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pmmunro · 29th May 2005, 11:36 pm

As well as Ferrograph, Weare and Wright tape decks were used in Vortexion tape recorders. The BBC used some Vortexion equipment, in particular loudspeaker or PA amplifiers, which may have been modified for the application. They were used in conjunction with a low frequency oscillator, which could have been a beat frequency type ( a TS 9 or TS10 from memory). The output of the Vortexion amplifier was used to drive the capstan motor of one of a pair of EMI BTR2s on occasions when a variation on standard mains frequency was needed, usually to correct for a recording made at the "wrong" frequency.

One BBC engineer claimed that the best Wearite decks went to Vortexion with the rejects being used in Ferrographs but this could have been professional snobbery as Ferrographs were not considered good enough for anything other than "listening" machines. (To allow programme producers and researchers to listen to tapes).

Another piece of equipment whch our BTR suite had (probably most had) was a notch filter, normally used to remove mains hum. On one ocassion however this was nearly misapplied through musical ignorance.

A recording of Piobroch (Pipe Music) was being sent "down the line" one evening at Festival time from Edinburgh to Bush House for broadcast on the World Service. The Bush House engineer reported a fault due to what he described as 400 c/s hum and asked if a portable generator (aircraft type) had been used for the recording. This meant holding expensive Post Office lines for a possible re-transmission so the OB recording engineer was 'phoned at home. He confirmed that a generator had been used but it was a 50c/s one. (All this was pre-Hz) and was mystified, as was everone else.

At that moment the old maintenance engineer appeared in the control room in Edinburgh on the way home from a studio concert. As it was known that he was a ex Boys Brigade piper, he was asked his opinion and listened to the "hum" on the recording. This was duly given "Aye, it's there alright - but its not 400c/s, it 440 - the A above middle C". All wondered at such precision. The explanation was mildly dissmisive "Tell the pair sassenach no' tae worry it's called the drone o' the pipes, an' he can get away home".

29th May 2005, 11:36 pm	#7
pmmunro Octode Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Dundee, UK. Posts: 1,813	Re: Wearite tape recorder? As well as Ferrograph, Weare and Wright tape decks were used in Vortexion tape recorders. The BBC used some Vortexion equipment, in particular loudspeaker or PA amplifiers, which may have been modified for the application. They were used in conjunction with a low frequency oscillator, which could have been a beat frequency type ( a TS 9 or TS10 from memory). The output of the Vortexion amplifier was used to drive the capstan motor of one of a pair of EMI BTR2s on occasions when a variation on standard mains frequency was needed, usually to correct for a recording made at the "wrong" frequency. One BBC engineer claimed that the best Wearite decks went to Vortexion with the rejects being used in Ferrographs but this could have been professional snobbery as Ferrographs were not considered good enough for anything other than "listening" machines. (To allow programme producers and researchers to listen to tapes). Another piece of equipment whch our BTR suite had (probably most had) was a notch filter, normally used to remove mains hum. On one ocassion however this was nearly misapplied through musical ignorance. A recording of Piobroch (Pipe Music) was being sent "down the line" one evening at Festival time from Edinburgh to Bush House for broadcast on the World Service. The Bush House engineer reported a fault due to what he described as 400 c/s hum and asked if a portable generator (aircraft type) had been used for the recording. This meant holding expensive Post Office lines for a possible re-transmission so the OB recording engineer was 'phoned at home. He confirmed that a generator had been used but it was a 50c/s one. (All this was pre-Hz) and was mystified, as was everone else. At that moment the old maintenance engineer appeared in the control room in Edinburgh on the way home from a studio concert. As it was known that he was a ex Boys Brigade piper, he was asked his opinion and listened to the "hum" on the recording. This was duly given "Aye, it's there alright - but its not 400c/s, it 440 - the A above middle C". All wondered at such precision. The explanation was mildly dissmisive "Tell the pair sassenach no' tae worry it's called the drone o' the pipes, an' he can get away home".