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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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20th Apr 2018, 1:38 pm | #1 |
Octode
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Oxfordshire, UK.
Posts: 1,906
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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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20th Apr 2018, 2:21 pm | #2 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Madrid, Spain / Wirral, UK
Posts: 7,484
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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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22nd Apr 2018, 11:41 pm | #3 |
Octode
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Liss, Hampshire, UK.
Posts: 1,870
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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/ |
22nd Apr 2018, 11:53 pm | #4 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Haarlem, Netherlands
Posts: 4,184
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Re: Cassette duplication
http://www.debandjesfabriek.nl/produ...te-duplicatie/
He uses a battery of Akai decks for real time duplication. |
23rd Apr 2018, 11:20 pm | #5 |
Octode
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Oxfordshire, UK.
Posts: 1,906
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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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24th Apr 2018, 8:57 am | #6 |
Heptode
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK.
Posts: 872
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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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24th Apr 2018, 9:46 am | #7 |
Nonode
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Gloucester, Glos. UK.
Posts: 2,149
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Re: Cassette duplication
I await the return of Laserdiscs.........
Going to be a long long wait. |
24th Apr 2018, 10:41 am | #8 |
Heptode
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK.
Posts: 872
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Re: Cassette duplication
Long wait? Your telly is still sitting on my hallway floor Chris!!!
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