Calibration Tape.... which one ?

[Ciozzi]

I need to buy a calibration tape for my Studer A67 (very similar to a B67) and I haven't still understood the difference between the two types of equalizations available, NAB and CCIR.

The manual says that they are "switchable".... in what way??.. what does it mean ? What kind of calibration tape should I buy ?

I bought the recorder a few days ago along with a couple of BASF 911 reels so I suppose the machine is currently set up for that tape...

Anyone that could enlighten me ?

[themaidsroom]

what is the speed you are going to use ?
what speeds are available with that machine ?

- jack

[ronzie]

Originally Posted by Ciozzi

I need to buy a calibration tape for my Studer A67 (very similar to a B67) and I haven't still understood the difference between the two types of equalizations available, NAB and CCIR.

The manual says that they are "switchable".... in what way??.. what does it mean ? What kind of calibration tape should I buy ?

I bought the recorder a few days ago along with a couple of BASF 911 reels so I suppose the machine is currently set up for that tape...

Anyone that could enlighten me ?

Google MRL and hit their site. That should help straighten you out.

To my ears, ccir (from France) is nice and smooth with less noise compared to NAB. This falls under the IEC 1 category for 15ips and is a 2 pole eq curve as opposed the NAB 3 pole. As Jack questioned the speed, get that right, and you'll be able to "fudge" any alignment.

Have fun!

Ron Allaire, Skyline

[MarkRB]

CCIR is a newer alignment curve than AES/NAB, apparently better suited to modern tapes (modern as of the 70's) although most people still use AES.

What it means by 'switchable' is that in theory you can align most common EQ's and speeds from 1 tape just by knowing what frequency is at what level at that speed and curve (make sense?).
IE: You would align for IEC using an AES MRL with 1kHz flat, 10kHz @ -2 and 100Hz@+2 (example only, not accurate!!).

Buy an MRL; besides being the best quality, the documentation that comes with them is invaluable.

The real question is what speed and curve do you want to record to?

[Ciozzi]

Thank you for the replies guys.

My machine runs at 3.75, 7.5 and 15ips with 1/4" tape.

The only speed that I'm using is 15ips, unless I want to use tape as an "effect". The thing is, I have got almost no experience with analog recorders and I'm still experimenting with tapes and settings to find my sound.

Since I've got the option, do you think I should go for the CCIR equalization ?

[themaidsroom]

get ccir
and run the machine at 15 ips
would be my advice



be well


- jack

[dbbubba]

With the deck being switchable you can set up for BOTH CCIR and HAB.
Each has their own merits.
You will need a Cal tape for both equalization curves, so you'll probably pick or the other.

Since you will be recording your own stuff it won't really matter which you use, but in the U.S. CCIR was a rare thing to see.
In the days of analog you didn't set up for CCIR because there was next to zero hance of compatibility.

[ricknroll]

"Switchable" means that there are two separate EQ curves available in the machine for recording and playback. This is accomplished by two different sets of EQ circuits inside the machine.

As mentioned earlier, the MRL site is a great reference. I'd also recommend the CCIR EQ over NAB. I have 3 tape decks that have switchable EQ and one (a Revox PR99) that unfortunately only offers NAB. In addition to picking a calibration tape based on the EQ curve you'll be using, you also need to figure out what speed and operating level you'll be running.

[MarkRB]

Switchable does mean the deck is capable of using both curves but you don't need both alignment tapes. Ideally you would have every possible MRL tape but you can use an AES to align for CCIR and vice versa in the manner I descibed above.
You just need to know the levels to align for in each case. They are just tones recorded onto tape at specific fluxivity relative to the EQ curve so are easily interchangeable.

If I find the MRL page that describes the process I will post.

http://home.flash.net/~mrltapes/choo&u.pdf

[Ciozzi]

Well... Thanks you guys, I think I'm starting to understand this calibration thing.

I've contacted MRL and they have several tapes, with 2,3 or many tones. How many do I need ?

[Sigma]

"100 hertz at a reference fluxivity of 185 nano webers per meter"



my mind ..my mind..going going.....

it's one of the things i don't miss..that dudes voice is in my brain FOREVER

excuse the highjack..the thought of that voice gave me a senior moment

[MarkRB]

Originally Posted by Sigma

"100 hertz at a reference fluxivity of 185 nano webers per meter"



my mind ..my mind..going going.....

it's one of the things i don't miss..that dudes voice is in my brain FOREVER

excuse the highjack..the thought of that voice gave me a senior moment

Ha, I wonder if that guy gets royalties? (joke, before someone patiently explains that he doesn't)

I'd recommend a 15ips 250nwb/m. I thought they all had the full run 32Hz upto 16kHz?
Which EQ curve is up to you. It's a personal thing really.

If other studios are going to get your tapes I'd stick with NAB as it is still the most common but as mentioned IEC is a little better sounding at higher levels.

[Sigma]

Originally Posted by MarkRB

Ha, I wonder if that guy gets royalties? (joke, before someone patiently explains that he doesn't)

I'd recommend a 15ips 250nwb/m. I thought they all had the full run 32Hz upto 16kHz?
Which EQ curve is up to you. It's a personal thing really.

If other studios are going to get your tapes I'd stick with NAB as it is still the most common but as mentioned IEC is a little better sounding at higher levels.

i just brought up this story yesterday

i go to larabee to do vocal over dubs on New Edition..Gerald Levert is the producer and he flew me in for the vocals

my assistantat home [sigma] made a slave reel with my.. bass track..drum 2 track and pad 2 track 5 track sub and smpte track

i start to raise the faders and the kick dum in the drum sub is distorting like all hell

i am she ite ing

gerald is giving me the "your making me look bad" eye

dave way and babyface are next door and said they were going to pop by

it was an engineers nightmare

the tape machine was NOT in the room with me as I was used to at home

I go to the second..dude can i please look at the machine

we go to the machine room and the meters are slammed

i go could ya please go to the top of the reel to the test tones [umm they are head and tail leadered 30 seconds in with that NOTATED on the box..AND on the TAKE sheet with all relavent infoe..at that time the mrls switched from 185 to 250 nwbm..if memory serves correct BUT we always notated +6 over 185

the faawker used an MRL and set to 0 over the standard flux and NOT the tones on my reel