Ferrograph series 7 .

[TheGAoW]

Originally Posted by terry123

There is the famous story of a number of the early series 7's, supplied to the BBC for the specific purpose of recording Parliament, failing acceptance tests. The whole lot went back to the factory..............

Never found Series 7 recording Parliament. In the 80s when I worked at the BBC's place at Bridge House (now replaced by Port Cullis House) there was a room full of 32 Studer B62s, a pair each of which recorded, at 7.5 ips mono, the output of the Commons, The Lords and the Committee rooms as a tag-team so as to have continuous recording.

Originally Posted by llama

The nice thing about them is the solenoid-operated start function which made them ideal in BBC local radio stations. The FF-REW control can be fun.

Again, I never saw Ferro 7s in BBC LR (or Ferros in the BBC at all for that matter). In '89 I was in BBC LR and we had Studer B67s from when the station went on air in 1982, later replaced by A807s.

[mole42uk]

Hope you continue to have success with the heads. I have an S7 here with a u/s replay head which seems to be made of pure unobtainium. It does use the square heads, not like yours.

[Ted Kendall]

Ferrographs were seldom, if ever, used for broadcast purposes in the BBC, but many were used for recording audition tapes, continuity logging, recording off air for the monitoring service and the like. Indeed, the word "Ferrograph" passed into the parlance as meaning an audition tape. Some Logic 7s, or NEAL SP7s, found their way into local radio in places, where they acquired a ribald nickname.

For many years, Ferrograph's prime market was the MOD, where the ability to deliver some sort of performance under the most adverse conditions was paramount.

[julie_m]

I remember the BBC certainly used some Ferrograph machines in local radio editing suites, at least Radio Derby's one; but either of a later vintage than this one, or modified not to require pressure pads. But there were also other makes in there, presumably for the benefit of different people with different tastes in a tape recorder that they were using for editing on. All done at 19cm/s. (7.5in/s) in local radio production; national stations may well have used 38cm/s. (15in/s.) for even easier editing and possibly better quality (though the MW/LW or FM transmission, and especially the speakers in the receiver, would be the ultimate limiting factors).

[Radio Wrangler]

I once got interviewed by the BBC for R4 in the early 1970s at the Radio Leeds studio in the Merrion centre (Had the General Wade octagonal pub literallyvright outside their front door. Do journos have a reputation or what?) I distinctly remember a Leevers Rich machine. They said they used Uher Reports for outside work. No Ferrographs or studer/revoxes in sight.

David

[julie_m]

Originally Posted by Radio Wrangler

I once got interviewed by the BBC for R4 in the early 1970s at the Radio Leeds studio in the Merrion centre (Had the General Wade octagonal pub literallyvright outside their front door. Do journos have a reputation or what?)

The Woodlark Inn, just across the road not far from BBC Radio Derby, was colloquially known as "Studio Five" -- as in, -- Has' seen John anywhere?
-- I think you've missed him; he'll probably be in Studio 5 till about three now! There was even a very nicely made fake "BBC Radio Derby Studio Five" sign in the bar, with the correct BBC logo and the same typeface they used on internal signage.

I'm not sure if the now-demolished Ram Inn (next door to the Woodlark) was ever known as "Studio Four", as there was a bit of the old Exclusive-OR thing going on with regard to the two pubs.

Originally Posted by Radio Wrangler

They said they used Uher Reports for outside work. No Ferrographs or studer/revoxes in sight.

They used Uher 4000 Report L machines, modified only to run at 19cm/s. speed and with a 6.3 B-gauge jack for headphones. These machines were eventually replaced with 3-head "4000 Report Monitor" machines; again modified to run on only one speed and with the automatic recording level disabled, though y he headphone jack provided on these later machines was compatible with BBC 'phones.

[Ted Kendall]

Originally Posted by julie_m

I remember the BBC certainly used some Ferrograph machines in local radio editing suites, at least Radio Derby's one; but either of a later vintage than this one, or modified not to require pressure pads.

These would probably have been the NEAL SP7, a badged Ferro Logic Seven with simplified amplifier controls. All sorts got used for editing in LR until the B67s became almost universal - it survived largely on BH throwouts in its early years.

Originally Posted by julie_m

All done at 19cm/s. (7.5in/s) in local radio production; national stations may well have used 38cm/s. (15in/s.) for even easier editing and possibly better quality (though the MW/LW or FM transmission, and especially the speakers in the receiver, would be the ultimate limiting factors).

As a rule, speech and simple output were at 19, to save on tape and dubbing up from Uher originals, complex stuff and music sometimes 38. Network programmes were nearly always at 38. Production frequently involved multiple tape generations, and the higher tape speed eased maintenance problems considerably.

[MikeCross]

If you can't beat them join them.
Has anyone seen a series 77 Ferrograph?
I believe this was their last recorder which was a Revox B77 with Ferrograph balanced input and output boards. A last attempt to stay in the reel to reel world.
Not that many were produced but I have one, which until recently was in weekly use.

[Ted Kendall]

And then the PR99 came along...game over.

[NorfolkDaveUK]

Originally Posted by MikeCross

If you can't beat them join them.
Has anyone seen a series 77 Ferrograph?
I believe this was their last recorder which was a Revox B77 with Ferrograph balanced input and output boards. A last attempt to stay in the reel to reel world.
Not that many were produced but I have one, which until recently was in weekly use.

Nice . I`ve not seen one in the flesh but they look pretty cool looking at pics on here .

[barrymagrec]

Did anyone have dealings with the Ferrograph Studio 8? I`m fairly sure it was designed at the Wayne Kerr works in New Malden, no idea where they were built although I think very few were.

[NorfolkDaveUK]

No but I would love to find one I dont need to sell the kids to buy , .lol

That and a tandberg 20a . both amazing machines.

[Ted Kendall]

Ferro 8s weren't thick on the ground to start with and didn't get off it commercially - if there are a dozen examples extant I'd be surprised. All the bulk and weight of an A80 and less of the performance.

[NorfolkDaveUK]

Do you by any chance like revox machines ??

[BillDWVA]

Originally Posted by MikeCross

Has anyone seen a series 77 Ferrograph?

There was one for sale recently and from the ‘bidding frenzy’ that broke out there must have been some who knew that it was possibly fairly rare. I wonder if anyone on here bought it?

Bill

[Vintage Engr]

Originally Posted by mole42uk

Hope you continue to have success with the heads. I have an S7 here with a u/s replay head which seems to be made of pure unobtainium. It does use the square heads, not like yours.

Have been watching this thread with interest!
I have several working Ferrographs, including a S7, which I purchased second-hand, still with a year's warranty on it. I have to say this was many years ago.
I've also had Revox machines, and still have a B77, - I'm addicted to both.

I used to service all of these at some point in my diverse career in Broadcast TV & audio.

I may have a spare S7 square unobtanium head here, - do you have a part number? I can then check to see if I have one.

David.

[Reelman]

Well actually I am lucky enough to have a Studio 8. It came from a local radio station via eBay a number of years ago. Came with the service manual which had loads of tips and tricks pencilled in the margins. Since i have hardly used it it will be for sale in due course. First I must find the manuals and the spare electronics that came with it!

It will be strictly collect only as it is very heavy.

Peter

[Robstan234]

Hi Peter, when you come to sell it I would be interested and happy to collect, I live in Stoke-on-Trent so not a long run to you.
Rob

[NorfolkDaveUK]

I have decided (because I`m waiting on caps for the philips ) that today is ferrograph day . Time to open her up and see what makes her tick . Its been locked in a shed for 20 years so i`m expecting filth , filth and more filth ..lol

[AC/HL]

Continued here: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=149249