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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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Old 20th Apr 2018, 1:38 pm   #1
Martin Bush
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Default Cassette duplication

Not sure if this is in the right category so please move if not.


A friend of mine is in a band and is keen to issue a cassette. He started out making cassettes in the 90s and still has a deck, so it's not a hipster thing - he loves the format.

I was wondering if anyone on here has a duplication machine or knows of anyone who can do short runs of tapes.

I suppose I'm aiming for something above a double tape deck but below going to a professional company. Although, having said that, any advice or experience anyone has to share would be useful.
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Old 20th Apr 2018, 2:21 pm   #2
ben
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Default Re: Cassette duplication

I regularly do small runs of tapes over here in Spain.

As I see it, there are three options
1. Look for a duplication company - Tapeline?
2. Get a dual or triple well high speed duplicator
3. Get a few hi fi decks 'chained' and use a PC as source (real time)

Advantages of 1: pro service
Disadvantage : cost, postage, time etc.

2: + very quick home duplication possible (16 x speed , 2 sides at once, etc)
- Copy quality may suffer, machine may have had a hard life/need service

3.: + Best quality (real time)
- Need to choose wisely, decks may need overhauling, space considerations.
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Old 22nd Apr 2018, 11:41 pm   #3
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Default Re: Cassette duplication

I used to do short runs of cassettes at the old studio with a bank of 8 cassette machines. We used Japanese custom length cassettes from PMD Magnetics and the quality was very good. I think I did my last run of cassettes back in 2003.

I was surprised to learn that cassettes are making a comeback and there is a company in Hampshire who have a bank of Tascam decks doing real time duplication.

https://www.bandcds.co.uk/cassettes/...e-duplication/

Sounds Good have also been doing this for years and their prices look competitive...

https://soundsgood.co.uk/cassette-duplication/
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Old 22nd Apr 2018, 11:53 pm   #4
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Default Re: Cassette duplication

http://www.debandjesfabriek.nl/produ...te-duplicatie/

He uses a battery of Akai decks for real time duplication.
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Old 23rd Apr 2018, 11:20 pm   #5
Martin Bush
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Default Re: Cassette duplication

Thanks chaps, this has got the ideas flowing!

They are hoping to release a vinyl 12" first but hopefully a cassette is on the list of formats.

Why are cassettes making a comeback? Hard to say. I had no interest in them until I dug out a player I picked up off the market, did a quick service and stuck in a 99p charity shop tape and realised it was a good source of music.

I guess it's nice to have a physical item that's nicely made and the companies listed above do seem to take a pride in what they do.
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Old 24th Apr 2018, 8:57 am   #6
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Default Re: Cassette duplication

Mmmmm ..... the kids are really taking to vinyl - but many don't appreciate that most of the new players [and moreover, new pressings] are often substandard.

However - most people forget that most vinyl [pressing 'masters'] were cut from 'Master TAPES' derived from 4/8/16/24 track mixer TAPES. The clue is in the name! O.K. some of these tapes were wider and running faster .... but there is no doubt that a decent tape rig will beat vinyl into a cocked hat every time. I'm currently using a Sony MHC 5500 Hi Fi rig [containing one of the last higher end home tape cassette rigs] ..... and its performance is quite remarkable.

Moving on a little - recent news media revealed a resurgence of CD sales .... again .... a superb uncompressed 'source' .... with the information removed at the speed of light. However - in many respects the space saving/low mass/energy frugal UNCOMPRESSED 'Mini Disc' format was even better .... featuring a very clever processing system ...... I await its 'resurgence' too [but not holding my breath]!!
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Old 24th Apr 2018, 9:46 am   #7
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Default Re: Cassette duplication

I await the return of Laserdiscs.........
Going to be a long long wait.
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Old 24th Apr 2018, 10:41 am   #8
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Long wait? Your telly is still sitting on my hallway floor Chris!!!
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