz. And here you are, saying they only go to
10khz. You have NO CLUE.



From: Joe Nechanicky
Subject: 8-Track Specifications
View: Complete Thread (3 articles)
Original Format
Newsgroups: alt.collecting.8-track-tapes
Date: 2001-03-13 00:43:09 PST


The AKAI CR 80s, 81s ( Roberts 808s ) run ( rated ) 50-15Khz Plus or
Minus
3db, but I have found these extend to 18 kHz under test. The GXR 82 D
Akai
is rated from 40 -16KHZ, within 3 dB, I have seen these test out to
19Khz.
If I remember right, the CR83 toped out at 14Khz with a 50 Hz low end.
The
Telex 811 was good for 50-15Khz and above, same for the Wollnesaks.
The
Pioneer HR99s, HR 100 are good for 50-15 Khz under test. Most 8 track
recorders provided audio response ( were rated ) from around 50 to 100
Hz on
the bottom end to 12 Khz or so on the top side, however this was not
always
within 3 db. It must be said that even these will sound very good if
properly set up with the correct bias adjustment. Most top end tone
controls
on playback audio equipment peak at 10Khz, so if the signal is present
and
flat to 12 Khz, the sound should be very good. ( to the ear anyway)
The best
way to improve top end during recording was/is with proper bias
adjustment
in conjunction with premium tape (for recording). Play back response
is
only limited to the quality of the prerecorded tape, and azimuth
adjustment
of the play head, and player electronics.. I am not sure on the specs
of the
802, however if one one of the other members of the group does not
have the
information, I can find it for you. Just for case of mention, the best
car
player I have ever found to put in home component sound in the car is
the
Pioneer TP 727, or the same type model with the tuner.
Joe

and here's the link to the archives here.

http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=e... om%26rnum%3D1

On 5 Oct 2004 14:19:28 -0700,
(trippin28track) wrote:

I HAVE AN ORIGINAL ALIGNMENT TAPE IN THE BOX- MY EBAY ALIGNMENT TAPES
ARE BETTER !!!!! YOU'RE WRONG- YOU GOT A FULL REFUND, AFTER YOU
DUBBED A COPY OF THE TAPE YOURSELF, YOU RETURNED IT, AND I HAVE THE
CANCELLED I SENT YOU ! THAT SAME TAPE WENT TO SOMEONE ELSE ON EBAY-
AND THEY LEFT GOOD FEEDBACK !! snip

"Curbing" auction item that way is grounds for termination of your
sleazeBay account. Read their Terms of Service. Perhaps I should
forward all your emails to them, and let THEM decide!

YOU KNOW DIDDLEY ABOUT 8-TRACK DECKS- ANY DECK FROM THE MID-FI TO HIGH
END MFGRS. WILL GO 15KHZ NO PROBLEM, AND AKAI 82D'S WILL HIT 19KHZ,
POSTS FROM "REAL" TECHS TO FOLLOW !! EVEN A ****TY CAR 8-TRACK DECK
WILL HIT 10KHZ WITH EASE. snip

Oh brother...the ****'s getting deep enough in here to require hip
waders! HOW FAR DOWN, IDIOT? 10 dB? 20? 30??? IN THE TAPE HISS?
What's the POINT?

YOU DICKHEAD !!- THE AUCTION WAS DONE AS A JOKE- AND SOLD 300 PADS
ANYWAY WITH GOOD FEEDBACK !! IT WAS DONE TO PROVE AND SHOW, YOU CAN
GET PERFECT RESULTS FROM HOME-MADE PADS, YOU MORON !! THE AUCTION
WASN'T INTENDED TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY !! snip

SO...you put a "joke" on sleazeBay and GLADLY ripped people off, eh?
You NEED to have your sleazeBay accounts TERMINATED FORTHWITH! Of
course, then, you'd no longer be part of Dickhead Cheney's "new
economy" he was chortling about the other day..."people are making
money on eBay.." Yeah...most likely because the Rust Belt has lost
over ONE HALF MILLION WELL PAYING JOBS since he and his moron boss
took office! Thus, we get Nudos...and more of them every
day...ripping people off on sleazeBay, the world's largest cesspool
for ripoff artists!

WHAT ABOUT YOUR 4 USERNAMES ON EBAY,
DESERTBOB-DESERTBOB1-DESERTBOB2-DESERTBOB3 ?? YOU HYPOCRITE !! snip

NOT MINE...SORRY! At least he spelled "hypocrite" correctly. I was
SURE he'd muff THAT!

Watching Nudo try to justify himself in this NG is a lot like watching
Bush in the debate...nothing but blather with a lot of "uhhhhhhhh"s
interspersed! "Hard work!....uhhhhh....mixed
messages!....uhhhhhh....gotta get them turrrists!.....uhhhhhh...more
tax cuts for the rich....uhhhhhhhh...."

dB