|
|
Post by rowmat on Oct 31, 2017 19:46:16 GMT -6
We have been offered an Ampex ATR-100 1/2" 4 track with a spare headblock in good working order. Not sure yet if the headblock is 2 or 4 track but a 2 track 1/2" would be nice and being a 4 track machine we would have a spare set of electronics. Cost?.... $0.00 I've read the logic side of the ATR's can be tricky if things go awry but it's hard to knock it back for free. How much practicalities trump mojo factor is another argument. Comments? Suggestions? 'here 'tis...  |
|
ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 14,918 
|
Post by ericn on Oct 31, 2017 19:59:36 GMT -6
Just grab it!
There is enough info and old machines to keep her going.
|
|
|
|
Post by jeremygillespie on Oct 31, 2017 20:38:32 GMT -6
That thing will change your life the first time you hear a mix come off it!
|
|
|
|
Post by rowmat on Oct 31, 2017 20:51:17 GMT -6
That thing will change your life the first time you hear a mix come off it! Along with the recently acquired Coles 4038's, Retro Sta Level and EMT 140!! At this rate I'm going have to seriously evaluate liquidating some of our less used gear.  |
|
|
|
Post by spindrift on Oct 31, 2017 23:02:09 GMT -6
Does it come with any extra Reel Servo cards?
|
|
|
|
Post by rowmat on Oct 31, 2017 23:17:41 GMT -6
Does it come with any extra Reel Servo cards? I have no idea. Due to be collected at the weekend. My studio partner was offered it. |
|
|
|
Post by rowmat on Nov 1, 2017 0:48:50 GMT -6
I just discovered I have a brand new Ampex ATR 1/4" ferrite headstack in amongst my ancient collection! So we can at least convert it to a 1/4" 2 track. Hmmm... some tape pre-delay goodness before the EMT 140 perhaps?  |
|
ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 14,918
|
Post by ericn on Nov 1, 2017 7:29:02 GMT -6
I just discovered I have a brand new Ampex ATR 1/4" ferrite headstack in amongst my ancient collection! So we can at least convert it to a 1/4" 2 track. Hmmm... some tape pre-delay goodness before the EMT 140 perhaps? Remember the most important things with any tape machine 1. Buy a new MRL test tape for your machine 2. Head condition, you can't tell much by eyeballing the heads sending them in to JRF for a head report is worth every penny! |
|
|
|
Post by notneeson on Nov 1, 2017 19:21:57 GMT -6
One time David Grisman played me a Grisman Garcia master off of his ATR 102— the sound was phenomenal. Deep, wide, 3-D, all the terms that never make sense to me when people are talking about conversion. |
|
|
|
Post by rowmat on Nov 1, 2017 19:47:31 GMT -6
I guess this is actually an ATR-104 being a 4 track machine - Correct?
|
|
|
|
Post by kcatthedog on Nov 1, 2017 20:37:41 GMT -6
Thought it was the atr-10fc ? For fucking cool!!
|
|
ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 14,918
|
Post by ericn on Nov 1, 2017 20:38:15 GMT -6
I guess this is actually an ATR-104 being a 4 track machine - Correct? Probably but who cares? |
|
|
|
Post by Guitar on Nov 3, 2017 11:57:32 GMT -6
I use the UAD version of that bastard on probably more than half of the mixes I do on the 2-bus. I love that sound, the real deal is better I am sure.
|
|
|
|
Post by johneppstein on Nov 3, 2017 12:45:22 GMT -6
Precision Motor Works sells a number of replacement and upgrade parts and also has the ATR-100 shop manual available as a searchable PDF on CD or by download. They also sell an inexpensive extender card for the ATR. Extender cards a pretty much indispensable for a lot of maintainance and alignjment operations. They also sell THE WORLD'S BEST head and guide cleaner. We got some and tested it it by cleaning the heads on the Studer with alcohol untill they were spotless and the cotton swabs came back completely clean, then tried their cleaner. Our jaws literally dropped when we saw how much additional gunk came off those heads! Safe for use on pinch rollers too! A bit expensive but well worth it because a little goes a really long way and it's just amazingly good. Check them out! www.precisionmotorworks.com/Products.html |
|
|
|
Post by rowmat on Nov 8, 2017 23:09:09 GMT -6
We're picking up the ATR on Saturday week.
I just found out it is coming with a 1/2" 2 Track headstack as well as the 1/2" 4 Track headstack which is great!
I also have a genuine ATR 1/4" 2 Track headstack as well.
