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Vintage Tape (Audio), Cassette, Wire and Magnetic Disc Recorders and Players Open-reel tape recorders, cassette recorders, 8-track players etc. |
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17th Apr 2020, 12:11 pm | #1 |
Tetrode
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, UK.
Posts: 88
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EM84 indicator valve.
On my 441TR the EM84 is only in circuit during recording. Is there any reason it can't be on for playback as well, or would playback levels be too much/little for it?
Cheers |
17th Apr 2020, 12:45 pm | #2 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: East Sussex, UK.
Posts: 3,326
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Re: EM84 indicator valve.
Probably used as an indication that the machine is in record mode. If it also came on during playback you might get confused and accidentally have it on record, let the pause button go and erase the tape.
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17th Apr 2020, 3:40 pm | #3 |
Tetrode
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, UK.
Posts: 88
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Re: EM84 indicator valve.
I'd be alright in that regard on this machine; there's no pause button, and to switch to record is a 2 handed operation as you have to hold the record lever in before setting it in motion.
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17th Apr 2020, 5:53 pm | #4 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK.
Posts: 6,600
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Re: EM84 indicator valve.
When you say that the EM84 is only in circuit during recording, do you mean it is not lit during playback or that it is lit but does not show the playback signal ?
I think most if not all EM84 machines only show the recording signal, with the EM84 Grundig machines I am familiar with, the EM84 stays lit up all the time power is switched on. This is similar to VU meter machines where some (typically the more budget end/less professional ones) do not indicate the playback signal (and may or may not be illuminated during playback). I guess this is just done to reduce the circuit complexity/cost. |
17th Apr 2020, 6:28 pm | #5 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: St. Frajou, l'Isle en Dodon, Haute Garonne, France.(Previously: Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, UK.)
Posts: 3,182
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Re: EM84 indicator valve.
Hi,
My Grundig TK120 has the EM84 lit at all times, but only indicates level on record. If that's any help. Cheers, Pete.
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17th Apr 2020, 6:53 pm | #6 |
Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK.
Posts: 6,863
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Re: EM84 indicator valve.
It would be easy enough to keep it on but how well it will work in play back is a bit of a guess since as wired it will be affected by the volume setting.
Just link across as shown in red and the Magic eye will be on all the time. Cheers Mike T
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18th Apr 2020, 5:34 am | #7 | |
Octode
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Lund, Sweden
Posts: 1,632
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Re: EM84 indicator valve.
Quote:
Even though setting a machine to record is a two-handed or at least two-fingered operation, having some sort of clear visual queue that the machine is actually in record mode is beneficial, and having the indicators only turn on during record is a simple yet effective way to do this. It also saves them wearing out prematurely, especially since most people would play back much more than they would record. (The downside of course being that now rare and sought-after indicator valves like the EM34 are being pulled from tape recorders to be used in radios). |
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22nd Apr 2020, 9:01 am | #8 |
Tetrode
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, UK.
Posts: 88
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Re: EM84 indicator valve.
Thanks for the replies all.
I may temporarily connect it as on all the time as I want to make a couple of mods, including a guitar/ PA input, so it will give me a rough indication of signal levels. Cheers |