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Conference napalm::commusic_v1

Title:* * Computer Music, MIDI, and Related Topics * *
Notice:Conference has been write-locked. Use new version.
Moderator:DYPSS1::SCHAFER
Created:Thu Feb 20 1986
Last Modified:Mon Aug 29 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2852
Total number of notes:33157

1744.0. "Cassette Tape Duplication/Copying Machines" by FGVAXX::LAING (Soft-Core-Cuddler*Jim Laing*261-2194) Fri Oct 28 1988 13:43

I wonder if there is such thing as a fairly low-cost, mid-fi quality,
tape-duping device in existence.  Whenever my band rehearses, we often
decide to make dup tapes ... songs we're gonna learn, tapes of rehearsals
so we can each listen for problems, our parts, etc., and copies of demo
tapes we'd made, etc.  I ended up running 3-4 copies one-by-one now!

One option I've considered is buying 3-4 cheap/used decks, plus one of those
Radio Shack "3-to-1" tape thingies, and ganging them all together.  Is there
a device that accomplishes this same thing, but makes the dups easier/faster
to copy?

I don't need ultra-high quality, just medium quality, as these tapes are
only to be used for practice and listening by band members.

Any suggestions?
-Jim (Posted in MUSIC and COMMUSIC)
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1744.1EVERYBODY has a ghetto blaster (don't they?).DYO780::SCHAFERBrad - back in Ohio.Fri Oct 28 1988 15:119
    Maybe a dumb suggestion, but the last band effort that I was involved
    in used boom boxes.  Everyone had one, so we all brought 'em, I
    supplied the power strip, and they were all situated in one location in
    the room. 

    Like I said, dumb, and probably not optimal - but it worked.  Cheap,
    too. 

-b
1744.2TELEXBPOV04::ALANFri Oct 28 1988 15:199
    TELEX makes a machine that makes three copies at once at a speed
    of 16:1. At that speed the NR used becomes irrelevant. You can
    copy 30 minutes of tape in about 2.5 minutes. It is mid-fi as you
    put it and is perfect for what you are looking for. I have one at
    home that I am looking to sell. I can't remember the model # but
    the original cost was close to $5000.00. I would take 20% of that.
    It is in great condition (hardly used) and is just taking up room.
    I have the manual etc. and a dust cover. If you would like more
    info my DTN is 296-3580 or mail me at GIAMEM::ALAN.
1744.3DNEAST::BOTTOM_DAVIDEveryday I got the bluesFri Oct 28 1988 16:148
    I bought a pioneer deck this year that deos high speed dubbing.
    It's fidelity is reasoably good. Seem like i can't remember the
    model number though, cost me $350 or so from Crutchfield mail order.
    List was $599...
    
    I can check the model number specs etc if you're interested.
    
    dbii
1744.4low-fi means no-fiSUBSYS::ORINAMIGA te amoFri Oct 28 1988 17:0411
On the question of high-speed duplicating...

Remember, though, that if you start out to duplicate a mid-fi tape, and you
use 2x duping speed, you are playing back the original tape at twice the
normal speed, which means the frequencies will be twice the norm. Most of the
highs will be lost because they will exceed the audio frequency response of
the cassette deck (around 10khz-12khz usually). You'll end up with a low-fi
copy that sounds like mud gurgling in a geyser. It is better (but more time
consuming) to copy tapes at normal speed.

dave
1744.5DNEAST::BOTTOM_DAVIDEveryday I got the bluesMon Oct 31 1988 09:199
    In practice on my deck a high speed dupe is identical to a normal
    speed dupe...at least to my ears...
    
    Remember that as the tape speed goes up so does the frequency response
    of both the tape and the tape deck heads. So in certain cases this
    may be a wash to some degree...although I certainly don't maintain
    that you would get a response of 40Khz at the top end.
    
    dbii