|
|
|
|
Post by adamjbrass on Nov 9, 2017 8:11:34 GMT -6
those machines really sound great
|
|
ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 14,918
|
Post by ericn on Nov 9, 2017 9:54:38 GMT -6
We're picking up the ATR on Saturday week. I just found out it is coming with a 1/2" 2 Track headstack as well as the 1/2" 4 Track headstack which is great! I also have a genuine ATR 1/4" 2 Track headstack as well. Reminder MRL tapes MRL tapes ! |
|
|
|
Post by gar381 on Nov 9, 2017 14:17:02 GMT -6
Go for it !! I got an ATR102 1/4" and love it. Sounds as good as my AG440-2B and handles tape much better. BTW.. I also got a parts machine in the store room..nice to have but not really necessary. The boys in York PA can always help with parts. atrservice.com/about-us/Gary |
|
|
|
Post by rowmat on Nov 22, 2017 17:26:51 GMT -6
Okay I've had it spinning but it's going to need some work. The capstan bearings sound like a Harrier Jump Jet taking off and I can't get it to go into record. Here's a couple of video clips. With tape threaded up in rewind... www.dropbox.com/s/j0cr5jano2mzcu6/VIDEO0020.mp4?dl=0No reels installed, just the sound of the capstan bearings... www.dropbox.com/s/nh64ebr6mv0s16v/VIDEO0021.mp4?dl=0It looks like I'll have to buy bearings from the US, no one over here seems to have a clue about them. Also track 1. won't go into record standby (tracks 2, 3 & 4 will but still won't record) I've checked the record lockout jumper position and it's not the cause. The LED's on the play and record buttons also don't illuminate. |
|
|
|
Post by wiz on Nov 22, 2017 17:51:06 GMT -6
Okay I've had it spinning but it's going to need some work. The capstan bearings sound like a Harrier Jump Jet taking off and I can't get it to go into record. Here's a couple of video clips. With tape threaded up in rewind... www.dropbox.com/s/j0cr5jano2mzcu6/VIDEO0020.mp4?dl=0No reels installed, just the sound of the capstan bearings... www.dropbox.com/s/nh64ebr6mv0s16v/VIDEO0021.mp4?dl=0It looks like I'll have to buy bearings from the US, no one over here seems to have a clue about them. Also track 1. won't go into record standby (tracks 2, 3 & 4 will but still won't record) I've checked the record lockout jumper position and it's not the cause. The LED's on the play and record buttons also don't illuminate. Rob or Rick? cheers Wiz |
|
|
|
Post by rowmat on Nov 22, 2017 17:57:05 GMT -6
Okay I've had it spinning but it's going to need some work. The capstan bearings sound like a Harrier Jump Jet taking off and I can't get it to go into record. Here's a couple of video clips. With tape threaded up in rewind... www.dropbox.com/s/j0cr5jano2mzcu6/VIDEO0020.mp4?dl=0No reels installed, just the sound of the capstan bearings... www.dropbox.com/s/nh64ebr6mv0s16v/VIDEO0021.mp4?dl=0It looks like I'll have to buy bearings from the US, no one over here seems to have a clue about them. Also track 1. won't go into record standby (tracks 2, 3 & 4 will but still won't record) I've checked the record lockout jumper position and it's not the cause. The LED's on the play and record buttons also don't illuminate. Rob or Rick? cheers Wiz Thanks Wiz, I've actually only just posted on Turtlerock as I know Rick has an ATR-102. Rob was going to be my next port of call otherwise johneppstein 's recommendation www.precisionmotorworks.com/Products.html |
|
|
|
Post by spindrift on Nov 22, 2017 19:31:12 GMT -6
Ugggg, welcome to ATR-102 land rowmat. Mine works as far as I can tell other than not dropping out of thread mode when I tension both reels. I'm dragging mine up to a good tech in Portland to go through the PSU and make sure all is working. I already sent my cards to ATR Service to be recapped after blowing many tantalum caps upon power up.
This is an old Connecticut Public Broadcasting machine so it has some war stories to tell. I just want to get it to pass some audio so I can hear it for myself!
Good luck.
|
|
|
|
Post by rowmat on Nov 22, 2017 19:39:57 GMT -6
I took out the capstan motor and removed the drive shaft and bearings. Knackered is an understatement! Anyway I didn't expect we'd get a perfect ATR for free so it's definitely worth getting it up to spec. After the bearings I'll need to work out why it won't go into record. I'm getting incoming audio appearing on the VU's so it's getting that far. Also I'm intending to rewire the XLR's to 'pin 2 hot'. I downloaded the tech manual so it'll be some bedtime reading for me!    And for those who missed the previous video links here's what the capstan bearings sounded like before I pulled out the motor... www.dropbox.com/s/nh64ebr6mv0s16v/VIDEO0021.mp4?dl=0 |
|
|
|
Post by rowmat on Nov 22, 2017 22:13:51 GMT -6
I managed to pickup a pair of Japanese KSM and NSK bearings to suit the capstan. ☺
|
|
|
|
Post by johneppstein on Nov 22, 2017 22:23:14 GMT -6
I took out the capstan motor and removed the drive shaft and bearings. Knackered is an understatement! Anyway I didn't expect we'd get a perfect ATR for free so it's definitely worth getting it up to spec. After the bearings I'll need to work out why it won't go into record. I'm getting incoming audio appearing on the VU's so it's getting that far. Also I'm intending to rewire the XLR's to 'pin 2 hot'. I downloaded the tech manual so it'll be some bedtime reading for me! And for those who missed the previous video links here's what the capstan bearings sounded like before I pulled out the motor... www.dropbox.com/s/nh64ebr6mv0s16v/VIDEO0021.mp4?dl=0Precision Motor Works are the people for bearings. I've dealt with them on some Studer stuff and they've been great, and they're not into Studer as deep as they are ATR. If you don't see it on the site, email them. And as I understand it, rebuilding motors, should it come to that. I'm guessing that probably bearings will do it. AND DON'T FORGET THAT EXTENDER CARD!!!!  |
|
